General Purpose Autoloading Shotgun on a Budget.

[Super Spy]

It's time to get a shotgun. I want to start off with a do-it-all autoloading shotgun and I wanted to get some CalGuns feedback. I will use this for shooting clays, an occasional shotgun match or maybe a 3 gun match, and hunting (Turkey, Duck, Dove) I have more experience with a autoloader though I recently borrowed a Mossberg 500 to shoot the last (my first) shotgun match at Richmond. I had jams with the 500 so I figure jams happen, I'll take the convenience of an auto. Not interested in a pure defensive shotgun, I keep a pistol handy for bumps in the night.

Priorities:
Price: 500-800
Parts: plenty of aftermarket parts, mag tubes, barrels, etc
Reliability: Better than average

Stuff I've run across lately in my price range:

Remington 11-87 seems like a good fit as I can easily get on in my budget and plenty of parts available. I saw one recently with a 24" barrel at a good price, is that too short for general purpose use?

Winchester Super X-3 saw a used one of these for a good price.

Benelli probably a field model that's got a little wear and tear in my price range.

FN SLP High end price wise but a good shotgun though not a lot parts aftermarket.

Mossberg definitely meets budget goals, decent aftermarket support, quality???

Thanks for your feedback

[Kodemonkey]

I have a mossberg 930. I put a limbsaver on it and have put at least 3000 shells through it. Never failed to fire once. I use it for trap with a light full choke on it and do pretty well. I haven't had a problem with it, and I also know 2 other people that have them that have had zero issues (although I shoot more than them).

I really want an SX3, but money was tight. I get a better cheek weld on the SX3 but I was able to make the 930 work for me. My wife shoots it very well.

I'll let someone else talk about build quality. It's the only shotgun that I have owned so I have nothing to compare it to. All I know is that it has worked flawless for me for trap. I've only shot bird/target loads with it but I have shot almost every make of shell and it seems to like everything.

[crackerman]

5-800 is a nice range to work with. Get a synthetic stock if you plan to hunt etc less maintenance to worry about. The 1187 is dead reliable when maintained but 24 might be a little to short for long birds. for your price you can probably find a combo barrel set 930. Short hd barrel and good field barrel. Meets your requirement well. I am interested what jams the 500 had. My 10 year old big 5 special has never failed me in ducks clays or class. Great value.

[bjl333]

How about a Rem 1100. Everything is cheap. I shoot one for my skeet comps, and it stop working this past weekend. I took it apart to clean it for the first time in 3 years and its gtg for another 3 years. 3-400 gets you in the door complete, extra barrels can be had for about 1-150 so you dont have to worry about too short or too long. Just get all the barrels you need and you'll still be under 8 bills.

[Kodemonkey]

I I'll take the convenience of an auto. Not interested in a pure defensive shotgun, I keep a pistol handy for bumps in the night.

Also, the autoloaders are easier on the shoulder. If you are going to shoot trap it's nice to be able to go for 200 shells and not even have a bruise.

[BigDogatPlay]

Also, the autoloaders are easier on the shoulder. If you are going to shoot trap it's nice to be able to go for 200 shells and not even have a bruise.

There are some who would say that you won't have a bruise at all if you shoulder the gun properly.... but yes, a gas auto is definitely going to be easier on the recoil. I don't even have a pad on my 1100... still wears the factory butt plate it shipped with.

For the OP... the 11-87 is a great gun (but I too prefer the 1100), however I don't see a 24 inch barrel cataloged for the 11-87 on the Remington barrel page. I know there has been a 24 inch Competition Master barrel for the 1100, but that's been discontinued, and I don't know if there ever was such for the 11-87.

I tend to prefer a shorter barrel, and have used 24 inch to good success on other guns for clays and upland bird hunting. Waterfowl is the one area where longer = better in my mind, which is why the 1100 in my safe has a 30 inch full choke barrel. For me, a 26 inch would probably be a good all around compromise for sporting use.

The SX3 (or even an SX2) is a good choice, and it's hard to go wrong with a Mossberg, IMO. Benellis are great guns, but they get spendy and they don't shoot nearly as soft as a gas auto, at least to my perception.

[Kodemonkey]

There are some who would say that you won't have a bruise at all if you shoulder the gun properly.... but yes, a gas auto is definitely going to be easier on the recoil. I don't even have a pad on my 1100... still wears the factory butt plate it shipped with.

Maybe I am just a wous

Maybe bruise is the wrong term, but I used to have broken blood vessels when I would shoot a bolt action and my shoulder would definitely be more tender. A limbsaver and my 930 and I can really shoot until my wallet is empty. I rarely even feel it the next day.

But, as you said, a gas operated autoloader will have less recoil. The intertially driven ones supposedly have more felt recoil what I have been told - but maybe not as much as a bolt action or breech loader.

[Super Spy]

Why the 1100 over the 11-87 besides cost? Good feedback though thanks.

[mif_slim]

From my bronlaw 1100 to my 11-87 the 1100 hold 2 3/4 while the 11-87 can do both 2 3/4 and 3" shells.

[Thefeeder]

<>

Here is list of shotguns in your price range

Browning A-5
Browning A500
Browning Gold
Beretta 390 and 391
Rem 1100
Rem 11-87
Winchester X
Weatherby
Franchi ......

There is a lot at $500-800

Find one you like and feels good..

[Super Spy]

I like the idea of being able to shoot 3" shells, don't care about 3 1/2" much though.

Thanks for the list feeder, I guess I need to go a nearby gun store and fondle the merchandise, as I know fit and feel are important in a shotgun. Anyone have a reference for what to look for in a shotgun as far as ideal fit? Is measuring length of pull with me holding an imaginary gun and elbow at a 90 useful?

[dennab]

My vote is for the SX3 - I did tons of research and found these the best bang for the buck

[BigDogatPlay]

Why the 1100 over the 11-87 besides cost? Good feedback though thanks.

Like several other folks who I know or who I've read, the 1100 just feels better to me. The 11-87 was introduced as an improved 1100, but the 1100 was not discontinued and still sells strongly. There have been 4 or 5 million 1100s made and there are bunches of them in the secondary market and good examples can be found, usually pretty readily. They are very durable and will last lifetimes with simple maintenance.

Another part of what keeps the 1100 alive is that it is built across all the popular gauges and was done in (my favorite) 16 gauge for a while. The 11-87 is 12 and 20 only.

[Thefeeder]

I like the idea of being able to shoot 3" shells, don't care about 3 1/2" much though.

Thanks for the list feeder, I guess I need to go a nearby gun store and fondle the merchandise, as I know fit and feel are important in a shotgun. Anyone have a reference for what to look for in a shotgun as far as ideal fit? Is measuring length of pull with me holding an imaginary gun and elbow at a 90 useful?

For fit:

Does the gun feel good, is the grip to big/ small, can you reach the trigger OK and so on

Now the fit test: (make sure the gun is not loaded--always)

Take the gun at your side, place you feet in ready position (like you going to take a shot) Now :

Close your eyes
Bring the gun up to your shoulder and cheek in one motion, as if your going to take a shot. Your head should be in a natural position , do'nt bring your cheek to the gun. Bring the gun to your cheek. The stock should lay aganst your cheek without mashing it... If it mounts comfortably, still feels good in your hands, go to step two.

Step 2
Open your shooting eye without adjusting the gun
You should just see the front bead (no barrel, no rib) Perfect fit ( see Pic #1).
Repeat steps 1 and 2 a few times to be consistant and not rely on one try.

Pic #2 and 3 are what you will see or somthing simular to the pics when it is NOT a good fit


#1


#2

[mjsweims]

I like the Remington 1100. Older ones are chambered for 3" (used to have one).
Most important is fit and feel.