Home Forums Birds & Dogs Shotguns Which Used Semi-auto to Look for

Looking to spend right around $600 for a 3 1/2" chambered 12ga semi-auto.
Locally I can get a nice Browning Gold for that, there is also a Winchester sx2.
For a little more I can pick up a HK stamped SBE just down the road as well.
What do you guys recommend for a reliable, softer shooting waterfowl gun?
Hunted a couple times last year at well below zero, probably will again.

Of those three for reliability I would grab onto the Benelli and not look back. It might not be the softest shooting though.

A Winchester SX3 is a pretty darn good shotgun. Great reliability and shoots softer than the Benelli.

Forget all of those and get yourself a Benelli M1 Super 90. No need for 3-1/2 shells.

I don't plan on shooting 3 1/2" shells, just want the extra weight for taming down the Fasteel. This will be a strictly steel gun.
I have been shooting 2 3/4 shells through my Ithaca 37,and a hunting partners 870 supermag, with great success.

Also the option to shoot anything marked 12ga for trips is nice.

I have shot many flats of Fasteel thru my M1 Super 90's. There are better ways to add weight if you really want or need to.

SX2 or SX3 and never look back.

Benelli Super 90 anything else is second class

Is there a super 90 in 3 1/2?

Tried every one chambered for 3.5 today at the Sportsmans, really liked the super vinci.
Except for the price.

No Super 90's are 3" guns.

SBE is the 3-1/2" gun.

If you are going to shoot 3" shells and you want some weight to tame recoil try out a Browning Auto-5 Magnum twelve gauge - plenty of used ones out there and a most reliable shotgun as well.

Just add the weight where it should be, under the fore end and your good to go with the best duck gun ever made.

But if your the type of guy that wants to try to reinvent the wheel and learn the hard (expensive) way then just pick any one that floats your boat.

Starting QB Benelli M1 Super 90

Back-up QB Beretta 390/391/A300

No i meant SBE

Thanks for the info gents, now I just have to find the right used gun.

Any of the guns mentioned in 3" will be reliable. The key is to get one that fits you well and is within your budget. Consider putting a good recoil pad like a Limbsaver on it if it doesn't already have one and that will significantly reduce recoil. Personally, I think a lighter 3" is more versatile for waterfowl, upland game, dove, turkey, etc. if you want to use it year-round.

Unless you want the ability to shoot your friends 3 1/2" ammo.
Or the only non-tox in the hardware store is 3 1/2", or the only suitable shot size available is in a 3 1/2"

You can lead them to water, as boxer would say.

Have the SX 2 in 3.5 and the gold hunter in 10 GA. I like both guns, but if I were going to get another probably would be a M 90.

By a used Rem. 1100. One of the most reliable autos ever made, as long as you keep them clean. My second choice would be a used Browning A5. Lots of deals to be found in Pawn Shops. And you can buy a used 1100 or a A5 much cheaper than a used Bennelli.

If I just had to buy a new gun, it would be a 3" Berretta or the WW SX3
Nothing wrong with Bennelli's, just overpriced IMO.

Read that slowly ssslllooowwwlllyyy! If you have to keep it clean it ain't reliable.

$700 for an M1 Super 90 is so expensive.

This shiitt cracks me up.