Best semi auto

johnny3

Lads what's the best automatic and most relieable gun I'm thinking of getting one for pigeon shooting it would have to be able For 28g shells a lot of autos jam with 28g load any suggestions

cavan shooter

You cant go wrong with a bertetta, I have a 391 and untill 2006 shot all my clays with a Beretta 391 semi auto so 28g is ok

cookimonster

Can't speak about the new 155 but I have the Baikel MP153, they are built like tanks, that's one of the reasons I bought it. The finish on some of the parts are a bit rough and the paint on the reciever picks up small scratchs. But and this is a BIG BUT they shoot well and keep on shooting well. It will shoot everything from 28g 7's all the way up to BB with no problems. I've dropped mine in the bog, left it for weeks after serious days on the pigeons with out cleaning and still have it function flawlessly while shooting a round of clays.

They are heavy but I only really notice this after a full day of rough shooting, decoying or clays aren't an issue. They like other semis can be a bit more awkward in the field regarding obstacles and I am thinking of adding a double barrel to my collection but will still keep the semi for less energetic outings.

Chokes are rated for steal and you get a IC, M, F (or CYL, IC, M lead) and unfortunately its next to impossible to get extra chokes for them at the moment. As with other single barrels you can be limited with clay shooting. At the clubs recent Christmas shoot I could have done with a extra barrel / choke for some of those more imaginative sporting pairs. You know the ones, where one is near skeet like and the second clay is passing the horizon in the blink of an eye.

If you want a fast shooter that's capable of high volumes of sustained use at a budget price I can certainly recommend the MP153. If the new gun is lighter this may be a plus, but it may be a sacrifice in the overall robustness of the gun.

Above copied from another thread in the shooting section.

I was out on Saturday from 09.00 - 17.00hrs and most of that was in the pouring rain. Not a bother to it, shot and ejected everything put into it. Wiped it down and left in a warm room over night and stripped it today, not a spot of rust on it. Still happy with it.

Snakezilla

+1 for the Baikal ! Friend has one and Id love one.

thomasc4329

I have a browning maxus and can't fault it in any way it mounts lovely and will cycle everything without any problems.

shoot to kill

I have a benelli cordoba. A dream to shoot. 3 thousand shells through it not one misfire. Nice benelli camo for sale on facebook. Clay shooting northen ireland. Tidy bit or kit.

Cass

Beretta.

If you want the best go for Beretta. Exceptional build, quality, performance, resale value, etc, etc. I cannot oversell them. Cycles every round flawlessly, and repeatedly.



My own. Well part of it.

beretta for me too, had a teknys sporter, urika 2 game now. you can feel the quality

johnny3

What model is that cass and what sort of money would buy a second hand one also so are they hi it is at all flat be no use to me ta

DEMOLISHER

benilli montreaflo (prob spelt that wrong) have one 9 years smashing gun light as feather and fires every shell flawlessy .

Boiled-egg

Fabarm Ellegi (old gun) probably 20 years. It preforms outstandingly. Cycles 28s no problem.

Cass

johnny3 wrote: »

What model is that cass and what sort of money would buy a second hand one ...........

It's a Beretta AL391 Teknys Gold Stonecoat field (Some mouthful eh?). 12g semi auto. They run between €2,000 - €2,300 depending on delaer and if you go for the Field or Sporter (blue teardrop) model.

Second hand. Depends on condition, and age. They can be gotten from €1,700 down to €1,200.

....... also so are they hi it is at all flat be no use to me ta

You can buy the Sporter or Target model with higher rib. They even give an adjustable cheek piece option, but i prefer a lower gun as the higher ribs are too high for me, and the adjustable cheek piece is of no use. I never use it. Had it on previous Berettas, but never had to use it.

Brazzill

Harrington & Richardson Auto Excell will cycle any shell, and not as outrageously priced as other semi auto's.

Cass

Cass wrote: »

It's a Beretta AL391 Teknys Gold Stonecoat field (Some mouthful eh?). 12g semi auto. They run between €2,000 - €2,300 depending on delaer and if you go for the Field or Sporter (blue teardrop) model.

Second hand. Depends on condition, and age. They can be gotten from €1,700 down to €1,200.

was that one of the replacement actions?

strangles

Have to agree with cass on the beretta,have the older model of his 1 & its a peach.never let me down.......

Jimbob79

+1 for the benelli. Have one years. Never let me down.

TriggerPL

Browning maxus !! But benelli are giving 7 years warranty with there semi autos now , and beretta are offering 1 year .

Franchi made by benelli , and stamped benelli as well on the gun are new on the market and new at a grand so it something to look at . Lakeland shooting center has them and if ya want to look at a maxus mne is there for the gander , it a grade 3 which I can only describe as gorgeous .

Cass

Deleted User wrote: »

was that one of the replacement actions?

Not sure what you mean, but my gun is 100% original. No replacement parts on it. It's only a couple of months old.

TriggerPL wrote: »

Franchi made by benelli ,.

Both owned by Beretta. Makes you wonder about the guarantees.

Cass

Cass wrote: »

Not sure what you mean, but my gun is 100% original. No replacement parts on it. It's only a couple of months old.


Both owned by Beretta. Makes you wonder about the guarantees.

the original teknys had problems with the action going flaky, they replaced them with stone coat,

TriggerPL

Cass wrote: »

Not sure what you mean, but my gun is 100% original. No replacement parts on it. It's only a couple of months old.


Both owned by Beretta. Makes you wonder about the guarantees.

And the reason I bought a browning maxus !

It been widely debated on forums that's beretta ain't as gud as use to be

quare number of cartridges gone thru my urika 2 and its never not fired!

Beretta man

Another vote for the beretta 391 have mine 11 years never had a problem

Cass

Deleted User wrote: »

the original teknys had problems with the action going flaky, they replaced them with stone coat,

Ah.

Seen that on some, but never suffered it. I had this exact model years ago hence the reason i bought this one. Outstanding gun, and i minded mine like a baby so never suffered any flaking.

TriggerPL wrote: »

It been widely debated on forums that's beretta ain't as gud as use to be

M'eh.

Everyone, including us here, have their opinions, and it's good to get different notions, but i'd never, ever doubt Beretta for quality. They haven't been around for 500 years by selling piss poor firearms.

Secondly my gun is the older model. As said above i had one years ago and only got rid of it to fund a pure trap gun for clays. As soon as my interest in clays went, and i could find one, i bought it again. I'll admit that compared to the Xplor i prefer my own, but that is not a fault of the Xplor or an indication of an inferior gun. Merely personal choice.

Cass

Cass wrote: »

Ah.

Seen that on some, but never suffered it. I had this exact model years ago hence the reason i bought this one. Outstanding gun, and i minded mine like a baby so never suffered any flaking.

M'eh.

Everyone, including us here, have their opinions, and it's good to get different notions, but i'd never, ever doubt Beretta for quality. They haven't been around for 500 years by selling piss poor firearms.

Secondly my gun is the older model. As said above i had one years ago and only got rid of it to fund a pure trap gun for clays. As soon as my interest in clays went, and i could find one, i bought it again. I'll admit that compared to the Xplor i prefer my own, but that is not a fault of the Xplor or an indication of an inferior gun. Merely personal choice.

mine was perfect also when i traded it for the urika, just wanted a lighter less blingy gun. two other ones i know of the actions flaked fully. both of them got no loving

Vegeta

I'd also vote for beretta but I have not tried newer browning models.

I would not buy another benelli without firing 100, 28 gram cartridges through it first. I had a Super Black Eagle II and the brother had a Super Black Eagle before that and both of them were useless for club clay shoots because they would jam constantly. Better handling and feeling shotguns though in fairness to them.

Cass

Deleted User wrote: »

....... just wanted a lighter less blingy gun.......

I'll admit to being drawn to the gun for it's looks, but it's only a small portion of it. However it is nice to look at. All shiny and stuff.

both of them got no loving

That'll be the death of any gun. While they may function, anyone who cannot be bothered to look after an investment, and that's what a gun is, has no one to blame but themselves when they get offered peanuts come trading/selling time.

I paid, as i'm sure every lad here did, a lot of money for my guns. So forget trading/selling i want them to last as long as me if i decide to keep them.

rowa

The cousin bought a brand spanking new beretta a400 last year and had endless trouble with it, the action would not cycle after it had been fired no matter how heavy a shell was fired through it, and sometimes when you pulled the trigger the gun wouldn't fire straight away, like a hang fire. He returned it to the dealer who said berettas gave him more trouble than any other brand. He had it looked at, the action was full of swarf and chips from manufacture that hadn't been cleaned out. I thought a lot more of beretta than that, to me beretta were always the premium gunmaker.

Cass

I'm not saying they are infallible, but as said above they are not in business this long without doing something right.

For example. I've owned more than my fair share of Nightforce scopes over the years. Most, if not all people, would agree they are a premium brand. A lad i shot with bought a brand new. No matter what he done the scope would not zero. Turns out the crosshairs would stick when adjusted, and had to be tapped to let them "bounce" into position. He returned it and got a new one in it's place. The new one was faulty too. He ended up going with another brand.

My point is i'd still class them as a superior scope. I've seen most every make of rifle, scope, shotgun, hunting/shooting equipment, regardless of brand name, have a lemon or two in their midst. Now if anyone spoke to the lad above about Nightforce they would not go near them based on his opinion. If they spoke to me they would buy as i'd recommend them. It's all about perspective.

The final thing for me, for Beretta, is the fit. No matter the gun i can pick up any Beretta from 687, 686, 391, DT10 and it comes up perfectly. Browning, Miroku (same thing really), Baikal, Lanber, Betinsoli, Mossberg, Fabarm, Remington, Winchester, and even Benelli don't fit as perfectly.


Anyway i'm going to leave it at that incase someone mistakes me for a Beretta spokesperson.

rowa

The beretta is a cracking gun, it just seemed a bit sloppy that the quality control wasn't checked. If i had the spare money tomorrow i'd have one, or a belgian browning, or a perazzi or a ................

Dai John

Anyone have an Armsan auto ?

sniper83

I currently have a beretta teknys 391 got it for €500 from a lad emigrating :eek: Great gun and great killing power! optima chokes with it:D. only thing i dont like about it is I find the action a bit clangy and noisy. I had a browning hunter gold before that and loved it, shot the life out of it. It did start to jam on trap cartridges for a finish but it didnt owe me anything.. Both very good guns..

Brianmeath

rowa wrote: »

The cousin bought a brand spanking new beretta a400 last year and had endless trouble with it, the action would not cycle after it had been fired no matter how heavy a shell was fired through it, and sometimes when you pulled the trigger the gun wouldn't fire straight away, like a hang fire. He returned it to the dealer who said berettas gave him more trouble than any other brand. He had it looked at, the action was full of swarf and chips from manufacture that hadn't been cleaned out. I thought a lot more of beretta than that, to me beretta were always the premium gunmaker.

Mine is being returned to dealer after christmas. Just over 2000 rounds gone trough and its chipping the action while ejecting shells and the bolt is not locking and it only half loads some shells. Worried about the life of these guns just dont know if they will last to be honest. Love the look of it but it an expensive ornament.

Dai John

Armsan auto, still trying to find out if they work ok, been offered one practically new with my pump action in part-ex. Suspicious as previous owner traded it back in so fast. Gun looks and feels good but how does it wear ? Do a lot of pigeon shooting. Any answers out there ?

hunter701

Dai John wrote: »

Anyone have an Armsan auto ?

any info on armsan and akkar semi auto shotguns from turkey?

does anyone know of any left hand semi auto shotguns i heard remington made a few over the years and i seen two turkish manufacturers called akkar and armsan have some but does anyone know of others?? if so is there any place selling them in ireland?

outfoxing

my benelli montefeltro has never jammed even when firing 24 gram loads it has a simple inertia system no gas setting easy to maintain not cheap but reliable , you could carry it all day unlike my beretta which is a few LBS heavier

Cass

hunter701 wrote: »

............ but does anyone know of others?? if so is there any place selling them in ireland?

Benelli is the only other i can think of that iv'e seen. Where abouts is anyone's guess. Not overly common, but i'd say any dealer would get one.

outfoxing wrote: »

...........you could carry it all day unlike my beretta which is a few LBS heavier

What Beretta have you.

The Benelli coms at 5.6 to 7.1 lbs. The Beretta AL 391 between 6.25 to 7.4lbs. That's a half a pound at most when comparing like to like.

Jimbob79

I have bennelli montefeltro for over15 years. Back then was the only left hand semi auto I could find. I imported it from the north. Have to say I am delighted with it.
Only complaint would be the noise when loading. But it's very light weight and I shoot well with it. I'd definitely recommend bennelli.
That said berreta are now doing the a400 for lefties. Sports den are selling it for circa €1700. Could be worth a look as the a400 have a great repetition.

outfoxing

Cass went off to watch Charlie back now I didn't make myself clear my benelli is a montelfeltro beccaccia about 2.5 kg the beretta is an over under and weighs about 7 lbs ish not like for like , cheers

mrbrendank

baikal mp155, solid gun

SureHowBad

I bought a Beretta A300 Outlander 2 years ago and to be honest it hasn't missed a beat. I have fired everything from 50grm Remington 0's to 24grm skeet shells through it and yet to have a problem. I had never owned a semi before and I wanted something to shoot pigeon and crows, foxes, odd duck etc. Didn't want to spend a fortune, cost me about 850euro new, and wanted something that would put with a bit of abuse. The only small gripe I would have is that it only comes with one choke and to be honest I would have paid an extra few pound to have a full set of chokes. Having said that went away and bought a truglo adjustable choke for it and they're a great job

browning fusion

Browning everything else is just a copy 😀

minktrapper

Which of the semi autos is the softest on the shoulder.

browning fusion

Recoil is minimal to say the lease in most S/A

shoot to kill

ive the benelli cordoba 30inch. a real clinker. never let me down.

det750

hunter701 wrote: »

any info on armsan and akkar semi auto shotguns from turkey?

does anyone know of any left hand semi auto shotguns i heard remington made a few over the years and i seen two turkish manufacturers called akkar and armsan have some but does anyone know of others?? if so is there any place selling them in ireland?

I recently brought a Armsan A612 from courtlough, i've only had it a month or so but before I brought it I put 100 or so of different shells through it from 24g to 36g all mixed up and it never put a foot wrong. Since I had it I've put maybe another 200 or so through it again and its never gone wrong, its nice and light to carry all day and its seems fine to use for clays as well. For the money it's seems a good option so far.

eisenberg1

det750 wrote: »

I recently brought a Armsan A612 from courtlough, i've only had it a month or so but before I brought it I put 100 or so of different shells through it from 24g to 36g all mixed up and it never put a foot wrong. Since I had it I've put maybe another 200 or so through it again and its never gone wrong, its nice and light to carry all day and its seems fine to use for clays as well. For the money it's seems a good option so far.

Just wondering how you are getting on with that armsan?
Seem to be good and i am thinking of trying one...

minktrapper

johnny3 wrote: »

Lads what's the best automatic and most relieable gun I'm thinking of getting one for pigeon shooting it would have to be able For 28g shells a lot of autos jam with 28g load any suggestions

For shooting pigeons. The older guns are better built. And made from better steel. So if you can get a good second hand one.

pm.

minktrapper wrote: »

Which of the semi autos is the softest on the shoulder.

The A400 has a spring in the butt to further reduce recoil. Have a read of the below
Review https://www.shootinguk.co.uk/reviews/shotgun/beretta-a400-xplor-unico-shotgun-review

cavan shooter

cavan shooter wrote: »

You cant go wrong with a bertetta, I have a 391 and untill 2006 shot all my clays with a Beretta 391 semi auto so 28g is ok

For the record I now own a Beretta A400 Action and its a sweet to shoot.

decdon

cavan shooter wrote: »

cavan shooter wrote: »

You cant go wrong with a bertetta, I have a 391 and untill 2006 shot all my clays with a Beretta 391 semi auto so 28g is ok

For the record I now own a Beretta A400 Action and its a sweet to shoot.

I have had my Beretta A400 action for one season and I find it excellent. Sits up and swings beautifully. It felt well balanced from the first time I picked one up in the shop. I went over my budget so I could have her, and it was so well worth it.