Well I'm not RJ, but he must be kind of smart...
I'd go with the Benelli.

Why do you want an auto loader for turkeys? They are much heavier to carry, and subsequently heavier to rest on your knee during the hunt. They cost often twice as much also.

To be honest, I'm not wild about the 835 either. It feels junky, it kicks like a mule, and I don't rely on it to cycle completely half the time... but for a turkey only gun, it points well, is light and handy and MY LORD it throws an awesome pattern. All I use mine for is turkeys.

Personally, I really like the new shurshot stocks... but in my professional (I sell guns and work on archery equipment for a living) opinion and observation... there are much better choices in a semi-automatic shotgun than a supermag 1187. MUCH BETTER CHOICES!

If you want a pistol grip, in a 3.5" semi auto... that leaves you with one option.... a benelli SBEII steady grip, and since you ruled that out already.... you are pretty much sunk. But, I'll tell you... before you spend $900 on an 1187, you might ought to consider spending another $400 and getting a Benelli. This is why I'm a pump shotgun man....

The 835 was built for turkeys, it is the classic turkey gun. I still don't understand the point in spending $1000 on a gun your going to use just for turkeys, it doesn't make ANY sense, JMO though

I owned a Mossberg 835 and I didn't care for it. Does feel junky. Also heavy.

Check out a Stoeger 2000.

Tom

Hi,, I have been using an 835 for about ten years now,, I love the gun (It kills turkey's) and I hate the gun (kicks like a mule ( 3 1/2" ) and its not comfortable (to big) ) Im going to upgrade for next year my self. I think Im going with the Remington 11-87 thumbhole, I have thought about the browning gold or the winchester sx2 ( the new winchester sx3 nwtf comes with a red dot mounted on a cantilevered barrel) but I like the thumbhole for a seated positionas it feels more steady. Im also wanting to put a green dot scope on it, I think it will show up better on a Turkeys head ?

Ima part time gundealer and have some turkey guns on auction on gunbroker, Ill put a link if you want to look and see what I have or I can try to get the best price on whatever one you want.
here is a couple links. Thanks for looking.



http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=98264649

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=98534562

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=98048987

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/SellerAuctions.asp?User=xxmagnum

I ain't much for spam... but thats a heck of a good deal... and with a $50 rebate to boot.... heck even with shipping and a transfer its a good buy.

My cousin owned two semi-auto remington shotguns neither of them would cycle light loads. My Stoeger cycles the lightest loads with no problems. Never had a miss feed after firing the 20 rounds of heavy loads through it.

Tom

My 835 with a ported XXFull Choke tube, 3 1/2" Winchester Elite #6's Kicks like a mule. I put on a sims recoil pad and that helped a lot. It sure puts a hurt on turkeys as well! It's hard to justify spending close to a thousand bucks when I only shoot 2 or 3 shots a year (if I happen to miss once) for turkeys only. I have a Browning Gold pump in 3 1/2 Mag. that takes care of ducks when I get a chance to go.