dogfish Posted May 3, 2009 Report Share Posted May 3, 2009 Hello All, I have injured my right shoulder (the one I shoot off) and at the moment my B525 is giving me a bit of pain, I have tried a variety of cartridges to try and find a smooth shooting brand, but to no avail. I have been toying with the idea of a Semi Auto for a while - not to replace my Browning as I hope my shoulder will recover in time, but as a second gun. It will be used mainly for clays, with a bit of pigeon shooting now and then. I have previously had a Remmy 1100 and would not have another as it jammed to often for my liking. I have also had a Browning Gold Fusion which never jammed but I sold it when I was skint. The Browing Gold had a speed load facility which allows you to load cartridges from the bottom with the first one loaded chambering itself. I love the look and reliable reputation of the Beretta but have not shot with one, nor a Benneli - however they are quite expensive. I would like your views on both the above, but would also welcome views on the cheaper alternatives such as the Browning phoenix and particularly the Winchester SX3. The SX3 appears to be a reasonable price, appears to have a durable finish, but I don't know anyone who has one, I would particularly like to know if it has the speed load facility of its relative the Browning. Does anyone use a SX3 for clays (particularly skeet) OR.... am I barking up the wrong tree completely ........ your views are welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kennym Posted May 3, 2009 Report Share Posted May 3, 2009 hi you just missed an AL391 on here for £450, benellis are great guns but dont belive the hype because of the mechanical action its against the laws of physics to claim their recoil is any where near as soft as the beretta, to go even further the beretta with the new kick off system is just another level, I reacently shot both guns back to back (see old posts) My right sholder is always painfull & I had an opp on my left shoulder 9 weeks ago (to much grapling) so I say it with a similar view point to you.... the beretta is great to shoot....... the walking about carrying the gun is the hardest bit so use a sling Ken PS .............. Hatsans for me have been cheap but reliable so if your on a budget give one a go their cheap enough to buy new & have a 3 year warranty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogfish Posted May 3, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2009 Cheers for that, I have read elsewhere that the Benneli is not quite as smooth as a gas operated auto and your opinion confirms that. I think I would go for the gas operated semi auto, I had a look at a 391 sporter in a local dealers and then I also had a look at a 391 golden mallard game gun the game gun came to the shoulder much more sweetly, but I never shot either and just ended up more confused... Both were used and the dealer would not negotiate AT ALL on the marked prices so I didnt bother. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pest control Posted May 3, 2009 Report Share Posted May 3, 2009 i have an sx3 I will be at greystone wood otley on saturday, you are more than welcome to have a go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kennym Posted May 3, 2009 Report Share Posted May 3, 2009 here or gun trader is a good place to buy I set out to buy a sporter because from the write ups & advice I got a game gun is for game a sporter is for clays..... Thats not realy the case with an auto there's not much differance apart from the rib width.... BUT with a bad shoulder the less wieght of a field or game gun more than makes up for the slightly narrower rib OK someone else may not agree but thats the good thing about personal choice..... there all differant... best thing to do is shoulder the gun & see if you like the feel Ken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark1187 Posted May 3, 2009 Report Share Posted May 3, 2009 Dogfish, I would try some sub-sonics. They may not be macho, but I remember putting 475 through my baikal one day when a noise ban was in place. My 1187 is very soft but it weighs 8 3/4 pounds before you stick any lead in. Bought it for the wife but it was too much weight out front. As It's a left hooker I had to have it I use it with 32g Hull SPs, in my Baikal they hurt. I only ever used to clean my 1187 with drylubes (Break-Free?). Since starting shooting again use bicycle PTFE chain-lube. This works as well as a gun specific lube, but is a lot cheaper. When my wife nearly fell through a door after I sprayed the lock and hinges with chain-lube it was my fault! Handles pinged back with vengence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kennym Posted May 3, 2009 Report Share Posted May 3, 2009 Cheers for that, I have read elsewhere that the Benneli is not quite as smooth as a gas operated auto and your opinion confirms that. I think I would go for the gas operated semi auto, I had a look at a 391 sporter in a local dealers and then I also had a look at a 391 golden mallard game gun the game gun came to the shoulder much more sweetly, but I never shot either and just ended up more confused... Both were used and the dealer would not negotiate AT ALL on the marked prices so I didnt bother. WHICH RFD DID YOU GO TO? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweedledee Posted May 3, 2009 Report Share Posted May 3, 2009 don`t forget about the sx2. cheaper now with the release of the sx3.same gun you may finnd a bargain somewhere Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wisecobandit Posted May 3, 2009 Report Share Posted May 3, 2009 I shoot with a browning 525 and an sx2 I had a browning gold before aswell for a while and found the sx2 had better stock dimensions for me than the sx3 (sx3 shorter stock) If you shot ok with the browning gold then i would say get an sx2 over an sx3 tbh. The sx2 has similar stock figures to the 525 altho i did put a cheek eze pad on it as the comb is about 5mm lower. As for recoil i find it pretty non existant on the sx2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harv Posted May 3, 2009 Report Share Posted May 3, 2009 WHICH RFD DID YOU GO TO? my quids on northallerton shooting supplies. try gilsan sports at leyburn or richmond they have a good selection of autos and 2 browning fusions new for under 600 quid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogfish Posted May 3, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2009 Thanks for ALL responses, Pest Control - cant make it to your venue but thanks for a kind offer. Very interesting that the sx2 has dimensions similair to my 525, I will do a bit more research on this model. You guys that shoot sx2 and sx3, do they have the speed load facility like the browning, I really am not a physical wreck but as well as the bad shoulder I have three screws in my right wrist and this feature was a real boon. A semi auto with similar stock dimensions to the 525 and gold and a speed load is the holy grail it seems ! I do not intend to name the rfd on here - and I have already been around most in the area including those mentioned but will revisit Gilsan after the bank hoiday as they did have a couple of winchesters in stock. I assume Winchester owners are happy with their choice as I have read nothing to the contrary so far. Thanks again to ALL who have bothered to respond Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweedledee Posted May 4, 2009 Report Share Posted May 4, 2009 the sx2 is basically the same design as the browning fusion.browning i suppose wanted to keep the trick bits on the fusion so no the super x2 does n`t have speed loading.great gun in all other ways.it`s one gun i would never part.i recently sold my 686 beretta and kept the x2.i find it totally reliable and never had any probs with it.i looked at the x3 but i felt the x2 was every bit as capable so i did n`t change it.mine is the sporting clays model with "28 barrel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daimler42 Posted May 4, 2009 Report Share Posted May 4, 2009 "Both were used and the dealer would not negotiate AT ALL on the marked prices so I didnt bother." Why are some RFDs unwilling to negotiate? Over the last few years I've bought a few guns and have found that one dealer wasn't prepared to negotiate (shame as he was the closest) whilst other's were, obviously the latter got the business and they still get my business. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edr Posted May 4, 2009 Report Share Posted May 4, 2009 If u can afford it i would recommend a beretta urika 2 synthetic with Kick Off. One of the lightest recoiling 12 bores i have used/owned. I own one and it doesn't look out of place on a clay ground (unlike camo) but then it is tough enough to withstand rough field outings. Have u tried using a heavier smaller gauge gun? i.e. a 20 bore which ways the same as a lighter 12 bore. EDR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floating Chamber Posted May 4, 2009 Report Share Posted May 4, 2009 (edited) I swear by Remington 1100s. There are plenty of cheap ones about (Guntrader) and tons of spares. (Mind you, if you could get your hands on a Winchester Model 50......) Edited May 4, 2009 by Floating Chamber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlaserF3 Posted May 4, 2009 Report Share Posted May 4, 2009 Here is a Winchester test http://www.clayshootingusa.com/html/archiv...ester%20SX3.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogfish Posted May 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2009 Thanks for the info, I am liking the look of the sx2, gonna see if I can find one !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vole Posted May 4, 2009 Report Share Posted May 4, 2009 (edited) Moderated Shotguns have much less recoil though many of them can be difficult to carry about. There was a pigeon shooter in the magazines who used a moderated semi auto and there is an o/u 20b. If the idea is to let yourself recover properly and still shoot you cant get anything softer on the shoulder . Edited May 4, 2009 by vole21 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweedledee Posted May 4, 2009 Report Share Posted May 4, 2009 couple of x2 shotties on guntrader Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatstand Posted May 5, 2009 Report Share Posted May 5, 2009 I've just bought a Beretta Teknys Sporting and I'm amazed at how little recoil there is. Might be due to the fact I've been shooting a Silma for twenty years. The Beretta shoots all loads with no jams. Was at a clay shoot last weekend and they had a patterning plate so I thought I'd see what it was like. Other shooters were watching and remarked at what a good pattern it was. This is reflected by the way it obliterates the clays to dust will all types of cartridges. Does your confidence the world of good. I'm now shooting hitting 80% of the clays instead of the 65% to 70% I was before. Its the 30 inch barrel and it swings so smooth. If you can try a Beretta you should, your shoulder will thank you. Hatstand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackinbox99 Posted May 5, 2009 Report Share Posted May 5, 2009 Another thumbs up for the beretta 391 from me. Ive a 30" sporter and absolutely love it. With 24g carts on the clays there is very little recoil and you can do round after round of skeet without worrying about your shoulder. Ive had no problems with it at all, it fires all cartridges ive put through it, and i believe only twice its not cycled a cartridge properly in 5 or 6 years of ownership. As someone else said, there was one on here recently for sale for £450 which was a bargin. Normally they are £600 second hand. It does pay to shop around local dealers. I have one RFD i used to always buy from, but have recently moved to a different local dealer who is 20% cheaper, plus gives me an additional 10% as im a BASC member. In this climate i dont understand why some places just refuse to offer any discount, prefering to keep stock on the shelf rather than have a nice quick sale. Of course, you`ll get a better deal 2nd hand in a private sale, so keep your eye out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonboy1 Posted May 8, 2009 Report Share Posted May 8, 2009 If u can afford it i would recommend a beretta urika 2 synthetic with Kick Off. One of the lightest recoiling 12 bores i have used/owned. I own one and it doesn't look out of place on a clay ground (unlike camo) but then it is tough enough to withstand rough field outings. Have u tried using a heavier smaller gauge gun? i. e. a 20 bore which ways the same as a lighter 12 bore. EDR I'll second that , i also shoot with the al391 urika 2 and can't fault it. There is virtually no recoil whatsoever and so far (touch wood) it has never jammed on me, my mrs bought it from new for me for my birthday and have had it a year this month. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogfish Posted May 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2009 Well, couldnt find a SX2 locally, didnt fancy a SX3, but stumbled accross a Beretta A391 Urika locally, it was in very good condition and all its accessories etc with it. It seems to handle nicely although I havent actualy shot it yet. It is a field model so seems quite light.... and I bought it. Time will tell if I have made the right choice. The drop on the stock seems quite deep, but it comes with various shims - might have to have a mess around with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
autolover Posted May 11, 2009 Report Share Posted May 11, 2009 i would aggree with the berretta choice i have an old 303 semi just put 100 skeet through it with 24g no problems.in the past i have had both te berretta 391 urika and a remi 1187 sporting clays. i loved them both i knew i shouldnt have sold them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
throdgrain Posted May 11, 2009 Report Share Posted May 11, 2009 This whole thread has gone on without anyone mentioning a Benelli? Are you all mad ?!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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