Would like some input on shotguns
 

I am looking into a new shotgun, and have several I am interested in. If you have any infoon any of these, good or bad, please let me know.

Beretta
3901 American Citizen $500-$700
AL391 Urika Synthetic Optima $800-$1000
*A391 Extrema 2 $800-$1000

Benelli
Montefeltro $750-$900
*Super Black Eagle II Comfortech $1200-$1300
*Nova $300

Remington
*870 Express Super Mag $250

* Denotes 3 1/2" chamber.

So, out of these, whats good, bad, or whatever. Thanks

RE: Would like some input on shotguns
 

First of all some history:

Years ago I bought a 3" 12 Ga and all I learned was that it cost me a helluva lot more to miss ducks than a 2 3/4" gun.

I don't personally see any advantage in a 3 1/2" chamber.

The last turkey I shot was with a .410....yes #7 1/2 shot 11/16 Oz of lead.

If I had a grand to spend on a shotgun it'd be an SKB 505 O/U and I know that wasn't one you're looking at.

Personally I'd recommend the Remington 870 because they just plain work well and you can get almost all your money back from it some day if you choose to move to a different gun.

RE: Would like some input on shotguns
 

Right now I would not have any use for a 3 1/2" chamber. I used to have an 870 express mag that shot 3" shells. They were unpleasant enough to shoot. But, I want to cover all options and possibilties in the future. Right now the only shotgun hunting I am doing is with a .410 and a 20 ga.Except my slug gun which can only fire slugs. But I will be starting to hunt geese this year, and possibly turkeys in the future. I am really starting to lean towards the 870 and the Nova. Shoot anything out of them no problem. And they are a fraction of the cost of the others. And slug barrels are available in either one, if I ever get rid of my current slug gun. I didn't include any O/U guns, because I never have really liked them. I have owned 2, a Beretta 686 Onyx and a Winchester expert ( I beleive that is what it was called). Never really liked either one. The Beretta was definitely a better gun though. It just didn't feel good to carry and shoulder it. Thanks for your input Vapodog. It is much appreciated.

RE: Would like some input on shotguns
 

Right now all my upland hunting is done with a 20 Ga....I sometimes use a 28 and a .410 too. I find absolutely no use for a 12 Ga for pheasants or other upland birds.

Turkey might be different. but as I said...the last one I killed was with a 410.

All the clays events I also use a 20 Ga and all the skeet targets I shoot today are with the 28 and 410.

The only reason to own a 12 Ga in my opinion is waterfowl and using steel shot. Then a 3" is as big as I need.

For those that can handle a pump gun well, there's little more to be said than the historic 870....it's been proving its worth for at least half a century now. Winchester's 1300 is also a very fine pump gun.

RE: Would like some input on shotguns
 

Like I said, I do most of my hunting with a 410 and 20 ga. The 20 ga is a Remington 870, and has served me well. Just wanted to try something different maybe. That is what attracted me to the Nova. It fits me just as well as the 870 does.

RE: Would like some input on shotguns
 

i dont see a bad gun on that list...personally i would go with the benelli

RE: Would like some input on shotguns
 

Its tough to beat the benelli, but all the guns you mentioned are good. Ive used the beretta urika and extrema for three years in a row while hunting dove in mexico (the lodge i go to has berettas). Didn't have a problem with em once.

RE: Would like some input on shotguns
 

Have you looked at the Browning BPS?

They are great shot guns. I have a BPS stalker in 3.5''. I would have to say b/t it and my Remington 700, they are the most reliable guns in my safe.

I also agree that a 3.5'' isn't something that you have to have, but I like it.

They also have the BPS in 3'' models.

If you have your mind set on the ones you have listed, its kinda hard to make a suggestion b/c all are good guns, but you are also comparing a pump to an auto.

I wouldn't say that you would go wrong with either on your list. However, I would strongly encourage you to go take a look at a BPS if you want a pump.

Also something to keep in mind. Many people ask about guns and make a decision based on other peoples suggestions and/or advice w/o even picking up the gun first. BAD IDEA. Everyone is different. Try the gun to make sure it fits your body b/c I assure you that nothing is worse than spending that much money on a gun that isn't comfortable to shoot.

RE: Would like some input on shotguns
 

Benelli's are notoriossly (sp?) great guns, but comparing their semi's to their Nova is not fair. the nova has had some minor problems or annoyances. for a little less money you can get a more proven and in my opinion better gun, in the 870

RE: Would like some input on shotguns
 

The quality of the 870 has really dropped. If you like the feel of the Nova, I would go with that.

RE: Would like some input on shotguns
 

I looked at every one of the ones listed this past weekend, and all fit me well. I looked at some others that didn't feel good to me. The Remington 11-87 and Winchester Super X2 were a couple that didn't feel to good. I will definitely look at the BPS though. Thanks for the possible lead.

I'm not comparing them. I am considering both the pump and semi auto. They both have pros and cons, and I liked everything on my list. That was my reason for this post. I got it narrowed down to the above mentioned, just wanting some feedback on these particular ones. I don't want to drop a grand on a shotgun that has issues. Like, if the Extrema won't function perfectly with light 2 3/4" loads.

Thanks for all the replies. It is greatly appreciated. I'll do some more research before I make my decision. So far the 870/Nova seem to be at the top of my list. But I am definitely going to check out the BPS also. Ill update the list later.

RE: Would like some input on shotguns
 

If you compare the BPS to the 870 Express and Nova, I think the BPS is about $200 more, but worth the price to me. The BPS loads and ejects from the bottom. The safety is located on the top. That way it can be shot right or left handed. I've never really seen a BPS that didn't pattern well.

It patterns better than my 11-87. Patterns better than the 835 and 870 that I had. I would suggest that you get the 24'' or 26'' barrel though. I got the 28'' and that gets to be a little too much in the turkey woods. As soon as I can spare the money I am going to buy a 24''.

Keep us posted.

RE: Would like some input on shotguns
 

I own a Nova and an SBE II with comfortech. Both are very good guns. I used the Nova for waterfowl for 3 years now and it is a very tough water resistant gun and I have not had a single problem with it. This year the week before early goose season I broke down an bought an SBE II with comfortech. This gun is awesome. It kicks about as much as a 20ga. I am going to get a slug barrel for it because it does such a good job at reducing recoil. As for the 3.5" chamber it i the most versital shot gun you can get I would not buy another 3" chamber 12ga. I only use 3.5" for geese anymore and I can still use 2 3/4" for rabit and 3" for diver ducks. Even the SBE II will kick out light 2 3/4" clay pigeon loads just fine. The SBE II has recesed extended choke tubs now. I am very happy with both of my Benelli shotguns. If you get the Nova take an allen wrench and tighten down the screws on the forend and 90% of the rattle will go away.

I also have a Browning BPS 20ga, I like the design with bottom ejection and tang safety but for waterfowl it is hard to beat the Nova for ruggedness and features. I deffinitly like the Benelli's and the BPS better than the 870.

RE: Would like some input on shotguns
 

Not putting the NOVA down, but I also duck and goose hunt. I have dropped my BPS on the bottom of a creek, left it there for at least 45mins and it never misfired. Why did I do this? Well it wasn't planned. Two friends and I were walking a creek jump shooting black and wood ducks. After about six hours of walking we were dead tired. We all propped up on the bank. My gun fell over in the creek. I looked down and could see it, I was so tired I just laid back and we all went to sleep for about 45mins.

Me and the same two guys also walked this creek along with the beaver ponds in the ice and snow. Here in SC, its walking in thick swamps, so you fall alot. When you fall, where does your gun go? Most of the time, in the water. Never misfired or jammed.

What I am saying is that the BPS can more than hold up in the duck woods also.

I use mine for ducks, turkey, and deer. I really don't use it much for light game hunting. For some reason I just like my 11-87 for that.



Good advice. Every NOVA that I seen had a bad rattle. My cousion also fixed this problem on his by doing this.

RE: Would like some input on shotguns
 

I am a big fan of the 870. I grew up using my dad's wingmaster. I am thinking about getting my own someday soon....but what makes some people say the quality of 870 has gone down in recent years?

RE: Would like some input on shotguns
 

I aprreciate the input. I am going to go check out the BPS sometime this week. But so far, I am leaning towards the Nova. I already have an 870 and was really looking for something a little different. I might use the Nova as a stepping stone. If I like it well, I might get the SBE II later on. I am hoping that in a little time, the SBE II will come down in price a bit. Around here locally, the Comfortech is selling for $1300. It was the most expensive one on my list, but one of the ones that I reallly liked. Just my luck. LOL Thanks again for all the comments.

RE: Would like some input on shotguns
 

In my opinion there is no comparison b/t the Wingmaster and today's 870.

RE: Would like some input on shotguns
 

StrutnBPS,

Can you expound on that some more? Do you mean that today's 870 are of lower quality? If so, what makes you say that? I'm not challenging you...just wondering why you feel that way, since I am considering an 870 in the near future.

Thanks.

RE: Would like some input on shotguns
 

Pig Dog 02,
The finish on the new 870 is subpar. A few drops of rain or a couple of dozen shell and you can see a change in the blueing.

RE: Would like some input on shotguns
 

I have an older Benelli SBE and it is awesome for turkey. It kicked hard so I had some custom work done (ported and forcing cone extension). I would like to get one of the new models with the comfortech. Must be a great gun based on the comments..

RE: Would like some input on shotguns
 

I had a WingMaster. You can just pick them up and tell a difference. The new 870's or at lesat the Express's don't even look as sturdy as the old WingMasters.

The WingMaster doesn't rattle as much. Isn't as "loose". Its better steal or at least it feels and looks like better steal. Overall, to me, the newer ones just don't shoot as good or feel as well built. I am not a gunsmith, its just my opinion.

I know a few people who have the 870SPS's and like them. Not sure about them. I've never shot or held one.

RE: Would like some input on shotguns
 

Remington still produces the wingmaster series of 870 along with the SPS and Express lines. They are much nicer, like high polished blue and glossy stocks. But they also cost more. The Express isn't pretty by no means. But it is rugged and performs well. I have had two of them and they both have taken beatings and still keep on shuckin shells.