I agree with cma3366a's comments about a 3" gun being all most sportsmen need. IMHO, it's hard tofind a 3.5" gun that will consistently cycle target loads, and many of my friends who have Benelli SBE's will say the same thing. I've seen plenty SBE's on the skeet fields not cycle from time to time. I have also heard that the 3.5 inch Remingtons are not all that reliable with light loads.

I purchased 3.5 inch Browning Gold about six years ago, and sold itafter one weekend of use. Worst gun I've ever owned. It had constant ejection problems, and thearea around the ejection port was severly chipped from from the shells. This was after onlyfour boxes ofsteel duckloads. I called Browning, andthey stated this was normal and there was nothing theywould do about it. I will never purchase another Browning again -- not because of a bad gun, but because of terrible customer service.

I have an 11-87 3" Premier that I purchased in 1994, andlove it.Thousands of rounds, and notone problem. I also have an old Remington 11-48 recoil operated gun, and to this day shoots excellent -- very few problems, and it cycles heavy target and game loads every time. I don't think you could go wrong with a 3" 11-87.

Ireplaced that Browning Gold with a Beretta 390 3"from Wal Mart for $500. What a great gun. I have approximately 15Krounds through it (I use it for trap, skeet, and sporting clays), and it is still going, and still looks like new. Never one problem, and it's spent countless hours in the duck blind. It also cycles very light 7/8 ounce target loads every time.

I prefer the gas operation overinertia operation, becauseof the reduction in recoil. TheBeretta's have a greatoperating system, and in my opinion, are thesoftest autoloaders to shoot. Every month or so I tear the gun apart and clean it very well -- takes about a half an hour. I personally don't think the gas autos are too bad to clean.

A very important thing is the fit of the shotgun. I like the Beretta's because they have a shim kid that allows you to adjust the stock for cast and drop. But more importantly, Ihave long arms, and the 14.5" length of pull is perfect for me. The11-87 are either 14 or 14 1/4 -- just a little to short, but a good gunshmith can modify for around $100 or so.... I think the Benelli's also come with a shim kit.

Barrel length is very subjective, but I prefer 28" barrels on my guns, and I can feel the difference between a longer or shorter barrel on a gun. I find thatthe 28'sswing better, and give me a better shooting plane to look down than a 26" or shorter barrel. I find that the 28" is great in the duck blind, but can also be carried well in the pheasant fields and grouse woods.

Go to a gun shop, look over and shoulder as many guns as you can, and purchase the one you like the most. Hope this helps, and good luck with whatever you choose.