Best Semi-Automatic Shotgun?

[OSCAR1987]

What is the best all round shotgun I can get and what makes it best?
I am looking for a good dependable gun for waterfowl and upland. Time to move up from my 870! I got a great Bonus at work this year! 

I am looking at the A400 VS Versa Max but is there a better gun for the money?

[singleshot12]

I'm in the same boat as you except for the bonus part , shot singleshots and pumps my whole life. I almost bought the Mossberg 935 but am reluctant to, now i'm leaning towards Beretta, don't think you can go wrong with a Beretta if you can afford one. I would like to hear what others reconmend also.

[270Shooter]

If you truely want the best semi auto out there you can't go wrong with any of the benelli's. They are the simplest, lightest and to me the best fitting shotguns there are. They pattern most steel shells well with the factory modified choke and they go boom everytime as long as you take a little time to keep them clean.

I'm sure someone get on here saying benelli click this benelli click that. They're just jealous beause they're still shooting 11-87's or mossbergs 

[Alan K]

My dad actually just got me a Beretta A400 as a graduation/Christmas present about mid way through duck season.  It's simply AWESOME!  I always shot an 870 before, and it will always have a lot of sentimental value, but this new one is amazing!  For the money who knows, I'm sure they're all amazing when you get into this sort of price range.

[CP]

Browning Maxus – best auto loader I’ve ever used.

Reliably cycles anything I put in it from ¾oz reduced recoil target loads to the heaviest 3 ½ loads, without making any adjustments.   Weighs less than 7lbs, light enough to carry all day chasing chukars or quail, yet the gas system reduces felt recoil so you can shoot 3 ½” goose shells all day long without your shoulder feeling the love.  Easy take down, easy cleaning.

Comes with a shim kit to adjust LOP, cast, & drop so it will fit you and it will shoot where your eyes are looking. 

[thinkingman]

My experience
Benelli SBEII...lightweight, felt cheap, plasticky(?), would not cycle target loads, has never seen a 3 1/2 in shell and probably never will.  Expensive for what you get.  For bragging rights, it's OK, but there are better.
Remington 11-87...heavy pig, ultra-reliable, cycles anything, looks good-nice lines, get parts or repairs anywhere you might need them.  Soft shooter...good choice for a 100 round day. Fits the same as an 870.
Browning Silver Hunter...light weight, soft shooter, nice looking, cycles anything, expensive. may age quickly as a waterfowl gun...that's not what I bought it for.  Expensive, but worth it.  Nothing feels cheap.

I found that fit is a major issue for me hitting targets.
Focus on fit, not what somebody else likes.

All the major manufacturers have their plusses and minuses.

[C-Money]

SP10. If you are stepping up in gun, step up in gage to!

[JLS]

I love my Beretta AL392.  use if for ducks, chukars, quail, pheasants, turkeys.

[92xj]

SBEII

[sirmissalot]

I have a SBEII and have never had a shell not cycle correctly, literally everything from target loads to 3 1/2in mags. I'm not a shotgun guy but it has never let me down and it feels great

[Fowlweather25]

Versamax as my first choice, SBEII as my second choice.

[Curly]

How long has the Versamax been out?  First I've heard of that model...........just looked at the Remington website and it sounds like a good gun.

[Johnb317]

Depends....   I love my SBEII flyways edition (wood stock) wife bought it.
Cycles everything .... course I've never put a 3.5 in it.... why?  But it does kick..
For a hunting gun - no big deal, but if you're doing Sporting Clays  etc.  maybe Gas?

Gas gun... less kick..  my brother loves his Beretta... I'm curious about the new Remington.

Good luck

[Fowlweather25]

The versamax came out last year I believe. I could be wrong. Great gun. I know a guy that bought one last year and he let me shoot some clays with it!  doesn't kick like an SBEII.

[Natas5150]

I just bought my first autoloader which happens to be a browning maxus. I did a lot of research and talked to others who have either fired and or owns one say they are best of the best a few hundred bucks cheaper than say benelli or beretta. Of course you will find many that swear by benelli or beretta as well as browning just differnce of opinion on what is truely the BEST auto loader out there. I researched on auto loaders before my purchase and read that many loved there stoeger $600 auto loaders which are half as cheap and in some cases more that half as cheap in price as other top of line brands. My advice to you is go to various dealers in your area try them all, hold them all, ask tons of questions about them to the sales person, research online and get what fits and feels good to you. After all you don't want to get something you don't like because someone else said it was the BEST gun out there, it's all opinions.
Just my