Home Forums Birds & Dogs Shotguns Thinking about a New 20 ga Autoloader

So I have been thinking about a new 20 ga autoloader and think I have narrowed it down to a Beretta or Benelli but then I saw a Retay shotgun at the local gun store.
Don't know anything about them but they looked like a Benelli copy with a few upgrades.

Does anybody know anything about them or has anyone shot them?

This is just a general hunting gun (dove, pheasant, etc.) with maybe a round or two of skeet/sporting clay here and there.

Thanks

Thanks I did not see that thread.

I was in same boat. Just got a franchi affinity 3 elite upland.

have you considered used guns?

We love our Remington 1187 in 20 gauge. We also have a Franchi 620 that we like as well. The 620 is a gas gun, which I prefer over inertia driven.

Retay? A Benelli clone from Turkey but under $1k? As long as you know what you are getting into and the shotgun is-a-tool concept is yours, ok. On the other hand, if you’d like a finer gun, think Beretta or Benelli.

A Turkish shotgun can run the gamut from rough-hewn garbage to some very nice guns but most seem to lean toward the left hand side of the continuum.

I would suggest “clone to a Benelli” is very wishful thinking. So beware.

Edit: I would also include Franchi as good guns.

I am fine with used, as long as it is in good shape

All things equal, I prefer gas guns over inertia as well.

As a side note, I had a Winchester Super X3 that I liked a lot. I don't feel the Super X4 is the same quality.

Why’s that ?

Those Gould boys run a SX4 hard....

If needed, who is going to fix your Retay....or get you parts to do so without going thru a hassle....

If the price is right just buy two....and then you will have a ready source of parts.

Have 2 friends that have them, both the fit and finish don't seem to be as good. That is jmho

You may want to consider one of these. I have one and am totally impressed!

https://www.mossberg.com/category/series/sa-20/

I'm trying to contain myself from buying the SA-28! I don't really need one, but the 20ga. version is so good I just may give in and get one!

Elk Country

I would argue that some of the best are not on this list...but all would have some "classic American hunting history"....and not some Turkish copy or a Johnny Come Lately with more fake lipstick than Tammy Fay....

https://www.fieldandstream.com/story/guns/best-upland-shotguns-ever-made/

Thanks for the article, just to clear things up, I have a Winchester 101 Pigeon grade, a Browning Cynergy, a Remington 870, a Remington 58, Weatherby SA08 and 459, all in 20 ga.

This new gun would be just for fun and a rainy day gun as I usually pheasant hunt with one of my O/U's or a Beretta A400 28 ga. but hate to take a really nice gun out in bad weather.

Beretta has the A300 ultima out now in 20. I considered this one but I like the thinner grip of the franchi as it feels more like my silver pigeon.

I just got a Beretta a400 XPlor 20 gauge. Besides being REALLY pretty, it shoots very nicely. Take a close look at one, I don’t think you’ll be sorry.

There is a monte 20 on shotgun world with a few extended chokes for $750

I bought a Franchi Affinity in 20 last year and couldn't hit the ground with it.

So I sold it and did what I should have done in the first place which is buy a Browning Auto-5 with "Magnum Twenty" engraved on the side. I had the barrel relieved to "Light Modified" or .015 of choke and expect that several dozen roosters will meet their demise this fall as a result.

Thanks I messaged him.

Sounds like a classy old Auto Five!

Get a Benelli M2
https://www.reedssports.com/firearms/benelli-m2-field-black-synthetic-20ga-24-3in-11097-650350110975

thanks, I got its brother, the Montefelto

If you are fast on target get the Benelli M2.

It is better balanced than the ultra light
You get an extra shot (mag holds more)
The forearm still has a contour to it that helps you lift the gun faster (bump vs. straight forearm)
And it has the high rib that helps you eye by not blocking part of your vision

I’m deadly with mine..

26” for 12 guage, 24” for 20 gauge…. Balance perfectly for me.

the only thing it doesn’t have is a magazine cut off…. Past that it’s perfect

I get the field version because 10+ years on the dip camo versions will chip on you.

The Retays are getting a lot of good press over on ShotgunWorld. Being pitched as "Benelli without the sticker shock or Benelli click." Now, I'm a Benelli guy when it comes to semi-autos, so you won't see me running out and buying any Retays, but I thought I'd mention it.

I have a Winchester SX4 12 g 3.5". It's light, reliable and feels good. Trigger? It's fine. Could be better I guess, but it's pretty run of the mill. I have two Benellis pumps and its no worse than those. There's some information out there at the SX4 is front heavy. Mine is fine. I didn't get mine for wing shooting. I got it for heavy turkey and buckshot loads and for that its about perfect. My only complaint is that the recoil pad is kinda hard. Otherwise, it's a light, reliable, autoloader that's built at the same factory as Browning's Maxus and A5 and mine cost well under $1000.

For a gas gun, I always liked the 1100 LT 20’s.
Shot quite a few but never owned one.


Like BKinSD, my fave is an old A5 Magnum 20. I’ve kicked around the idea of opening the choke up a bit from its current full restriction but haven’t yet. Would love to find a jap mag 20 barrel with choke tubes, but that seems a very expensive proposition.

Polywad Spred-R scatter loads may be worth a look. If you reload, the scatter inserts are cheap and easy to use.

Just picked up a Benelli M2 20ga, liking it!

I just got my Benelli Montefelto that was mentioned earlier. Picked it up yesterday, looks great and I hope to get it out this weekend and see how it shoots.