looking for 12ga semiauto shotgun recommendations across a range of price/quality calculations. general purpose use: protection, informal clays, maybe hunting eventually but not yet... want: barrel 18.5-24” long; no pistol grip; all 50 state- and canada-legal; utterly reliable. tried a benelli, excellent but pricey...pay once cry once? sorry if my query is imprecise, my only shotguns are 20ga and 410 singles that don’t get out much. thanks!
12ga semiauto shotgun?
- Thread starter jstert
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Winchester super X2 12 guage would be a good pick
I won a Remington 1100 in a raffle a few years ago. I love the gun.
I have a 80's 1100 i got in a trade. It's a lefty though, hard for a righty to shoot lol.
https://palmettostatearmory.com seems to have semi-auto shotguns on sale continuously
Cabelas has a stevens 320 on clearance for 250$
not-semi auto though.
Cabelas has a stevens 320 on clearance for 250$
not-semi auto though.
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You mentioned no pistol grip, but I love mine.
Only complaint is it won't cycle perfectly if you shoot very light load target shot.
Only complaint is it won't cycle perfectly if you shoot very light load target shot.
I have a Remington V3, which I've shot quite a bit and find it to be completely reliable. The gas port design is the simplest auto shotgun design I've ever seen and I believe the simplest that exists. Simple often means utterly reliable. There is nothing to go wrong with the gas system. The design is similar to the Versamax, but for 2.75" shells.
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I had an 1100 many years ago. If the new ones are anything like it was it will be great. I think Benelli would be a fine choice too.
As I’m sure you’re awAre Beretta and Browning are big players too.
As I’m sure you’re awAre Beretta and Browning are big players too.
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Before you buy do yourself a favor and mount/shoot a beretta 1301 tactical. I'm a fan of the FN SLP Police model as well. Solid shotty. Secondary to the two mentioned, Rem 11-87 Police model. 15 Years as a LE instructor and our 11-87's were run hard for days on end training. 11-87's (and 1100's) require a lot more maintenance and cleaning than the 1301/FN SLP/Benelli M4. Also, look out for the liftgates on the Remington's. MIM liftgate issues for many years of production. And the part is difficult to find.
Back to the Beretta 1301 ... Makes owning a Benelli M4 irrelevant. And that folks is saying something.
Back to the Beretta 1301 ... Makes owning a Benelli M4 irrelevant. And that folks is saying something.
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the better inertia semi auto shotguns are retay masai mara and gordion. they are copy of benelli shotguns, but without the problems and recoil of the benelli shotguns. and less expensive too. if you want a close to perfect benelli, they are it.
some of the best gas operated semi auto shotguns are fabarm xlr5 velocity ar. they cost twice the price of a benelli or beretta. made in italy. they are work of arts. and they shoot and handle like a dream. if you want to spoil yourself.
my personal semi auto is a 12 gauge beretta a400 extreme unico camo optifade with 30 in barrel. it is built like a tank, a dream to shoot even with heavy loads. recoil is much easier to manage than a benelli. i had a super black eagle 2 and it kicked like a mule. it is gas operated, easy to maintain and it is heavier than a benelli. over 8 pounds. the gas system and weight tame the recoil. you can shoot 2.75 shotshells all day long.
if you want a very good semi auto with 21 or 24 barrel, check the 1301 series of beretta shotguns. my favorite is the 1301 comp pro with 24 barrel. but yes they are expensive.
some of the best gas operated semi auto shotguns are fabarm xlr5 velocity ar. they cost twice the price of a benelli or beretta. made in italy. they are work of arts. and they shoot and handle like a dream. if you want to spoil yourself.
my personal semi auto is a 12 gauge beretta a400 extreme unico camo optifade with 30 in barrel. it is built like a tank, a dream to shoot even with heavy loads. recoil is much easier to manage than a benelli. i had a super black eagle 2 and it kicked like a mule. it is gas operated, easy to maintain and it is heavier than a benelli. over 8 pounds. the gas system and weight tame the recoil. you can shoot 2.75 shotshells all day long.
if you want a very good semi auto with 21 or 24 barrel, check the 1301 series of beretta shotguns. my favorite is the 1301 comp pro with 24 barrel. but yes they are expensive.
I realize this is different from your list of criteria. IWI makes an awesome 12 ga. 15+2 rounds
They are surprisingly light even when fully loaded. Perfect home defense gun with 00 Buck
I like how you think.
OP: It sounds like you’re not necessarily looking for something tactical, but maybe something with wood and blue steel.
What about a Browning A5?
What about a Browning A5?
Id suggest a beretta 1301, but I strongly like my M4.
