Semi-auto and shooting a wide variety of loads.

gth

gth

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I have been looking for a target oriented semi-auto for quite some time. I want to be able shoot light 1oz skeet loads as well as have the versatility to shoot heavy 3" field loads on occasion. I'm looking for mainly a target gun but a gun that also may be used as a fair weather waterfowler. I want the 3" capability because I believe it may help resale value if I sell it and also give me a little more flexability in what I use the gun for.

I have researched all the major brands. I didnt look at Baikal/Stoeger/Mossberg because they either didnt have all the options I wanted or because I'm not convinced they make shotguns of enough quality to be target guns.

I didnt look at franchi/Beretta Teknys's/Charles Daily because of either the cost was to high or availabilty was to low.

Beretta 391 Sporting
Has stock spacers for fitting adjustments and a selection of chokes. Has a 3" chamber but I dont know how reliably it will cycle 1oz loads???????

Remington 1100 Competition/Sporting 12
Has stock spacers for fitting adjustments and a selection of chokes. Only has 2 3/4" capability. Really nice but without 3" I have kinda decided against getting one.

Remington 11-87 Premier
Has a 3" chamber but I dont know how reliably it will cycle 1oz loads??????? Would need to pick up a few chokes for it.

Winchester Super X2
Has stock spacers for fitting adjustments and a selection of chokes. Has 2 pistons to allow for shooting light target loads and 3" mags interchangeably. Really sounds like what I'm looking for. But I havent held one yet to see if it will fit.

Browning Gold Sporting
Had one in the past and loved it. Has stock spacers for fitting adjustments and a selection of chokes. Only has 2 3/4" capability. Really nice but without 3" I have kinda decided against getting one.

Brownig Gold Fusion
Has stock spacers for fitting adjustments and a selection of chokes. Has a 3" chamber and "Active valve" but I dont know how reliably it will cycle 1oz loads???????

Brownig Gold Evolve
Has stock spacers for fitting adjustments and a selection of chokes. Has a 3" chamber and "Active valve" but I dont know how reliably it will cycle 1oz loads???????

I would say, for me, its really down the 391/Fusion/Evolve/Super X2. The remingtons just dont seem to fit bill.



So does anyone have first hand experience with any of these shotguns thay would like to share to aid in the selection process??????????
 
I have a 391 and it will shoot everything from 3" to 7/8 Gamebore loads at 1250 fps reliably. I shoot primarily one ounce loads for clays and have only had FTF problems with one ounce Federal Top Gun loads. In fairness the gun had gone over a thousand rounds without cleaning at that point so I blame owner neglect more than the shells.

The only downside to this gun IMHO is that it is somewhat more complex to clean than the Remington or Browning. But having owned an 11-87 in comparison I have to clean the Beretta a lot less. I've gone up to 1,500 rounds in my 391 without cleanining before encountering any problems.

There are two other minor points about the 391. The first is that the gun likes to be shot "wet." Don't be shy about lubrication. Secondly, the forend nut needs a touch of grease otherwise it can seize. I loosen mine a few turns when it goes into the safe and retighten it when I go to the range.
 
Thanks for the input.

It's good to hear that your 391 will cycle the lite loads. I have shot one quite a bit and really like the fit, but I was always using full house promo loads.

Maintenece isnt really a big concern for me as I like to totally strip down my gun every 500rds or once a month. Which ever comes first.
 
My son shoots a 391. His normal load is a 1225fps 7/8oz load and it cycles them all day with no problem. He's also shot some 1250fps 3/4oz loads out of it and it also with cycles them no problem aslong as the gun is reasonably clean. He can go from 7/8oz to 1 5/8oz back to 1oz in the tube and it never skips a beat. An excellent gun. While it is a bit more complex than some other its not that bad. My 13yr old cleans his by himself.

Tim
 
Semi Auto

I sold my 391 with Mobile chokes and presently have a 391 Optima Sporting with extended chokes. I have put a wide variety of loads through it both factory and my own 1 ounce and 1 1/8 ounce reloads without a burb. Without a doubt one of the best currently manufactured semi autos going and would serve you well as a double duty clays and bird gun.

I've owned a couple Remington 1100's but I'd never go back to one. Yes, they do have a distinguished track record but neither the 1100 or 11-87 are up to the Beretta 391's durability, reliability, fit or finish standard.

I don't have any experience with the newer Browning Gold or Fusion. However my Auto 5 and Double Automatic hold a special spot in the rack.

Numerous posts say it's not necessary but I clean my Beretta after every outing. The job is a lot easier if you use Break Free to lube your gun prior to your shooting session. Not a lot is needed ( couple drops wiped on ) but as in the previous post shooting it " wet " keeps all the exhaust gas crud suspended and makes clean up little more than a wipe. I take out the trigger group and wipe it down maybe twice a year and take the gas valve apart once a year both of which are simple maintenance.

REM3200
 
Lots of feedback on the 391. I'm not really surprised as I have shot the 391 quite a bit and even shot an extrema a few weeks ago. Beautifully functioning guns with mediocre wood.

Anyone have the Fusion/Evolve/X2 Sporting?????
 
Semi autos

Another one you may want to throw in your mix is a Benelli. I had a M1 Super 90 Field a couple years back that I shot for Sporting Clays, skeet and all round field gun. Every bit as faithfull as my present Berettas and a whole lot easier to clean. That one also worked fine with my one ounce reloads.

One of those guns I never should have sold but traded for a Browning 325 O/U 20 gauge that I just had to / still have.
 
Claybuster said:
Very true about the wood. If your pockets are deep enough you can upgrade the wood on a 391. ;)

http://www.colegun.com/wood_sets.php
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Believe it or not, there is a guy locally that took a stab at making a custon stock for a club members 391 and he did an awesome job. For a lot less than coles cherges also.

I'm trying to figure out the X2/Evolve/Fusion overlaps and similarities. I have heard that the Evolve and the x2 share the same bolt as well as some other parts.
 
I have been using a Browning Gold (field Model) and love it, you can get the spacers for the Gold Sporting and fit them in, I have one to drop my comb. I haven't used 1 oz but have shot many cases of 1 1/8. You can get a spare piston for the Gold to shoot lighter loads. I believe this is the same piston that is in the Sporting.

I should also add that alot of my buddies have ised the Extrema 2 for skeet and field with no issues, myself I don't care for the fit.

Now the Baikal Mp-153 will cycle EVERYTHING from 1 oz 2.5" upt to the heaviest 3 1/2" it doesn't come with all the option available in most target guns but you can get any choke you want for it and you can make spacers if you feel you need them. Don't over look the Baikal.
 
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bill c68 said:
Now the Baikal Mp-153 will cycle EVERYTHING from 1 oz 2.5" upt to the heaviest 3 1/2" it doesn't come with all the option available in most target guns but you can get any choke you want for it and you can make spacers if you feel you need them. Don't over look the Baikal.
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The Baikal is around $780 plus taxes, a used Evolve/391 is around $1000, The X2 sporting is around $1000 plus taxes new. With only a couple hundred dollars seperating the Baikal from the B-guns I dont think its worth it. If the Baikal was $350-450 it might be tempting to take a chance on one.
 
Semi Auto

Do a search in the exchange forum as there are several 391's listed for sale. There is a new 391 Sporting on an auction site for several weeks now that you could get for $850.00. I'll send you a PM with the info.
 
I have a 391 Teknys gold sporting, I consider the wood to be really really good. And under the forearm there's a gas auto regulator thing, which is supposed to allow the gun take shells with all different loads. For trap I'm shooting 2 3/4 1oz shells. Haven't had a problem yet. I pretty much clean it everytime I go home so I can't tell you how long the gun would keep functioning without any cleaning.

This is probably the softest shooting gun you can find anywhere.
 
gth said:
The Baikal is around $780 plus taxes, a used Evolve/391 is around $1000, The X2 sporting is around $1000 plus taxes new. With only a couple hundred dollars seperating the Baikal from the B-guns I dont think its worth it. If the Baikal was $350-450 it might be tempting to take a chance on one.
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Hard to beat it in the field, the Baikal used to be $575 and at that price it was well worth it.
 
I have used an Rem 1187 for years and have had no problems with using light 1 oz field loads.To give an example I load a 1 oz shell with 17 grans of Red Dot powder and I gave some to a friend to use in his Berreta 391 and it wouldn't cycle but they do in the 1187,but you have to keep one thing in mind that you have to do regular cleaning on the gun and keep proper maintance of it.If you buy a used one the first thing to do is COMPLETELY strip the gun and clean it,making sure that the gas ports in the barrel are clear and the rubber O rings are in good condition and that the recoil spring in the stock is cleaned and oiled and you should have one problems with the gun.
 
Just purchased a 391 Parallel Target and although I like it the pattern is about a 20/80 and I need to bring it down. The wood is actually quite nice on this one.
Interesting points there Claybuster, thanks I'll keep them in mind
 
I just purchased the 391 Parallel Target and although I like it so far, the patern is very high, close to a 20/80, which I need to play with the shims.
The wood is very nice for a 391.
Interesting points on cleaning there Claybuster, thanks, I'll keep them in mind
 
Put 8 flats of target loads through a Beretta 391 last summer without a cleaning ...( other than the usual external wipe down of blued parts and passing a bore brush a few times through the barrel ) no malfunctions - no failures to feed, and no parts replaced. A very reliable autolaoder !

No issues with shooting it "dry" and have not experianced a "seized" forend nut ( forend or magazine cap ? ) Only lubrication is the same as I've done with previous Remington 58's, 1100's and 11-87's.... a dab of grease on the sear/hammer engagement points, light oil on crucial trigger group parts, and a shot of Remington "DriLube" on the action rails.

Did a similar test with my wife's 11-87 a few years back ... only one FTF in a thousand rounds (without cleaning) on a factory Federal Handicap paper on a very hot,humid day... and this I believe was because the cartridge was swollen ( a very snug push fit into my O/U ! ) no fault of the gun. Did replace a single "O" ring on that gun ... but one in 4 years wasn't bad !

Go with the Beretta ... my favourite is the 391 Parallel Target RL.
 
gth said:
The Baikal is around $780 plus taxes, a used Evolve/391 is around $1000, The X2 sporting is around $1000 plus taxes new. With only a couple hundred dollars seperating the Baikal from the B-guns I dont think its worth it. If the Baikal was $350-450 it might be tempting to take a chance on one.
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You should check out Ellwoodepps.com

They have Baikals for less than $780.



BT
 
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