Semi auto suggestions

bobo1972

bobo1972

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I am looking for a new gun for bird season this year. Think I want a semi in 20 or 28.
Just looking to see if anyone has any opinions on models and manufacturers.
Any help is greatly appreciated. Did a lot of does hunting last year and used a single shot. Ran into multiple birds multiple times.
 
I know it's not the same but I would suggest an M37 Ithaca in 28 gauge. However at the present time they aren't building any! Thier steel, rightfully so, is domestically sourced. But there's none available right now. Covide nonsense.
Weird.
 
brybenn said:
I have the Beretta a400 xplor in 20 and 28ga. Love both
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Yes, great suggestion as I've had those exact guns and no issues. I've also have had a Benelli M2 in 20 gauge that worked fine. Beretta 391 in 20 ga is another great gun that never gave me any grief, older but very well built. I've heard nothing but good things about the Win SX3! Lots of great suggestions here so far, will depend on your budget and how they fit.
 
SX3 again...I regretted selling mine so much I just picked up a mint used one, great shooting guns. Also a vote for the Browning Gold 20, shot one of those for years and loved it. The Gold and SX20g share most of the same internals so shoot very similar
 
I’d start by deciding what type of semi auto you prefer, gas operated or recoil operated. Step two is figuring out your budget. Once you figure out these two critical decisions, then go to a store with a good selection of guns on the shelf that meet your requirements and see which one fits you best. The best answer to your question is which ever gun fits you best.

Me personally, I like my Brownings best, although my Mossberg 935 is the gun I always grab when I go duck and turkey hunting. If I’m going pigeon or upland hunting and want to use a semi, I’ll grab one of my Franchi’s. If shooting clays is on the agenda, then its the Brownings.

I guess the moral of the story is to have about a dozen semi’s in various gauges….
 
Have to agree with 63 my 20g browning gold has been steadfast and never let me down.Going against the grain here but have a 28 g Weatherby and it has been a great little piece.They don't make them anymore but have shot 28g benelli in Argentina and this one has been just as good for a third of the price IMHO
 
I have a Benelli Montefeltro in 20 gauge and love it, light to carry, and very reliable. Very easy to take down for cleaning, I also like that due to the fact that it is recoil operated instead of gas, the action does not get very dirty. Highly recommend, I would not hesitate to buy another.
 
I bought a new auto loader 20 ga for this season and went with a left over new in box Winchester sx3 a local dealer had in stock . with the reliability and durability record of the sx3 a long with the price made it a no brainer in the choice of a new gun . others I considered were the Browning silver ,the Beretta a400 and the Benelli legacy all of which were a fair bit more money than the sx3 .
 
bobo1972 said:
I am looking for a new gun for bird season this year. Think I want a semi in 20 or 28.
Just looking to see if anyone has any opinions on models and manufacturers.
Any help is greatly appreciated. Did a lot of does hunting last year and used a single shot. Ran into multiple birds multiple times.
Click to expand...

I'm guessing that by bird, you mean upland stuff?
- What kind of $$
 
I had a Charles Daly 601 20ga and it was a fantastic little gun. I sold it to a buddy for his son but it's full cost new about what I paid in tax on my Beretta a400. It's not the same materials and build quality as the Beretta but it worked fine with skeet loads and waterfowl and turkey loads and was a very soft shooting gun
 
Franchi is another great option. I have their Affinity 3 12 gauge setup with a rail and red dot. Inertia driven. I can shoot 25 or more slugs without any pain. Considering another one to use for foul weather clay shooting. They have a $100 rebate going right now till July 7.

Takes Mobil chokes
Single front bead, no mid bead to confuse yourself with figure 8
Easy takedown
Easy cleaning
Doesn't get as dirty as gas operated shotguns
Recoil spring is located at the front of the gun, whereas Benelli's are located in the stock
Trigger is decent
Bolt handle and bolt release button are of decent size
Benelli M2 trigger spring and bolt handles work in it
Stamped Benelli on receiver
Drilled and tapped for a rail (EGW 40600)
5 shims Z,A,B,C,D
7 year warranty
Tube extensions available
Lightweight and slim in the hand

Only negative to me is the synthetic stock is a little slippery on the face, I bought a beartooth comb kit from Bass Pro to solve that issue

https://www.beartooth-products.com/...riser/products/comb-raising-kit-no-loop-black
https://tacord.com/product-category/shotgun-parts-accessories/bolt-handles/
https://tacord.com/product/tti-benelli-reduced-power-trigger-spring/
 
Not what you asked for... But for flushing bird, I still prefer a SxS...

The way I look at it, even if I see multiple birds. I'll only shoot one, if I can't get it with two shots... the bird will be too far away.
- I find it is easier to go after the other birds after the 1st one is retrieved... Because looking for that 2nd down bird in the shrubs, is kind of a pain...
 
I just bought an Armsan ,but I haven't got my hands on it, yet. If you look up Tristar Viper G2 reviews you will be hard pressed to find a negative one . It's a copy of the Berretta 300 series. Mine is the same one ,only with the factory name instead of the importer's. Frontier has them on sale,BTW.Weatherby imports a different maker, they call theirs Orion. CZ imports one from still another Turkish manufacturer, that gets great reviews. Not all Turkish manufacturers should be lumped in the same boat.
 
bobo1972 said:
I am looking for a new gun for bird season this year. Think I want a semi in 20 or 28.
Just looking to see if anyone has any opinions on models and manufacturers.
Any help is greatly appreciated. Did a lot of does hunting last year and used a single shot. Ran into multiple birds multiple times.
Click to expand...

Remington 1100 in 20g with a 28inch barrel.....
If it is Upland birds you are seeking.
Rob
 
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