My first shotgun was a Browning BPS 3.5 inch in 12 ga. I really like the gun’s features with the bottom eject and tang safety. From what I’ve read I believe my model was built on the 10 ga. frame, so it is big and heavy. It’s a great gun, but like someone mentioned earlier, it is best for sitting in a blind where you don’t have to hold it or carry it so much.
When I decided to get a semi-auto, I went with a Mossberg 930 mostly due to the tang safety that I’m so familiar with. The 930 has served me well and have only had issues when It is very cold, below 20 degrees. The issues are few and far betwee and I’ve leaned that it likes to be cleaned regularly, especially in cold weather.
I’ve been wanting an O/U in 20 ga. for a few years now, but haven’t gotten around to doing the research or handling anything. Just recently i won a CZ Drake in 28 ga. at a Ducks Unlimited banquet. Ive heard good things about the CZ shotguns, but I haven’t picked it up from the FFL yet to really see how I like it. I may try and sell it or trade it and get a 20 ga.if it doesn’t work for me….we’ll see.
My 12 SBEII had a much sharper kick when shooting 3.5s as compared to my 10ga BPS shooting 3.5s. My 10ga SxS has even less recoil, but it's got to be north of 10lbs. The A400 12 is much less with the Kick-off and gas. I also shoot 3" out of my Rem 1100 mag and that's an enjoyable gun as well and about the same as my A390
I shoot a shotgun alot and have shot alot of different shotguns.
A benelli M2 is a great all around shotgun which can be had in a left hand configuration . Me personally i havent seen the need for 3.5" 12 ga.
All that being said, I shoot right handed 870's, Browning A5, Browning Citoris
I can work the safeties and operate them easily.
I've pretty much went exclusively 20 ga, except I kept my old Magnum 12 ga. wingmaster.
I shoot sporting clays with a citori CXS 20 ga, I hunt turkeys with a 870 express youth 20 ga. (this is the handiness shotgun in the world). My field guns are a Browning A5 light 20 with a fixed I.C. barrel and a 870 20 ga light magnum with a 26" remchoke barrel.
I rarely duck hunted, but when i did i used a M2 20 gauge.
Since switching to all 20 ga. for hunting and shooting i haven't noticed a drop in scores or a lack of killing.
The guns are lighter and handy and you don't get beat up by recoil.
Hey RCer,
Did you know you can turn a right handed Remington safety around to function left handed? That’s what I did on my 1100 before, like you, I bought a LH Benelli M2.
Last edited by Akbob5; 07/22/21.
Bob Enjoy life now -- it has an expiration date. ~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
As Jackie_Treehorn said factory Model 37 Ithaca's are available w/a 3 in. chamber. Also you might look for an Ithaca Model 87 which would have the "magnum receiver". If a magnum receiver the model 87 serial # would begin with "MAG".
The older Ithaca's have the standard length receiver and are generally not long enough to eject a 3" shell. The new Ithaca guns made in Ohio are excellent quality and maybe even a little better than the older guns IMO.
I shoot a shotgun alot and have shot alot of different shotguns.
A benelli M2 is a great all around shotgun which can be had in a left hand configuration . Me personally i havent seen the need for 3.5" 12 ga.
All that being said, I shoot right handed 870's, Browning A5, Browning Citoris
I can work the safeties and operate them easily.
I've pretty much went exclusively 20 ga, except I kept my old Magnum 12 ga. wingmaster.
I shoot sporting clays with a citori CXS 20 ga, I hunt turkeys with a 870 express youth 20 ga. (this is the handiness shotgun in the world). My field guns are a Browning A5 light 20 with a fixed I.C. barrel and a 870 20 ga light magnum with a 26" remchoke barrel.
I rarely duck hunted, but when i did i used a M2 20 gauge.
Since switching to all 20 ga. for hunting and shooting i haven't noticed a drop in scores or a lack of killing.
The guns are lighter and handy and you don't get beat up by recoil.
Hey RCer,
Did you know you can turn a right handed Remington safety around to function left handed? That’s what I did on my 1100 before, like you, I bought a LH Benelli M2.
i did, but it mess's me up, cuz my work 870s are RH.
I shoot a shotgun alot and have shot alot of different shotguns.
A benelli M2 is a great all around shotgun which can be had in a left hand configuration . Me personally i havent seen the need for 3.5" 12 ga.
All that being said, I shoot right handed 870's, Browning A5, Browning Citoris
I can work the safeties and operate them easily.
I've pretty much went exclusively 20 ga, except I kept my old Magnum 12 ga. wingmaster.
I shoot sporting clays with a citori CXS 20 ga, I hunt turkeys with a 870 express youth 20 ga. (this is the handiness shotgun in the world). My field guns are a Browning A5 light 20 with a fixed I.C. barrel and a 870 20 ga light magnum with a 26" remchoke barrel.
I rarely duck hunted, but when i did i used a M2 20 gauge.
Since switching to all 20 ga. for hunting and shooting i haven't noticed a drop in scores or a lack of killing.
The guns are lighter and handy and you don't get beat up by recoil.
Hey RCer,
Did you know you can turn a right handed Remington safety around to function left handed? That’s what I did on my 1100 before, like you, I bought a LH Benelli M2.
i did, but it mess's me up, cuz my work 870s are RH.
You guys do know they make LH wingmaster's right?
When I shot trap a lot, I would average 49 out of 50 birds in doubles with the left hander. Its also magic on upland birds and even better on waterfowl. Growing up, I used right handed pumps, both S&W 3000 and a right handed wingmaster, like the one pictured above. I would occasionally get powder and debris in my eyes. This is why I never use a right handed pump or semi-auto these day. Its just not worth the risk of doing damage to your eyes. Just my take and experience on running right handed shot guns. Over and unders are great, as are good fitting side by sides.
Originally Posted by raybass
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style.
Originally Posted by Pharmseller
You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole.
If I could only have 1 shotgun, it would be my LH Benelli SBE.
I liked mine so well I bought two one in 2000 and the other in 2003 I also have 3 barrels....two are mobile choked and one is the later Crio choke barrel.
I shoot a shotgun alot and have shot alot of different shotguns.
A benelli M2 is a great all around shotgun which can be had in a left hand configuration . Me personally i havent seen the need for 3.5" 12 ga.
All that being said, I shoot right handed 870's, Browning A5, Browning Citoris
I can work the safeties and operate them easily.
I've pretty much went exclusively 20 ga, except I kept my old Magnum 12 ga. wingmaster.
I shoot sporting clays with a citori CXS 20 ga, I hunt turkeys with a 870 express youth 20 ga. (this is the handiness shotgun in the world). My field guns are a Browning A5 light 20 with a fixed I.C. barrel and a 870 20 ga light magnum with a 26" remchoke barrel.
I rarely duck hunted, but when i did i used a M2 20 gauge.
Since switching to all 20 ga. for hunting and shooting i haven't noticed a drop in scores or a lack of killing.
The guns are lighter and handy and you don't get beat up by recoil.
Hey RCer,
Did you know you can turn a right handed Remington safety around to function left handed? That’s what I did on my 1100 before, like you, I bought a LH Benelli M2.
i did, but it mess's me up, cuz my work 870s are RH.
I hear ya there - and a little more important to get it right there!
Bob Enjoy life now -- it has an expiration date. ~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
Buy a Benelli. Their stocks can be adjusted to fit a left hand shooter. They make several left hand versions, but all of mine are right hand because I carry a shotgun with one hand, the left, and the bolt knob is in the way for that. I don’t mind right hand ejection. The safety is convertible to left hand.