obsolete

[Jubz]

obsolete

[Capybara]

I am not familiar with the inertia driven system but I will tell you that while I like semi-autos for clays of any kind, when you are shooting hundreds of rounds a day, I like the simplicity and reliability of an O/U. So much easier to clean too, don't discount that.

I had a Charles Daily Miroku semi-auto. It broke and I couldn't get parts because it was discontinued years ago so I bought an O/U and haven't looked back. To me, simplicity is better and it doesn't get any simpler than an O/U.

If you are recoil-averse, a semi may make more sense to you, they do shoot softer than an O/U but I try to shoot light target loads and I never flinch and don't have a sore shoulder, even after 300-400 rounds in a session.

[RayPDA]

I held an Instinct SL last week - a guy I met who was shooting the local fun league had it - VERY light, but mounted and pointed well...but not exactly a target gun...the L weighs more but is still a bit on the light side. Quality, judging from my brief look, was pretty good.

The inertia-driven system works well for me - easy to clean and requires little maintenance. I put about 1000 rounds through my Benelli before I took out the trigger group and bolt (just cleaned the barrel and the receiver area). It's cleaner and simpler than a gas operated design, but like other recoil operated systems, the felt recoil can be a little sharper than a gas auto, but your mileage may vary.

Most require the cycling of heavier loads initially...mine started off with AA light target loads and worked fine. I've used mine for trap, skeet and sporting, and it sees clays almost every weekend.

The Affinity uses a modified version of the inertia system, wherein the spring is not in the stock, but in the forend. From my reading, a lot of folk are happy with the Affinity. If only they offered some walnut on them.

[runway1]

An Italian shotgun??....Not to be juvenile but - nuff said. You can go to whatever source you want but when it comes to shotguns, Beretta, Benelli, Perazzi, Stoli, Franchi, Guerini, Fausti….etc., get the picture? These aren’t mid-range items.

Many others may be as good but I don’t think you’ll find any that are “better”.

As for the inertia systems; I've stood by many-a Citori and 101 shooter banging their butt stocks while my 8k+ round Beretta just keeps shooting.

1,000 through your Benelli?? - lol....another 5k/6k it may have needed it but good call.

[BigDogatPlay]

Could you explain this to me? Just a newbie taking it all in and not afraid of asking questions.

When you say "banging their butt stocks..." do you mean these O/U's and sharper recoil and the Beretta gas semi-auto runs smoother without worries about the piston getting too dirty? Or did you mean that inertia drives hang up now and then and folks needing to bang the buttstock to cock the trigger?

Yeah, I'm heavily leaning towards an Italian shotgun. Going to a local store tomorrow to check some out for fit, etc.

TIA

A lot of O/U use a mechanical device where the recoil of one barrel essentially cocks the action on the other. It's a safety feature to keep both barrels from being discharged together. If the loads are particularly light, or the action is particularly dirty, sometimes it won't trip and the second barrel will fail to fire. The solution to that is to bang the butt on the ground to trip the device... which sucks trying to shoot doubles.

Inertia driven autos tend to run exceptionally clean. Cleaner than pretty much any gas operated gun. I've seen a few that were finicky on light loads, but not often enough that I'd be concerned. The inertia guns will give more of a recoil impulse than a gas gun, but if you're mounting the gun properly recoil really shouldn't be an issue with clay loads.

FWIW I most often use an 1100 for singles trap and an O/U for doubles, but I am also buying a BT-99 and plan to shoot singles with that a lot. Either auto or O/U will work for skeet, I've used both with decent results.

[InertiaDriven]

I can help out here.

1) I bought a Franchi I-12 on sale and used it for skeet shooting at Triple B's about two years ago. The first time I shot it, it jammed. I wanted to return it, but since it was the only one they had and they would not give me my money back, I sent it in for repairs to Benelli. Got it back and it was fine for awhile, but started to jam again. Sent it back the second time and same thing. After the third time of experiencing the hard jam where I needed a screwdriver to get the shell out, I had enough. Called Benelli and asked them to give me an upgrade to a Benelli Super Sport II. They did this and I am very happy. I did like the Franchi a lot, just did not like the jamming.

I think the new Franchi's are much better and the O/U you are looking at is a great buy. As a matter of fact, if you can get a copy of the March 2012 American Rifleman, they have a great write up there and praise the new Shotguns.

The good news is that Benelli really stands behind their products (Benelli and Franchi).

I suggest that you demo a shotgun before you buy one. I did this and although I liked the O/U's a lot, I went for the SuperSport II instead since I do like the Inertia Driven action.

Bottom line is that you need to find a shotgun that feels good to you and try it out.

Have Fun,
Scott

[Peter W Bush]

If I was to buy another o/u I would look long and hard at Franchi. I actually have been and now just waiting for one to pop up on the marketplace here.

As far as semis are concerned- Never really handled a Franchi semi but own a Beretta 302 with 10s of thousands of rounds through it and a Beretta Xtrema that is tougher than nails. I wouldn't hesitate to buy any Beretta or Benelli semi, and neither should you.

[bayarea1911]

At the price point the fanchi o/u is hard to beat, just bought a nib instinct l for $955 shipped. Beautiful gun at that price plus the 7 year warranty isnt bad either.