I have two questions, just out of curiosity. As the title says, what is your favorite gas semi-auto and why? I’m thinking about getting one and would like to know what your thoughts are. Also, would there be much difference in recoil between a 12 and a 20 in the same shotgun? Obviously, if the frame/gun is the same weight, recoil would be less in the 20, but within the same gun, do some manufacturers use a smaller frame?
Gas operated Semi-Auto?
- Thread starter Quincy12
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Just about any 12ga gas operated gun will be a pretty soft shooter. My 10 year old son can shoot several boxes of shells through my Mossberg 930 without getting beat up. That is probably my all around favorite auto, with a Browning Gold Superlight coming in second. The only reason the 930 gets shot more is that it is lighter recoiling for target practice, has a second slug barrel, and I can't bring myself to drag the shiny polished Browning to the wet muddy duck blind.
A 20ga auto makes a nice upland gun if it is light enough, makes no sense to me to shoot a 20 that weighs as much as a 12. Recoil is similar to my shoulder, some heavy 20 gauge loads can be downright brutal in a light gun, especially if it doesn't fit you right. An ounce of shot at 1200 feet per second generates the same recoil energy out of a 12, 20 or 28 gauge regardless of what the internet tells you. A gas operated gun smooths out the recoil pulse to make it seem softer, but the only way to actually reduce recoil is to add weight.
All of the major manufacturers and importers make 20 gauges on a scaled frame.
A 20ga auto makes a nice upland gun if it is light enough, makes no sense to me to shoot a 20 that weighs as much as a 12. Recoil is similar to my shoulder, some heavy 20 gauge loads can be downright brutal in a light gun, especially if it doesn't fit you right. An ounce of shot at 1200 feet per second generates the same recoil energy out of a 12, 20 or 28 gauge regardless of what the internet tells you. A gas operated gun smooths out the recoil pulse to make it seem softer, but the only way to actually reduce recoil is to add weight.
All of the major manufacturers and importers make 20 gauges on a scaled frame.
Virginian
Member
My favorite is a Remington 1100. Been shooting one for 53 years with zero problems. Over 40 others have come and gone in that time span.
sappyg
Member
My favorite gas gun is the Remington 1100 but it's not a gun I want to carry very far. Its heavy. It's sturdy. Staught even.... Prices are very reasonable and with so many produced parts are easy to come by. Check out what a beretta replacement barrel costs. If you can find one get ready to pony up.
Probably the softest shooting 20 I've shot would be the Weatherby SA-08. It's also the lightest gas gun I've ever shot. Balance is excellent to exceptional and hits come easy with this gun. Love the quicker pistol grip when compared to the 1100 too. Gives it more of a target gun feel. I know of one with well over 1k rounds without a clean. The 1100 will not make it that far assuming you let it go to that extreme.
I'm not versed enough in frame sizes to be of much help but generally 20s are built on lighter and smaller frames. With today's ammo selection and choke options I don't consider it a huge disadvantage. Unless this were a specific hunting gun or target gun I would trend towards the 20 gage.
Probably the softest shooting 20 I've shot would be the Weatherby SA-08. It's also the lightest gas gun I've ever shot. Balance is excellent to exceptional and hits come easy with this gun. Love the quicker pistol grip when compared to the 1100 too. Gives it more of a target gun feel. I know of one with well over 1k rounds without a clean. The 1100 will not make it that far assuming you let it go to that extreme.
I'm not versed enough in frame sizes to be of much help but generally 20s are built on lighter and smaller frames. With today's ammo selection and choke options I don't consider it a huge disadvantage. Unless this were a specific hunting gun or target gun I would trend towards the 20 gage.
USAF_Vet
Member
Remington 1100 20 gauge. Not the lightest thing in the world, but lighter and softer shooting than my long recoil 11-48, that's for certain. Depending on it's intended application, it'll do nicely anywhere from busting clays, dropping deer, and home defense.
I have one coming to me eventually. I don't mind the wait.
I have one coming to me eventually. I don't mind the wait.
Thanks for the feedback. My intended application is clays. Trap and maybe skeet to start with and once I can actually hit more than 12 out of 25, maybe move to sporting clays. I have a nice range not too far from where I live and it has all three plus 5 stand (which I know nothing about). I've always been a rifle/pistol shooter, but there are few places near me to practice that and they're quite a bit more costly.
I have three shotguns now, but regardless of which I shoot, I end up with a headache and a sore cheek after just 25 rounds. I know part of it is fit, but I haven't found anyone to help me with that.
I currently have a Franchi 48AL in 20, a Model 12 in 12 and an old Stevens 311 in 16.
I have three shotguns now, but regardless of which I shoot, I end up with a headache and a sore cheek after just 25 rounds. I know part of it is fit, but I haven't found anyone to help me with that.
I currently have a Franchi 48AL in 20, a Model 12 in 12 and an old Stevens 311 in 16.
Virginian
Member
I clean my guns - just a 5 minute spray and wipe at least - anytime I shoot them, one round or 500. Being the first successful gas semi auto, the 1100 does not run as clean as many newer designs. Nevertheless, I have run over 200 filthy dirty Blue Dot Magnum reloads before a cleaning, and I have run over 500 target loads, and it looked to be able to go a lot longer, and not one hiccup.
The record for the number of rounds through a semi auto without a malfunction, with not cleaning between, is over 24,000 rounds, and it was st with a Remington Model 1100 LT20. Believe me, others have tried to best it. I do not know what loads they were shooting.
The record for the number of rounds through a semi auto without a malfunction, with not cleaning between, is over 24,000 rounds, and it was st with a Remington Model 1100 LT20. Believe me, others have tried to best it. I do not know what loads they were shooting.
DougW
Member
S&W 1000 20 gauge first, then the 1100. Favorite is a Benelli M1 Super90 Tactical, but it is not gas but recoil operated.
One of the 1100/11-87's is never a bad choice. They are 50+ year old designs though and I think some newer designs are a little better. It comes down to how much more you're willing to pay for newer technology. I've had good experiences with Beretta. Never owned one but I hear good things about the Browning and Winchester guns.
Remington is offering some newer guns, never even held one so I can't comment.
The 1100 or 11-87 are quite heavy, that coupled with gas operation probably means the least recoil possible for any given load. Even most 12 ga loads will be very tolerable in them. But if you get into the heavier turkey or buckshot loads even the 20's can get your attention.
Remington is offering some newer guns, never even held one so I can't comment.
The 1100 or 11-87 are quite heavy, that coupled with gas operation probably means the least recoil possible for any given load. Even most 12 ga loads will be very tolerable in them. But if you get into the heavier turkey or buckshot loads even the 20's can get your attention.
hAkron
Member
I have a Beretta A400 Sporting and it's a pretty amazing gun.
giggitygiggity
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I like my two 11-87Ps. Not much recoil and they really spit out the lead! I only paid $350 each.
Milkmaster
Member
I went from the Remington 1100 to a newer Beretta 3901 a few years ago. The 390 or 391 series Beretta is also a good choice. Major brands of gas guns all will do what you need them to do. Find one that YOU like and that fits YOU well. Shoot it and let us know all about it. 
Corpral_Agarn
Member
I recently picked up an FN SLP and its a kitten in 12g.
Cycles well. Only beef is with that forked lift lever that catches my thumb when I am stuffing shells into the mag tube.
Cycles well. Only beef is with that forked lift lever that catches my thumb when I am stuffing shells into the mag tube.
I used an 1100 for two years after back surgery to good effect, shooting an average of 100 rounds a month in winter and 100 plus per week in summer leagues. Low maintenance, low perceived recoil and they can be found rather cheaply if you look around.
d2wing
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The 1100 and 1187 are popular with trap shooters because they fit most people well, are reliable and easily serviced, and are soft recoiling due to weight and gas action. Berrettas with gas actions are popular too. Any gun that fits you well and is comfortable to shoot is good. Beretta and some others have adjustable stocks. You can buy adjustable butt plates.
I have had a handful of gas guns , Browning 2000 in 12 & 20 ga. Beretta 303 in 12 & 20 and Beretta 391 in 12 & 20. I have shot tens of thousands of rounds in 50 years of wing and clay shooting, the last 35 years with my wife shooting on a weekly basis. I started out thinking bigger was better, but now that we are nearing the seventh decade we enjoy shooting our 20s more and more. Our favorite gas gun is the Beretta 303 withe no other coming close. Effective for all of my shooting especially high volume in argentina. Deadly on argentina duck to near 50 yards with 10z. lead 5 shot, its a 303 for us!
WardenWolf
member
Softest-shooting shotgun I've ever shot is my gas-operated Saiga 12. I can put over 40 rounds of #00 buck downrange in a single session with no shoulder pain or bruising, either that day or the next. Only problem is it doesn't like very light loads.
I've been told by others here there must be something wrong with it, but I've not had good experiences with my father's 1100. It kicks hard and delivers a massive concussive blast out the ejection port. Doesn't help that I'm left-handed and it's a right-handed gun, so that blast goes right into my face and stuns me. Again, I've been told that this isn't normal for 1100's, but I do NOT like that shotgun. I get a little bit of dirty gas out of my Saiga 12, but it's nothing to worry about compared to a gun that literally shell shocks me.
I'd recommend an 11-87. It has a gas regulator to ensure it always delivers consistent bolt thrust, no matter what ammo you're shooting, and would prevent that backblast scenario I experienced with the 1100.
I've been told by others here there must be something wrong with it, but I've not had good experiences with my father's 1100. It kicks hard and delivers a massive concussive blast out the ejection port. Doesn't help that I'm left-handed and it's a right-handed gun, so that blast goes right into my face and stuns me. Again, I've been told that this isn't normal for 1100's, but I do NOT like that shotgun. I get a little bit of dirty gas out of my Saiga 12, but it's nothing to worry about compared to a gun that literally shell shocks me.
I'd recommend an 11-87. It has a gas regulator to ensure it always delivers consistent bolt thrust, no matter what ammo you're shooting, and would prevent that backblast scenario I experienced with the 1100.
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