Shotgun input

CalWhit33 · #1 05-22-2011, 09:15 AM

Wanting to get into shotgun sports, trap and skeet and maybe some bird hunting on a buddies land small birds. I'm really eying the Benelli M2 or the montefeltro. Anybody have one of them or another brand that would be fair to compare to. I'm wanting an auto instead of a O/U and price max Would be $1500 and thats stretching it. Hopefully Ill be able to go shoulder them all in the near future.

douglas_knott · #2 05-22-2011, 03:24 PM

I got a .410 id sell ya. it will make you a better shot.

Sheepdog · #3 05-22-2011, 05:30 PM

I am a competitive shotgun shooter. Life Member ATA,NSCA. I will do my best to be of any help I can.

I love Benelli shotguns. Neither of the ones you mentioned are gas operated= greater felt recoil. If you are going to the field they are great, fastest lock time of any semi auto shotgun made*.

My first suggestion would be to check out the Winchester Super x These guns were built between 1974 and 1984 not very well heard of because primarily sold as Comp guns These IMHO are the best semi auto shotguns ever made. These are real guns beautiful wood and steel, deep blueing. You will have to have the barrel choked because they came with fixed chokes. All steel NO STAMPED PARTS. They are as dependable as any semi auto is going to be. Great Guns. There is a DU nib $850 on GB. You might also want to check out the Super x 3, claims to have faster lock time than Benelli? Choked, adj. comb.+- $1500. Also the Beretta 391 comp is a great shotgun. All things considered you will probably want a 30" over a 28". Will work better for sporting and Trap longer barrel gives you More sight distance and being heavier tend to help you follow threw. If you find something at your LGS and have questions please feel free to ask. Depending on What you decide on i might can help.

CalWhit33 · #4 05-22-2011, 06:38 PM

The reason I was leaning benelli was because it wasnt gas operated being less hassle? Also with the inertia driven and comfortech stock claims to reduce felt recoil up to 48%. Any insight on these claims. Also how much of a "pain" is it really to break down clean maintain a gas operated shotgun. Im a simple guy and would like something straight forward to work with. The super x is on my list of shotguns to look at. The beretta 391 was on the list already.

DK I would love a .410 again, maybe get the gf into it as well.

CalWhit33 · #5 05-22-2011, 11:59 PM

Ive found some models of interest.
The Benelli M2 and montefeltro
Beretta AL391 and the A400 Xplor Light
Winchester Super X3
Browning Sliver and Maxus

Just my initial thoughts of personal preference Im liking the A400 for looks, then M2 for non gas operated, the Super X for the no frills just work look.

MPrimo · #6 05-23-2011, 06:50 AM

I too am an experienced competition shooter (NSSA and NSCA ... just got back from the NSCA US Open yesterday) and am very familiar with these guns. Here is my take:

1. The Benelli is a proven system that works great. They are more targeted for Home Defense and Hunting than the

target sports but some are being used ... effectively. The inertia system will kick a little more than a gas system.
2. The Beretta 391 is the current gold standard for autos in competition. Most work well (some need tweaking) and they are very easy to point and swing for most people. Recoil is light and aftermarket parts and accessories are readily available. I have 3 of these and they all run perfectly (I also have a Benelli). The 391 would be my first choice. The A400 is too new for me to have an opinion on. It is very light!
3. I know several people shooting the SX3 locally and they all work well. I don't have any personal experience but these appear to be a good value.
4. Historically, the Brownings have been less reliable than the Berettas. The Maxus is fairly new and is a nice looking gun. One of my best friends just bought one (he is a big Browning guy) and he loves it. I shot it and it was very similar to the Beretta 391 IMO. He had a couple of FTFs when the gun was new but after that it worked well. I am not sure how much was changed mechanically from the Gold model but broken firing pins and FP springs have always been a big issue with the Browning autos.

Don't rule out the Remington 1100 either. Nothing shoots lighter (recoil wise) and they are proven performers.

The gas guns will need cleaning more frequently than an inertia gun (Benelli) but it is fairly easy and only takes 10 minutes after every 500 rounds or so (more often with the Remington). I have run as many as 2500 rounds through a 391 without cleaning with no issues.

My vote is for the Beretta 391!

Hope this helps.

CalWhit33 · #7 05-23-2011, 09:30 AM

Whats your opinion on barrel length? I can see what sheepdog says that 30 would give me longer radius for trap*?(going away) but how does that go for the doubles going side to side? My current 870 is 26in and I really like the length and cant really imagine adding 4 inches to it. Also being a multi shooting purpose and a local club shooter, Im not really looking for that "race" gun but something that would feel comfortable in less than perfect hunting conditions.

Wish I lived somewhere closer to someone who stocked firearms. On a side note the Brownings are pretty looking shotguns. Thanks for the input guys.