Recommendations Needed: 3 1/2" Semiautos

[rainshadow1]

I'm going to be busy this weekend with a yard sale, so I won't be able to respond too often, but I've got a guy threatening to pay me a bunch of money for some guns I don't use!!! So, naturally, I'm going to take this windfall and buy more guns!

I need some recommendations from guys who've handled the firearms in question. I'm going to make two of these posts.

This one is concerning a Semi-auto 12 ga 3 1/2 Magnum.

I'm dumping my 870, just too long a pull for me and kicks too stinkin' hard. I want to upgrade!

I'm thinking SBE II, but I'm not sure how it's better than the original SBE or how it compares to the new Remmy, or etc. I've fondled an SBE II at SW, and I'll tell you, I like it!

Tell me what you know about the latest Semi-autos?!?!?

[boneaddict]

I really like the Browning Gold, but it fouls really easily.   Sure you want to sell your 870.  I did and it was one of the biggest mistakes of my life.

[ICEMAN]

This winter I bought a mossberg 935. Have not put it thru a season yet, but have noticed it does not kick much....love the mossy's. 

http://mossberg.com/products/default.asp?id=1&section=products

[robodad]

Hey rainshadow1 I'd love to check out your garage sale this weekend but I will be over at Lake Chelan till Wednesday. what other kind of guns or stuff you sellin ?? maybe I can stop in on my way out of town !!  

[rainshadow1]

Nothing special, really Robo. Some scope mounts, some limbsavers, just clutter. I have a photo portfolio of my knives and some of my call making, not even 20% though. And a few of my calls are for sale, crab pots, about 30 auto repair manuals, some tools/equipment, etc. I had 7 guns on the block, but this guy said he wanted all of them and we negotiated a number. We'll see if he shows up!

[robodad]

OK No problem, I just heard that we are leaving pretty soon anyway, Hope you have a good sale, see you when I return !! 

[Intruder]

The Beretta Xtrema is a damn good 3 1/2" autoloader.  I have 2 friends that have gone from SBE to the Beretta.  That being said I know tons of guys that swear by the Beneli.  Either is likely to serve you well. 

The SBE II is likely more a marketing angle than real difference.  I'm sure they've done some subtle changes but the guts can't be that different.   

Personally, I'd probably buy a Remington.  Over a grand for a flippin autoloader seems like a crime to me...  I would also do some checking on the new Winchester autos.  I've read some glowing reviews.  No clue as to price but I'd check em out before I plunked my money down.

[Intruder]

1 more thing to think about is fit.  You commented that the 870 didn't fit well.  With a shotgun fit is super important in being able to shoot it well.  It'd likely be really advantageous for you to spend a lot of time shouldering as many guns as possible.  Try to compare them side by side.

[tlbradford]

Since you are an artisan I would look for a Belgium made Browning A5.  They fit great, have very light recoil, and still have one of the best sight planes ever designed for a shotgun.  Of course they are only chambered for 2-3/4" and 3".  I will forever enjoy the metallic ring of the bolt closing on that old gun.  It is sweet music.

If I remember correctly the main upgrades were the stock and finish when the SBE went to the SBE II.  The SBE II has the comfortech stock which helps a lot with the recoil of a composite.  Then they offered a nice finish on it that keeps everything clean.  I have heard the 3-1/2" chamberings have trouble with 2-3/4 shells occasionally, but I doubt you would be using them that often. 

My personal choice for a Benelli is the M2.  I think the one piece receiver does a better job of keeping stuff out than the SBE2, where the top part of the receiver can be removed. 

The Beretta AL391 Urika and the Winchester SX3 are very nice, but in my opinion the Beretta is a lot faster and has better balance than the Winny. 

Those are just a few more to check out when looking.  Good luck.  Shopping for a new gun is one of the things I enjoy the most.

[GoldTip]

I have an original SBE and love it.  Have shot back to back days of 2 rounds sporting clays on one day and one round the next day without cleaning and not one single feed jam with 2 3/4" trap loads which are pretty light stuff, so no problems feeding the light loads, thats 300 rounds.  The SBE comes with shims for the stock when you buy it so you can get the gun set up to fit you and the way you shoot it.  The gun is truly pretty much indestructible.  The SBE II was mostly cosmetic improvements to be honest, although not having shot one, I am not sure how much the comfortech stock reduces recoil. 

With the inertia driven system of the SBE you will have far less trouble with fouling of the action than you will with the gas operated actions, that being said you will have slightly more felt recoil as well.  But lets be honest, if you got a hot goose blind with birds dropping on ya, your not gonna feel the recoil of those high power 3.5 inchers with double BB's until after your pickin up your geese anyway, so I don't fret the recoil as much as I do the maintenance free (within reason) action of my SBE.  Honestly love that damn gun.

[rainshadow1]

Good stuff, thanks guys.

He came through, I'm lite 7 guns and in the market!!!

[Intruder]

With the inertia driven system of the SBE you will have far less trouble with fouling of the action than you will with the gas operated actions, that being said you will have slightly more felt recoil as well. 

There is no doubt the inertia system will operate dirty way way better than a gas gun.  I personally feel the recoil w/ the inertia guns though.  I got a cheap Stoeger knock off of the Beneli and it flat kicks the crap outta ya.  The SBEs I've shot did to... again at least to me.  If it's primarily a hunting gun you'll likely not notice too much.  If you're shooting clays you may.  The gas guns are a pleasure to shoot in respect to recoil.   

[jackelope]

I really like the Browning Gold, but it fouls really easily.   

there's something wrong there, bone. there's 2 of them in this house and none have problems. i've put thousands of rounds through 1 of them. is it clean?
i second the beretta 391 urika, but like intruder said, the l.o.p. and fit are the most important things. all those guns in that price range are good, and the stocks can be lengthened or shortened without too much effort if needed...especially shortened as you mentioned the 870 is too long.

[Coasthunterjay]

PM sent....

Remington makes a great 3.5 in shotty auto. cant remember what it is but its a good gun.

not a big benelli fan, and if you have problems with the 870 being to long, then you deffinantly dont want a supernova or the eagle(what ever its called.) benellis are known for having longer draw length stocks.....recomendation would be to go to sportsmans and see what fits you best.....handle alot fo guns and then go to blue mountain gunworks and see if he has one or if he can get one for you, good guy and has treated me very well.....

[Coasthunterjay]

REMINGTON SPR 453 ......great gun

http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/shotguns/SPR_models/SPR453_autoloader.asp