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

I am thinking of picking up a 12 gauge GAS semi-auto for goose hunting. It will need to be quite cheap (under $500), used is okay, reliable in the mud, etc.

I am thinking Remington 11-87 or Mossberg 935. Anything wrong with either of them?

Any others to consider?

the new weatherby ones look good, and so do the cz 712 and 720

Thanks--I am under the impression that the Weatherby is actually a rebranded CZ--is that true?

Anyone using a Mossy 935?

I had a 712, and never had much luck getting it to run. I would look for a used 1100.

Anyone else have opinions on cheaper semi gasser shotguns?

The Stoeger M2000's are a very good choice for $450.
I have two, wood/blue and synthetic. Both cycle light target loads, triggers a decent, and they shoot well.

Pretty sure that the Stoeger is a recoil operated unit, is it not? I'm hoping for the recoil reduction of a gas unit.

I still see some of the beretta's at walmart for $559 and this would be my choice for a auto waterfowler. Also Cherry's fine guns has a 11-87 in the box on their website for $550 which would be a good choice. These would pretty much be my choices.

Yes it is a recoil operated semi-auto.
I have two of these, both function fine. The semi-auto needed some weight added to the buttstock, it lifted / jaw smack, that fixed it. Added a limbsaver recoil pad to replace the stock pad.

The recoil is very light with both.

So, the 11-87 is a decent gun? Some seem to hate them, others love them.

that beretta at wal mart is almost impossible to beat for the price.

I'll have to check into it. What is so good about the Beretta?

Recoil is reduced significantly, doesnt seem to require any special maintenance, and cycles flawlessly. Been shooting my A390 for 17 years now without having to replace a single thing on the gun. From doves to geese, works well for everything.

Wow--that's pretty good!

Is the A3901 actually the same action?

The 1187 is a non-flashy dull finish, heavier built semi-auto shotgun than the model 1100 Remington. Yes, it weighs more but is a dandy woods, swamp, duck gun. It will take heavier loads much better than an 1100 Remmy will ok.

I've got an 391 which replaced the 390. I have zero complaints in the 8 years I've had mine, and I've put a ton of shells through it on clays, dove, and pheasants.

I'm not 100% positive, but I'm pretty sure the 3901 is a merging of the 390 and 391, at a cheaper price point than the 391. Many people on the shotgun forums like the 390 better than the 391, saying it was simpler and easier to tear apart. I've never handled any Beretta other than my 391 so can't comment.

If I were to do a lot of waterfowl hunting, I would be at WalMart tomorrow buying that sythetic stocked Beretta they carry, it used to be the 390, but might be the 3901 now.

Not sure, but I have never had the need to take my internals apart. A few shots of gun cleaner from an aerosol can on the action, and a good cleaning of the barrel every so often. It really is that easy with this gun. In looking at the newer beretta's, it doesnt appear that they changed things overly much in regards to action, etc... on the 390 series guns.

The 3901 has a different gas valve than the 390 series(i like the
older ones better) but still a decent shotgun!

I'd go the Beretta or the Rem 1187 .

Bob

I've owned the AL390 Silver Mallard for some yrs and sold it to a good friend a few yrs. back.....I dealt with the long length of pull and found that to be a nuisance. The action fed wonderfully tho' and fed both rounds mixed just as well. It had a 30" tube.

A young friend of mine just bought the inexpensive Weatherby semi-auto and fired off a full mag as fast as he can pull the trigger without a hitch, time will tell how well it holds up.

I too am in the market for a new auto and am looking at the Benelli M2 as it is claimed to be somewhat light and fully reliable and the "workhorse" for Benelli...quite the statement.

Some ergo's change albeit inexpensive vs. expensive and certainly and in many regards you get what you pay for. I'd hate to spend on the likes of the Weatherby and shoot 10 or 15 cases and have to send it back for pin replacements or springs. I shoot and hunt geese alot and find that it is better for me to spend a good dime on an expensive semi than to go cheap. Now if your just the run of the mill average hunter this might do well but I always look for a reason to hunt fowl when it is time. I want mine to "run" all the time and fit. The Benelli has shims to adj for drop or cast, various length of pull recoil pads etc to fit an shooter...sounds like my kind of buy.

forgive me for getting abit carried away..but enertia driven Benelli has my attention and yes grabbing the coins to buy one is not actually an easy thing even for me but surely worth it when I do.

For me it is gas operated vs. enertia driven bolt. I am aware of your price range but this is food for thought.

Ive seen spacers, etc., for changing LOP, as well as shims, etc... for the 390's. As to the Benelli M2, my dad and a few friends have them and REALLY like them. The inertia vs gas does have a different feel when shooting that is unique, but that seems to go away after a little shooting. Oddly enough, one of the friends has a half dozen expensive shotguns and never wanted for anything new until shooting another member's super eagle at a pheasant hunt he was on. He came back home and purchased the Benelli a week or two later and his expensive guns dont see much use these days.