Trent Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 What do people say is the best make of semi-auto? I realise this will be slightly subjective, just want to get as much feedback as I can before buying my second gun. For my first gun I bought a Hatsan because it was good value for money, and it does the job fine, I have no complaints, but sooner or later I think I'd like one from a really good manufacturer, to learn what difference it makes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swift4me Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 The best one is the one that never jams. Honestly, after selling hundreds if not a thousand or so semi-autos to most ly hunters, but a few target shooters as well, I can tell you that all the best brands can have issues. I sold mostly Benelli and Beretta, but also Browning, Remington and a Mossberg or two. Shoot a few, buy it for feel and fit, and don't worry about the rest. Most guys will only tell you to buy what they bought. I hunt with a Benelli M-2, and I've had issues with it, which I solved after it was sent back to Benelli twice. No more problems. I shoot it because I like the way it feels and points, and I like the ease of cleaning. Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 One of the Beretta range would be perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrispti Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 (edited) I have used a few of the more ''newer'' semi autos on the market. My personal favorite was the Beretta Xtrema 2. I chose it because I wanted a gun that I could use for all of my shooting, Rough, pigeon decoying, roosting, wildfowling, clay. A 3.5'' chamber for big wildfowling loads, the gun also has the Kickoff system which is basically a pair of dampers situated in the stock that seriously reduce felt recoil It also comes with an Aqua-tech coating to protect the gun from foul weather/saltwater and anything else the foreshore can throw at it. The Xtrema 2 will also reliably cycle any size (and load) of 12g cartridge, where as the likes of the Benelli M2/SBE2, Winchester SX3 will only reliably cycle 70mm+ cartridges. Running the gun in, well it cycled light clay loads strait out the box I can honestly say that this gun has NEVER once jammed on me either. Just my opinion Chris Edited August 2, 2009 by chrispti Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
throdgrain Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 Benelli or Beretta for posh semi autos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swift4me Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 Throdgrain has a good point. The Extrema and the Extrema 2 w/KO were very troublefree guns, and I once had a customer who shot 2 1/2" loads through his without a hitch. Very soft shooting gun a well. Not a gun to fit a smaller sized man though. You'd have to see if it fit well. As for the Benelli M2, most will shoot virtually any 2 3/4 or 3" load. Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 Older Berettas - no jams and no problems. Beretta Teknys - forever jammimg and corrosion problems on receiver. Benelli - light, no problems except for recoil. Remington 1100 - occasional jam, but the best handling auto, bar none. Expect incoming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweedledee Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 definitely agree with the remington thoughts gordon. though i`m no big fan of inertia autos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProteuS Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 for me, the beretta has the edge, I feel it's a little more refined and engineered than the benellis. Although they are also a very good gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry P Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 A while ago I was about to buy the extrema 2 as I do mostly wildfowling and because a mate had one since they came on the market and had no problems,he called to say he'd just tried a SX3 at the clay range and loved it,he reconed it pointed and handled better than his E2.I went to the local gun shop and had a swing,it felt great so I ordered one,I can honestly say its a great gun,never had a jam so far and at hallf the price of the E2 abd SE2 a bargin to boot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazza Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 Beretta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckytrigger Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 I also currently own a 12g hatsan but have previously owned a Benelli m2 and a beretta 391. Out of the two i preffered the beretta mainly because i shot a lot better with it than the benelli which seemed too lightweight. Just to add the Benelli was much quicker/easier to clean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swift4me Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 If someone did the math, more target cartridges have probably been run through 1100's than all others since. Maybe not true, but for so long it was the standard. Introduced in 1966 I think. Lots of hunters had problems, (calling them 550's because they worked half of the time), but the target crowd never seemed to have issues. I shot an 1187 for ducks and turkeys for 13 years before finally shooting it out, and getting the Benelli. Only thing I hate is slicing your finger open on the razor sharp edge that develops inside the receiver on one of the rails. Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GW80 Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 (edited) Personally i'd say Beretta, i've had 3 and no problem with any, but my mate who i go wildfowling with has shoot a Remington 1100 for near 30 years and she hasn't missed a beat a really cracking bit of kit, if ever a good clean one comes on the market i will have my name on it!!! Edited August 2, 2009 by GW80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delbert Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 I posted in another thread I as happy as a happy thing with my old Beretta 302 faultless performer just seems to go on and on not fussy about loads. A bit tightly choked >3/4 if I'm honest but I'm too idle to get it opened up and my god does it give crows a bad time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stumacher Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 I think my winchester sx3 flanigun is a great gun. Ultra lightweight, fires all different loads as it comes with two pistons, one for light loads and one for heavy loads. Supposed to be the fastest shooting shotgun see youtube. Colour is a bit like Marmite! i think it looks good for a semi as they have bit of an old man image. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Elvis Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 Thats a nice looking gun stumacher!! Well heres another opinion......Browning, I have had 3 browning silvers, bloody great guns, never jammed never let me down, never needed any repairs....replaced by the Gold fusion....superb guns. remington 1100? I have one that now has a pistol grip tactical stock which amazingly enough is the most comfortable stock ive ever used for pigeon shooting....stuck an extra full extended choke in it and was absolutely smashing the pigeons out of the sky with it last week!!! Had the occasional jam....but overall very reliable....better now Ive stripped it down and CLEANED IT lol!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Elvis Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 Here she blows!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest topshot_2k Posted August 3, 2009 Report Share Posted August 3, 2009 My preference is Remington 1187, Winchester SX3, Browning fusion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basset Posted August 3, 2009 Report Share Posted August 3, 2009 BENELLI MONTEFELTRO GREAT SEMI AUTO FIRES ALL CARTRIDGES I HAVE PUT IN IT 24G AND 28G 65MM CARTS NO PROBLEM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edward Posted August 3, 2009 Report Share Posted August 3, 2009 Escort .......... oh other than an escort I suppose: Browning phoenix top cote Winchester SX3 walnut feild (they are the ones I am trying to decide bettween) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest topshot_2k Posted August 3, 2009 Report Share Posted August 3, 2009 Escort .......... oh other than an escort I suppose: Browning phoenix top cote Winchester SX3 walnut feild (they are the ones I am trying to decide bettween) they are similar although the Phoenix shares the same action design as the SX2, the SX3 is a newer design Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunting_Bunnies Posted August 3, 2009 Report Share Posted August 3, 2009 I'm biased - but definitely go for the SX3 with walnut! (fantastic as an FAC semi-auto) H_B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edward Posted August 3, 2009 Report Share Posted August 3, 2009 There is some small interesting furry rodent in the picture Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluais Posted August 3, 2009 Report Share Posted August 3, 2009 Beretta comes out tops I own 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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