New Shotgun Advice
I am looking around to by my first (self bought) shotgun. I hunt duck, turkey, and squirrel. I also shoot a fair amount of skeet and sporting clays. I have been using a Remington 870 (12ga) for the past 10 years and don't have a problem with the gun. However, I am ready to move up to a semi or over/under shotgun.
My 870 will not shoot 3.5" shells. I was wanting to get a gun that would shoot 3.5" shells but I have talked to several older, more experienced hunters/shooters who have "down-played" the need for a 3.5" gun unless I hunt geese, which I don't. I was looking at a Browning Citori 12ga with duracoat MODB but it's $1600. I would like to get a gun that I can do everything with (hunt duck, turkey, squirrel and shoot skeet/clays), not spend more than $1100, have a gun that I could give to my son one day, and still be more attractive than my ol' meat stick (Remington 870). I realize that I may be wanting my cake and to eat it to so to speak. I have thought seriously about getting a Browning A5 (made in the 90's that can handle 3" steel shot shells), Browning Silver, Beretta 390, Beretta AL 391 Urika, and any Browning or Beretta 12ga over/under that I can get my hands on for under $1100 that isn't all beat up. I am really leaning towards a Browning A5 (I believe the 12ga Magnum will handle 3" shells) but I have heard that even the latest A5's produced in the 1990's cannot handle steel shot and that just doesn't make sense seeing that the ban on toxic shot pre-dates the 1990's. I am also interested in the Beretta 390 b/c as far as I know its internal parts are basically the same as the 391 Urika and Extrema and you can get them for under $800 but they are not that attractive.
I guess I have said all of that to say this. I am not sure which direction to go or if there are any serious problems with the shotguns that I am looking at as far as the performance/reliability/durability. Any advice, especially expert/experienced advice, will be greatly appreciated.
My 870 will not shoot 3.5" shells. I was wanting to get a gun that would shoot 3.5" shells but I have talked to several older, more experienced hunters/shooters who have "down-played" the need for a 3.5" gun unless I hunt geese, which I don't. I was looking at a Browning Citori 12ga with duracoat MODB but it's $1600. I would like to get a gun that I can do everything with (hunt duck, turkey, squirrel and shoot skeet/clays), not spend more than $1100, have a gun that I could give to my son one day, and still be more attractive than my ol' meat stick (Remington 870). I realize that I may be wanting my cake and to eat it to so to speak. I have thought seriously about getting a Browning A5 (made in the 90's that can handle 3" steel shot shells), Browning Silver, Beretta 390, Beretta AL 391 Urika, and any Browning or Beretta 12ga over/under that I can get my hands on for under $1100 that isn't all beat up. I am really leaning towards a Browning A5 (I believe the 12ga Magnum will handle 3" shells) but I have heard that even the latest A5's produced in the 1990's cannot handle steel shot and that just doesn't make sense seeing that the ban on toxic shot pre-dates the 1990's. I am also interested in the Beretta 390 b/c as far as I know its internal parts are basically the same as the 391 Urika and Extrema and you can get them for under $800 but they are not that attractive.
I guess I have said all of that to say this. I am not sure which direction to go or if there are any serious problems with the shotguns that I am looking at as far as the performance/reliability/durability. Any advice, especially expert/experienced advice, will be greatly appreciated.
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winchester sx3 0 -
If you are looking at the Browning Citori's, you also want to look at the Winchester Select Energy. The Browning Gold SA's are good, as are the no frills version Winchester SX3, and the Beretta Extrema, and then the Benelli's.
I agree, that there is no need for a 3.5 inch gun. If you can't kill it with a 3 inch and heavy shot, then you cant kill it with a 3.5 either. I have heard the same argument with 2 3/4" Vs. 3" too. I personally don't have a boat load full of shotguns...or at least not like rifles and handguns. I have a Winchester Select Energy Trap gun in 2 3/4", a Remington 870 Express Turkey gun with 21 inch barrel in 3", a Franchi 48 AL in 28 gauge, and a Bakail EAA-43 in 410 SxS. I have killed turkey's at 65 yards with #6 lead shot with the 870.
Best0 -
If you like the 870 you might look at the 11-87 I keep coming back to the old reliable 870 0
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