Recommendations on semi auto shotgun

[drummag]

Hi-

I was kicking around the idea of a Remington 1100. I'd love a Benelli M4, but it's price prohibitive. I heard 11-87's are somewhat hit or miss for reliability which is something I don't want to deal with. Anything else I should be looking at?

Priorities is reliability, must be dead reliable.

Thanks!
Mike

[ysr_racer]

They've made about a million Rem 1100's, for a reason. You can't go wrong.

I have an older 1100, and an older 1187. Both have 1000's of rounds thru them with no problems.

[Squidward]

I've shot, but do not own, Benellis. They are pretty nice; balanced, fast and expensive. Some may chime in and say, "buy once-cry once" but for the price can't beat a Remington. My Rem 1100 Tac II has been flawless. Ive heard about crooked sights the Mossberg 930 JM Pro. But research it for yourself if it's being considered.

[midlife]

I had an 1187. Very well made. Just didn't fit me. So I sold it.

[midlife]

Also had a benelli. Great gun too. But too light for trap shooting.

[bigbearbear]

How about a Benelli M2? My wife has one, it is very simple to maintain and is also very reliable. Like most Benelli shotguns, the M2 does not require "breaking in", it is smooth and reliable out-the-box. After the initial cleaning and lubing, we fed it a steady diet of various cheap target birdshots and some low recoil buckshots, the M2 cycled through it all like a champ.

It is a very popular model used by people competing in 3-gun competitions, which means you can get a lot of 3rd party parts and accessories for it if you want to customize it.

[THBailey]

Remington 11-87 here. I won a 20 ga version at a CWA dinner years ago and have been waterfowl hunting with it since. Shooting the 3" 7/8 oz 1550 FPS steel 4 shot loads it gives up nothing to the best 2 3/4 12 ga steel loads. Very dependable. I also have 3 1100 12 ga guns, also very dependable. A duck blind mate bought a Benelli and complains of "The Benelli Click", a fail to fire syndrome he says they tend to suffer from and I have witnessed his gun suffering from.

[Rosereader]

Now before I begin I would like to say that I do not own one personally, but have handled one of the Linberta semi autos (specifically the heat shield-less pistol grip model). Seems like a very solid line, and if you have any regrets the pricing is excellent.

You can find them here:

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/index.php/cPath/37_1178/Shotguns/Linberta

Personally, the walnut stocked model is on my 2014 list. Not high on it, but it's there.

[Champagne-N-Beer]

Hi Mike, in the world of semi auto shotguns, soo many are realiable, knowing the intended purpose is a great way to narrow down the field - along with cost.
In the world of less than expensive, the 1100 is a great gun, with me being a fan of the older models.
Some other great guns, each with a specific purpose, are the Beretta A series and the 390's, Winchester Super X series, the B90, double auto and even the old Auto 5. I am sure many of the guys here with years of experience and knowledge can help out if you had some additional specifics like guage, price, purpose, etc.

[L84CABO]

Why not take your time and save for the M4? It's what you really want. And you won't be disappointed.

With that said, the M2 is also a great gun. FN SLP is nice too.

[calif 15-22]

I'm the odd ball out here . . . but the Benelli M4 didn't fit me as well as the Remington Versamax Tactical. The Versamax is Remy's newer lineup and has gotten some great reviews. The early 2012 had some minor issues but the 2013 versions are spot on. My Versa is very soft shooting and the gas piston system accounts for different size shells so the gun runs everything from 7/8oz up.

If you are looking for a dedicated clay/sport gun I would go a different direction but if you want/need a good all around 22" barrel for 3-gun and defense the Versa is a good choice.

(Fyi I held the new Benelli Ethos this weekend and it was all I could do to keep my wallet in my pocket. VERY nice rig)

[bigbearbear]

(Fyi I held the new Benelli Ethos this weekend and it was all I could do to keep my wallet in my pocket. VERY nice rig)

Good thing I'm leaving the country this weekend for a business trip or I might be tempted to just run out and buy it.

[calif 15-22]

Good thing I'm leaving the country this weekend for a business trip or I might be tempted to just run out and buy it.

Hey Bigbear that Ethos is nice . . . yours it a bit nicer and sportier with the Carbon Fiber but the Ethos in the silver trim is very cool



Comes in a black receiver as well:

[3GunFunShooter]

If you want reliability get a Benelli M2. I have a Salient ( for 3 years) and it runs and runs.
I have a Remington 1100 Competition Master that ran for about 3 1/2 years using it for 3 gun, then it started having problems, and problems.
After changing the interceptor latch, honing the chamber, replaced the recoil spring with a Sure Cycle, changed the piston, cleaned after each match, replaced the O-rings after each cleaning, used Mobile 1 oil, switched to AA 3 1/4 dram loads, it still had issues for another 3 years. I gave up and drank the spaghetti sauce.
The M2 runs, easy to clean, light and fun to shoot. If the Versa Max had been available when I got the Benelli, I may of gone that route. I have seen 1100 fall apart at matches. Only issue with the Versa Max is on some of them shooting slugs are not accurate, barrel needs to be rebent.

[Rocksteady1]

I like the beretta a300 outlander. The action has been around for a while. The quality is very good. It's not too expensive.