Semi-auto Shotgun Actions

Lever38

Lever38

Regular
Rating - 100%
3   0   0
Location
Calgary
I want to get a semi for shooting clays. I've handled an A5 and an 1100 and found both to be a pretty good fit but ultimately I will be custom fitting the gun so that isn't even the main issue for me.

I want to open up a discussion about the different semi-auto shotgun actions out there. Tell me your preference and why. What experience have you had good or bad? This will be a high volume shooter for me so recoil reduction and reliability are of interest.

...And what is an "inertia system" as opposed to gas operated?
 
I agree, best autoloader on the market,..go to any Trap/Skeet/Sporting club in North America and what you will see are the Beretta 391's and now the 400 series.
Best gun hands down,...I'm sure this will cause bit of a stir,...get your pop-corn out.
Beretta's gas system is proven and reliable,..and soft shooting most importantly.
Benelli makes a good gun, over priced in my opinion and with more kick of course.


Cesare
 
Last edited:
Cesare said:
I agree, best autoloader on the market,..go to any Trap/Skeet/Sporting club in North America and what you will see are the Beretta 391's and now the 400 series.
Best gun hands down,...I'm sure this will cause bit of a stir,...get your pop-corn out.


Cesare
Click to expand...

How are the 390's for this?
 
Beretta 390 is also good, but improvements made to the 391makes it the choice of champs.
391 has improved barrel and choke geometry, upgrade to better gas system, better stock/forend configuration,...so on.

Cesare
 
I've owned 391's and they were 100% reliable and very nice guns, an excellent choice for sure. I shoot Benellis now as I love the simplicity, lightweight and feel of them. The Beretta always felt dead in my hands, the Benelli is faster and much livelier for me anyway, much like a nice sxs. My clays gun is a Sport II with a nice walnut stock, ported barrel and extended target chokes. I shoot 1oz loads and I can shoot all day without any discomfort. After a day of shooting it takes about 5 minutes to wipe down, G96 the internals and put it away. My hunting gun is a Camo M2 and that gun is wonderful on ducks/turkeys and again very little maintenance and very simple to use/operate. Now I agree that Benellis are overpriced, but so are Berettas, I fail to see how similarly priced Berettas offer any value advantage over a Benelli. The point I am trying to make is that gas operated is probably softer shooting, but that comes at the expense of a heavier gun that is more complicated to clean and take care of. With a good recoil pad, light loads and proper fit you can shoot all day with an inertia driven gun and spend 5 mins cleaning it after or not at all. Not to mention the balance is night and day different to most other semis. Shoulder both and you will enjoy more the one that fits and feels better.
 
I love my benelli super sport smooth action will eat everything. The only one of my guns I can shoot all day do to its light recoil. Never has failed yet. And comes with shims to fine tune stock fit. Also super light.
 
In my perhaps dated opinion, a good old Auto-5 with the articulated "speed-loading" lifter is my downright favorite gun to shoot. I love it for two reasons: one being that the design is now well over 100 years old, and two; they are beautiful and well made guns. I use mine for skeet and fire both that Walmart stuff and Winchester Super Speed (1350 fps, #8, #7-1/2, that stuff) without any issues. You can get a good 2-3/4 Belgian A5 for about $400, and a 3" for around $700. I don't think there is a single gun on the market that can beat that value. However, a Winchester Super X-1 comes in a close second. Probably a little more reliable, and recoil is snappier, but lighter.
 
Sounds like I'm off to shoulder a few Berettas and a Benelli or two.

I like a bit of weight in a shotgun and was surprised at how light the new A5s are. Any thoughts on weight/function/reliability as you go back in time with any of these models?

Also, any opinions on the 1100s?
 
Lever38 said:
Sounds like I'm off to shoulder a few Berettas and a Benelli or two.

I like a bit of weight in a shotgun and was surprised at how light the new A5s are. Any thoughts on weight/function/reliability as you go back in time with any of these models?

Also, any opinions on the 1100s?
Click to expand...

This is like a ford and chevy debate. Are Berettas the best semi ever produced NOPE the superx-1 is and time will prove that when we see a Beretta with a couple 100,000 rounds fired some problems now with 400's feeding being seen especially the 3.5".
All of the B guns are fine if you keep them clean as is the X3 so find what you like and fits.
Forget the 1110 unless you like to work on guns. I would also not turn my nose up on the new A5 since to me inside it is a Benelli and with the exception of the new A5 yes I have or owned at least one of each of the guns I mentioned over the years but grab the maxus vs the 400 most times. Just one man's opinion take care
 
Last edited:
My local store has a Winchester Super X-1 for sale with a poly-choke. Would it be worth buying? How hard would it be to find a modern barrel for it?
 
Cintax said:
My local store has a Winchester Super X-1 for sale with a poly-choke. Would it be worth buying? How hard would it be to find a modern barrel for it?
Click to expand...

There is no modern barrels made for them it would have to be threaded for thin walls which may or may not be an option pending how the poly was installed. You also have to like tinkering same as a 1100 and be happy shooting only 2 3/4" shells.
If not buying it yourself you will probally get a PM soon from a member here that has been buying them all up lately. I still have three and they are coming to the grave with me.
 
3macs1 said:
This is like a ford and chevy debate. Are Berettas the best semi ever produced NOPE the superx-1 is and time will prove that when we see a Beretta with a couple 100,000 rounds fired some problems now with 400's feeding being seen especially the 3.5".
All of the B guns are fine if you keep them clean as is the X3 so find what you like and fits.
Forget the 1110 unless you like to work on guns. I would also not turn my nose up on the new A5 since to me inside it is a Benelli and with the exception of the new A5 yes I have or owned at least one of each of the guns I mentioned over the years but grab the maxus vs the 400 most times. Just one man's opinion take care
Click to expand...

Sound advise right there!
 
The Belgium and Japanese Auto-5's from the past were works of art,...I wouldn't come near the new A5 that are produced today.
I onced read that Browning discontinued the Japanese A5 because it cost more to produce an A5 than a Citori, hence it being dropped from the line.
The newer version is back of course, but it's not the same gun in any way.... like comparing apples/oranges.
....btw...these guns aren't Target gun, that is, if you stickly plan to use them for Traget shooting, I would suggest Beretta/Benelli.
 
The new Beretta A400 Parallel Target should be as good as the 391 Trap gun or better.

I shoot a 391 Trap, several thousand rounds a season. I broke the connecting rod this past season. Trivial to replace.. back in business in a week.

I would buy another 391 Trap if I could find one (hint hint to anyone reading this thread who wants to sell theirs).
 
Cesare said:
The Belgium and Japanese Auto-5's from the past were works of art,...I wouldn't come near the new A5 that are produced today.
I onced read that Browning discontinued the Japanese A5 because it cost more to produce an A5 than a Citori, hence it being dropped from the line.
The newer version is back of course, but it's not the same gun in any way.... like comparing apples/oranges.
....btw...these guns aren't Target gun, that is, if you stickly plan to use them for Traget shooting, I would suggest Beretta/Benelli.
Click to expand...

I'm not going to comment on the old A5 but agree they are a treasure. Apples and oranges to the new one for sure but you are tossing the new design under the bus and saying buy a Benelli but if you look close that is the exact design Browning used.
The reviews on the new A5 have not been bad and they are actually now calling it the "Brownelli"

Browning claims down to 7/8 oz. target load ability with the new A5, while most 12 ga. Benelli's are stated (by Benelli) to use 1-1/8 oz. 1200 fps loads as a minimum.
"100,000 Round or Five Year Warranty" sounds like targets were also considered
 
Last edited:
Blastattack said:
In my perhaps dated opinion, a good old Auto-5 with the articulated "speed-loading" lifter is my downright favorite gun to shoot. I love it for two reasons: one being that the design is now well over 100 years old, and two; they are beautiful and well made guns. I use mine for skeet and fire both that Walmart stuff and Winchester Super Speed (1350 fps, #8, #7-1/2, that stuff) without any issues. You can get a good 2-3/4 Belgian A5 for about $400, and a 3" for around $700. I don't think there is a single gun on the market that can beat that value. However, a Winchester Super X-1 comes in a close second. Probably a little more reliable, and recoil is snappier, but lighter.
Click to expand...

IMHO you sir are 100% correct.
 
I've got a 1964 Browning A5 that I bought for $150 a few years ago off a buddy on CGN. That was very generous of him. I love that gun. It fits me like a glove and is the only shotgun I've ever shot a triple with.

I have a Browning gold Hunter too, which I actually like to shoot more because of the soft recoil.

The Browning A5 with the recoiling barrel does have a noticeable recoil but the Gold has a nice gentle push. Too bad it doesn't fit me like the A5 does.

It is virtually identical to the Winchester X-2 shotguns.
 
Cintax said:
My local store has a Winchester Super X-1 for sale with a poly-choke. Would it be worth buying? How hard would it be to find a modern barrel for it?
Click to expand...

You should buy it if it is in decent condition! Like 3macs1 said in his first post, they are the best. No gun before it and no gun in the future will ever come close to matching it's quality reliability and durability. Winchester sold all +/- 88 000 Super-X Model 1 shotguns at huge loss and it cost them in more ways than one! If you do pick it up replace the bolt buffer before you even shoot it...if you don't buy it PM me the contact info of the store that has it please!

I bought an SX-1 not long ago with the Deluxe Poly-Choke on it...it looks odd to me but I'm gonna put it thru it's paces as soon as all this Alberta snow melts away!

3macs1 said:
There is no modern barrels made for them it would have to be threaded for thin walls which may or may not be an option pending how the poly was installed. You also have to like tinkering same as a 1100 and be happy shooting only 2 3/4" shells.
If not buying it yourself you will probally get a PM soon from a member here that has been buying them all up lately. I still have three and they are coming to the grave with me.
Click to expand...

Hey hey hey!!! I don't want to hear you say that last line again...although I do feel the same way about my 8 SX-1s! ;) LOL!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom