I admit I have a similar post in the waterfowl forum.

A good friend is a great shot at passing ducks with his 2 3/4" russian O/U, but now that the Canada geese are really coming back and I'm dragging him out turkey hunting 1-2 times/year he's ready to drop some cash on a new pump or semi in 3.5"

Any recommendations? He's expecting to spend around $600 Canadian but willing to go higher. The Canadian dollar is basically at par right now but I doubt that its translated into cheaper guns at the stores here yet so consider 400-700$ as a price range in greenbacks.

Thanks in advance.

For that type of money I'd personally stay away from a 3.5" semi auto. I am sure their will be stroeger, mossberg, etc fans telling you otherwise so just my opinion. I have a benelli nova pump 3.5" and really like, functioned flawlessly with all loads. It maybe weird looking but don't judge it until he throws it up, I thought the same until i shouldered and swung mine...then I bought it!! Since we don't have turkey's I now see little need for 3.5" for waterfowl (however i don't pass shoot either just over coys). Could also look at the Browning BPS, Rem 870, etc.

I use a Mossberg 835 for the last 11 years, without any problems. Dollar for Dollar you can't go wrong with the 835, it was made to handle 3.5" shells

Remington 870 Super Mag
Remington 1187 3.5"
Mossberg 835
Mossberg 935

Each one of these guns is as good as anyone would ever need for hunting without having to spend big bucks for something with just a name that won't be a bit better. I have hunted years with bothan 835 and the 870 Supermag and both perform flawlessly and shootvery welltime after time. The 870 swings a lot better than the 835 though. I shot skeet for years using an 870 and it always shot as good or better as any of the big big $$$$ guns

Stay FAR away from the 11-87 supermag!!!. I'm trading mine in on a SX3!!

Browning BPS

I STRONGLY contest the nomination in bold print.


I posted in the waterfowl thread.. so you can see my opinion there.

I don't turkey hunt but do tons of goose hunting. I don't know why you would go to a 3 1/2 mag rounds. Both my Rem 870 and Browning BPS bring down loads of birds using 3 in. mag rounds. I usually use the 870. Incredibly reliable in all conditions.

870 is a good BANG for the buck.
A few years back I got the Bennelli blackhawk and absolutely love it,
I actually started using it for upland birds over my Browning over and under "Upland Special".
I know it's more, but you'll have it for life, just get a higher limit on the plastic.
Remember you can't take it with you when you leave god's earth, spend it like a drunken sailor in port for the night!

Thanks guys,

We were at a shop yesterday and he narrowed it down to 2 choices after shouldering a few:
Hes trying to decide between a 3 barrel package on the Rem 870 for $700,
or a similar package deal (3 barrels) on the new Mossberg 535 for $530.
Any suggestions? I know the 535 is newer; heres a link:

http://www.mossberg.com/products/def...tion=products#