Looking for a versatile shotgun...

[adramalech916]

Looking for an all around good shotgun. I am leaning towards 26" - 28" barrel length and leaning towards 3-1/2" chambered, slide-action, 12-gauge shotgun.

I researched a bit and had a couple choices I am looking at so far. Benelli SuperNova, Remington 887, Ithaca Model 37, Winchester SXP, and Mossberg 835.

Mostly would be using this for trap & skeet, upland game bird hunting, and maybe waterfowl. Any input would be great as I have only had experience with a Rem 870 Express and a Mossberg 590. I am going to try and see about holding each one to see about balance and if one would be a good fit for me, and maybe shoot each one to see about recoil, and feel.

[ceh383]

Mostly would be using this for trap & skeet, upland game bird hunting

This makes for a difficult choice. With Trap & Skeet you can shoot a lot of shells in a short amount of time, a heavy gun is your friend here. Upland hunting requires a lot of carrying and little shooting, a light gun is your friend here.
For hunting, nothing wrong with a pump. For Trap, nothing wrong with a pump. For Skeet, it's doable with a pump but makes doubles more of a challenge.
It's a tough choice, for me, I'd go with the Ithaca Model 37...

[adramalech916]

This makes for a difficult choice. With Trap & Skeet you can shoot a lot of shells in a short amount of time, a heavy gun is your friend here. Upland hunting requires a lot of carrying and little shooting, a light gun is your friend here.
For hunting, nothing wrong with a pump. For Trap, nothing wrong with a pump. For Skeet, it's doable with a pump but makes doubles more of a challenge.
It's a tough choice, for me, I'd go with the Ithaca Model 37...

Yea I am leaning more and more towards Ithaca 37. I am very worried about the trigger pull on the SuperNova as it has been stated as super stiff. I do like the fact that a lot of individuals have stated the SuperNova has really nice recoil reduction with their ComfortTech synthetic stock. I do also like the ability to shoot 3-1/2.

[CSACANNONEER]

I have an 887 and it's not a gun for trap, skeet or sporting clays. It's just too light. It's a nice upland bird gun though.

[ceh383]

I do also like the ability to shoot 3-1/2.

For waterfowl I understand wanting the ability to shoot 3-1/2' shells. In reality, a 3" shell should be enough for most situations without the added punishment...

[JagerDog]

I think you're looking for 2 guns....or...up your budget. The Ithica is a great upland bird gun, TMK doesn't shoot 3.5" and can be kind of punishing at the trap/skeet range. IMHO the new ones are just way overpriced. Older ones come pretty cheap, but may be restricted to 2-3/4".

3.5" IMHO is strictly for geese. Any 3.5" pump is going to be a bit punishing. I have a Franchi 912 auto (poor mans Super Black Eagle). It shoots 3.5", it's reasonably light afield, 3.5" (when appropriately clothed) is quite manageable. I don't shoot it much, but it hasn't let me down yet.

[faris1984]

I have Winchester SX3,It runs very good never had any issue with it and it takes anything without any problem. Very light weight.

[Legasat]

I have Winchester SX3,It runs very good never had any issue with it and it takes anything without any problem. Very light weight.

Same here. Really happy with my SX3, but mine does not take 3.5" shells.

[Timdacan]

Recently i purchased a beretta 1301 21inch competition model. Great shotgun but not cheap. Rumors are that you can switch out barrel from Beretta with a 28" if so the best all around shotgun.. $1099 for standard gun and extra 28" barrel from Beretta $580.

[riftol]

Looking for an all around good shotgun. I am leaning towards 26" - 28" barrel length and leaning towards 3-1/2" chambered, slide-action, 12-gauge shotgun.

I researched a bit and had a couple choices I am looking at so far. Benelli SuperNova, Remington 887, Ithaca Model 37, Winchester SXP, and Mossberg 835.

Mostly would be using this for trap & skeet, upland game bird hunting, and maybe waterfowl. Any input would be great as I have only had experience with a Rem 870 Express and a Mossberg 590. I am going to try and see about holding each one to see about balance and if one would be a good fit for me, and maybe shoot each one to see about recoil, and feel.

Take a look at the EAA MP 133.

I think it's chambered for 3 1/2" shells.

My neighbor has one.

I looked at it and it seemed to be well made.

[adramalech916]

So I got to hold the Benelli SuperNova 28" and I like the fit and it feels okay. Also checked out the Winchester SX3, and Browning BPS.

I like the shotgun that my gf pointed out when I went to a local store, the Weatherby PA-08.

I might just end up having to get an upland game bird gun and a waterfowl gun if I want to have 3-1/2". So maybe end up getting something like the SuperNova for say waterfowl, and a Weatherby PA-08 for upland game.

[ElvenSoul]

Mossberg Flex

[Chewy65]

Get a semi. Used if concerned with budget.

[Dattebayo]

I think the Mossberg JM Pro would work great as an all around shotgun. It has a barrel long enough for trap/skeet with a threaded barrel for chokes and short enough for 3 gun and self defense. It has a vent rib barrel with a fiber optic front bead along with a 9 shot mag tube.

[hattles]

It's a tough choice, for me, I'd go with the Ithaca Model 37...

Ithaca does not offer a 3-1/2" chamber in the Model 37 lineup.

I would suggest either the Benelli super Nova or the Remington 870 Express Super Magnum if you want a 3-1/2" chambered shotgun. The Mossberg 835 is pretty decent and has been around for quite a while also.