What are your suggestions for a semi-auto shotgun?

MSgt Cayle Harris — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 19:43:56 -0400

I'm looking for a 12ga, semi-auto shotgun.
I would be using it for club 3-gun matches (definitely not a pro), home defense (not primary weapon), and maybe some bird hunting. I know that's a wide variety of uses, so I guess I'm looking for a good GP shotgun.
What are your suggestions?

Response by CW5 Jack Cardwell made Mar 29 at 2018 7:51 PM

CW5 Jack Cardwell — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 19:51:18 -0400

Never shot 3 gun but had a Benelli i loved. A friend of mine who shoots 3 gun loves his FN.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 29 at 2018 9:56 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 21:56:22 -0400

I agree with Chief Cardwell, you can't go wrong with a Benelli.

Response by SSG William Jones made Mar 29 at 2018 9:56 PM

SSG William Jones — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 21:56:43 -0400

I've sent this to a good friend of mine who is Lee owner and proprietor of Rose Action Sports. He's a great gun smith and participates in 3 gun shoots. I tried to send this to him by the cell phone link but it doesn't appear to be working properly. I copied the link off to him in an email but I may have to repost his reply from my email.

Response by SPC Josh McCoy made Mar 29 at 2018 10:11 PM

SPC Josh McCoy — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 22:11:27 -0400

Browning A5 w/ 28inch barrel and 3 1/2 inch chamber. I have one and put all the other ones up

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 29 at 2018 10:25 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 22:25:23 -0400

i'm not a three gun guy but my overall favorite GP semi shotgun is a Yildiz. Yildiz is a Turkish brand and very reasonably priced. I have both over & under and a semi and have put hundreds of rounds through them. More than a thousand shells through my O&U and they still shoot like new.

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Mar 29 at 2018 11:11 PM

SSG Roger Ayscue — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 23:11:47 -0400

Hands Down....
Benelli M-2

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Mar 29 at 2018 11:15 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 23:15:56 -0400

I very much like my Mossberg 930 JM Pro

Response by SPC Mike Lake made Mar 29 at 2018 11:23 PM

SPC Mike Lake — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 23:23:39 -0400

It's definitely all about preference and budget but Benelli is top notch

Response by TSgt David L. made Mar 29 at 2018 11:55 PM

TSgt David L. — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 23:55:43 -0400

Lots of nice auto guns out there for the kind of money you have, Cayle! LMAO :-) I crack myself up! Honestly, for the money I would like to get the Benelli M2. There are a few others that are worth the money. That is at the top of my recommend list though. I can help you spend MORE money if you want! Hahaha
https://www.benelliusa.com/m2-field-shotgun

M2 Field Shotgun

The M2 Field shotgun is light, ruggedly built, and fast handling. It is the backbone of the Benelli semi-auto line.

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Mar 30 at 2018 11:06 AM

SMSgt Thor Merich — Fri, 30 Mar 2018 11:06:28 -0400

If your budget affords it, Benelli is the way to go.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 30 at 2018 11:57 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Mar 2018 11:57:48 -0400

I have a Beretta 390 that I love.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Mar 30 at 2018 5:53 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Fri, 30 Mar 2018 17:53:45 -0400

My Police Department at Picatinny had a couple of these That were Evaluation copies. I loved shooting it for LE Qual tables. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benelli_M4

Benelli M4 - Wikipedia

On May 4, 1998, the United States Army's Armaments Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC) at Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey issued Solicitation #DAAE30-98-R-0401, requesting submissions for a new 12 gauge, semi-automatic combat shotgun for the U.S. military. In response to the request, Benelli Armi SpA of Urbino, Italy designed and built the Benelli M4 Super 90 Combat Shotgun. On August 4, 1998, five samples of the M4 were...

Response by SFC Robert Walton made Mar 31 at 2018 8:47 AM

SFC Robert Walton — Sat, 31 Mar 2018 08:47:00 -0400

Benelli M2

Response by PV2 Terry Hughes made Apr 7 at 2018 12:08 PM

PV2 Terry Hughes — Sat, 07 Apr 2018 12:08:45 -0400

My Remington Versa-Max is an awesome semi auto shot gun. Great for 3 gun, skeet, bird hunts or home defense. Good luck with your choice. There are few great semi auto shot guns.

Response by Cpl Billy Ashworth made Apr 12 at 2018 8:18 PM

Cpl Billy Ashworth — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 20:18:32 -0400

If a Shotgun was I had I would use it for home defense

Response by MSgt Cayle Harris made Apr 14 at 2018 11:39 AM

MSgt Cayle Harris — Sat, 14 Apr 2018 11:39:00 -0400

For anyone who cares. I went with the Stoeger M3K.

Response by SSG Mark Wright made Apr 26 at 2018 10:02 AM

SSG Mark Wright — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 10:02:20 -0400

Benelli supersport!

Response by Cpl Jason Brown made Apr 29 at 2018 7:56 AM

Cpl Jason Brown — Sun, 29 Apr 2018 07:56:36 -0400

I don't think you will find a GP shotgun that performs as well as you would like in all those conditions right out of the box. As the Chief said, a Benelli M2 is an excellent suggestion because it can be reconfigured for each role, but will require nearly enough parts for 3 separate shotguns to excel at them.

For this reason, I recommend dedicated guns.

Response by SrA Joe M made Apr 29 at 2018 8:42 PM

SrA Joe M — Sun, 29 Apr 2018 20:42:48 -0400

Benelli is a real quality shotgun but very overpriced compared to Turkish models.

When I served in the USAF supporting Ankara & Izmir we had the luxury of being close to several shotgun shops & the Americans loved buying them and sending them home.

I have had a few in my cabinet that are only for home defense, it's the weapon of choice for homeowners in Eastern Turkey who live near border countries & need home defense since Turks are not permitted to own handguns or semi-auto rifles.

Good buy!

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Apr 29 at 2018 10:53 PM

MSG John Duchesneau — Sun, 29 Apr 2018 22:53:51 -0400

I recommend the Benelli M4 tactical shotgun. Its good enough the for the USMC and is good enough for you.

Response by Sgt Christopher Kemp made Apr 30 at 2018 12:31 AM

Sgt Christopher Kemp — Mon, 30 Apr 2018 00:31:18 -0400

Mossburg 500 flex has an 8 round tube magazine, adjustable stock, and the capability to add tools onto the pump via picitani rail.

Response by SGT Fred Donovan made May 3 at 2018 3:40 PM

SGT Fred Donovan — Thu, 03 May 2018 15:40:12 -0400

If your pockets are deep enough a Benelli if not remington.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made May 3 at 2018 7:38 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Thu, 03 May 2018 19:38:50 -0400

Browning comes to mind, Beretta, you can always pick up a very good over and under now a days at gun stores that have been traded in or on consignment. My local shop is wall to with shotguns ov every flavor, and most of them are used.

Response by PO3 John Wagner made May 6 at 2018 11:09 PM

PO3 John Wagner — Sun, 06 May 2018 23:09:17 -0400

I honestly don't see the need for such a weapon in civilian hands. Sorry just don't.
I think it would be a fantastic close combat weapon however.
A shotgun, except perhaps with a very light load, is a terrible home defense weapon.
A shotgun discharge inside a living space is going to do enormous collateral damage
It is also quite likely going to endanger others in the vicinity due to projectiles passing through windows.
It is also a weapon which would really kick it up a notch for a "mass shooter"
Just point the fucking thing in the general direction of a crowd. Instant carnage. Escaping the shooter would be even more difficult because they could use the shotgun to herd their victims.
Hunting? Hunting what? If you don't get the animal with the first shot your going to lose it anyway... I am speaking of deer slugs in this case.
With birds what's the point? If you can't run a pump shotgun then a semi auto isn't going to do you any good.
I'm going to stick with my original thought.
No need for such a weapon in civilian hands.

Response by PO2 Dan Shulla made May 7 at 2018 3:08 PM

PO2 Dan Shulla — Mon, 07 May 2018 15:08:00 -0400

a Remington 870 pump comes new with both bird barrel and a shorter rifled barrel. What do you feel the advantage is with a semi-auto over pump? a touch faster doesn't equal more accuracy

Response by Sgt William Collins made May 15 at 2018 4:28 AM

Sgt William Collins — Tue, 15 May 2018 04:28:15 -0400

For a gun around the house, you can't beat a Keltec KSG. Compact dual magazine pump holding 14 rounds and built like a tank. For competition there are plenty of choices. I'm actually a Browning A5 fan, but that's just my old man's tastes . . .

Response by CPT Ted Snyder made May 18 at 2018 11:57 PM

CPT Ted Snyder — Fri, 18 May 2018 23:57:16 -0400

I have a Baretta A 300. I use it for Phesant, Duck, Geese, Dove, Skeet/Clays, Turkey, and Rattle Snake. The Snake was an accident but it only took one shot, a big jump, and a loud scream that my son still reminds me I made.

Response by SPC Cheryl Bottass made May 21 at 2018 3:18 PM

SPC Cheryl Bottass — Mon, 21 May 2018 15:18:20 -0400

My shoulder not good, I enjoy my moss berg 410.accurate lightweight , sometimes wish had a clip, only holds a couple of shells

Response by LTC Frank Baum made May 23 at 2018 4:29 PM

LTC Frank Baum — Wed, 23 May 2018 16:29:23 -0400

I see comments on Turkish guns and on Benellis. How about this, Stoeger? Originally a Turkish brand that "copied" Benelli's inertial drive. They did it so well that Benellli now owns Stoeger. I have a Stoeger M3000. Great gun, great price.

Response by SGT Charles Bartell made May 24 at 2018 4:07 PM

SGT Charles Bartell — Thu, 24 May 2018 16:07:14 -0400

If Cost is not A FACTOR. Benenlli is the best way to go. Now Mossberg and Remeton makes some good one's to. I do Not Know who makes the A-12 But it is Great. Not the AA-12 Fed law's suck on these.

Response by PO1 Jeffrey Williams made May 31 at 2018 2:29 PM

PO1 Jeffrey Williams — Thu, 31 May 2018 14:29:21 -0400

Shotguns are shotguns.... so depending on your style of shooting there are two different kinds to look at. For bird hunting and skeet shooting you want a longer barrel i own a savage but would love a Mossberg, but brand dont really make a difference to me except at the register... most would say Benelli but unless you have a lot of money i would steer clear. i would go to a store and hold it look for weight that fits you and whether you want plastic or wood or if you want it wrapped its all on you. For home defense i would go Tactical maybe a Mossberg 930 spx with the tactical grip and great sights and only a 48 Inch barrel, if you dont want to pay a lot of money Savage has another good one in the $300 range... as always know your guns and clean and oil them they wont let you down.... Just my opinion

Response by SPC Kirk Williams made May 31 at 2018 7:18 PM

SPC Kirk Williams — Thu, 31 May 2018 19:18:17 -0400

Barretta A400 Extrema. fast, 3-1/2 shooter. hold 12 rounds w/o the plug. I love mine. Can be expensive, but worth it.

Response by Bergman Oswell made May 31 at 2018 10:08 PM

Bergman Oswell — Thu, 31 May 2018 22:08:01 -0400

It's pump-action not semi-auto, but I've been a fan of the Kel-Tec KSG for a while. It's a bullpup design, and is much handier for home defense as a result. It also has the unusual feature of having dual magazines, which allows you to select between two different ammunition types each time you chamber a new round. So you could have slugs in one and buckshot in the other, for example.

They had some quality control issues early on, but the current version is pretty solid. The SOUND of a pump-action is ingrained on the American consciousness, and that alone can defuse a home defense situation.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 14 at 2018 3:00 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 15:00:28 -0400

Just about any modern gun would meet that list of requirements. Remington 1100, Benelli, mossberg, berettaall make good stuff. For a knock around gun chose synthetic stocks over wood, check assembly and disassembly ease for cleaning. Consider used for your first gun because you’ll discover your likes and dislikes AFTER you buy the first one. A used 1100 can be found relatively cheaply And parts and accessories are widely available.

Response by TSgt Adrian Haban made Jun 21 at 2018 8:18 PM

TSgt Adrian Haban — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 20:18:18 -0400

There’s a lot of semi-automatic shotguns out there. Everyone has their choice and it all boils down on what you’re going to use it for and how much you’re willing to spend. Being a former clay shooter, I have a semi-auto and an over under. Both I can use on the clay course or out in the field.

Response by CWO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2018 9:48 PM

CWO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 21:48:29 -0400

Benelli M4 if you got the cash. It's reliable, modifiable and adjusts to whatever you feed it. Or a Benelli Supernova. On the cheaper end a shortened Rem 1100, or a slide Rem 870 or Mossberg clone will work. All trial tested and proven. My 870, I've had since I was 15. Never jammed or mis-fired in 35 years and it's older than me. Not really recommended for three gun or skeet tho, but it will compete. I also have an M4 Benelli, because I wanted it. And I really like it. If you're just starting out, I'd go with a slide. Unless you got the scratch. Then I'd just go big with the M4. But don't try to hunt with it, unless you have the restriction dowels inserted. DNR doesn't like scary black weapon where I'm at. So whatever you decide; be conscious, aware, and legal at all times. My .02

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 23 at 2018 1:14 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 Jun 2018 13:14:08 -0400

Remington 870 pump. Had one in my police car, and have one at home. Easiest to use and most reliable shotgun on the market.

Response by MAJ William Cussins made Jun 26 at 2018 7:26 PM

MAJ William Cussins — Tue, 26 Jun 2018 19:26:48 -0400

I'm extremely fond of my Remington 870 12 ga. pump shotgun. It's fantastic as a field gun, and is my favorite for trap with the trap barrel. For skeet, I prefer my Browning semi auto 12 ga.

Response by Cpl Matthew Stevens made Jun 29 at 2018 7:03 PM

Cpl Matthew Stevens — Fri, 29 Jun 2018 19:03:32 -0400

Depending on your spending budget, I would reccomend taking a look at a Franchi Affinity, a Stoeger M3000, or a JM Pro 930 for looking at less than $1000. A Little over 1000, i would look at a FN SLP, Remington 1301 Comp, a Beretta X3 or X400, or a Winchester SX4. Close to 2000, I would say a Benelli or Browning. Hope this helps, I own a Franchi Affinity and am in love with it.

Response by Sgt Robert Gardner made Jul 14 at 2018 12:55 PM

Sgt Robert Gardner — Sat, 14 Jul 2018 12:55:39 -0400

The Remington 11-87 is a good choice.

Response by 1SG Rick Posey made Jul 27 at 2018 10:33 PM

1SG Rick Posey — Fri, 27 Jul 2018 22:33:21 -0400

I have a Stoger 12 gauge which is made by Benneli

Response by PVT Raymond Lopez made Jun 15 at 2019 7:50 PM

PVT Raymond Lopez — Sat, 15 Jun 2019 19:50:01 -0400

I use my father's old Browning Auto 5 12 gauge semi-automatic shotgun that he left me when he died it has never malfunctioned!!! It became mine when I was thirty years old I am seventy-two years old now and it still works just fine. I also clean and oil all the time I think that helps just a little bit.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 23 at 2019 8:28 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 23 Jun 2019 20:28:47 -0400

My first gun was a Browning Auto 12, and I still have it since 1969, it's still a good all around gun.

Response by SFC Robert Walton made Jun 24 at 2019 8:01 AM

SFC Robert Walton — Mon, 24 Jun 2019 08:01:59 -0400

Sorry I got on this thread didn't know it was a lead in for the Liberals to try to move forward with Gun grabbing.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2019 11:16 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Jun 2019 23:16:53 -0400

Haha I was always the poor grad student who went to 3 gun matches with a Yugoslav underfolder AK-47, a Remington 870 wingmaster pump, and my CZ shadow pistol. Loved beating people with fancier toys. I liked 3 gun matches but I am still a pistol comp guy.

Response by SSgt Clare May made Aug 10 at 2019 11:46 PM

SSgt Clare May — Sat, 10 Aug 2019 23:46:41 -0400

I got a pre war Belgium Browning Auto 5... Gotta love it. 87 years old and still tosses number 4's like clockwork...

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Oct 14 at 2020 12:08 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Wed, 14 Oct 2020 12:08:18 -0400

Benelli M4. Qualified with it in a LE qualification course. awesome fire arm.

Response by SGT Gregory Cole made Oct 15 at 2020 1:29 PM

SGT Gregory Cole — Thu, 15 Oct 2020 13:29:59 -0400

Cant go wrong with the mossberg 930.