My 14yr old son has been working hard this summer and saving up for an upgrade to his shotgun. He shot my Beretta 391 last weekend at a young life sporting clays fundraiser and shot well, not to mention loved it.

I found a local excellent condition 11-87 and a couple black synthetic Beretta 390s online in the $500-$550 range.

I am leaning towards the Berettas but wished they had the slide lock lever like my 91. Especially for a young shooter it is nice to be able to easily lock the slide open without emptying the magazine for fence crossings, etc it is a nice safety feature. I use mine alot.

Thoughts? Or other suggestions for something similar?

No Brainer, Beretta

follow up question is best places or forum's to look for used shotguns?

Most of the places I hang out online are either mostly rifle sites like this one or a couple action pistol places.

Beretta. Sometimes decent deals can be had on gunbroker. Shotgunworld would be another place to keep your eyes open.

Beretta.....no contest!

I bought an 11-87 years ago and a Beretta 391 later.....now still have the 11-87 but never use it as I have 4 Beretta autos,

I have both an 11-87 and 390. Both have been good shotguns but the Beretta has never given me a second of trouble. The 11-87 I can't say the same for.

I'd take the 390.

I'd go with the Beretta without hesitation.

Be sure to buy the "sporting" version of the Beretta 390/391. Your son can hunt with it too!

Doc

I'm piling on with another vote for Beretta. The 390 is by far my favorite shotgun.

Another vote for the Beretta. If were were talking pump guns, it would be a totally different story (rem 870).

Don't think twice. Beretta 390. Not sure the newer upgrades are all that much of an improvement. Especially when it comes to field handling and balance. Target specific yes, field use 390.

i really like my Beretta Urika 2, that gun has never missed a beat and i love the way it fits me. does the 11-87 allow for the stock adjustments like the berettas do? only thing i don't like about the beretta is my sons keep trying to use it.

I think this may be the most unanimous thread I have ever seen on the campfire. Even the TnA threads people argue over blondes and brunettes. Thanks fellas.

BTW, a Partagas #1 is still one of my favorites.

beretta 390!!! thumbs up. all day long

390, mine will cycle 3/4 oz loads that are to light to set the trigger on my buddies OU. My wifes cousin looked at he husband and ask if she could get a Beretta, it did not kick as hard as her 20ga pump.

No experience with the Beretta, so can't speak there. But I've had good luck with my 11-87. It's an older premier model that I traded into. It's been a good gun. I've shot 7/8 oz light loads to 2 oz turkey loads. Never had a failure to eject. I use it solely as my turkey gun now. It throws some wicked good patterns. It's a heavy bastid. Gotta keep them clean, but guns should be kept clean anyway.

That being said the Beretta is probably a better all arounder. But no flies on the 11-87.

Another bonus for the Beretta: You can run a thousand rounds out of them and they will keep going. And I know competition shooters who have exceeded that number. I've run 391's into 3000+ and they seldom missed a beat with good shells.In fact many claim they are more reliable dirty than squeaky clean.

I had an extreme and you couldn't kill it.

In 6 years that gun saw an easy 4-5000 rounds with probably half of those being 3 and 3.5 inch steel loads


And don't be afraid of the new outlander either....it's just a no frills 391

390 period.

390 period.

Check has been sent. Waiting on the 390 in the mail.

Good deal love my 390, in 2 days it goes dove hunting.

390 with out a doubt

If you're standing still it probably doesn't matter. If you're moving I don't know why you would want to carry steel as opposed to aluminum.

a 390 Silver Mallard goes with me in the morning to shoot doves. And yes I have several Remingtons and Winchesters

Beretta for me on any day that ends in "y"

Hope its not too late to vote beretta.....In fact, if you run across an old A303 get it before you get the Remington.

Follow up - Beretta is working flawlessly and he is loving it. I am glad he saved up money and I had the good advice to go with this shotgun vs the standard buy an 870 express line. Autos are so much better than the pumps. IMHO

Wishing I could have upgraded to one as young as he is fortunate enough to. Birds beware!