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Ok, so this is my first time post, but I am about to make my most costly gun purchase I have made since I purchased my first handgun. Some guys at work referred me here for some advice.

I am wanting to purchase a shotgun for primarily skeet shooting. Maybe one or two trips hunting a year if the opportunity arises. No home defense, (I already have a home defense gun.)

I have tried a few and have determined that I am really not interested in over-under, side-by-side, or a pump shotgun. I have tried all of these and are either not as much fun as a semi-auto or are just not my style.

That being said, I have tried a few semi-autos and what I like have been the Beretta 303 (I know that's an old model), a Benelli (do not remember which model), and the Remington 1100(which was OK). I also tried a Franchi(rental) at a local gun shop today and it just did not feel right. The Franchi was more challenging to use and jammed three times in one round of skeet shooting.

Looking for something new or used, but my budget is $1,000.

I am heading to the gun show in Dallas tomorrow to shop and would love some input. Thanks!

my personal fav is an old Beretta AL2... a bit older than the model you mentioned... if I were looking, and had the $1k budget, I would probably look at either Beretta or Beneli...probably have to go used on the Beneli though for that price.

There's still a lot of very fine older semi's on the used shelves, if you know how to find them... many that are much better than a lot of the currrent offerings

I was going to offer a suggestion, but you said no over and unders.

Definitely nothing against the over-unders. That falls into my 'not my style' category I guess.

Beretta and Benelli are at the top of my list, but I think that there seems to be a bit more in Beretta offerings in the used category... Anything I need to stay away from? I do think that I like the gas piston offerings of the Beretta.

A co-worker of mine was looking at a Benelli super black eagle or a Beretta Extreema 2. Both close enough to your price range.

For reliability etc - ++1 on the quality over/unders. HOWEVER - if you want a semi-auto and you have the budget, going with some nice middle grade guns like Beretta, Browning, or Winchester, is a good idea. If you want to hunt - get a 3" chambered gun (3-1/2" guns are hard on a body), get a middle length barrel (28"), a mid rib bead and front sight bead are nice, and try to get a gun that will allow buttstock adjustments, length of pull, and even an adjustable comb if possible. THE main thing to do is try as many guns as possible before you buy - make sure the gun fits you, allows for proper cheek placement and eye position, etc. The small adjustments available on some guns will help, but if your fit is way off, shooting will become a chore, smack the heck outta you, and wear you out quick. Depending on where you are - some members here probably will let you shoot their guns to see what you like. I have a Winchester SX3 that might be what you seek (very soft recoil). I'm gonna sell it too - I am better with the weight of an over/under...

Saiga 12?

Chances are you'll never find one, but in my opinion, the best out there is a Winchester Model 1959. Dad got one in 1959 and has been shooting it ever since. Thousands of quail and pheasant over the past 50 years can confirm my posting and I guarantee his still shoots like brand new. Semi auto, fiberglass barrel. Fast & accurate. Go ahead, tell me I'm wrong! Anyone who has one, please chime in and agree or debate!

RECIT wrote:A co-worker of mine was looking at a Benelli super black eagle or a Beretta Extreema 2. Both close enough to your price range.

Good choice, prriced around $1500 new.

This Benelli Venci is offered at $1170 factory new. http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIt ... =214609408" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

In that price range I'd look at Beretta or Benelli. I have both and no preference either way. Browning also puts out some good semi-autos.

For a good O/U you're gonna have to step up a bit $$ wise. Sure there's plenty of sub $1000 O/Us out there, but to get to a comparable level of $1000 semi-auto (Beretta, Browning) you'll have to spend a bit more.

igotta40 wrote:...the best out there is a Winchester Model 1959. Dad got one in 1959... Semi auto, fiberglass barrel.

That was the Model 59 - only made few years (1959-1965). Steel barrel wrapped in fiberglass - functioned fine but was very muzzle light and did not catch on.

A new Remington 1100 Sporting 12 from Bud's Gun Shop (budsgunshop.com) is $875 which includes shipping to a local FFL. The FFL will probably charge $25-30 for the transfer, and unless you reside in Kentucky, you won't be paying sales tax. This fits in your price range and is a new gun, not used.

If you haven't made the decision yet on which shotgun to get, consider this 12-gauge semi-automatic.

I don't have much experience with semi-auto shotguns, but the one I've fired a few rounds through is a Benelli - either Black Eagle or Super Black Eagle - me, friend, friend of a friend used friend of a friend's gun to go through a box of clay pigeons one afternoon. That gun never missed a beat - probably went through over 100 12-gauge shells and was more accurate than I am on flying targets.

The Franchi was more challenging to use and jammed three times in one round of skeet shooting.

I do not know if you have already made your purchase so I will throw in my opinion. I have have an I12, great gun, they can be bought new for 700 bucks. The only time I have ever had and inertia driven semi auto jam was when I was using cheap/under powered ammo. Other than that they don't jam. BTW, Franchi is the same thing as Benelli, just with a smaller price tag. Keep in mind all autos can jam. Picking the right ammunition is just as important as picking the right gun. If you buy an auto loader, stick with a piston driven(FNH) or inertia driven system(Benelli,Berretta,Franchi) you will thank yourself later, and out of respect, don't feed it junk ammo.