Got a dilemma:

Bought an over/under for pheasants 3 years ago, and my knockdowns increased dramatically over my ole trusty 870 pump gun. I've prolly put about 50 rounds a year through the O/U, and will never go back to the pump gun for pheasants.

Went duck hunting a couple of weeks ago for the first time in a long time, and took the ole 870.....which promptly turned into a single shot, as my brain no longer sends the signal that tells my left arm to pump the stupid thing after you shoot (miss).

So, I've been thinking about a semi-auto. Some of my friends have 1100's, but the 105 CTi looks interesting. What's my best bang for the buck? It would be strictly for waterfowling, and 3" chamber max.

I looked at the Benellie SBE, the 1100, and a number of other duck guns. Ended up going with the Mossberg 935. 3.5" chamber, 2 barrels (26" smoothbore and a 24" rifled slug barrel) for less than $600 as a special order from Wallyworld. It kills ducks dead, has a synthetic stock, and has a camo finish. It is my 4th Mossberg, and I've had few issues.

Works very well with 3.0 and 3.5" shells. Doesn't eject light 2.75" loads, but standard loads and high base works fine. It wasn't made to shoot 1oz loads..

I can drop it in a lake, let it drain, and start shooting. Also works well as an oar (unloaded or course.)

I have a franchi I-12 same inside parts as the Benelli SBE but a lot cheaper, I paid 650 for mine. It is very light weight and shoots 3"

Thanks guys, I'll take a look at both of those......kinda partial to Dogfish's synthetic descriptions, I hate having to be too nice to a duck gun!

Does the 935 have the same ported barrel that the 835 (pump) does?

My 835 was a great waterfowl gun but the ported barrel made it REALLY loud. I didn't own it long.

No ported barrel. My 835 has that and it is pretty damned loud.

My Franchi is synthetic and has the bullet proof inertia driven action the the Benellis have.

+1 for anything from the Beretta family.

If you're considering a SxS or a O/U, have you looked at CZ?

I scouted the autoloaders out and ended up with the Winchester SX3. Wouldn't trade it for any other autoloader out there. I've owned it for 2 seasons now and cleaned it once last year at the end of the season, it seen 300 shells + and never had a misfire or jam. I'm on 200+ shells this season and it's the same story....

I've seen my buddies Beretta break, he had to send it in.... Benelli makes an outstanding gun as well but they're on the upper echelon of pricing.........

Keith

CAMO SBE2. I got caught up in the Benelli Hype. Prices have come down sense I got mine. I wanted it real bad and put it off a long time because of price. Got hooked up on a deal and don't regret dropping the extra bucks.
Was a die hard 870 fan until I did a dove shoot with an old feather light Ithaca auto. thought I was just a chitty shot with a shot gun. Turns out i was just a chitty shot with an 870.
The most important thing Is what gun comes to YOUR eye and shoulder most naturally. Not the make. Test drive a few. I'll loan ya mine for a weekend if I am not going. Justify the cost in what you will save in ammo
and of coarse all the extra free meat you will bring home to provide for your family. Over the next 5 or 10 years whats another 4 or 5 hundy.

The finish on the camo guns is worth it just for the protection of the gun and it looks cool on a ducker.

Love my Rem 1100 12ga semi!

I shoot the Remington 1100D when I used to bird hunt a lot. Great gun that has served me well over the years.

Get the brain ta remember what the hell yer shootin at and start pumpin, fool. YOU JUST CANT BEAT A 870 or NOVA. Does you have any idea how many shells YOU will go through with an auto? Knowin ya, it will be LOADS.

One thing to think about is how big your hands are, I have about average sized hands and a lot of the waterfowl guns dont fit me very well. For example I bought a Nova several years ago, it is an awesome gun never jams and is very smooth, however you need banana hands to be able to shoot it comfortably. I know the Franchis SBE's and the 1100 all have fairly narrow grips and are very comfortable.

I can totally relate because when I went to an O/U from a lifetime of shooting a pump I couldn't stop myself from "pumping" it....then I got a Semi-auto. I went with a 26" H&K Camo 12ga 3". It's light, reliable and comfotable to carry but I still can't hit for sh!t with it (left eye dominant, right handed and stubborn). Next step is to get it fitted proper.

For an all around shotgun a Rem 1100 3" or 11-87 or Mossberg 935 are tough to beat without beating the wallet.

Good luck.

For me at least, the 870 and it's family of shotguns fits me to a T. When I migrated from my trusty 870 Wingmaster, I moved to Browning Citori over/under. Gun was pretty, but I couldn't hit crap with it, so I sold it for a 11-87 SuperMag. Like the 870, it fit me to the T from the first shot. Was love at first shot.

The only thing I can't tell you that I've done with that gun is put a million rounds through it and tell you it's the most reliable gun out there. Wish I could. I have heard of issues with the 11-87, but I my guns hasn't experienced those issues.

I've shouldered Keith's SX3 and was VERY impressed with it. It also seemed to me fit me well.

Take that and the fact that it's been bullet proof is a hard factor to overlook.

Benelli or Beretta auto's IMO. For almost 10yrs I'd shoot half a pallet of duck loads through my SBE, and I don't recall a failure. My good buddy, who'd shoot the other half pallet of shells shot a Beretta 390...same story. Both are great guns!

I am an old died in the wool Rem 870 guy from way back & with shoulder surgury 2 yrs ago I had to get a semi.

I looked at the 11-87's & 1100's & had sticker shock!!! so I bought a Stoeger 2000 in Max4 camo, so far I really like it, shoulders & shoots great & is SOOO easy to dismantle & clean.

Thanks for all the great advice gentlemen, I guess I'll go "shoulder" a couple and see how they feel......Snit, half-a-pallet of shells a year is pretty good testimony

Sarge has un of them Benelli or Beretta things ya can try out.