Looking for 12guage 3 1/2 mag

[Lured In]

the only two pump 3.5" guns I am aware of (I am sure there are probably others) are the Benelli Nova and the Mossberg 835 Ultra Mag. the Mossberg will be the less expensive of the 2. The Nova is an awesome gun and what I would consider reasonably priced.

I have a 3.5" gun and honestly I probably only run a couple dozen 3.5" rounds through it every season. While they work, the cost vs performance of 3" shells is not there in my opinon. Why does he want 3.5"? It is nice to have, but I don't use the round that often.

[Flatfish]

Check the used rack at Als Gun Shop in Verbort.Last time I was in there,they had a browning 3 1/2" synthetic pump.Nice goose wacker.Gotta say thet I have a Mossberg 3 1/2,dad does too,a regular hunting partner has the Remington 3 1/2 pump..Nothing wrong with the Mossbergs or Remingtons but the 3 1/2 has NEVER bought me a bird.Whatever you gain(very little in the real world)you lose due to very incerased recoil.The shells cost double what a 2 3/4"ers do.If you really want to hit hard at long range, you should consider Bismuth,tungstun,or Heavyshot.All offer lead-like performance.Steel simply cannot match the performance of these materials at long range.At short decoy range steel 2 3/4 or 3" will kill them plenty dead.By the time that the 3 1/2 design becomes a benefit,the steel loses all it's steam and wounds birds.So no matter the platform 45-50 yards is LONG range for steel.That said,I bought the Mossberg knowing most of this because it fits me very well for a factory gun.After more than 10,000 rounds,it is still going strong.This use includes 5 seasons of HARD waterfowl use.
Good Luck in your search
Mark.

[Small Fry]

My father in law called last night and is looking for a 12 gauge that will shoot 3 ½ mags. He prefers a pump.
Any one got one to sell reasonable????

Send me an email
Small Fry

[shakerfish]

Well, I think 4 a good starter gun I have Remington 3-1/2 super mag! Man this gun is a work horse 4 me! It seems to do it all, shoots all loads,easy to take apart and clean which is real cool in the rain and sand! You do get out there and hit the high flyers, up close with 3 1/2 your patern is very tight so you must be right on the bird! :grin: So I just mix up my rounds when sitting in the blind! :smile: Because there is a big price change between loads! Plus my gun hardly kicks at all with 3 1/2s my buddy has a mossberg 835 and he is crying on every shot! :grin: But then agian he is a little wimpy! :grin: Just kidding Gotzem! :smile: ...shakerfish!....

[Small Fry]

Thanks guy he ended up with the Mossberg 835 camo $ 279.00 BIMart. :grin:

[k9jeff]

NOOOOOOOO!! I have a benelli nova 3 1/2 mag. I love this gun to death. It does have a tad bit of recoil, but its light, easy maint. and they dont cost an arm and leg. screw in chokes, I paid under $300 for mine. I do everything with it.

I would give this gun a thumbs up!!!!

its murder with #5 copper plated mags.... and also not too bad with steelshot....

[DRUNK COWBOY]

Why do people go to 3 1/2 inch 12 gauges when you can get a 10 gauge?

[Predator Dawg]

I have to agree with Drunk Cowboy. I understand the convenience of only packing one gun when you head out, but if you use a boat that is null and void. Plus, with a ten and a twelve, you can have your duck gun and your high flyer duck/goose gun both loaded and ready to go so there is no fire drill when the birds come along. I've hunted with the dual gun setup for the last 10 years and wouldn't consider changing. Talk about reaching out and touching somebody, the ten is rediculous for range. The only tough part is my ten is an over/under which is good for rapid shell loading and changing, but it will kick your shoulder into Montana after a few rounds. Thankfully, is cold out for most of the season so I have a few layers on to help absorb it.

I shot side by side with a friend shooting the 3 1/2 mag 12 and I the 10. We could hear his shot bouncing off some geese that were at max range while my 10 crumpled them. I think it ultimately results in less wounded birds as long as I don't push the distance envelope, but that is pure guessing.

[Flatfish]

Cowboy and Dawg,
You probably already know the answer to your question.My 3 1/2-12 shoots all reasonable loads.Loads are available everywhere.The 10(along with the 3 1/2 12s) is quite expensive to feed.While I agree with you that a 10 delivers a superior punch at long range,I am not capable of directing scattergun at these ranges so the point is lost on me.If I could hit at extreme range i would certianly put my 12 with dense(bimuth,hevishot ,etc)against your 10 with steel.Wouldn't even need the 3 1/2 to beat you.3" would be plenty.Don't get me wrong,if I could I would have a 10 for honkers.But I can't.But beware of the man with only 1 gun....he may know how to use it.
See you on the rivers.
Mark.

[Small Fry]

Ok the reason he wanted a 3 1/2 half was not only Turkey hunting but also deer hunting. His reasoning was with the 3 1/2 he would have 6 to 8 more double 0 shot more scatter.

I dont diagree with your point with the 10 gauge. I was asked to help find it, that all.

[Flatfish]

You are right Small Fry.Was in a bad mood last nite and apparenly took it out here.Sorry.I would have a 10 if it was in the budget.It is not.So I got the most versatile thing i could get my hands on,the 12(not necessarily a 3 1/2).It still kills better than I can.Sounds like your in laws hunt the brush(buckshot on deer,man I thought I was the only guy to do that around here).Usually have to talk to someone from the south to hear much about buckshot.
See you in the marsh.
Mark.

[DRUNK COWBOY]

Wow, a simple question turned into a debate. :grin: I bought my browning pump for $253.00 at a gun show. This is probably less than the majority spends on 12's. I will say That paying for the 10 gauge shells can make you cry. As for finding the rounds, I have not had a problem.

Flatfish, I think we we need to set a hunting date for some birds. I would challange you all day long with my 10 compared to your Bismoth in a 3 inch case. :grin:
I would be good to go to the coast or go east. Got a lot of duck decoys and around 140 goose decoys

[Flatfish]

ok cowboy,
but you will probably outshoot me.Not much to brag about. But thats reason enuf for us to get together and say"If it flies,it dies". Man am I ready for quacker season.
See you at the waterfowl festival.
Mark

[DRUNK COWBOY]

Flatfish,

Honestly I couldn't hit anything with a 12 gauge, so I went to a 10. There is a lot more pellets in a 10 gauge round than a 2 3/4 12 gauge. I cant wait to dust some birds