Home Forums Birds & Dogs Shotguns Cheaper 12 gauge semi-auto opinions: what's available?

I just picked up a used 1100 for setting up as a kids light load target gun. Have already cut down an 870 stock and fit it with a thick recoil pad.
Been thru the whole gun and added a few updated parts that I got at Midway.
Best thing I did was buy the Jerry Kuhnhausen shop manual. It covers 11-87, 1100, and 870's. I have two of those so the book was a bargain.
Parts are available and they dont take much to work on.
Recoil is nill compared to an 870. Tons of stuff avail used like stocks so you can camo a set.
Most shops have a used 11-87 on the rack for the price you are looking at. I have 30 dollars in parts in a cosmetic knock around gun that may just get duracoated it shoots so well. I would buy the shop manual before buying if you havent had one apart to see what to look for.

Beretta is the only other one I would be looking at but they just dont show up around here for short money often.

Get the Walmart Beretta or a used 390 and don't look back. Beretta makes some very expensive semi autos, but the extra money just buys you fancy wood and other do-dads. The basic 390 has all the function without the fluff.

Weagle

I am a huge fan of the Beretta 390. They really are great shotguns. I would put mine against a $1300.00 Benelli any day. Maybe try the 3901. I believe it is made in the U.S.A too!

So I bought a tristar viper g2 this weekend. Sticker price was $280 plus I had coupon for 70$ off of 300 and 210$ in cabelas bucks. Basically for $20 I got a semiauto shotgun!!!! Put 25 rounds through it today for the first time and whacked the skeet. Too early to tell for sure but it was certainly a sweet shooter the first time out. A friend of mine also bought one last spring and has had zero complaints

Are you wanting a 3 1/2 inch gun or is a 3 inch sufficient? I know a lot of goose hunters opt for the larger shells. I know one group of goose hunters that all shoot the 10ga bps! I got into duck hunting a few years ago and also went looking for a relatively inexpensive gas auto and wanted a 3 1/2. I was advised against the 3 1/2 11-87. Supposedly they are very prone to jamming and misfeeds. I have heard good things about the 935 but I have never been a Mossberg fan. I ended up going with an Escort that was $425 out the door at the time. I used it for a few years with absolutely no problems or issues until I traded up to a Beretta Extrema. I still have an Escort in 20ga that is my go-to rabbit gun. I also have a friend who shoots a Remington branded Baikal in 3 1/2 that was similar in price. He also has had no problems.

I will throw in with the Beretta AL-2's. Had one as my primary 12 gauge auto for many years .....til it was stolen. Great gun.
Same gun different set up: models 301, 302, 303. They are a lot simpler than 1100's and run very clean for a gas gun. You can strip them and clean them quickly in the field and no small parts to lose. They will only go to 3" though.
You can find them in your price range.