I've only had 20 gauge pumps to this point. I'm been getting interested in getting a SA 12 gauge. I can handle them in the store and have a few favorites that fit me well. However, I can't take any for a "test drive". I like the Benelli, Beretta 391, Win SX3, and Mossberg 930. Not interested in shooting 3.5" shells. I'm sure I would benefit by being able to try them all out side by side. Reading people's comments on-line has too much personal preference. Thought I'd just through this for comment or suggestion.

how bigger mag capacity do you want?
what weight do you want to carry?
how much do you want/need to pay?
which one comes up the best?
answer those questions first to knock some off your list.
which one do YOU like the look of the most, its a personal thing only you will know.

Good advice Elvis.

Only other things I would add is:

1. Do you need more than two (2) rounds?
2. If not consider an O/U or Side by Side.
3. You can get Chamber Adapters for O/U or Side by Side.
4. What type of "action" fits you best?

I really like the idea of Chamber Adapters...makes a shotgun really versatile. Food for thought.

Cheers, Vince

This can be a challenge. Perhaps visiting a gun club would allow you to see and even test fire a few different shotguns. The trap shooters at our club are glad to let someone shoot their guns.

My preference is to shop the used gun racks. Too many of the new shotguns are overpriced, lack nice looking wood or are the subject of national recalls. So it depends what you prefer. Good luck. All the best...
Gil

Thanks guys! I want a semi-auto for fast follow-up shots and reduced recoil. Will be using for hunting and 3-gun matches so capacity is a consideration. Gil, good suggestion. There are a couple of shotgun clubs over in the Dallas area where I might be able to do this. Maybe I could make a suggestion to Cabela's to host a "test drive" at a nearby location.

The Winchester SX2 was nothing more than a Browning Gold.......I don't know if they've carried that over to the SX3 line.

My limited experience in 3 gun tells me it's best to have a dedicated tactical set-up.

The best advise when purchasing a shotgun is to forget about what looks good, what sells the best, or what your buddy says.
Buy the gun that gives you a consistent mount and shoots where your looking !!!

the barrel shoots, but the stock aims...

and I should say not to buy anything before you handled the FN/Browning Auto-5. Just try the light one, not the heavy old one (even you're not going to get it broken!) and certainly not a 3" (or even more!) chamber.

And then only 1 advice: try to keep your eyes open while shooting because such Auto-5 makes things so easy that one forgets to aim and before you even know it you're trying to use it without even looking at the target.

And such an Auto-5 comes with a real tight full choke and that's all you need. You'll be amazed of what you can do wth that full choke when you pay some attention in choozing the right food.

I Love my Rem 1100

chambered221 wrote:

The Winchester SX2 was nothing more than a Browning Gold.......I don't know if they've carried that over to the SX3 line. My limited experience in 3 gun tells me it's best to have a dedicated tactical set-up.

Winchester SX3 is also the Browning Gold (3.5) and FN Tactical, each has small variations but the same action.

You are probably right about having a dedicated tactical set-up. If I'm going to pay $1000 or so for a shotgun, I would like to be able to hunt with it. I know there will be compromises. I will be shooting 3-gun for fun.

I'd like to experience the recoil and follow-up which you can't get in the store.

just a consideration, alot of guys wont have a .12ga and .20ga in the same house in case a .20ga shell gets loaded infront of the 12 with naaasty results.
how much faster do you think a semi is going to be?
a good pump gun is about the same money as a cheaper semi. If you arent going to use 3.5" .12ga shells your .20ga will do the same as 2 3/4"12ga you could get a semi .20ga???

Elvis wrote:

how much faster do you think a semi is going to be?

In the 3-gun matches, the speed of a semi-auto is a significant advantage. A lot of the 12ga semi-autos have less felt recoil than a 20ga pump allowing quicker follow-up shots.

Elvis wrote:

a good pump gun is about the same money as a cheaper semi.

Ain't that the truth! Just bought a new car on Monday so it may be another 12 months before I can buy myself a 12ga and then it will have to be on Cabela points.

Elvis wrote:

If you arent going to use 3.5" .12ga shells your .20ga will do the same as 2 3/4"12ga you could get a semi .20ga???

I've always believed that and just figured I would need to be just a slightly better shot with a 20ga and I would have a lighter gun that was easier to carry in the field.

I found a friend into shotguns and he let me borrow his 3.5 Benelli and Beretta. I'm going to take them out to the range tomorrow and start my 12ga semi-auto experience.

What type of huntin'?
Will the 20g work in your matches?

I love pumps. Get a 20 pump w/ two tubes. I can see where the S/A would be faster for timed events though- IF, you can reaquire faster with it. I shoot my pumps way more than my S/A- just more fun for me. I'm allabout fun.

How cool would it be to wax them other fellers rackin' that forend. *BOOM! chack-chack BOOM!* Like elivis said, good pump's aint a bank breaker and ya might be able to get two tubes for it.

I'm suprised at the mild recoil of my 20 pump. The factory pad, stock and 7.5# weight really suck it up w/ them 3" FASTEEL loads.

I've seen guys shoot clays and double-trap with pumps. Pretty impressive.

With either gun? All it takes is:
Practice Practice Practice!

I shoot a 24" Benelli Super Black Eagle in 3 gun when in the US - one of the few semi-auto's available in left hand drive.

They just plain work.

Aloysius wrote:

I should say not to buy anything before you handled the FN/Browning Auto-5.

Saw them, no, noticed them for the first time at last weekend's gun show. Very interesting firearm - the first successful semi-auto design - almost 100 years old. Wow, I want to have a shotgun I can put a lot of wear on. I'd have a hard time shooting one of those Auto-5s in a lot. I'd treat it like my M-1 Garand.

stovepipe wrote:

Will the 20g work in your matches?

I'm going to start out using my trusted 20ga Mossberg pump and learn as much as I can before making a decision for a 12ga auto. They are pretty expensive and I want to make sure I find the one that is best for me.