Tactical Semi - Gas or Inertia?

sixty9santa

sixty9santa

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So I'm set on purchasing a semi and strongly leaning towards the 1301 or M4.
I'm about as smart as a doorknob when it comes to semis...
Which system do you guys prefer and why?
Which system would you go to war with?
Which system is more reliable and durable?
 
I would assume the m4 is what you're after, only flaw is the cost by my research.

I would only conduct war with my mind, FYI. If it came down to physical firepower, I would opt for ranged engagements.
 
sixty9santa said:
I meant which system would you more likely trust if your butt depended on it?
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Gas fires and cycles regardless. Inertia can hang up if you dont have the gun shouldered properly, at least sometimes. I prefer gas but if you have proper shooting technique it doesnt matter. Inertia is so simple though, barely any parts similar to a pistol gas blowback...

North
 
New M4's have all moved to gas now. It seems that it's proven to be the better option of the two.

Cant go wrong with either of those purchases too, both are top notch quality.
 
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North of 7 said:
Gas fires and cycles regardless. Inertia can hang up if you dont have the gun shouldered properly, at least sometimes. I prefer gas but if you have proper shooting technique it doesnt matter. Inertia is so simple though, barely any parts similar to a pistol gas blowback...

North
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Not sure that I agree with this statement. I shoot my Stoeger M3500 from the hip (sometimes like a pistol as well) when I'm having an A$$ clown day at the range. My Steoger is inertia and never fails me no matter what cheap ammo I shoot or how I choose to shoot it.
 
Munkey1973 said:
Not sure that I agree with this statement. I shoot my Stoeger M3500 from the hip (sometimes like a pistol as well) when I'm having an A$$ clown day at the range. My Steoger is inertia and never fails me no matter what cheap ammo I shoot or how I choose to shoot it.
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Just depends on ammo (my M1 doesn't like cycling light 2 ¾" target load), but you can run into ammo issues with gas operated aswell. Either way, they work when used the way they're designed to.
 
Munkey1973 said:
Not sure that I agree with this statement. I shoot my Stoeger M3500 from the hip (sometimes like a pistol as well) when I'm having an A$$ clown day at the range. My Steoger is inertia and never fails me no matter what cheap ammo I shoot or how I choose to shoot it.
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Its the exact same thing as limp wristing a pistol. If you dont have a solid backing and allow the gun to move some of the energy required to cycle the action is abosrbed. Its not all the time, im just saying it can happen and obviously all platforms can have issues. Ive seen it happen in the blind duck hunting on quick shots where the gun was not held to the shoulder properly.

North
 
I like the way the inertia guns handle, with their slimmer hand guards and lighter front ends.

I also like how the vast majority of the crud goes out the end of the barrel, and you don't have to worry about O-rings, gas ports and pistons, which seem to be the weak points in most gas shotgun designs.
 
870P said:
I like the way the inertia guns handle, with their slimmer hand guards and lighter front ends.

I also like how the vast majority of the crud goes out the end of the barrel, and you don't have to worry about O-rings, gas ports and pistons, which seem to be the weak points in most gas shotgun designs.
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Its not that bad with gas systems, maybe its because im spoiled and got a beretta a400. Easy to clean. But i was shooting a rem 1187 for a while and the orings were a pain in the ass, so i can relate.

North
 
North of 7 said:
Its the exact same thing as limp wristing a pistol. If you dont have a solid backing and allow the gun to move some of the energy required to cycle the action is abosrbed. Its not all the time, im just saying it can happen and obviously all platforms can have issues. Ive seen it happen in the blind duck hunting on quick shots where the gun was not held to the shoulder properly.

North
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I've never experienced that problem... but when you put it like that (limp wristed analogy)... I now see your point, and I can now see how it could potentially happen with an inertia action.
 
Consider all the pros and cons, which essentially boils down to preference. I like gas setups, but i do appreciate the ease and simplicity of inertia. Gas systems are more complicated and have more parts, but in my experience with modern gas setups, they are way better now. Felt recoil is also slightly lower on my a400, but that is likely because of the other features of the gun.

North
 
OP: Can't go wrong with either and M4 or a 1301 but they are opposites. Beretta is small thin short and light, the M4 is a wide and heavy.

There is no clear winner in the semi game. M3K, M4, 1301, VM, M2 are all very good yet differwnt beasts. There is no clear looser.

Most opinions are from fanboys who can tell you what they bought and why they like it. For example, the m4 guys are fanatics like Harley Davidson riders. But the EE is full of them because while they are excellent, they aren't right for everyone.

The best advice is to go to your favourite shop or make friends at the range and shoulder/fire them. Fit and handling will probably help you decide more than reviews, features and opinions.
 
North of 7 said:
Its the exact same thing as limp wristing a pistol. If you dont have a solid backing and allow the gun to move some of the energy required to cycle the action is abosrbed. Its not all the time, im just saying it can happen and obviously all platforms can have issues. Ive seen it happen in the blind duck hunting on quick shots where the gun was not held to the shoulder properly.

North
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That't not really how an inertia system works.
It needs gun movement to load up the inertia spring in the bolt carrier and cycle the action.
The firmer you hold it, or the heavier you make the gun by adding accessories, the less momentum the gun has to generate the inertia.
 
M4 all the way. Its Bullet Proof LOL LOL. great shotgun. install a field stock much better than the pistol grip. It will eat anything you feed it.
 
Thanks guys, just wish the semi auto shotgun game was more simple, like for rifles and handguns.
I understand that it can never be that simple due to the plethora of loads but, this isn't going to be an easy narrowing down.
Kind of looking for a do all, Jack of all trades master of none, semi that can be used for hunting and competition with the most reliability and lowest maintenance and failures.
I've had the pleasure of shooting several different types of pump guns and honestly, it's no longer my thing. Sold them all.
Beretta 1301 looks to be promising but the Benelli is proven and the Versamax is promising as well. Guess these are my top three.
Now I understand that these three are gas guns and I was curious what other options and user experiences were like.
I guess I'm confusing myself more, lol!
How have the Versamax guns been performing?
 
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