Would like some input on shotguns
09-12-2005, 12:39 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Illinois
Posts: 2,688
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
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
09-12-2005, 01:20 PM
#2
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Western Nebraska
Posts: 3,393
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.
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.
09-12-2005, 02:05 PM
#3
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Illinois
Posts: 2,688
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.
09-12-2005, 02:22 PM
#4
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Western Nebraska
Posts: 3,393
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.
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.
09-12-2005, 02:52 PM
#5
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Illinois
Posts: 2,688
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.
09-12-2005, 05:51 PM
#7
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: houston texas
Posts: 298
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.
09-12-2005, 05:58 PM
#8
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Bennettsville, SC
Posts: 542
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.
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.
09-12-2005, 06:14 PM
#9
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location:
Posts: 306
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