Benelli 20-Gauge Semiauto Shotguns

[Halo]

Anybody shooting one of these?  I am sorely tempted.  But they seem so pricey.  Are they worth it?  If not a Benelli, what 20-gauge semiauto do you prefer? 

[Wolf14]

I have a Benelli M1-Super90 12 gauge. I bought it for $600 used a few years back. It now sells in my area for around a grand or so. Beretta had problems with some of their semiauto shotguns in the past. They bought Benelli and now some Beretta's have the same inertia driven actions Benelli has had working for them for years. I think Beretta calls it something different. Not sure, cause, well I dont care much for Beretta. Nice stuff just not my manufacture of choice. So I am a bit biased.

I will warn you though, After shooting your Benelli you may very well not want to shoot any other shotgun. Just something about the way they shoot. Theres nothing wrong with the other stuff its just that nothing else really compares in my opinion.

So yes pretty much anything Benelli is worth the money.

[Hornet33]

Remington makes a 20gage auto, model 1187. I've never owned one but know many people that do and they all swear by them as the most reliable auto shotgun they have ever owned.

[BlkKnit]

Anybody shooting one of these?  I am sorely tempted.  But they seem so pricey.  Are they worth it?  If not a Benelli, what 20-gauge semiauto do you prefer? 

I almost bought one of these once......................... but my wife won the argument 

[Nefarious]

Saiga makes semi-auto shotguns of most gauges. Fairly Cheap as well.

http://www.saiga-12.com/

[culero]

I grew up shooting birds as taught by my grandpa with the gun he gave me - a side-by-side double. As long as I hunted, that was my preference, until about the last 5 years. I discovered one of these (bought it at an estate auction) and it instantly became my favorite:

http://www.franchiusa.com/firearms/48al.tpl

Its feather-lite (less than 6 pounds). That makes a huge difference over the course of a day walking with it, and makes it faster to point and shoot.

[BlkKnit]

yeah, I want one of these:
http://www.stoegerindustries.com/firearms/stoeger_uplander.php

love a double 20, they are just sexy.  12's too bulky, 28's too skinny

My problem is, I've gotten away from the gun buyer mentality.  All I really want to do anymore is fish, but I do miss my Stevens double 20 which I sold to a friend for his daughter.  Was gonna replace it with......a semi-auto, and never did (still have my inherited guns of course, those will never leave)

[Halo]

(quote)  Remington makes a 20gage auto, model 1187. I've never owned one but know many people that do and they all swear by them as the most reliable auto shotgun they have ever owned.  (unquote)

Yes, I have a Remington 1100 12 gauge semiauto and love it.  Perfect ergonomics.  Wonderful classic.  An 1100 20-gauge is a definite possibility.  But I'm tempted to go the more exotic Benelli route. 

I have a Franchi 20-gauge over and under that is lighter, but somehow it doesn't feel perfect.  Apparently I just prefer autoloaders. 

To me the 12 gauge is like a .45 ACP -- never have to be concerned about having enough gun.  But toting a 12 gauge with 50 shells and couple spares for sporting clays is around 13 pounds.  A similar 20 gauge package is about 10 pounds. 

Not much difference, and nothing compared to combat gear, but a pound saved here and there feels better the longer you're out there. 

[LTARGlok]

Anybody shooting one of these?  I am sorely tempted.  But they seem so pricey.  Are they worth it?  If not a Benelli, what 20-gauge semiauto do you prefer? 

No, they are overpriced in my opinion.

Gas operated semiauto guns do take a bit more time to clean, but clearly absorb recoil better than the Benelli inertia system, and are thus softer shooting.   Get a good cleaner like Shooter's Choice Quick Scrub, though, and cleaning the action will not be hard at all.   Franchi, like Benelli, is also now a division of Beretta, and would be another Italian brand to consider.   Browning auto shotguns are made by FN in Belgium, and are another decent value.   And if you shop around, you can even find Beretta semiauto shotguns at some decent pricing too.   Benelli is going to cost you more than any of these other fine brands.

Is this gun for the field, or Sporting Clays?  Or both?

The Franchi Model 720 Raptor is a very nice Sporting Clays Gun with a 3 inch chamber, ported barrel, extended stainless chokes, and nice stock, that can also do well as a field gun too.   Street price for it is about $900  ( list is $1,069 )



Franchis are definitely the best buy in Italian shotguns.

Otherwise, you could look at the various Browning Gold shotgun models in 20 gauge, as well as the Beretta AL 391 Urika models in 20 gauge.  Street price for these start at about $950 for a basic field gun, with Sporting Clays and Deluxe Models going higher.   But even those are probably a couple hundred less than the Benelli price you may be looking at.

.

[Halo]

Thanks for reminding me about Franchi autoloaders, the lightest of all.  I'll definitely have to check into them.  I don't hunt, shoot only clays.  But I like to pretend I'm hunting, e.g., I don't premount for any shots -- seems too predictable.  That's a good excuse for my lousy scores too.  Which is okay, just in it for the fun.  Big gun go BOOM!  Targets shatter (sometimes).  What's not to enjoy?   

[Halo]

Just to cap this thread, bought a Franchi 720 Diamond 20-gauge semiauto at Dick's Sporting Goods.  Great gun.  Absolutely perfect for me.  Excellent companion to the Remington 1100 12-gauge semiauto. 

Only negative is it isn't as easy to load with a one-piece bottom cartridge carrier as the Remington 1100 12-gauge is with its two-piece cartridge carrier, i.e., press a button on the bottom and then load additional shells into the magazine.