Auto Shotgun
 

I'm going to be on a Skeet Team this summer (fun league) and thinking it maybe a good reason to buy a Auto. It will most likely see some upland or waterfowl action in lieu of my pumps as well. I am thinking no need for a 3.5" er as i already have the capability in one of my pumps, so thinking 3" model would be fine. What would you suggest, bare in mind I want to keep the price at or below G note Cad (850ish USD).

Here is a list I have compiled with ny budget in mind and availability(from cheapest).

Stroeger M2000
Mossberg 935
Rem. 11-87
Weatherby SAS
Super X2 Winchester
Browning Gold

I have found 2 used ones as well:
Fabarm Lion(can't recall the model #) for 1000.00 (like new 99%)
11-87 Camo for650.00 (decent(75%) condition)

Thanks for your input:)

RE: Auto Shotgun
 

I personally prefer an over and under for skeet shooting and upland hunting but if I had to use a semi auto,it would be a beretta 391.From what I have seen myself at various trap and skeet shoots ,and from what waterfowl guides have told me,there isn't a more reliable semi auto made.Some of the other guns,noteably the super x2,are also very dependable,but the 391 seems to be the best at cycling both light target loads as well as heavy waterfowl loads.However,unless you find a sale,the lowest prices that I have seen on 391s are around $!200,with the higher grades costing more.If I had to choose one of the guns mentioned ,it would be the superx 2.I owned an 11-87 myself,and it did not like the light target loads at all.On the other hand,my old beretta 302,cycled all loads very dependably.

RE: Auto Shotgun
 

I would go for the steoger.

My brother in law bought the super blackeagle Benneli. My father in law bought the steoger m2000 and the brother in law wishes he would have bought the steoger and saved himwelf the money. They are awsome for the price.

RE: Auto Shotgun
 

I’m not familiar with any shotguns you have mentioned but I do have a Beretta 390 / 391 and I have to agree with stubblejumper. I’ve had this gun for long time and it has worked flawless. This shotgun has been used and abused. I hardly ever clean it and have never had any problems with it. My brother has the same gun except a couple years newer and he has never had any problems with it either. Good luck...

RE: Auto Shotgun
 

I am familar with several of the guns. I've shot the Stoeger, Remington 11-87,and Browning Gold. The Stoeger was a servicable gun but didn't excite me. The Remington is a nice gun butheavy for my taste. The Browning Gold was very nice but a little more costly price wise.

I own a Beretta 391 and that is a great semi-auto and you couldn't go wrong but it is a little higher price wise. I also own a Winchester Super X2 with the upgraded stockand that is also agreat semi-auto. Very similar in feel to the Browning Gold but less expensive and I feel it is maybe the most underrated semi out there.

You cann't go wrong with the Browning, Beretta or Winchester but if price is a consideration, I would recommend the Winchester.

RE: Auto Shotgun
 

There are several reasons i would go w/ an over/under. The first is some folks that spend $1500 and up on a gun don't want your shell casings flying out hitting there stocks. You can get a shell catcher but i find them to be a pain. Also some lighter loads used for skeet will not have enoughmustard to eject the shells. I prefer lighter loads especially in my 12 ga just so I'm not fighting effect of large recoil as i set for my 2nd shot. Again many o/u can be found for what the cost of an 11-87 runs

RE: Auto Shotgun
 

skeeter
I love shotguns and shotgun sports, but I am not a fan of any of the guns on your list. I am a huge fan of Benelli and Beretta shotguns. If I were to buy another shotgun, it would either be another Benelli Super 90 or a Beretta 390. My local WalMart has a Beretta 390 for $525. My son just purchased a like new Benelli Super Black Eagle for $760 off Gunbroker.

If you are not in a big hurry, there are deals to be found.

RE: Auto Shotgun
 

You will find that the number one shotgun of choice for most skeet shooters is none other than a Model 1100 Remington.

Not the 11 - 87 or most any of the other models.

The Model 1100 was brought back from extinction because the availability of the older guns was getting hard to come by.

A Trap grade or Skeet grade shotgun in original condition will fetch up to $3000 in mint condition.

My second choice would bea Browning Gold Hunter -because it did not care what ammo you put in it - like the 1100 did.

That was Remington’s reason for coming out with the Model 11 - 87 in the first place was because the 3 inch Magnum Shotgunwould not cycle the low bras loads.

From the Remington web site,


In December 1962, at Remington's National Sales Meeting, with salesmen from all over the country, we learned about a new shotgun that was said to reduce recoil up to 55%. Wow! The newly introduced Model 1100 autoloader was born.
In the spring of 1963, the manager of Shooting Promotion, Curt Clair, recruited Dick Baldwin, Earl Larson. myself, and a few others to participate in the filming of the clay target shooting portion of a movie called "The Model 1100 Story." I was proud to participate in this achievement.
Initially, the walnut stock and forend of the Model 1100 had pressed checkering, and a Dupont finish called RKW. It was a tough polyurethane product that was very hard to scratch and made the grain of the wood stand out. It was tougher than the finish on a bowling pin! The receiver was made from a solid block of steel for strength and durability, and it was polished inside and out for smooth operation. The receiver had a high gloss exterior finish with a scroll design on both sides.
The gas system is self-cleaning, self-adjusting and designed to use the correct amount of gas to operate the action, resulting in up to 55% less recoil. This was a significant amount, particularly when shooting many shells over a short period of time, such as when shooting trap. The Model 1100 is very simple to take apart for cleaning. Just remove the forend, and pull the barrel forward. The gas system that is located on the outside of the magazine tube is then exposed for cleaning.

In 1966, Remington Arms Company celebrated its 150th Anniversary by introducing two commemorative versions of the Model 1100, in trap and skeet configurations. A total of 2,929 of these shotguns were sold in 1966 and early 1967.

Model 1100 Matched Pairs - a .410 shotgun and a 28 gauge shotgun in Field and Skeet versions. Both plain and vent rib barrels were available. The Field gun came with mahogany stock and fore-end, and Skeet guns came in American walnut. The .410 and 28 gauge guns were offered only as a matched pair with matching serial numbers gilded in gold, and protected in a hard carrying case. They retailed for $495.00 for the pair. A total of 5,067 Matched Pairs were sold in 1969 and 1970 with run-off sales of left-over stock in 1971 and '72.

Remington introduced a Model 1100 20 gauge Lightweight Field Gun which was built on a smaller 28 gauge frame, and had a lightweight checkered mahogany stock and fore-end. This gun was available with plain barrel ($179.95) or vent rib barrel ($204.95), in full or modified chokes 28" in length, or improved cylinder barrels 26" in length. Also in this year, Remington began marketing Model 1100 SA Skeet guns in .410 and 28 gauge individually as standard models. These were available with 25" skeet choke barrels ($209.95).

1971
In this year Remington added a Model 1100 20 gauge Lightweight in 3" magnum gun, weighing 6lbs/12oz. Plain 28", full choke barrel guns cost $214.95, and vent rib guns cost $239.95.
1972
In January of this year, Remington Arms Company proudly advertised producing the one-millionth Model 1100 autoloading shotgun. In only nine years of production the Model 1100 exceeded that of the venerable Model 11 autoloading shotgun, which was in production for more than 45 years. That historic shotgun is serial numbered L509235M.

Remington Model 1100 Matched Pairs (.410 shotgun and a 28 guage shotgun in Field and Skeet versions first introduced in 1969)
version of the Model 1100 in 12 and 20 gauge guns in Field Grade 12 gauge (with 30" full choke, 28" modified, and 26" improved cylinder vent rib barrels), and 20 gauge (with 28" full and modified, and 26" improved cylinder vent rib barrels) , Magnum Grade 12 gauge only (with 3" chamber and 30" full choke, vent rib barrel) for $234.95, SA Skeet Grade 12 and 20 gauge (with 26" vent rib skeet barrel) for $224.95, and Trap Grade 12 gauge only (available with regular trap for $259.95, or Monte Carlo style stock, and 30" full choke, vent rib trap barrel for $269.95) variations.

1973
Remington introduced a special limited edition Model 1100 Ducks Unlimited Commemorative Shotgun, a 12 gauge chambered for 2 3/4" shells with full choke, vent rib 30" barrel. This shotgun was available only in 1973, and was dedicated to the Ducks Unlimited organization. The right side of the receiver was roll-stamped with a simple gold-colored scroll pattern. Centered on the left side of the receiver panel is a multi-colored bronze medallion depicting a canvasback duck, the Ducks Unlimited mallard head logo, flanked by decorative scroll work. At the lower left, stamped in gold-colored script is Remington Model-1100TM and on the lower right is the serial number preceded by DU. Six hundred of these guns were sold directly to DU Chapters for fund raising dinners in 1973, and 10,000 sold conventionally.

1976
In January, Remington introduced a 12 gauge Model 1100 TB Trap Gun in right and left-hand versions, with select American walnut in regular Trap or Monte Carlo style stock, rubber recoil pad, and ventilated rib. Advertising stated that this gun gives the shooter the All-Events competitive edge. Prices ranged from $314.95 to $329.95. To honor Americas Bicentennial Remington brought out four commemorative 12 gauge variations of the Model 1100: Model 1100 (28" plain barrel with modified choke); M1100 SA Skeet Bicentennial (26" vent rib with skeet choke for $284.95); M1100 TB Trap Bicentennial (30" vent rib with full choke for $319.95 with standard stock and $10.00 more for Monte Carlo stock); and M1100 TBMCS Trap Bicentennial (with 30" vent rib with full choke and Monte Carlo stock). Centered on the left side of the receiver panel is a gold-colored roll-engraved Bicentennial American Eagle and Shield with the dates 1776 and 1976 and scroll pattern. At the lower left stamped in script is Remington Model-1100 and on the lower right is the serial number. The right side of the receiver has simple scroll roll-markings in gold-color. Approximately 5,000 Bicentennial Model 1100 shotguns were sold.

1979
In this year, Remington introduced a new stock "cut checkering" pattern and receiver scroll marking on all Model 1100 Field, Magnum, Skeet and Trap models. Model 1100 12 gauge 3" magnum shotguns were adapted to function with extra barrels chambered for 2 shells. Also in 1979, Remington introduced Model 1100 Tournament Grade Trap guns with 30" full or modified trap barrels; and new Model 1100 Tournament Skeet guns in 12, LT-10, 28 and 410 gauge versions. New guns featured select walnut stocks with the new cut-checkering pattern. Remington also introduced Model 1100 TA Trap 1976 Remington Company Catalog guns with regular grade stocks, as distinguished from Tournament Grade Trap guns , are introduced in both left and righthand versions.

In September 1980, Remington announced the Model 1100 Limited Edition "One of Three Thousand." This was a high grade gun with positive cut checkered fancy American walnut wood with a fitted rosewood grip cap and thin brown butt pad. It is 14K gold trimmed and etched with a hunting scenes on the receiver. All metal parts including the receiver, barrel, bolt and magazine cap have a high-luster finish. This limited edition gun was available only in 1980, and was produced only in 12 gauge with a 28", modified choke, vent rib barrel. Serial numbers went from LE-80-0001 to LE-80-3000, and this custom gun retailed for $1125.00.

RE: Auto Shotgun
 

I seen a pregnant woman win the SkeetNationals held here in Tampa,FL back in the 70's with a Rem 1100when I was a member at Cigar City Skeet/Trap Club.

She was competing againstPerazzi's, Krieghoff's, Brownings,you name it, it was there.

RE: Auto Shotgun
 

That would be my suggestion as well, a nice used 1100. Heck you could even get a 20 ga if you wanted it lighter and less recoil.

And I would get an inexpensive O/U before a I got a cheaper auto.

Paul

RE: Auto Shotgun
 

the stroeger is an exellent gun. i would stay away from the mossberg for skeet. The rem would be a good chioce.

If i were picking i would go with the stroeger due to the fact its cheap and the league is just a fun league.

RE: Auto Shotgun
 

Hey I am in the same boat here and I would also take a look at Charles Daly's line of auto because they now have a lifetime warranty on them and still about the price of the Stoeger maybe a little higher..

RE: Auto Shotgun
 

From the list I would choose the Stoeger hands down. I love mine.

On the other hand the Berretta 390 is probably the best shotgun I've ever shot. Great balance and the fit and finish are perfect.

Tom

RE: Auto Shotgun
 

look into the remington 1100. A frind gave me an old beat up one, I cleaned it up and it shoots like a dream. Id never sell it in a million years

RE: Auto Shotgun
 

I could borrow one of my buddies 1100's I suppose, but I don't know how I'm gonna get pregnant! jk :D

I shot a Benelli M1 Super 90 that works as well for sporting clays as it does for waterfowl and pheasants. I know some have a dedicated OU of any number of makes for clays. I just shoot so many other bird sports that OU isn't practical for me.

RE: Auto Shotgun
 

In the original post you mentioned getting a 3" chamber so the gun could be used for waterfowl as well.The 1100s with 3" chambers do not cycle light target loads all that well.The 1100s that people are using for skeet are almost always 2-3/4" for that reason.

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RE: Auto Shotgun
 

Thanks. The X2 and Gold are the frontrunners at this point from my handling.Alsohave an iron in the fire on a berretta 391, so holding out(by the sounds of it this would be the choice and figure if I can swing the deal might just as well, though it's a 3.5" er..[&:])

Not interested in a O/U and hunting use is always a concern, as i don't plan to go into skeet/sporting clay hardcore...justan excuse to buy a new gun..;)

RE: Auto Shotgun
 

I have a Beretta AL390 Silver Mallard and it is an excellent gun, Beretta autos are just plain hard to beat period

RE: Auto Shotgun
 

From you list I like the Stoeger 2000, Weatherby SAS, Winchester SX2, and the Browning Gold.

The Stoeger 2000 is a pretty good gun for the money. They are light in weight which is good for hunting, but not so much for high volume target shooting. It's cheap and easy to add weight and you can alter its balance to you liking. About a pound of weight would be as much weight you would want to add to an Inertia gun. Like most 3" Inertia operated field models they don't like to cycle 1oz target loads or lighter. This gun has an automatic magazine cutoff. They can also go awhile between cleanings and it's easier to clean than any other semi auto (same as Franchi I-12). Their overall quality is a little lower the SAS, Gold, SX2 but their price reflects it.

The Weatherby SAS is a very good model. It well made, reliable and very easy to clean. They cycle a wide range of shells and go a long time between cleanings. They have features like a magazine cutoff and shims to adjust the stock. They are about average weight wise for a 3" autoloader.

The Gold is arguably the best all around auto loader made today. They have very good quality and are reliable with a wide range of shells. They can go extended periods of time between cleanings and are pretty easy to clean. They have a lot of features like mag cut off (most Golds), speed load, and shims for the stock. They are fairly light in weight. Browning has a $100.00 rebate on all gold models.

The Winchester SX3 is similar to the Gold but, does not have the extra features. They also have a much higher rib and cost a little less.

There are some other good models in you price range and some of them have been mentioned already.

The Wal Mart 390 is like the older 390's with a few differences. They only come in B/S with a 28" barrel in 12 gauge(20 gauge discontuned). They have the angled only receiver and do not have the bolt lock lever on the left side of the receiver. They have a had plastic buttplate instead of a recoil pad. They are fairly light and cycle a wide range of shells. They are well made and reliable. They have an automatic magazine cutoff and shimms for the stock. They are ok to clean but, can go a long time between cleanings.

The Beretta 3901 is pretty much the same as the Wal Mart 390. This gun has a rounded receiver only and comes in more barrel lengths and finishes.

The Browning Silver is a cross between the Browning Gold and Winchester SX2. It has an angled receiver from the Gold FLD (Classic), the rib from the Fusion (Gold), and the bolt and carrier from the Winchester SX2. It does not have the feature of the Gold but, shims from the FLD will fit it.

Franchi 712 is on of the best values. It's well made, reliable, and very easy to clean. It cycles a wide range of shells and can go a long time between cleanings. They are also very light in weight and have an automatic magazine cutoff and shims to adjust the stock. They have a rotary bolt face which makes them a little longer than other guns in it's class.

The Beretta AL391 is the most popular clays model today. They are well made and are reliable with a wide range of shells. They are fairly light and very thin in the forearm. They have automatic magazine cutoff's, bolt lock lever on the left side of the receiver, and shims for the stock. They can go a long time between cleanings but, are more difficult to clean and take apart. You may be able to find one you price range if you look fir a deal.

The A391 Xtrema is a 3 1/2 gun. Its well made and does a good job with lighter loads for a 3 1/2" model. They have the same feature as the AL391 but are much easier to clean. Their gas system is closer to the Franchi 712 and Weatherby SAS's than it is to the AL391. This model is geared for waterfowling and would be out of the price range you set.