Thoughts on a waterfowl gun

My thoughts on a waterfowl gun :

- I have used double-barrel shotguns in the past. I have also used a pump-gun (Remington 870), I was never pleased with the recoil of the 870 with the heavy loads. My preference is now with semi-autos.

- 3.5" is not a must for me as I am against using steel shot. I use tungsten-matrix. 3" is more than enough against the monster geese.

- In the blind, I prefer a heavyweight firearm (less recoil).

- A gas operated action is what I recommend for the same reason (less recoil).

- A plastic stock is great. I hate to see "wear and tear" on that nice walnut.

- The shotgun will be subjected to extreme climatic conditions. I expect it to get wet, muddy etc. So, no fancy or expensive firearm for me. But I look for something solid and reliable that can take the beating.

Two years ago I bought a Baikal MP-153 gas-operated semi-auto and have had great results with it. Here are pics from last year.

Looking forward for more of the same this coming season.

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I have a Beretta 391 in black. I said the same thing about the grip when i first picked it up. Once I started shooting skeet with it (2-3 flats of shells) I find it fits great. The black plastic stock seems to stand up well enough, but the finish on the barrel and forend cap is less than desirable. Seems to rust on a damp day. Needs to be oiled often. If you haven't eliminated the semi I would recommend a 391 or a 11-87. I think the camo finish on the extrema may be worth the money , just for the durability. The Beretta Pintail offered a good deal on it's inertia semi with a vent rib and rifled two barreled combo. Don't know if that one is still offered.
 
OK folks so here is what I've narrowed it down to:

Browning BSS Sporter - just because I like SxS shotguns ;)
Benelli Super Black Eagle II - Camo - the ultimate in durability
Browning Cynergy Classic Field 3.5" - because of the deal!

The real debate is between the SBEII and Cynergy. Both fit - I went back and seriously tried the semi and can certainly see its merrits. I'm wrestling the idea of the Cynergy though because of a deal that's going on. I can get a brand new Cynergy for about $1700 plus join the Cynergy Club (see browning's website) and get a fitted custom case (not the el cheapo abs stuff but wood + wool), a soft gun case, a range bag, a hat, a $100 AND a 5 year warrantee. Browning says thats about $500 worth of stuff - stuff that I would actually use!

So you see where I'm at? The SBEII suits the purpose better as a waterfowler but the I like double guns and the Cynergy cost less. I could buy the Cynergy and still have the funds left over for a 28" barrel for my 870.

I'm going to start a new thread about weatherproofing a shotgun to see just how important the durability factor of the Benelli is.
 
As an update - decision made.

I went with a 391 Urika, blued finish. I got a great deal on one with Mobile chokes, which matches 2 other shotguns I have. I still have the funds left over to try to find a BSS Sporter for the double gun that I prefer.

With the 391, I have the third shot and something with lower recoil when I take new shooters out.

Thanks for the input everyone! Now to get a can of CLP!
 
Ahsan Ahmed said:
Fabarm has two Waterfowls models (O/U), upto 3.5 inch, painted woodstock, receiver, bbls in Hardwoods Green, Adv Max4 Camo.

Since you mentioned a Pump - Benelli Nova or Super Nova. I've personally used/compared the Novas to 870 and BPS......highly robust and superior in most aspects.

The BPS does have an edge i.e. Tang Safety and Bottom Eject features
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i bought a lovely BPS for shooting geese over decoys in pits in alberta. after the first shoot i was stunned at how much mud i was able to put into the bottom eject of the gun - and i was pining for my old rem 870. side ejects and has what i call a "mudflap" on the bottom. also, i can't field strip the BPS (probably my ignorance) like the 870. so the BPS and the ithica 37 don't get my vote for that style of shooting
my current favourite is an old beretta A300 autoloader. it fits my long neck and monkey arms, and no mud gets in it and it strips down fast and easy to get chunks out if need be.
just my .00002 cents.
 
Beaver Skin said:
As an update - decision made.

I went with a 391 Urika, blued finish. I got a great deal on one with Mobile chokes, which matches 2 other shotguns I have. I still have the funds left over to try to find a BSS Sporter for the double gun that I prefer.

With the 391, I have the third shot and something with lower recoil when I take new shooters out.

Thanks for the input everyone! Now to get a can of CLP!
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Excellent choice. The mobile choked guns aren't commanding the same prices as the newer Optima bore guns and are every bit as good.
 
Claybuster said:
Excellent choice. The mobile choked guns aren't commanding the same prices as the newer Optima bore guns and are every bit as good.
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I agree fully about the mobile choked guns - in fact some of the higher end guns still are available with the more traditional bore diameter.

I've been thinking about a set of briley or victory extended tubes for my 682 Gold and 686. With a mobile choked 391 I can use the chokes in all three guns depending which one is in hand.
 
I have waterfowled lots with sxs, o/u and semi as well as an 870 pump fpr a season.

My advice. If you are not into the camo and synthetic or the like, why would you buy it. I had a beautiful Belgian sxs 10 gauge. It went to the fields to the marsh to wherever the ducks were. Maintaining the gun was key. A little vasoline coat, before i went out and in a warm house, usually by the woodstove, a good clean up. You could not just leave the gun in the truck overnight wet, nor sitting in the basement with mud. Being the gun lover you are, i am sure you will end up cleaning even a synthetic camo'd whatever to a degree that would keep any other gun just fine. And sure the little rub and ding that happens sucks, but that's why they are hunting guns, not safe queens.

I once had Dad's pride rem 1100 out on the rocks. I saw the ducks had dived and jumped up to scravel down the cliff. I slipped and nearly killed myself trying to save the gun from gettin hurt. it did get scratched. But, that scratch is a story that plays in my head and i laugh at everytime me and dad go out and I see his gun.

As for your choices. I love sxs, then semi, then o/u. I do like the cynergy a lot, but 3.5 shells out of a lock up gun are suicide for me. My oppinion is leave the sxs and o/u for upland and occasional waterfowl where you will use 3 inchers. For a dedicated waterfowl gun, where 3 inch and 3.5 will be the usual, go semi.

Just my thoughts. good luck
 
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After a day of whanging away at passing geese a 3" or 3.5" O/U will get real old. I'd reccomend a semi auto to take some of the bite out of the 3.5" loads (the 3" kick enough anyways). I have a Browning Gold 3.5" and it's great for waterfowl.
 
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My experience - line up some good quality shotguns and try them out for fit - very important with shotguns as if they don't fit well, you won't shoot well.

That said I have 5 Brownings - 2 BPS pump guns and 2 Cynergys - each pair has one 12 ga and one 20 ga, and one 12 ga Citori - not a single problem with any one. I'll probably be selling the Citori as the Cynergys shoot so well and recoil is significantly diminished with the Inflex system as compared to the decellerator equipped Citori. No problems with Cynergy reliability. The BPS shotties are nice shooters also.

Also have a 100 yr old 1897 Winchester pumpgun that may see some use as well.
 
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