Bird Gun Advice

Airborne · 10-14-2003, 03:29 PM

Ok all you upland game guys & gals (and water fowl)I am looking for some advice on a shotgun. I have a 870 but want to upgrade to auto 12ga. looking for your likes/dislikes any help is welcome. I want to keep it under 800.00 new or used will be used for everything except goose/turkey (I think).... thanks

[ 10-14-2003, 04:29 PM: Message edited by: Airborne ]

Swamp Puppy · 10-14-2003, 03:51 PM

if you want my advice...forget about getting an auto and stick with the 870. IMHO you are already shooting one of the best all around guns a person can get.

however, if you really have to have an auto. *gasp..wheeze* check out a benelli. i hear they have one of the best actions around for autoloaders.

10-14-2003, 03:57 PM

I rather go the other way and get a nice O/U. I've rairly had the oppertunity to fire more than two rounds at flushing birds. Well I guess it is hard to do three shots when I always use dbl barrels, all side by side.

rockn'reel · 10-14-2003, 04:28 PM

I have a mossberg and I don't plan to upgrade to a semi any time soon. I have checked into all of them and I might have a few suggestions for ya:
First, when I go out waterfoul everything gets messy and I hate to spend incredible amounts of money on something I might end up using as a paddle sooner or later. Benelli has a few problems with the springs breaking with their non gas loading system. Beretta (which actually owns just about everyone) has the extrema model which doesn't seem to have many problems and has all the bells and whistles you could need. All of these models seem to be out of the price range you had suggested. Personally, if I didn't need it for goose or turkey I would go with the verona sold at GI Joes. I have talked to several of the sales people who actually do hunting and they told me that they have had none of them returned and they don't have to be cleaned after every shot. Actally I talked to one guy who hadn't cleaded his in two seasons and it still worked great. This gun is cheap, made of aluminum so it won't rust and it comes with 5 chokes. The greatest part is it costs $290! even if you do break it you can go get another and still be $200 dollars under you price cost and way under the cost of the other guns I mentioned earlier. The only drawback is it doesn't shoot 3 1/2" shells. but I don't think you are going to have to worry about it and if you do-- just buy a box of heavy shot and use that. Hopefuly this helps you out or at least gets you to a good starting point.

willametteriveroutlaw · 10-14-2003, 04:37 PM

I really like the beretta 391 (not the extrema) in 3 inch.. Its a peach to shoot and I haven't heard anything bad about it.

Airborne · 10-14-2003, 04:59 PM

I have looked at the archives and wow 870 is by and far the winner. I don't really need to or want to spend $800 I just thought that would get me into something a little nicer than what I have. An O/U would be nice as well I just don't see many on the used market. Who has one and wants to give it up

:grin: I'll give it a good home.

nitrobass · 10-14-2003, 05:20 PM

The 870 is a workhorse of a gun but dont think that its the only gun out there. Autoloaders are a lot more fun to shoot and some people are much better shots when they dont have to manually eject shells. My dad's twice the shot since leaving his 870 Wingmaster in the case and buying a Beretta A390. Now he's using the 3inch Benelli and really likes it. I shoot a Browning A-5 3" and really like it but I'm not sure I'd recommend it for everyone. Its a beast to carry but its a load of fun to shoot.

Bait Bucket · 10-14-2003, 05:44 PM

This is about the same as advising you who to marry.....

I'm not too keen on the autos but I do own a couple. (I mostly use doubles.) Either the 391, an old standby 11-87 or a Benelli if you like a little more recoil. Some people can't feel it but I do. My girl friend shoots a custom 391 and I must admit it is a sweet little gun.

And on the other hand, stay married to that 870. If you know how to operate it, you should be able to stay with any one who shoots an auto.

[ 10-14-2003, 06:45 PM: Message edited by: Bait Bucket ]

Crashin' Bait · 10-14-2003, 05:49 PM

If your switching from that 870 to an autoloader, you might have a problem with trying to work the "slide". I know I did. Missed alot of birds because of it, too. Been shooting the same ol' 870 Wingmaster for close to thirty years. If its working good for ya', why change?

Swamp Puppy · 10-14-2003, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Crashin' Bait:
If your switching from that 870 to an autoloader, you might have a problem with trying to work the "slide".

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">i just shot my old side-by-side 16ga not too long ago after using pumps for a long time..i worked like heck to pump that sucker the first time i had it out.

[ 10-14-2003, 07:10 PM: Message edited by: Mossberg_3.5 ]

blacktail · 10-14-2003, 06:28 PM

You already have the 870 for waterfowl. I'd get a lighter weight double for upland.

Mike

fishstik · 10-14-2003, 06:32 PM

this year will be 21 years of upland birdhunting for me, i have had one gun,a remington 1100, to me they are hard to beat, yes you need three shots(for the elusive hat trick)o/u are nice but you pay to much for what you get,beretta would be my next choice they are really nice autos...

Lured In · 10-14-2003, 07:13 PM

For me the best smoothbore collection has at least one of the following...

1. A "never say die" pump (Rem 870, Winchester or Mossberg, although the Benelli Nova certainly qualifies.)
2. A light smooth swinging O/U with 28" tubes.
3. A fine autoloader (Beretta, Benelli, Browning and Remington are a forgone conclusion. Leave the Winchesters for a second repeater.)

Personally I own a Mossberg 500 that probably has more than 5000 rounds through it over the last 20 years. I have replaced the stock on it twice due to serious use in the duck blind. 3 years ago I WAY upgraded to a Benelli Superblack Eagle. I have yet to have a problem with it and it cycles as good as the day I bought it. (So far it probably has 3000 rounds through it, including hunting loads, target loads and slugs). My next repeater will be a Benelli. :grin:

Now all I need is the O/U. The Stoeger looks good for around $450. Hmmm...now what do I want for Christmas? [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img]

Swamp Puppy · 10-14-2003, 08:01 PM

i like your list Lured In....just swap out that O/U for a side-by-side and i am in.

Airborne · 10-14-2003, 08:54 PM

Blacktail,
your quote is pretty funny, my wife got a laugh from it as well :grin: i guess I'll wait till the next big gun show and look for the best deal. Unless I get someone on the board to give up one of their toys from the closet...

Dr Strangelove · 10-14-2003, 09:21 PM

I have a buddy who has the 12g Verona gas gun; it is basically a Turkish made exact copy of the Franchi 612/old Black Magic gas action. I owned the Franchi and traded it for an SBE because the SBE fit me better and I grew tired of cleaning those darn gas actions. Nevertheless, the Verona is one hell of a good buy and the action functions flawlessly. Tip: buy 5 extra rubber recoil assembly O rings since they break every 1-2 yrs.

For ~$800 or less, my list of new 3" 12g auto upland/duck guns to consider would be as follows:

Benelli M1Field - $825 at Sportsmens
Beretta Pintail (3" SBE) ~$550 GI Joes
Franchi 612 ~$625 GI Joes
Beretta 390 ~$525 Walmart
391 et al ~$800 and up
Verona $ as prior post.
Remington 1100/Winchester X/Browning Gold autos are too heavy in my opinion.

Most of the alloy frame guns are around 7-7.5 lbs.

I have the Benelli SBE 12g (waterfowl blind) and M1Field 20g (upland walking) and will never need another shotgun. This 20g stoked with 3" Hevishot is deadlier than any 12g steel load I've ever shot and only weighs 5.8 lbs. Pheasants and ducks drop dead on arrival out to 65 yards easy.

If you don't want to money up for an expensive auto, look at the Nova 20g. Darn good deal, light, and indestructable. The 870 20g would also work well since there would be little adjustment away from the gun you're used to.

Do yourself a favor and keep the 870 for the blind and get a light 20 pump or auto for walking. Use Hevishot or lead and never look back. If you must get the 12 auto, get the lightest 24-26" bbl one you shoulder well that naturally points for you.

[ 10-15-2003, 12:01 AM: Message edited by: Dr Strangelove ]

Boedy · 10-14-2003, 09:23 PM

Rem 11-87 Supermag is what I have and I have always wished I would have gone with the Super black Eagle from Benelli.