RogerH Posted December 18, 2009 Report Share Posted December 18, 2009 (edited) As my signature suggests, I am looking for a quality all round semi. My budget is around a grand and I need an all round gun for clays/game/ducks but nothing bigger. I want a 3" chamber but 3 1/2 would be overkill probably. New or nearly new. Wood or synthetic doesn't really bother me as I just want a quality reliable workhorse. Therefore I have narrowed things down to 3 models: Beretta 391 Urika/Extrema - good reputation. Benelli Rafaello/Super Black Eagle - like the idea of recoil operation. Fabarm XLR5 - different but very intriguing. As it's proving difficult to get out and try all three I wondered if you guys could help me out with your opinions and experiences of these models? Cheers Roger Edited December 18, 2009 by RogerH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter De La Mare Posted December 18, 2009 Report Share Posted December 18, 2009 Urika II. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlaserF3 Posted December 18, 2009 Report Share Posted December 18, 2009 Urika 2 for clays. Benelli if you like the feel of recoil. Fabarm it seems a decent gun. Overall it has to be the Urika just for the lack of felt recoil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlaserF3 Posted December 18, 2009 Report Share Posted December 18, 2009 (edited) Posted twice Edited December 18, 2009 by BlaserF3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burt Babolski Posted December 18, 2009 Report Share Posted December 18, 2009 Urika Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitsinhedges Posted December 18, 2009 Report Share Posted December 18, 2009 My clay shooting partner uses a Urika and I hate it, it just doesn't feel or mount right for me whereas an M2 feels great. I haven't had the opportunity to actually fire an M2 yet though but it's not going to be any worse than my o/u recoil wise is it and that is only mild with clay loads. I am currently staggered at how much we have to spend to buy something regarded as decent and the Benelli seems actually quite cheap compared to a lot of the competition at £1050. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
humperdingle Posted December 18, 2009 Report Share Posted December 18, 2009 I just got a 2nd hand Beretta 391 Urika (1) and it's a fantastic gun... So easy on the shoulder compared to any other semi auto I 've used with the exception of possibly the Franchi 712 Raptor. Can't comment on your other choices, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deadeye Posted December 18, 2009 Report Share Posted December 18, 2009 nothing wrong with the beretta urika, but i personally prefer the benelli m 2 or if you want wood i would go with the montefeltro. the guns shoot alot cleaner than a gas gun and are very reliable and easy to maintain. they are light in weight and very good for carry in the field. i would sum it up as follows: if your primary interest is clays i believe that the urika might be a somewhat better choice. if your primary interest is field shooting in all kinds of weather and you want ultimate ease of maintainance and reliability i would go with the benelli m2 3" or montefeltro 3". i do not like the 3.5" guns and in the benelli line you will have more success with lighter loads in the 3" guns. to me there is just no point in a 3.5" gun and some real downside when it comes to lighter loads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollie Posted December 18, 2009 Report Share Posted December 18, 2009 I'm very biased but it would have to be a beretta 391 tekny. Totally love the gun and has never misfired on me once, can't fault it at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweedledee Posted December 18, 2009 Report Share Posted December 18, 2009 benelli ---have yet to see one that works right. my opinion only. others swear by them. fabarm---- i think would depreciate the quickest beretta--- safe bet and should hold it`s value well dont disregard the winchester,browning or franchi 712 series.a lot of good autos out there. just going to sit back and wait for the benelli men to cut me to pieces. as i said guys it`s just my experience with them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RogerH Posted December 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 18, 2009 Oh **** what have I started! Very interesting stuff - please keep comments coming... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deadeye Posted December 18, 2009 Report Share Posted December 18, 2009 benelli ---have yet to see one that works right. my opinion only. others swear by them.fabarm---- i think would depreciate the quickest beretta--- safe bet and should hold it`s value well dont disregard the winchester,browning or franchi 712 series.a lot of good autos out there. just going to sit back and wait for the benelli men to cut me to pieces. as i said guys it`s just my experience with them not meaning to be argumentative, but a 3 " chambered benelli with good ammo is practically unstoppable. in a 12 ga. m2 with a 3" chamber if you shoot 1 oz at approx 1250 to 1300 fps or 3 dr. 1.25 oz the guns are flawless. the 3.5" guns with light loads can definitely be a pain in the a#$. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OGGIE Posted December 18, 2009 Report Share Posted December 18, 2009 I have a Remmington 11-87 premier which I'm more than happy with. Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullet boy Posted December 19, 2009 Report Share Posted December 19, 2009 I love my Winchester SX3-Fastest Shotgun on the Planet-FACT! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hookbones Posted December 19, 2009 Report Share Posted December 19, 2009 benelli ... in my experience and humble opinion its the best ,beretta make an amazing gun but like you i was a browning man and for some reason browing shooters seldom get on well with berettas and visa versa ..there are exceptions of course ...i myself wanted a fac semi and working in the trade had opportunity to shoot many makes/models ,i now have a benelli m1 super 90, 26",9 shot that i use for everything it feeds/cycles well 2.5"-3" mag ,which is more than my mate with his new camo 391 fac can say and iv a higher capacity than his. the only thing id trade it for is another benelli <m2/m3 or the vigo thing i saw at the trade show> also as its inertia it dont need the same maintenance as the gas systems <watch the tom knapp or duckmen vids on youtube theres a reason benelli won the coveted military and law enforcement contracts , b4 the dyed in the wool bret men jump on me i remind you all its only my opinion and it comes from my experience shooting as well as selling them both.. there was even a time i shot comps <english sporting> with a franchi spas 12 ,18" barrel with cutts comp/poly chock welded on the end to make it 24" and 2x as loud..<bet theres ppl on here that are thinking "god i knew you" now lol> ..so i dont claim the best taste in the world but i do have experience Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alanl50 Posted December 19, 2009 Report Share Posted December 19, 2009 Hi with around a £1000, you could get 3 Hatsan Escorts and have money left for cartridges and when one breaks you could use the next one, while the broken goes back to Edgar Bros for repair. Just a thought Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Sarakun Posted December 19, 2009 Report Share Posted December 19, 2009 You beat me to it Alan. The Datsun must quite rightly be mentioned here too, as it is well known for it's rugged reliability, ease of use and value for money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derek.snr Posted December 19, 2009 Report Share Posted December 19, 2009 391 , sold my raptor , not as good imo ,like the look of the new winchester sx3 feels nice not shot one yet ,price is good cheaper than a 391 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alanl50 Posted December 19, 2009 Report Share Posted December 19, 2009 You beat me to it Alan. The Datsun must quite rightly be mentioned here too, as it is well known for it's rugged reliability, ease of use and value for money. Sorry Jim I could'nt resist, OK ILL admit to be being a proud owner of a 26" in the black, Escort and I have a 30" barrel for when the 26" blows up, and a wooden but and forend when I want to go posh, and its Turkish walnut you realise not just any wood lol Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Posted December 19, 2009 Report Share Posted December 19, 2009 You beat me to it Alan. The Datsun must quite rightly be mentioned here too, as it is well known for it's rugged reliability, ease of use and value for money. And the ability to repair it with jubilee clips and duck tape. Go for a Beretta Extrema, there ain't a cartridge made that it won't fire or cycle and you never know when you will need the 3 1/2" chamber. I use 3 1/2" cartridges most of the time on the 'shore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alanl50 Posted December 19, 2009 Report Share Posted December 19, 2009 And the ability to repair it with jubilee clips and duck tape. Go for a Beretta Extrema, there ain't a cartridge made that it won't fire or cycle and you never know when you will need the 3 1/2" chamber. I use 3 1/2" cartridges most of the time on the 'shore. ILL have you know that if you get all the screws lined up right on the jubilee clips and pick the right colour duck tape you can add pounds to the value of your Escort, so dont be put off Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unclemicky Posted December 19, 2009 Report Share Posted December 19, 2009 Hi with around a £1000, you could get 3 Hatsan Escorts and have money left for cartridges and when one breaks you could use the next one, while the broken goes back to Edgar Bros for repair. Just a thought Alan Alan I own a Hatstand and your comments made me laugh as I know what you say is so true Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Breastman Posted December 19, 2009 Report Share Posted December 19, 2009 Can't go wrong with M2, Extrema 2 or SX3. I prefer the M2 for the inertia system - reliable, easy to clean and less parts to mess up Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tobyb525 Posted December 19, 2009 Report Share Posted December 19, 2009 Hatsan - - I own one SX3 - - have shot one Extrema 2 - - Possibly the nicest thing I have ever mounted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alanl50 Posted December 19, 2009 Report Share Posted December 19, 2009 Hatsan - - I own oneSX3 - - have shot one Extrema 2 - - Possibly the nicest thing I have ever mounted When you mounted the Extrema 2 what choke do you use? true cyl?? and did you dress it in a thong? hurry up with the answer please, I cant wait much longer, I have a box of tissues ready I could'nt cheat on my Hatsan Im sorry, Ive made a promise to be faithfull to my little Turkish delight. Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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