Auto Shotgun recommendations?

[wrs840]

I own several pumps, but I want to buy a good utility auto. I like proven quality/utility classics. New or pawnshop-used is fine with me. I'll probably end-up just shooting nuisance squirrels with it, but who knows...

Any recommendations?

Thanks,
Les

 

[The Highlander]

Any specific price point? Mag size? etc.

And I hear Street Sweepers make short work of squirrels, though the ATF thinks they're destructive devices.

 

[TAB]

rem 1100

 

[Kingcreek]

you can't go wrong with a Beretta in the 390 or 391 models.

 

[MCgunner]

If you run across a Winchester 1400, you can get it for a song and it's one reliable, good shootin' shotgun and one of the lightest guns on the shoulder you'll find. I love mine. It's probably the least know, best buy out there. $200-$250 will get you one if you look around. You just can't beat the gun for that money. I've had mine about 20 years, won't sell it and really don't know that I care to get another auto at this point. There are some out there I've thought about, but not that hard.

 

[Snarlingiron]

Kingcreek is right on. I personally prefer the 390 over the 391. It is simpler to disassemble and is every bit as reliable. It may need cleaning a bit more often than the 391, but I clean my guns regularly anyway. I have an older A-390 with wood stock, and a new AL-390 with synthetic stock. I have never had any kind of failure on either gun. They both have fired thousands of rounds. My local Cabelas had the AL-390s for $569.00 a couple of weeks ago. In my opinion this is the best value available on an auto loading shotgun.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Beretta A-303, 390, 3901, 391.
Remington Model 11, 11-48, 1100, 11-87
Browning A-5, B80, Gold, Silver
Franchi AL 48
Savage 720

You could go with a Benelli too but I am not going to recommend one as I cant say too much nice about them except that they are quality but they are pricey.

 

[Virginian]

earlthegoat2 covered it pretty well. He did not include the High Standard Supermatic, or several others for a reason... he likes you.

 

[wrs840]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the help.

Les

 

[tfitzmsu]

Auto

On a budget ---- Rem 1100

Something special --- I LOVE my Benelli SBE and Benelli M-1.


All three come in left handed models (I'm not 100% on the Rems) ifyou need them. My SBE is RH my M-1 is a LH.

 

[-v-]

Saiga 12. Its an AK that shoots buckshot. Also very light and fast shooting gun from all accounts.

 

[Bill B.]

Beretta 303 & Browning Light A 5 are my 2 favorites with a Remington 1100 a very close third!

 

[41022collector]

For me, I like USA Built pieces..... I prefer Remington products over most semi-auto scatter guns. I have a love affair with remington Model 11, especially the pre 1921 models. That rem 11 in 16 ga in grade D is the sweetest piece I have ever shot scatter gun wise and is where Browning took the Sweet 16 from (even though it is a Browning design, they did not start building them until later).

for me in order would be

Rem 1100 (what ever gadgets and stuff you want)

Win 1400

Older Browning Auto -5, Rem 11, Savage 720 & 700 series

It truly depends on what you want it for and your firearm owning habits and use.

Rem 1100, parts are fully avail and cheap, accessories are avail everywhere, even damn near in the drug stores. They are easy to work on, take a beating and avail in damn near any style, ga, weight, barrel length you could even imagine. I have yet to have a failure with any of my rem 1100's and I have em in all ga. My Win 1400 is OK, but it is finicky on ammo.

Regards,
Mike

 

[Snarlingiron]

For me, I like USA Built pieces.....

Me too! My Beretta AL390 is clearly marked "Made in USA".

 

[orphanedcowboy]

There really is one choice:

You just have to figure out which version:

Synthetic:



Or

Wood:






I bought a 1953 model that probably has never been cleaned, the wood was stained black from the powder residue and oil. It didn't have any checkering left on the wrist and very little left on the fore arm. I have been soaking the wood in a Acetone/Wonko Brew bath for 3 weeks and it is still leaching oil and is still stained. I took it out and shot SC with it the day I got it, and it went thru all 100 with out a hiccup.

 

[Smitty in CT]

The Mossberg 930 field / security model is probably the best value (new) out there today.... The 930 is extremely reliable, and is probably the best gas-operated shotgun for under $650 - $700...

R & R has the for $470.62
http://www.rrarms.com/catalog.php?prod=G85325

 

[1KPerDay]

You can get a Franchi 48 12 gauge for less than 400 bucks if you look around.... they are very light, very reliable, very cool guns. Those who have them love them (like me)... those who don't are missing out.

Remmie 1100s are great also.

 

[Mags]

Mossberg 930

 

[wrs840]

Well, I bought a Winchester Super-X Model 1 in pretty good shape (no rust, very few metal scratches, stock dings) for $350.

It has 26" Imp Cyl Plain Barrel, ribbed-steel trigger, s.n. M130XX.

How'd I do?

les

 

[K9american]

Good gun - good price. Best gas autoloader ever made. IMO, of course.

Pix and range report now required.

 

[wrs840]

OK I've put twelve rounds through the Winchester Super-X-1 and it works great, no problems. I dispatched the first tree-rat I pointed it at with the first shot, so I guess that's a good sign. I also rapid-fired five rounds as fast as I could pull the trigger, no jams. So I'm happy. Thanks for all the input.

Les