Which Semi-Auto Shotgun

[ArchAngelCD]

I know there are MANY good semi-auto shotguns out there but right now I can't spend the money on them. I'm looking for a fairly good shotgun under $600. I'm looking for a 12ga and there's no need for a 3.5" chamber, 3" will be fine. Any advice on which to stay away from will be appreciated too.

 

[6x6pinz]

Don't dismiss the Spartan SPR line of shotguns so easily. Bakail has been making shotguns for a long time. Yes they are great field guns and the finish might not be up to SG snobs liking but the reliability and function are great. Yes they will shoot the lightest 2 3/4 load along with the heaviest 3 1/2 (even though you don't require it). It only took Remington a year to put their name on the shotgun. I have an early one when Remington first started having them built under the Spartan gunworks name. You can not find Remington on it anywhere. Now Remington's name is placed on every one of the Spartan shotguns after they were shown to be very dependable.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Of the ones listed I like the SX2 the best. It has a good history of being a solid design. I would go with Browning Silver if it were up to me to me to get a new one. But I would probably get a used 20 gauge though and forgo anything new.

 

[Virginian]

Get the one that fits you best, unless you just want it to look good on the rack in the pickup back window.
Most name brand semi autos made today will work as designed if the operator has any sense and ability at all. Being able to hit anything with said gun depends on you, and the gun at least fitting semi decent.
The Remingtons fit me very well, so that's how I voted, and you can get a very good used one for under $500 pretty easily just beacause there are so many of them out there.
A lot of people will tell you the off brands are great deals and work fine. Maybe. But, I can tell you if you get one of those and it doesn't work fine, you may be a lonely soul. There are a lot of people around, including gunsmiths, who know a lot about Remingtons, Brownings, Berettas, Winchesters, and Mossbergs.

 

[Taurus 617 CCW]

What will it be used for, hunting, self defense, target shooting, a little of everything? If its mainly for target shooting and home defense you may want to take a look at the saiga 12 shotguns. They are magazine fed and can hold up to 12 rounds if desired. Pretty decent price on them.

 

[rbernie]

I chose other - my first choice would be a Browning Auto5, probably (depending upon how you intend to use it) followed by a Remington 1100.

 

[TAB]

I see no reason for the 3"


so I'd get a 1100 in 2 3/4"

barring that, I might get a 11 87, but like I said, I see no reason for the 3"

 

[shaggy430]

I have a vintage 16 gauge Remington clone of an Auto5 from the 40's that still functions flawlessly. It's a looker too. Having said that I would go for a good used Browning or a Remington 11-87.

 

[RetiredLawman]

In my lifetime, nothing has come clsoe to the Franchi 48 20 gauge for upland hunting.

Everyone deserves two shotguns. A heavy gun for still shooting, waterfowl, etc. Such a suggestion would be Remington's 11-87.

A day afield with a 8 lb gun is torture. A day shooting clays with a lightweight is torture. I haven't found any middle ground. Any insight?

 

[MCgunner]

The Winchester....

 

[Bennyb747]

I vote Saiga 12 too. As far as Semi auto shotguns go it's probably going to be the most reliable you can get hands down. And if you like you can get a long barreled version of it and put a wood stock on it. Magazines can accommodate 2 3/4" and 3" shells and vary in capacity from 2 rnd to 30 rnds.

 

[MCgunner]

Saiga in the field? No thanks. I don't like crossbolt safeties on shotguns being a lefty. I can't imagine having to work that thing on a Saiga. The ergos just ain't there. Most autos are quite reliable for field use, even the 1100 if you properly maintain it. I like the idea of the Mossberg, but I've never used one. I know the Winchester pretty well, friend with an SX2 I've hunted with. Mine is an old 1400, not the same gun, but a good gun never-the-less. If I had my druthers, it'd have a tang safety on it, though.

To each his own, I guess.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

The poll is flawed, I'm afraid, and is therefore unanswerable. You cannot get an SX2 for $600 new.

 

[jim in Anchorage]

The poll is flawed, I'm afraid, and is therefore unanswerable. You cannot get an SX2 for $600 new.

Welcome back after your "retirement" doc. You lasted all of what,a week?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I appreciate the input so far, thank you.

The poll is flawed, I'm afraid, and is therefore unanswerable. You cannot get an SX2 for $600 new.

Dr. Tad,
I can find a SX2 for $589 NIB at a local dealer or I wouldn't have included it in my Poll.

Welcome back after your "retirement" doc. You lasted all of what,a week?

jim in A,
Your post has nothing to do with the thread, that's what them make PM's for.

 

[chas08]

1st choice; Remington 1100, they can be had in 3 inch magnum models but are iffy on cycling most 2 3/4 inch loads.

2nd choice;Remington 1187, field models have 3 inch chambers and cycle most 2 3/4 inch loads.

You may ask why? On the preference of the 1100 over the 1187. I own both and still don't know. maybe because the 1100 just feels better. I purchased a steel shot barrel for it which has a three inch chamber, for waterfowling. But the gun feels better with the standard 2 3/4 inch fixed choke barrel that came on it.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

chas08,
Thanks for that post. In reality the reason I asked about the 11-87 over the 1100 was price alone. I might have to open the price up a bit if I want something nice. Looks really aren't a factor, reliability and function are.

 

[chas08]

I bought both of mine lightly used off of gunbroker.The 1187 came first two seasons ago for $500. The 1100 came along about a year ago for $350. both are wood and blue. There are some decent deals out there if you can be patient. An arthritic shoulder necessitated my moving away from my beloved 870 and BPS. Both semi-autos are very smooth shooters. Good luck in your quest.

 

[USSR]

I see no reason for the 3"

so I'd get a 1100 in 2 3/4"

+1.

Don

 

[rcmodel]

A used Browning A-5 would be my pick of the litter.

rc

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

I can find a SX2 for $589 NIB at a local dealer or I wouldn't have included it in my Poll.

Well, I'll be. In that case, get the Winchester! Remington close 2nd.

Yeah, "retirement" WOULD have lasted, but for all of the dadblamed misinformation and sub-par information I see running around - I can see I have not YET passed on enough wisdom for it "to take".

 

[jim in Anchorage]

Yeah, "retirement" WOULD have lasted, but for all of the dadblamed misinformation and sub-par information I see running around - I can see I have not YET passed on enough wisdom for it "to take".

Between the two of us we will straighten them out

 

[Virginian]

If 3" hadn't been one of your qualifications, I would definitely have voted 1100. For one gun, with 3" and 2-3/4" capability, the 11-87 is fine. I have 5 1100s and like 9 barrels so I don't need an 11-87. If you get a later 11-87, or an earlier one with a Light Contour barrel, they feel okay.

 

[JohnBT]

I have a black synthetic 1100 and a 3.5" camo SX-2 and it's a toss-up, although the SX fits me about 1% better. The SX is perfectly reliable shooting 2.75" low brass #8s. Never tried it with 3.5" shells though.

John

 

[jaybr]

I voted SX2, only because I'm not sure you can find a Beretta for $600. Walmart used to sell a plain black synthethic AL390 for just under $600, if they can still be found, that would be my choice.

The SX2 is a nice gun though.