Well I made the mistake of going duck hunting last winter for the first time...And now I own about 5 dozen duck decoys, 4 dozen goose decoys, waders, well you get the picture.
Anyway, I hunted with a mosseberg 500 last season. That's been my only shotgun for years and I've hunted everything with it. Needless to say it has been pretty abused. Since I'm due for a new shotgun right now anyway I decided I want to get a semi auto for duck/goose hunting. Let me first say I'm not scared to spend the money for a good gun. Problem is Ikeep getting conflicting stories about which gun is best for waterfowling.
Gas operated guns need to be super clean or they constantly jam? Inertia guns kick too much? Some people say their gas guns have worked flawlessly and others say they jam everytime out. I don't know what to think.
I don't want to spend $600 plus on a gun that jams on me all the time but I also dont' want to spend $1000 plus for a gun that kicks too much. My shooting is bad enough already I don't need the recoil throwing me off more.
All that to say this... I want the opinions from the guys who actually go out there and use and abuse their guns. Not clay target shooters or fair weather hunters. I want to know about the guys who are out there in the snow, rain, dirt, and mud knocking birds down.
(Also, I want a synthetic stock, and it would be nice if it shot 2 3/4, 3, and 3 1/2)
I would appreciate any and all your suggestions/insite.
If a semi is what you must have, go with the Beneli or the Beretta. I've owned both and think they are a great gun. The Beneli with their pattened recoil system does not kick bad at all. I have a Beretta Teknys gold that does not kick bad either. The people who complain about their semi's jamming, probably don't clean them enough.
I've been hunting waterfowl for years and have found that 3" is much better than 3 1/2". It's cheaper and it patterns better. It will definatley not jam as bad. If someone is constantly complaining about their semi jaming, I'd bet money they are shooting a dirty 3 1/2 inch gun! JMHO
Last but not least... after years of shooting the best semi's on the market, I now shoot a Mossberg Silver Reserve over and under. The gun was less than $500 bucks new and it has made me a much better shot.(knowing I only have two shots)If you hunt all day a couple of days in a row, and you have to be up at 2:30 am to hunt the next morning, you can clean it in less than 5 minutes! Good luck!
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I have to berettas. I used my extrema 2 for everything last year. doves, trap, pheasants, ducks and geese. It never jamed once. I have a beretta a 390 that i used on ducks and geese 6 years and it too has never jammed once on me. The extrema 2 is available with the kick off system, which is pretty incredible. Dont think to many 12 g's shoot softer.
If you want a gas gun a Winchestor Super X 2 or 3, or a Browning Gold Hunter (they are acutally pretty much the same both are made by Browning) I have a Gold Hunter, and it seems to jam occasionally, but I think I found the problem was the shell carrier was rubbing against the inside of the reciver, I am pretty sure I got it fixed now, I am going to go shoot some skeet just to make sure. Anyways dont let that scare you I think I just got a lemon, my uncle and his buddy have the same gun and they have never had a problem. If you want a spring gun go with a Benelli Super Black Eagle 2 if you really want to shoot 3.5"s, of course those things kick like a mule even in my gas gun. I personally dont see the need to shoot 3.5"s, todays 3"s loads will kill a goose just as good, with a lot less recoil. If you decide you dont want to shoot 3.5"s then go with a Benelli M2, man that guns is amazing, it is basically an SBEII but in a 3" version so it will cycle faster, and more reliable. I have acutally considered trading in my Gold Hunter for an M2, but I am a good shot with my Gold Hunter I dont know how well I would shoot with the M2. Also Benelli has the Comfortec system which is suppose to help reduce recoil as well.
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I have about the same story as you....... new to duck hunting. Last year I used my Remington 1100 and never had a problem, my dad shoots the 1100 and has for 30 years and would not shoot anything else...... I am not as confident with the newer Remingtons but would have to say that my dads 1100 has killedseveral hundred birds and he is not the kind of person that would shoot something just for the brand..... His gun get sprayed down with WD40 and sits in the boat all year..... this is a highly used gun and works well.
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I have been to the gun shop and shouldered the beretta Xtrema 2 and I really like the way it feels. I also watched a video on Youtube with the Xtrema 2 and that gun looks soooo fast! (12 shots in 1.73 seconds) The recoil looks to be almost nothing. On the video I was watchingthe guy was shooting it with one hand. Watching that gun operate shooting clays makes me think that is the one I want. I just wish I could see someone shoot it dirty and wet that many times in the duck blind with no problems.
I agree about the 3 inch being the load of choice. I actually use some2 3/4 and 3sforducks and would use 3's mostly for geese. I like the idea of having the option of going to the 3 1/2 for geese if I have to. Also, If I'm spending this kind of money I'm going use the gun to murder some turkeys also so I'd like a 3 1/2 for that. (I don't know why since I've never killed a turkey outside of 20 yards)
Can anyone try to compare the recoil between say a benelli and a pump. (I have a mosseberg 500) I assume that a gas opperated semi would kick less than a pump but what about an inertia system? How does that compare to an old pump? If it is the same then I'll go with the benelli since I'm used to that amount of recoil anyway. I just don't want it to be more than that. (It's not that I'm a girl about the recoil I just want to be able to get right back on the gun for a second or third shot)
Can anyone try to compare the recoil between say a benelli and a pump. (I have a mosseberg 500) I assume that a gas opperated semi would kick less than a pump but what about an inertia system? How does that compare to an old pump? If it is the same then I'll go with the benelli since I'm used to that amount of recoil anyway. I just don't want it to be more than that. (It's not that I'm a girl about the recoil I just want to be able to get right back on the gun for a second or third shot)
Thanks for the help...Keep posting your thoughts
The difference in recoil between a Benelli (without the comfort-tech system) and a pump gun is almost moot. If anything, I'd say the Benelli kicks worse, just because most of those guns are very lightweight.
That said, the new Benellis with Comfort-Tech really do kill the recoil substantially. Very plesant to shoot with any load.
Subsequently, if you are looking at gas operated guns, they kick MUCH less than pumps or the inertia guns. Its really more of a push than a kick. Add the Kick-Off system that Beretta uses, and its a baby.
I personally shoot a Beretta 390 Silver Mallard. Awesome gun. Can't say enough good things about it. The older 1100s are every bit as good. However, I would avoid the newer 1187s, espeically the Super Mags. Everyone has various experiences, and these are just mine, but the 1187s I have come in contact with have fouled much quicker than the 1100s, and not been nearly as reliable. The 1100s were made for shooting 2 3/4" shells, which for the most part, is still all I shoot out of my 390 (I use Hevi-shot, Hevi Steel which is all 3", and Winchester Supreme Steel). The Extreme II I found to be a little bit too wide/high. Felt sort of like swinging a 2x6. I prefer the 391 to it, but if you can find a 390 on the used market, or a 3901, they are a GREAT buy.
Whats most important, is finding a gun that fits you correctly. Go pick a bunch of them up. What fits you best is what you are going to shoot best. Honestly, since you have been shooting that 500 for so long, why are you wanting to switch? If you know you can shoot that gun very well, all you are doing is tempting fate to deal you a lemon. You cannot put a price tag on all those years of shooting that ONE gun. ANd that muscle memory is forged...just some food for thought.
__________________ You get what you put in, and people get what they deserve. - Kid Rock
You make a good point about sticking with the same gun. I guess there are two reasons why I'm looking for a new/different gun.
1) My 500 is definately getting worn pretty good. (forend is cracked, blueing is wearing off, etc...) So I would say I'm due for a new gun now anyway.
2) I would like a semiauto for the speed and I would like to be able to shoot 3 1/2 if need be.
I'm not a gun collector by any means. I only own 3 guns. Rifle, blackpowder, and shotgun and I use them all.The Guns I own are to be used not sit around and look pretty.Anyway, that's why I'm looking for another gun.
You make a good point about sticking with the same gun. I guess there are two reasons why I'm looking for a new/different gun.
1) My 500 is definately getting worn pretty good. (forend is cracked, blueing is wearing off, etc...) So I would say I'm due for a new gun now anyway.
2) I would like a semiauto for the speed and I would like to be able to shoot 3 1/2 if need be.
I'm not a gun collector by any means. I only own 3 guns. Rifle, blackpowder, and shotgun and I use them all.The Guns I own are to be used not sit around and look pretty.Anyway, that's why I'm looking for another gun.
I wasn't questioning your motives RY, no no not at all. I was just saying that perhaps you should think about another Mossberg pump... maybe a 535... as to speed.... I can shoot a pump every bit as fast as a semi auto... most everyone can. I digress.
Just pick up lots of different guns and go with your gut. Fit and feel are most important with what you'll do best with.
Good luck!
__________________ You get what you put in, and people get what they deserve. - Kid Rock
If you are looking for a less expensive alternative try the Stoeger Model 2000 it has the same Inertia sytems the higher end Benellis have but is a whole lot less expensive. i use it for everything ducks, geese, and turkeys. Only draw back is that it is only chambered for 3" shells but still a real nice gun!
Need advice on picking the right gun
