Need help selecting a new bird gun

[MA1911]

I'm looking for a new bird gun any info would help thanks.
Shotguns to consider because they accept 2 3/4" to 3 1/2"
- Browning Maxus
- Winchester sx3
- Remington versa max
- Beretta a400 xtreme

[DOGHOUSE26]

I have a Beretta A400 Extrema MAX 4 with Kickoff and it is a very nice gun but a bit pricey. I bought it last year for our fall 7 day goose trips in Canada averaging 75- 3" magnum shots a day. It really knocks down the recoil, I don't know if I could do it 7 days straight with an 870. I don't know too much about Versamax; I've been a Remington guy most of my life and have been happy with all my 870s and 1100s in every gauge except my 12gauge 1100 can't take the consistant abuse of 2 3/4 or 3" magnums; the shell magazine keeper always fails at some point and 2 of my buddies have the same problem and we are repairing one of the guns each day during the goose hunt. I shot 3"ers in a Benelli for one day, it worked fine but it's too light and you notice the recoil, I could barely lift my arm the next day. If I was going with an autoloader, I would go with a Beretta AL391 regular wood for all around shooting, and if I wanted camo I would go with a Beretta A300 or A400 they just can't be beat. If it was a pump I wouldn't get anything but an 870 3" Magnum with Remchokes for the most dependable shotgun you could ever own. I had a Browning Auto 5 and it was OK, the Browning BPS Pump has been a good one too. Haven't had much luck with Mossberg

[Newshooter]

Beretta A400 if you can swing the large price tag.

I own a Maxus and love it becuase I couldn't justify the addtional costs for the Beretta.

Winchester makes a great gun but the grip angle was too far away from the trigger and didn't fit my hand well.

Not a large fan of the Versa Max. I shot one side by side with the Maxus, A400 and Vinci and it felt klunky and swung wierd.

Don't be surprised how many people are going to say you need to add Benelli to this list. I am not a Benelli fan but there are a lot of them out there.

[12gauge12]

+1 for the Browning Maxus

I love mine, its light but soaks up a lot of recoil.

[MA1911]

Thanks for the input I like the benelli s but my brother just picked up a super Vinci so that's outta the question can't have the same gun. I'm leaning towards the A400 Xtreme in camo I think

[kdsd731]

I'm happy with my Maxus. Just got back from a pheasant hunt with it.

[MA1911]

Can the maxus chamber 2 3/4-3 1/2" loads?

[Newshooter]

Can the maxus chamber 2 3/4-3 1/2" loads?

Yes...I shoot all three of those size shells through mine.

[DHart]

Browning did an awesome job with the Maxus. Mine is the Maxus Sporting Golden Clays model. I absolutely love how this gun handles, swings, and shoots. Mine has been stone reliable, even with just 1 oz. light target loads. Haven't hunted with it yet, just clays so far. Very appealing gun!



in the wife's hands






She got a pic of me nailing a true pair... rabbit dusted on the ground, bird dusted in the air, shell still flying. Man how I love this gun!


The range of Maxus models is great.... something for every need, different barrel lengths, some 3" chambers, some 3.5" chambers, wood, composite, camo, yada yada.

[duckman1]

They all will fit and feel different. Spend some time handling and swinging them to see what fits you the best. They are all good shotguns and will not let you down in the field or on the range.

[lewdogg21]

They all will fit and feel different. Spend some time handling and swinging them to see what fits you the best. They are all good shotguns and will not let you down in the field or on the range.

Agreed. People get too caught up with "I want that shotgun bc I like it" versus "I want that shotgun b/c it fits me the best". If you are a duck hunter it doesn't matter how pretty the gun is bc it's going to get dirty, rained on, dropped in the water, dropped in the mud, etc.

[MA1911]

I'm going to wait for the next raahauge's shooting sports fair that way I can shoot them all and make a decision at that point. But I've done a lot of reading seems like the maxus and A400 Xtreme are the top 2 contenders

[tpuig]

I had started to search for a new gun a few years ago. The Maxus had just come out, and the Beretta ads were in magazines but none in stores to handle. Talking to the gun expert, he mentioned that the Winchester was the same design as the Maxus. Not sure how true that is. The patent for the Benelli rotating bolt became available and there is a blur in the firearm industry on companies changing ownership. Lots of changes in the last few years. Tough choices and the magazine ads make each gun look like the best thing since buttered bread.

Once the A400 came out and I was able to put my paws on it, I fell in love. Was looking at the various versions and then ran across an old Browning Auto5 (1930's), which I snapped up. (then 3 more old ones) Now Browning has a new version of the A5, which looks the same on the outside but has all different internals. I have a thing for older shotguns, but if I walked into a gun store today to buy one, I would give the A400 and A5 a serious look.

[justjeff]

If your ever in San Diego ill let you try out my SX3 I'm impressed with the reliability and speed. Also the price was very fair compared to other autos I was looking at.

[Moonshine]

No benellis on that list? Take a look at the new Benelli Vinci!

I sold my 3.5" gun and only use 3" for everything... Saves a lot on ammo and on the price of the gun. If you do to the 3" route look at the beretta A300 and Franchi Affinity both are incredible guns for the price ($750)