Looking for a 20 Semi-Auto

[Go Navy]

I'm looking for a good, mid-priced (not el cheapo) semi-auto 20 gauge shotgun. I want interchangeable chokes and will be using it mostly for busting clays (skeet, sporting clays, etc). It should have a minimum 26 inch barrel. No, I don't want a 12 gauge no matter what action type.....I've shot a lot of 12 gauge in the past, and I'm too old for that recoil!

It must be designed to digest all normal 20 gauge loads without taking it apart and adjusting anything. I hate "camo" painted guns but that's another issue.

Brand/model recommendations, anyone?

[al123]

You can investigate the Beretta 390/3901 20 gauge if you can find it. Also check out the Beretta 391 20 gauge.

The 3901 is a very soft shooter with normal 7/8 oz 1200 ft/s target loads, and it can handle a variety of shotshells. The 391 is probably the same way.

[Thefeeder]

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You have a few 20ga semi choices to pick from. All come in models with walnut stocks, field or sporting config, 26 or 28" barrels and will shoot light 2 3/4--3"mag

Beretta 390, 391
Benelli Montifelo
Browning Gold

The best 20ga ever made, but you will need to set the recoil spring for light and heavy loads, Browning A-5 20ga....Late model Japan made A-5's are steel shot rated.



Happy shopping

[maxicon]

I've got a Remington 1100 in 20g that I like a lot, and it was pretty inexpensive used. Recoil is very soft - it reminds me of shooting my .410 pump. They're not super flexible on ammo, though. Magnums won't handle low power loads well, for example, but 2 3/4" models handle the lighter loads fine.

Still, you could get an 1100 and an extra barrel for the price of some of the other shotguns, but I guess that falls into the category of taking it apart!

[stockranger]

watch out with the 20. Many of the very light weight models such as the franchi 48, benellie monte or UL are going to recoil VERY hard. Look for a heavy 20 gauge. Atleast 6.5 lbs.

The 1100 is probably the softest shooting gun there is becauge its very heavy and it is gas. The winchester sx3 would be good too.

[j1133s]

watch out with the 20. Many of the very light weight models such as the franchi 48, benellie monte or UL are going to recoil VERY hard. Look for a heavy 20 gauge. Atleast 6.5 lbs.

The 1100 is probably the softest shooting gun there is becauge its very heavy and it is gas. The winchester sx3 would be good too.

Rem 1100 is very primitive it doesn't self adjust for heavy/light loads. I have a tactical model that I use for 3 gun and had to drill its gas holes bigger to cycle light loads.

What is "mid range"? around $800? If so, I have a Browning Gold Fusion that I bought for hunting but never used (moved to CA) and only shot couple times. Let me know if you are interested; I'm in the bay area too.

[stockranger]

Yeah I would not recomend the 1100 unless you picked one up used and cheap.

The browning golds are soft shooters. The fusion model was a special model that is geared tward hunting by shaveing weight from the magazine tube. It also has a parallel comb which will help it from smacking you in the face.

The sx3 is the same gun as the gold and the 20 looks pretty sweet.

Yes mid price would be around 800.

A heavy 12 gauge gas gun might not kick as much as you think. You could do a beretta 391 urika synthetic 3" 28"bbl brand new for about 850. The beretta 391's have won more competitions then any other gun over the last 20 years. it weighs like 7.5 lbs and I wouldn't expect it to kick much more then a 6lb 20. The winchester sx3 is the same price and also quality gun. It weighs 7 lbs 4 oz. The sx3 and 391 have VERY different stock dimensions, the safety is not in the same place, the sx3 has no mag cutoff but the 391 does have the cut off. THe sx3 has no aftermarket parts. The 391 has an endless number of aftermarket parts and stocks. It is easy to add weight to a 391 or get the recoil reduction system KO for a few hundred more. If you are on the 800 dollar budget these are the two guns I'd check out. Both of them are some of the finest guns made and represent a great value. There are tons of used berettas for sale you could pick one up cheap and these guns can shoot easily 100,000 rounds without a glich.

[NovaTodd]

Look around for a Winchester 140 in 20ga. I saw several on gunbroker for less than $400.
I have one that has been going strong for 20+ years and it will digest anything I put in it. It also has interchangeable chokes. While it's not as nice as some of the others listed above, it gets the job done.