I am in the market to buy my first shot gun in the next month or so. I want to be able to hunt any bird(turkey and duck mostly). I think i want to go for a semi-auto but am not 100% sure. I was at Bass Pro and like a Browning that they have that is a semi (not sure of the model but it was $749.99). I also liked the Remington 11-87.
I know i will be paying a premium for the name but is it worth it? Also, i like the look of a wood stock but i also like the camo. What are the pros and cons of them both? Also, are there any disadvantages to a semi besides harder to clean and might not cycle smaller shells?
I do not want to buy an 870 because i feel that i might later want to move up to a semi. I want to be able to keep this gun for years and years.
Lastly, i am open to any suggestions on OTHER shotguns besides the ones that i listed.
2007-05-15 18:22:22 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Outdoor Recreation ➔ Hunting
"I know i will be paying a premium for the name but is it worth it?"
Always pay for the gun, never the name. Just because Benellis (for example) are highly regarded doesn't necessarily mean that it's worth paying twice as much for a Benelli when a Remington for half the price will work just as well. Always ask yourself: "Does the value of the gun justify the price?"
"Also, i like the look of a wood stock but i also like the camo. What are the pros and cons of them both?"
Wood stocks are generally reliable, but if you're going to be hunting, a camo stock isn't a bad idea.
"Also, are there any disadvantages to a semi besides harder to clean and might not cycle smaller shells?"
Besides more expensive? Reliability, when compared to a pump action, should be considered. Since there usually are more parts in a semi auto, more things can (possibly) go wrong (break) in a semi auto.
If I were buying my first shotgun, I'd buy a pump action Remington 870, since it would give a good introduction to how a shotgun handles, and would be cheaper than most semi autos.
But since you want a semi auto, I would personally go with the 11-87. The 870 and the 11-87 are similar guns, and given the reliability of the 870, the 11-87 should be a pretty good gun.
Other options for you to consider would be either the Benelli M3, which actually let's you switch between semi auto and pump action, and the Saiga 12, a Russian semi auto based on the AK-47 desgin that's usually priced around $200.
Good luck with your choice.
Links that have details of each of the guns I've mentioned:
Remington 870
http://world.guns.ru/shotgun/sh17-e.htm
Remington 11-87
http://world.guns.ru/shotgun/sh24-e.htm
Benelli M3
http://world.guns.ru/shotgun/sh15-e.htm
Saiga 12
http://world.guns.ru/shotgun/sh07-e.htm
2007-05-15 20:25:45 · answer #1 · answered by gomakemeasandwich 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
of the two, I would go with the Remington. In Camo. It is a good gun that is easy to take care of and get parts for. My first hunting gun was an 11-87. I would go with the camo if you are going to hunt turkey, they have really good eyesight. But you can buy the stuff to camo it yourself. I personally do not care for brownings (personal preferance) and shoot Berettas now. I say go with the gun you can afford and feels the most comfortable to you. Check with the gun store and see if there are and ranges nearby where you can rent a gun for the day and try it. Most gun clubs have several guns to try. I would go with the semi over say a pump. Less errors when hunting. I have never had a problem cycling shells as long as i kept it relatively clean(not rusty ooopps). I also shoot competition and before duck season get out my 11-87 and pratice. I shoot 1 oz loads and never have a problem.
If i were to reccomend a gun it would be the Beretta Extrema. It has the ability to shoot a wide range of shells and has a great recoil compensation system and, in my opinion, is a well rounded gun. But you pay for it. In Minnesota about $1300
2007-05-16 02:00:43 · answer #2 · answered by melgtimm 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I bought my 11-87 12 ga. a couple years ago and I really like it, but I agree with others on here that sometimes it won't cycle a light load. If you are using hotter loads for turkey and duck then you shouldn't have a problem. If you buy a box of trap loads from someplace like Walmart, then you may have some problems - I do. Some of my family are competitive trap shooters and do a lot of dove and pheasant hunting. Their opinions are to use a Rem. 1100 or a Beretta. I've shot both shotguns and I'm impressed with them both. Again, I really like the 11-87 I have, but I think there are better shotguns to get.
2007-05-16 03:46:36 · answer #3 · answered by brian f 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a 11-87 - Love it, but it does not always cycle low-brass. I believe that this is more common in semi- shotguns. The Semi's have significant less felt recoil than a manual cycle
I bought the Remington to support American Gun Builders in addition to it being a great, well known shotgun.
2007-05-15 19:58:49 · answer #4 · answered by C 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Find a little local gunshop. Ask them to call CDNN (18005889500) and they will charge you a transfer fee about $30. They have Fabarm 368 semi's made in black synthetic and a couple camo models starting at $429. These are high quality Italian made models, and you will be very happy. They also had Franchi I-12's. Good luck.
2007-05-16 02:06:00 · answer #5 · answered by john p 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm not much on automatic shotguns, but if I were going to buy one, it would be either a Browning A-5, or a Benelli Blackeagle, or a Benelli Montefeltro.
My preferences run to SxS doubles and pumpguns.
Doc
2007-05-15 18:47:40 · answer #6 · answered by Doc Hudson 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋