Recommend me a all-around cheapish(<$800) autoloader.

[The Last American Hero]

Desired features in order of preference:

Adjustable stock (shims, reasonable $$$ aftermarket, etc) so I can learn some real clay and bird shooting skills, and even teach others.

A n00b approved gun. Well sorted out with decent support. Turkish, Russian or Chinese OK if comes with actual customer service. This gun will be passed around and shot like hell by my good old buddies. Also for SHTF/HD/truck gun, etc.

Able to fire 3" shells, and cycle cheap bulk birdshot without too many probs.

Able to take full length extended mag tube.



Rest of these are ''wants" not needs:

Able to take tacti-cool sling.

Able to shoot 3.5" shells.

Able to take optics.

Able to take Rem choke tubes.

Not a Remington (too many issues with company recently)

[ysr_racer]

Beretta A300, you can thank me after you buy it

[Gringo Bandito]

Beretta A300, you can thank me after you buy it

I second this nomination. A great shotgun for the money that eats everything I feed it.

[The Last American Hero]

thx, looks like its the #1 contender, plus I like the looks especially the fore-stock.

[ysr_racer]

They offer three versions, black & synthetic, blue and wood, and camo. I have the camo.

It's light, soft shooting, and the stock is adjustable for LOP, cast and drop. Here are the pic's

[The Last American Hero]

They offer three versions, black & synthetic, blue and wood, and camo. I have the camo.

It's light, soft shooting, and the stock is adjustable for LOP, cast and drop. Here are the pic's

Yep, a well sorted out factory adjustable stock is the deal maker, as well as no other problems.

[Steve_In_29]

My Escort Tactical came with some adjustable shims but I don't know how much or how many might be supplied with their more hunting/clays type models. On the plus side Escorts are APPRECIABLY cheaper then your specified limit which allows for quite a bit of customization/accessorizing.

[The Last American Hero]

My Escort Tactical came with some adjustable shims but I don't know how much or how many might be supplied with their more hunting/clays type models. On the plus side Escorts are APPRECIABLY cheaper then your specified limit which allows for quite a bit of customization/accessorizing.

Looking for something I can shoot at ranges who don't allow 'short barrel shotguns' on clays.

But your mention of Escort brought me to this, which handles 3.5" shells and supposedly comes with tubes especially for HeaviShot, and has a "Fast Load" for one handed shell changes (nice for tacti-kool switch from OO to slug, etc). Will do some research. http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/p...mber+Semi+Auto Still mostly want a good adjustable stock system.

Neither Escort nor Howa listed here http://www.cabelas.com/custserv/cust...omparisonChart

Leaning back to Beretta 300 after reading this: http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/201...ga-sa-shotgun/ Iffy finish and machining, no aftermarket, customer service doubtful. If it was 1/2 the cost of the Beretta then maybe, but what is cost of ruined outing?

[Steve_In_29]

Looking for something I can shoot at ranges who don't allow 'short barrel shotguns' on clays.

But your mention of Escort brought me to this, which handles 3.5" shells and supposedly comes with tubes especially for HeaviShot, and has a "Fast Load" for one handed shell changes (nice for tacti-kool switch from OO to slug, etc). Will do some research. http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/p...mber+Semi+Auto Still mostly want a good adjustable stock system.

Neither Escort nor Howa listed here http://www.cabelas.com/custserv/cust...omparisonChart

Leaning back to Beretta 300 after reading this: http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/201...ga-sa-shotgun/ Iffy finish and machining, no aftermarket, customer service doubtful. If it was 1/2 the cost of the Beretta then maybe, but what is cost of ruined outing?

While my Escort is the short barreled, tactical type, Escort makes MANY models of shotguns, as I alluded to with my "hunting/clays models" comment.

[hattles]

Franchi Affinity would be my first choice with the A300 Outlander as a close 2nd choice.
An Inertia Driven shotgun that is clean, reliable, and adjustment-free. Comes with shim kit and there are 3 options to customize length of pull...LOP gel insert sold separately.

http://www.franchiusa.com/affinity-semi-auto-shotgun

Franchi Affinity 12 Gauge Autoloader Review - a glowing review by Randy Wakeman

http://randywakeman.com/FranchiAffinity12GaugeAutoloaderReview.htm

"My understanding is that manufacture and assembly of the Franchi Affinity is all at the Benelli Urbino facility. I tend to believe it, as this 12 gauge had no flaws whatsoever as received, and a trigger noticeably better than most autoloaders tested in the last year, including the M2 20 gauge and three Vinci's out of the box. For many people, a three inch chambered 7 lb. autoloader is all the shotgun they will ever need (or want), and at the $850 or so street price for the Affinity 12 gauge (less for the matte black) there is nothing on the market that competes with this shotgun. Franchi is going to sell a boatload of these and, they deserve to. In 2012 dollars, it is a tremendous value in a low-maintenance, well-built, hassle-free autoloader."

Gunbroker prices $699-$799 for the hunting models
$949 for the sporting model

http://www.gunbroker.com/Firearms/BI.aspx?Keywords=Franchi+Affinity

[shellslinger]

Mossberg 930 JM