Shotgun input

[MPrimo]

If you are going to hunt with it then I would go with a 28" barrel. 28" works well for skeet too and is certainly passable for sporting s. That said, I shoot sporting s exclusively and use a 34" O/U ... when people ask I say it is because they don't make a 36"! If the gun is balanced properly then a longer barrel is an advantage on a serious target gun. On a general purpose gun, I don't think it makes much difference ... IMO.

[CalWhit33]

OK so as usual I got impatient and had to go hit a few gunshops to take a look. I think I saw everything on my list but lacked the different barrel lengths. 26 inches is nice but 28 still felt good to swing, no 30 inch models that will have to be a this weekend thing.

OK now the guns...

Beretta A4oo Xplor: both the 3.5 and 3 (light) felt great, I mean wow great. And being the most expensive they lived up seemingly to the price tag. Don't really want a 3.5 as I feel the 3inch chamber is far more sufficient for what I will be doing. Both were very pretty guns, seemed very well put together and the wood checkering was crisp and very positive(not too sharp). Shouldered very easy and fit was pretty good, not a perfect sight picture but multiple shouldering and blind shouldering very consistent and only a hair off. I'm thinking this is something that can be learned out of habit with the same gun.

Beretta 391's: Felt like a ton of bricks after holding the Xplor. But after a few seconds of handling it its wasn't too heavy. All the above can be said for the 391 except the weight is a little more but not too bother some might even help with recoil. Either model I would really want the kick off recoil system. I had about the same sight picture as the Xplor and shouldering was the same. Balance felt good in the had and on the shoulder. This one had a 28in barrel and it swung with ease so I may really consider a 30in if I can get my hands on one. Not as pretty to look at as the Xplor but thats just cosmetic. The camo versions just didn't do it for me, felt better that Benelli but probably going to end up with wood. I was told only difference in Extrema and Urika was wood and synthetic is this the case?

Benelli M2: Seems like a well put together shotgun made for field use (hence the name m2 field I guess) looks durable and rugged. I felt the camo, synthetic and wood. All versions remind me of a Remington, just feel like its going to work. Shouldering it had the same sight pictures as the Berettas and was consistent as well. Shouldered well and swung quick even with the 28in barrel. But the balance wasn't as good as the Beretta, not that it was a heavy gun just didn't feel as comfortable on the shoulder. To me just doesn't feel like you get anything fancy for the money spent. (not saying its not a great gun if my main purpose was field hunting in swamps or marshes I would probably own this gun in multiple versions)

Benelli Montefeltro: More so the type of shotgun I'm looking for. Looks like same Benelli quality, looks well put together just dressed up a little more. I cant remember if this is the model that had the small fiber optic front sight that I did not like. It had a nice receiver and the checkering was solid as well. I will give this one another chance as my memory is cloudy on this one.

Winchester SX3: First this was the only one that would line up perfect every time. Not too heavy but still didn't have that balance the Beretta did. Only had synthetic stock and 28in barrel. I haven't ruled this one out yet The stock was nice very grippy. Quality seemed to be on par with other brands didn't feel cheap by any means. Shouldered quick and swung nice.

Remington's 1100 1187: Both seemed like work horses, they felt slightly heavier in hand. Shouldered quick and swung like the others, but I could really feel the weight after a while. Seemed like it was barrel heavy not right around the receiver like the others. I'm not sure what the weights are on all of them but these just carried different. I would put these in same class as Benelli, made to work every time no questions asked. Stock had some good grip to it.

Browning Silver Hunter: The guy handed me this one and it turned into a random variable. I have to say it meet all my criteria, it was nice to look at and felt good on the shoulder. It didn't seem to weigh all that much, and it balanced 2nd best, not as well as Beretta but not that far behind. Same shouldering as others slightly off but very consistent. Cant remember barrel but swung with ease like the others. I'm going to have to take a closer look into the Browning lineup and hold a few more this weekend.

So all in all a fairly good Tuesday, at least I got my hands dirty so to say. Right now I would have to say I'm highly favoring the Beretta line up. But its still early. I will give a follow up after this weekend after the gun show and Cabela's stop.

**EDIT also want to check out the Browning Maxus Hunter. Any thoughts on this model?

[CalWhit33]

OK so after lots of reading and hands on feeling multiple shotguns multiple times at various stores ive decided on one to get....

Well I havent really decided yet. When I get back from vacation Im going to take a pocket full of cash and get which ever one feels right in my hands at the time and never look back. Ive decided I cant really go wrong with what ever one I get. And they can be customized to get a correct fit. So more reading and bruised shoulders from the 870 for the time being.

[Dave Waits]

Hmmm. don't have a dog in this fight as I am a die-hard pump-guy. I shot an 870 TB for years in ATA, thought it was the best pointing shotgun I've ever shouldered. Recoil never seemed to bother me. I foolishly sold it and bought a Browning Superposed. Another great shotgun but, didn't point like the 870.

When I look at a shotgun, I pick a point high up on a wall,stare at it, close my eyes and shoulder the gun. Then I open my eyes. 870s are the only shotguns I've ever done this with that consistantly had the sight pointed right where I was looking. not very scientific but, it works for me.

My problem is that now, I'm having this obscene infatuation with Side by Sides......

[Sheepdog]

Thats going to cost you!