Cheap, reliable semi-auto...

[Lvl21nerd]

cheap as in $400 or so, maybe up to around $600

i know of the different versions of the mossberg 930, but aside from the SPX, i dont know what the differences are


anyways, whats a good cheap reliable semi-auto shotgun?
(not a Baikal; buddy has one he said he would sell to me if he ever decided to sell it)

 

[CoRoMo]

The very least expensive ones that I know of are the CZ Utility and the H&R Excell. You can get the Excell for well under $400. The CZ runs in the low $400s.

So far, I haven't seen a single solitary review of the CZ, but CZ in general has a good reputation for their other firearms.

Are you looking for a hunting gun or HD?

 

[tbone1964]

I'll give ya a review of the CZ Utility model 712 They frigin rock man.. recoil is light even with 3 inch shells cycles well, but those "light" loads can give a little issue with cycling. nice short barrel swings well if using for home defense dont use the "low recoil" rounds it dont likje em. 3 inch 00 buck feels like 20 guage

 

[onebigelf]

I have a Winchester 1400. Ran me $230 used with a slug barrel and weaver scope. The lone drawback, as with most semi-auto's is limited mag capacity that cannot be expanded. The 1400 hold 3 rounds and can't be increased. On the other hand, 3 1oz soft lead hollow points will end most discussions pretty thoroughly.

John

 

[CoRoMo]

Thanks bone. To be honest, I've read a few reviews like yours on shotgunworld.com and other forums. What I meant to say is that I haven't seen a detailed review involving a punishing trial to find the limits of the gun. I'd like to know what is weak, why it is weak, what will break, why it will break, what will fail, and why it will fail, when the gun is used harder than it is designed to be used. There are a couple forum posts out there that come close though. They describe a few, to several hundred rounds without cleaning and whatnot. They basically say that the gun kept pounding along flawlessly. Those reviews alone have kept me intrigued with this little semi.

Gun Tests did a favorable review of it, but I've never seen that review either.

 

[Sauer Grapes]

You want reliable? Go find a used Browning A-5. I have one that is 40+years old. It does anything I asked it to do. Mine has been hunted to death and just keeps on going.

 

[sansone]

I have shot a few Tristar autos recently that did real well. Fit and finish was surprisingly clean, internal machining looked nice as well. Made in Turkey by the same company that was supplying Charles Daly shotguns

 

[Lvl21nerd]

tristar eh? i bet those are Sarsilmaz guns; i hear generally favorable stuff abour sarsilmaz guns

i will have to find one to handle

 

[kentucky_smith]

Beretta 390/3901. $575 at Walmart, Dick's or Sportsman's Warehouse.

 

[Snarlingiron]

Beretta 390/3901. $575 at Walmart, Dick's or Sportsman's Warehouse.

Now your're talking. Best value in an auto loading shotgun today. Long time proven record of reliability, resilience and longevity. You can't go wrong with this one. I have 2 of them. Besides, the 3901's are made right here in the US of A.

 

[Smitty in CT]

... but aside from the SPX, i dont know what the differences are

anyways, whats a good cheap reliable semi-auto shotgun?

The differences between the 930 "security" model and the SPX are; the SPX is the exact same shotgun as the secirity model with the following additions:
1) Picatinny Rail added to the top of the receiver
2) Choate +2 Mag Tube extension
3) LPA BAR11W rear sight
4) LPA SG4 front sight

What are you looking to do with the shotgun?? home security? tactical games?? clay target games??

 

[451 Detonics]

Why not a Remington 1100...it is still a top choice among 3 gun competitors. Mine has over 50,000 rounds through it an is still going strong.

 

[HarcyPervin]

+1 on the 1100. I got one from my grandpa that had been hanging on a rack in his woodshop for a decade without any care. I pulled it down, replaced the gaskets and did a few mods of my own (chopped off the shell blocking lever inside the action because the spring was worn out and i had no use for it) the gun works great and I'm sure you can find one that has had a little easier life for a decent price. With a little work and experimentation, I now have a gun that will cycle 2.75" target loads with no problems (even though it was built for 3" mags only) probably not the greatest use of it, but for an old gun, it never ceases to impress me