Best auto-loader for the money.
 

I'm looking at buying a new semi-auto shotgun. Budget is a bit tight (I'm trying to keep it under $700). I've heard mixed reviews about the Stoeger M2000. I know it is a Turkey made version of the Binellis. Not sure if I'm better off buying that gun new or a nice used Remington 11-87 or Beretta AL391. Seems like I can find those used for around $700 or so. I'm also open to other suggestions. Any thoughts from the field?

Thanks,
Tom

If I were starting all over, I'd go with a Remington 870 or a Browning BPS and learn to pump...Reliable autos have gotten too expensive...

You can get a nice Browning or Remington for $400-500...

In an auto, I'd go with a Remington 11-87 (but they are a bit heavy) or a Browning Silver or Gold...

Benelli, Benelli, Benelli, Benelli.....and if you can't find a good used one, I'd save until you can buy anew one. I've owned them all and the Benelli is by far the best.

My Stoeger 2000 eats everything I've fed it with 100% reliability, and it cost around $425 I think (I'd have to ask my wife, because she bought it for me for my birthday last year on her own... which was her very first solo gun purchase, BTW). The Stoeger is the best value semi-auto out there IMO. You won't go wrong with one. I wouldn't trade mine for any Rem 870 Express ever made.

Mike

The Stoeger Model 2000 semi-auto shotgun is the most reliable semi-auto in its price range 400 $ to 500 $

ASK

My Stoeger 2000 has never jammed or misfired,I'v shot 100+ shells through mine,3'' 00 buck,3''turkey loads and high and low brass 6 shot(shells mentioned all together).It patterned great with all of them.I'd reccommend this gun to anybody.

For under $700, I'd be patient and start looking for a used gun. You'll be able to find just about any autoloader, in great shape, used for that price.

I prefer the AL391, 390, or 3901 because they FIT me the best. They have a longer Length of Pull than most other autoloaders, and have an adjustable shim system.

At the end of the day, fit is more important than brand. In fact, FIT is the most important thing - period. So if you want a particular gun and it does not fit, find a good gunsmith to adjust the stock for you. That's what I have to do with 870's. No sense in having any gun that you cannot shoot well -- it will just lead to frustration.

I have a Stoeger 2000 that runs like a swiss watch, so I bought another one and it was jamomatic w/ a rough safety, so I think its a crap shoot. I think for 700$ you could buy a browning gold, beretta 3901 or franchi 12 or mabye even a benelli m1 for a few bucks more, cant go wrong w/ any of those.

I'm not a really big shotgunner, I hunt geese every year with a model 935 3.5 inch mossberg auto and this gun of mine has been a dandy, however I cant say the same about my buddies his jams often. I have a rem 870 that has never given me any trouble and a rem 1100 that works great as long as kept very clean. Last year I got to dove hunt with a benelli M2 and I can say that this shotgun was by far the best that I have every fired. The load time was unbelievable, never jamed once in 2 cases of shells fired through it. The next time I invest in a shotgun it will be a Benelli.

I have a Charles Daly and put hundreds of rounds through it over about a years time. It has ate everything and performed flawless for me in the duck blind. I actually have it for sale just because I want to go back to a pump gun. I also like Charles Daly because the have a transferable lifetime warranty on all their guns.

Another vote for the Stoeger 2000. Mine has never hiccuped a single time. Be SURE to get the model with the fiber optic front sight (easiest way to tell "older" model from latest). A short while ago (2-4 years-don't remember exactly) Benelli totally revamped the Stoeger facility with all new tooling. At that time they adopted the exact same inertia system (very small change) as Benelli, raised the vent rib slightly, and changed over to fiber optic front bead. The newer 1s are MUCH smoother inside, without all the rough machine marks of the older 1s, and being more reliable They also come with factory installed sling swivels & 5 choke tubes-including an extended turkey tube. The local store did have them for 400$ but I think they've went up since then. They DO recommend you break it in however.

But don't sweat the break in too much. It's like two boxes of the minimum recommended shell, which is a 2 3/4", 1 1/4oz shot charge, 3 dram eq. shell. Basically, field loads. I followed the recommendation (and then some, because I also shot a bunch of 3" shells ranging from steel BB goose loads to 3" 2oz Hevi-Shot turkey loads), and did see a noticeable decrease in perceived cycle time after about a box and a half of shells. But even from the start it never failed to cycle anything. I even mixed up shells, with 3" mag shells following 2 3/4" shells to see if the action would cycle the bigger shell after the lesser recoil of the shorter shell. It went boom-boom-boom (boom-boom with the plug removed!) every time.

Mike

BTW, Neil, glad to see you decided to stick around. :wave:

Mike

I am a big believer in the three B's for shotguns,



Browning, Beretta & Benelli



So, take Wolverine's advise and shoulder a few of them.




and then you can tell us which one is "best".



Now would be a good time to look for a used shotgun !

I've had a few different auto including the 11-87, auto5, etc...

Since buying my SBE it's shear heaven, but pricey!:rock:

It's gotta feel good TO YOU! Good luck.

Thanks Mike-yall persuaded me to hang around.:biggrin:

While not having much experience with the Benelli,This is JMHO.As mentioned before. After the fit and feel is accounted for my vote is for the Browning Gold.It is one of if not the smoothest,fastest,best shooting shotgun I have ever had the pleasure of owning.

Personally, I would never buy a used shotgun. Some of mine have been shot 4000+ times and look brand new! Heck, you canrun 500-1000 rounds thru one in a weekend of skeet! Ive never shot or handled a stoeger but here alot of good reviews on them. Or you could save 300-500 more dollars and buy a high-end shotgun like a beretta, benelli, etc. But I,d definetly stay away from used shotguns unless you personally know the owner.

I use a Browning Gold that works flawlessly,and my hunting partners use Berettas and Benellis that also work flawlessly.

I paid a little over 800 for my Browning Silver. I have yet tp pick up a shotgun that shoots as good while still being as light.