A budget Semi-automatic

[SofaGeorge]

It may sound odd, but I'd almost bet that an untrained person with a semi auto would be about the same speed as a well trained shooter with a single shot shotgun... and the trained shooter would have the higher hit rating.

(single shot) Shoot break eject load aim shoot break eject load aim shoot

Versus

(semi auto) Shoot reacquisition target shoot reacquisition target shoot

It'd be a hoot of a contest to try at least.

But it does present another option. Instead of getting a semi auto... you could just try to be the world's fastest manual reloader.

[Sturnovik]

you still need a bullet button regardless of stock/pg for a saiga or any other semi auto shotgun

Well you would be correct, but I was stating that I wont buy a Saiga for simply that reason. If the BB wasn't a requirement then I'd buy it. That's the advantage of having a tubular magazine.

I'm really leaning toward that 930 spx, but honestly I may give a week or so to see if a Benelli pops up.

[NSR500]

Ummm ... "piston"? Nope, the 930 series is gas-operated without any piston. My 930SPX has been rock-solid following breakin, BTW.

Nope... Even Mossberg says it is a gas operated piston design.

The gas cylinder, dual gas-vent system and piston remain attached to the barrel

[kedenimar]

thumbs up for Mossberg 930

picked one up used, like new in August- great gun!
for $40 i replaced the plastic safety with a steel one from Brownell's, and an
ETA tactical charging handle. Gun came with Choate pistol grip stock, the only other thing i will buy for the gun would be a 24" barrel, for busting clays-
runs about $180

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=26966/Product/MOSSBERG_500_590_835_ENHANCED_SAFETY_BUTTON

http://elitetacticaladvantage.com/products/shotguns/mossberg/charging.html

[NSR500]

Stick with the name brands. I have a 930 SPX and recommend it. Stoeger, CZ and all the other off shore manufactured guns may be fine, until they need service or parts. And is this a HD gun or a sporting gun? Self defense and you want lowest bidder? I understand budget constraints, I really do, but compromising on life safety equipment is just where you have to draw the line. A new SPX will set you back about $600 with DROS but other than adding a light you are ready to rock right out of the box.

If this is merely a sporting/play gun....experiment and let us know how some of these other guns work. Some of the Chinese know offs and the Charles Daly's look fun. Personally I don't have $400 to experiment with either. Save up for a used Benelli, Remington 1100 or 1187 or a new SPX Mossberg.

Good luck in your quest.

Do you realize that some of the finest shotguns on God's green Earth are produced in Europe?
Benelli, Sako, Stoeger, and Franchi are all subsidiaries of Beretta. Anybody buying a Stoeger will have excellent factory support. There will be parts available because the inertia system uses the same Benelli parts for the most part.
Stoeger is one of the most underrated shotgun brands on the market. I'm saving to get a Stoeger Model 2000 so that my HK Benelli M1S90 can go into the safe. That way my daughter will inherit a very clean M1S90.
I trust my M1S90 100% and I would not be storing it in the safe if I did not have another shotgun I could also trust 100%.
My goal is to beat on a Stoeger and my Saiga 12. Those guns will be my daily HD shotguns, range beaters, defensive class guns, etc...

[JETLAG]

Saiga12 $500

HK Fabarm $600.

[3GunFunShooter]

Get the Mossberg 930. Who wants a socialist commie European made gun? LOL!
The top revolver shooter Jerry M, is now running the 930 in 3 gun. So far over 2000 rounds and no problems. A famous Texan gunsmith is going to start setting up the 930 for 3 gun competition. This guy has been the go to guy on Benelli's for 3 gun. The 1100CM is a decent shotgun, but mine is having too many issues, the 930 by Benny Hill will be my next purchase.

[hcbr]

I personally haven't tried the Mossberg 930 myself, but it was one of the guns I was highly considering to buy. I agree as well the Stoeger 2000 is also a great gun, and if I had some money to burn, both those guns would be in my cabinet. Well that and all the Benelli M's, including the M3

[Sturnovik]

Yea I'll probably end up getting the 930. But I'm giving it a week to find a M1/M3 or Stoeger 2000. I'd prefer those simply because t hey shoot cleaner and are just as if not more reliable.

Also I did look at Hkfabarm, some great looking semi's but I'm sure they are hard to find here let alone expensive.

[ZombieTactics]

Nope... Even Mossberg says it is a gas operated piston design.

Well, shut my mouth and call me schooled! I was about to post something snarky, having just disassembled my 930SPX and not finding anything I recognized as a piston. Lo and behold, Mossberg does in fact call a particular part a "gas piston", although I submit to you that it's not immediately recognizable as such.

Thanks for the kind correction ... you certainly would have been well within your rights to be a bit more errr ... "forceful" in your reply.

[NSR500]

Well, shut my mouth and call me schooled! I was about to post something snarky, having just disassembled my 930SPX and not finding anything I recognized as a piston. Lo and behold, Mossberg does in fact call a particular part a "gas piston", although I submit to you that it's not immediately recognizable as such.

Thanks for the kind correction ... you certainly would have been well within your rights to be a bit more errr ... "forceful" in your reply.

I charge people for "Forceful".

That 930 is an impressive gun for the price point that Mossberg is able to meet. Definitely a good platform. Hopefully Mesa Tactical gets around to making a PG stock for that gun. The Choate is okay, but the Mesa Tactical "Urbino" looks awesome. It shortens the LOP on the Benelli guns.

[SofaGeorge]

I've Googled this to death and cant find the answer...

Can you get a mag extension that fits the Stoeger 2000.

[NSR500]

I have not tried to change the extension on a Stoeger, but I think a Benelli M1/M2 extension can fit.

[SofaGeorge]

Thanks. I'm leaning towards adding both the Stoeger 2000 and the Benelli M4... but my wife keeps me on a short leash... so I have to pick the new toys up over a period of many months. If I can find a mag extension that works on the Stoeger... with a pistol grip on the stock it would be a real bargain addition to the gun cabinet.