Shotgun Questions

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Recked

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Hey, I am new to the world of firearms and have some questions I was hoping someone could help me with.

I am mostly interested in trap/skeet/sporting clay shooting.
I have done some research and I think I want to purchase a 12g Benelli Supersport. It looks like I can purchase it new for about $2500 + tax or try and get it used for about $1800 - $1900.

Is there a better gun in this price range that I should be looking at? I want something that's reliable, accurate, easy to clean, and semi automatic.
Is there much of a difference between the 28" model and the 30"? I am leaning towards the 28"
Is this likely to come up for sale on the EE forum? I have access but no idea if this is something I will have to wait a couple months to see or if I will still be looking this time next year. I just passed my pal/rpal test and have sent the paperwork in, so I have a while before I am even eligible to purchase it.
How do I get access to the WTB section of the EE forum? I can see the WTS/WTT but the WTS still has the locked icon like the EE forum had before I was given access.

Thanks in advance for your help.
 
The question that really needs to be asked is does the Supers[port fit you properly? Do you even know how to tell if it fits you properly ? Unless the shotgun fits you properly, you will never shoot to your potential. If you purchase a shotgun based on appearance, or brand name, and ignore the fit, you could likely end up disappointed.
 
The Supersport is a sporting clays gun. You can shoot trap and skeet with it too, but it is not specifically tailored to those games. A sporter like this is not a bad choice for a general purpose gun for shooting all games, although there are now some options out there that are specifically designated for multiple games and may be worth a look as well (for example Beretta A400 multitarget).

How did you decide on the Benelli? If you have not done so yet, I would recommend trying to get your hands on as many options as possible and find something that fits you well. Ideally shoot them, or at least visit a store and handle them. I would at least try to get my hands on the various Beretta, Browning and Winchester offerings in addition to the Benelli. Can't go wrong with any of these in terms of your stated criteria. Something else to consider is that the Benelli is an inertia gun while most others are gas guns. Inertia generally will be easier to clean, gas generally softer shooting although fit is an important consideration as well. Ideally you would get some trigger time with both inertia and gas before making a decision as they feel different to shoot.

You will see Supersports come up used from time to time, though perhaps not as commonly as others. I feel like I see a used A400 Xcel for sale every other week at prices that have tempted me more than once. Check the EE regularly but also make a point of finding which stores regularly update their online used inventory and get into the habit of checking these as well (several site sponsors do so). Good deals and desirable guns go quick, check daily to get what you want.

28" vs 30" is mostly down to personal preference. Swing both and pick what you like the feel of. There is not a right and wrong answer. Resale may be higher on the 30" in a sporter.
 
One of my members shoots a Benelli Supersport in 30", he owns a few semis(Franchi Affinity & Mossberg 930) and 1 Browning O/U(625 IIRC). He shoots the Benelli best. If you are going to lean more towards Trap & Sporting, go for the 30", if you are leaning towards Skeet, 28". The longer sighting plane will be of more benefit on those games, skeet is always a close range affair and the trends has been to shoot a shorter gun as a result.
 
Hey Guys,

Thanks for the feedback its helpful. I haven't actually decided on a Benelli Supersport, it just came up while researching and had virtually no bad reviews. So it was my starting point based on what I think I want.
I have shouldered the Supersport at my local Cabela's. It felt good, but I'm not really sure what I am looking for.
I don't think there is much of an option for me to be able to shoot them at a range. So I will probably be limited to how it feels in the store. As far as fit goes, am I just looking for something where I like the way it feels while shouldered, the weight, and balance while moving it around?
Thanks for the list of alternatives. I will see if any of them are available at my local stores.
 
Recked said:
As far as fit goes, am I just looking for something where I like the way it feels while shouldered, the weight, and balance while moving it around?
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That is part of it yes. If you are new to the game your ability to assess the finer points of gun fit will be limited. If you can find someone knowledgable to help you check fit that's great, but depending on where you live and who you know it could be very difficult. The other problem with not having a lot of knowledge of your own is that you have little ability to assess the value of the advice provided by others. Lots of people out there will fill your ears with advice, but how do you separate the good from the not so good? At some point you just need to jump in and make a decision. If you buy a good quality gun you think you will be happy with, you can't really go wrong. You will have some degree of built in adjustability off the rack with these guns anyway, and some more than others if they have adjustable cheek piece for example. They can also be further adjusted and customized at a later date with a bit of modification. You might find that your first gun fits like a dream and you'll shoot it for decades, or maybe you'll shoot it for a bit, learn a little more about what you like, then sell it and move on. Most important IMO is to just have fun with the process, get out there and shoot!
 
That's the beauty of the EE section here. Buy, Sell, Repeat. Until you find something you like. With a budget around a couple grand your options are so large to be able to determine what gun suits you best first shot just by reading reviews is a pretty long shot
 
As noted above, and I think you have recognized the importance of "fit". If you are planning to shoot the clays games, there must be clubs close by. Go there and see if you can shoot some different guns. If you live in SW Ontario, contact me and I can probably hook you up to try some different guns. Since you admittedly, don't know what fits and what doesn't or what you want ... look at some of the following as well as those previously suggested: Remington 1100 / 1187, Beretta 391 and my personal favorite, the Winchester Super X-1. The 1100s and Super X-1s are almost all fixed choke barrels. The 1187s and 391s have choke tubes. Welcome to the clay target addiction and know that once you buy your first clays gun, you haven't bought your last.
 
All sound advice from previous posters. One alternative to the supersport could be the Maxus sporting, nice gun and gas operated and well within your price range. I am an active member at my local range in SO. If you are local you are more than welcome to stop in as there are many members that will let you shoulder and even shoot their shoguns so you can get a better idea of what fits you. PM me if you are interested.
Cheers,
RTB.
 
Thanks for the invites and advice, I am on the west coast though. I will check out local gun clubs and see if they have guns to try/rent. Still waiting on my PAL but that gives me lots of time to research etc...
 
You are going to need a club to shoot at in the future, so join, make contacts, and ask to try other shooters guns. Choosing a club that has an active trap and skeet crowd is obviously necessary. I have always found friendly people at my local club as I moved to different locations across the west.
You can borrow a gun, under instruction, even before a PAL arrives.
You obviously are willing to spend enough to buy a lifetime gun. Congrats on that decision.
Now do the research on gun fit, which is fundamental to shotgun shooting, to find that "perfect" gun for you.
 
OP - As already emphasized in a number of posts, gun fit must be the foremost criteria during the selection process.

I would recommend not rushing into a purchase since you have adequate window to handle/inspect a variety of quality brands and more importantly, ask questions. It may not be out of place to repeat that quality will matter, regardless of the firearm brand chosen, particularly where the intent may be to pursue clay shooting sports with some form of dedication.

You have indicated a preference for a semi-auto shotgun. However, in view of your budget, I would also urge you to consider/inspect O/U (Over & Under) shotguns. Compared to a semi-auto, the break action (aka breechloading shotgun), will be the simplest to operate, prove safe and maintain (read cleaning). Having said that, semi-auto shotguns with inertia design are also easy to maintain.

The following videos may lend basic high level insight on the subject of gun fit......

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[YouTube]7hsKCO8Mcfk[/YouTube]

[YouTube]TLHTQtMQw84[/YouTube]
 
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stubblejumper said:
The question that really needs to be asked is does the Supers[port fit you properly? Do you even know how to tell if it fits you properly ? Unless the shotgun fits you properly, you will never shoot to your potential. If you purchase a shotgun based on appearance, or brand name, and ignore the fit, you could likely end up disappointed.
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Just like a bicycle, thanks for that response : ) (From another lurking newbie!)
 
The SuperSport is a fine shotgun. If you don't like the shiny bling the Cordoba is the same gun with a more muted finish.

Don't worry too much about fit. The Benellis come with a shim system so you can adjust the gun to fit.

The other gun you might look at in this price range is the Beretta A400 Xcel.
 
I am also a beginner just waiting anxiously for my P.A.L. to arrive in the mail and I just wanted to say thanks for posting those videos. I keep reading about "make sure the gun fits" and I didn't know what that meant. These videos certainly gave me a better understanding. Cheers.
 
Claybuster said:
The SuperSport is a fine shotgun. If you don't like the shiny bling the Cordoba is the same gun with a more muted finish.

Don't worry too much about fit. The Benellis come with a shim system so you can adjust the gun to fit.

The other gun you might look at in this price range is the Beretta A400 Xcel.
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The A400 Xcel Sporting was one of the few semis that really appealed to me. In 2012, I had bought one with the gun pod (no KO) for $1100 - Le Baron had those on sale at the time and still not many were buying the model due to its blue tone receiver and pod. Initially, I also felt the same way but that gun grew on me after a while. I sold that with much regret because the OAL was just too long for me. I wouldn't have parted with that if the gun came with 26in bbl. Fast forward, the same product is currently being sold for $2100 before tax.
 
Ahsan Ahmed said:
The A400 Xcel Sporting was one of the few semis that really appealed to me. In 2012, I had bought one with the gun pod (no KO) for $1100 - Le Baron had those on sale at the time and still not many were buying the model due to its blue tone receiver and pod. Initially, I also felt the same way but that gun grew on me after a while. I sold that with much regret because the OAL was just too long for me. I wouldn't have parted with that if the gun came with 26in bbl. Fast forward, the same product is currently being sold for $2100 before tax.
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I also purchased an EXCEL from Le Baron for $1100 and eighteen months later, traded it on an O/U which I still own. However I regretted selling the A400 and was fortunate to find an excellent condition gun for $1299 a few months ago and this one is staying in my collection. Yes, initially, the blue receiver finish is a little off putting and the gun pod struck me as being 'gimmicky' but it's a great gun for sporting clays and 'five stand'.
 
TechRider said:
I am also a beginner just waiting anxiously for my P.A.L. to arrive in the mail and I just wanted to say thanks for posting those videos. I keep reading about "make sure the gun fits" and I didn't know what that meant. These videos certainly gave me a better understanding. Cheers.
Click to expand...

It's a small matter indeed to simply embed a video clip here and there. Credit goes to people who have taken the time to produce such type of keep-it-simple demos to assist with the initial learning curve and help make informed decisions. Point being, the primary role of a smoothbore shotgun is to effectively hit fast moving targets - the magic gradually starts to happen once the shooter picks up a "compatible" shotgun and has developed good shooting habits overtime.
 
DIGAF said:
I also purchased an EXCEL from Le Baron for $1100 and eighteen months later, traded it on an O/U which I still own. However I regretted selling the A400 and was fortunate to find an excellent condition gun for $1299 a few months ago and this one is staying in my collection. Yes, initially, the blue receiver finish is a little off putting and the gun pod struck me as being 'gimmicky' but it's a great gun for sporting clays and 'five stand'.
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LOL! Couldn't stay parted from that long enough! The shotgun is worth it though.
 
Claybuster said:
The SuperSport is a fine shotgun. If you don't like the shiny bling the Cordoba is the same gun with a more muted finish.

Don't worry too much about fit. The Benellis come with a shim system so you can adjust the gun to fit.

The other gun you might look at in this price range is the Beretta A400 Xcel.
Click to expand...

This isn't always true. Sometimes the shims included still don't give you enough stock adjustment. Most only move the stock a 1/16 this or that way cast on off comb up down etc. I have doubled up on shims on my Sx3 for drop at comb so I have 1/8th of drop and 1/16 of cast off. The cast off is enough but the drop is still not enough for my long neck.
 
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