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Gas driven shotguns. Opinions anyone?
Kevin_L
Member Posts: 2,011 ✭✭✭✭
I'm looking for a 20 gauge shotgun. I have a nice 12 gauge that's inertia driven and I'm thinking a gas driven 20 gauge might be a nice addition.
Anyone have experience with gas driven shotguns, the Winchester SX4 in particular? Maybe some other options I should look at?
Thanks!
🇺🇲 "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." - Thomas Jefferson 🇺🇲
Comments
I prefer the coal-fired or electric shotguns. Gas is getting too expensive!
I love my SX3, but overall, I'm not a real fan of semi-auto guns. Most of the time I pick up my empty hulls and get tired of bending over, or searching for them.
I've got a SX1, an SX2, a Remington 1100 G3, Beretta, and a couple of others and all have worked well. Yeah, they take an extra 10 minutes to clean, but the 12 gauge ones kick a heck of a lot less than the inertia ones that I have. I can't compare 20ga because I don't own an inertia 20. If I was going to buy a new one, it would be the SX4 or one of the Beretta A300's. Bob
Well...that was a nice little trip to
<GunBroker competitor name redacted>.I shouldered the Winchester SX4 and hated it. Hated the other gassy shotguns, too. Shouldered a Franchi Affinity and it felt like it was made for me. An inertia semi-auto but hey, if it fits, it's the right gun.
Didn't have a chance to see a Beretta A300 so I may wait a bit before buying but it's gonna be tough to beat the Franchi.
🇺🇲 "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." - Thomas Jefferson 🇺🇲
Not everyday you find a gun that fits. Should have taken it home.
Couldn't have if I wanted to. 3 day waiting period here in the state of Colorado. 😡
Though I may go back this weekend and buy. Sure is a nice gun at a nice price.
🇺🇲 "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." - Thomas Jefferson 🇺🇲
My Remington 11-87 is smoooooth.
And fiery auto crashes
Some will die in hot pursuit
While sifting through my ashes
Some will fall in love with life
And drink it from a fountain
That is pouring like an avalanche
Coming down the mountain
I have a Legacy Escort (youth model) in 20 ga. My favorite shotgun by far. Short, light, shoots like a dream, and perfectly reliable. A great value.
A few years ago I became very recoil sensitive. I had the opportunity to shoot a Browning Gold, Beretta 391 Urika and a Remington 11-87 (all 12 gauge). Shot all three with my usual heavy duck loads, one after another. The softest was the Beretta, then the Browning Gold, then the 11-87. Not much difference, but there was a difference.
I bought the Beretta.
Then decided to go 20 gauge. My Browning A-5 20 gauge kicks like a mule, that was not the answer. Ended up buying a Weatherby SA-08 gas auto (now discontinued) and have shot a bunch of doves and ducks with it, 100's of rounds. Great gun.
The Weatherby has been so good I have quit looking for an Remington 1100 20 gauge 3" magnum. Unless I see a scruffy one at the next gun show. (Duck hunting is hard on gear)
I was in the market for a semi-auto 20 ga recently. Had a couple I was interested in (both inertia drive) but found a Stoeger M3020 gas op at a very attractive price and bought it. Advertised to handle ALL 2 3/4 & 3" shells. Tried it with some old Winchester 7/8 ounce loads and it functions perfectly which is counter to some of the common complaints.
All the working parts are 'up front' and easily maintained vs inertia drive guns. I've had a couple gas op shotguns and don't really have specific complaints. Grandson is using my old Mossberg 9200 as a trap gun so it gets a LOT of use. Prior to his takeover, it was Son's waterfowl gun. One extreme to the other and only failures are due to lack of or incompatible lube around the gas ring.
I tried the Stoeger 3020 and didn't like it. However, it was the synthetic stock and that may have influenced me because I want a wooden stock. If I can find a Stoeger 3020 with a wooden stock, I'll give it a few swings.
The two I wanted to see but were unavailable were the CZ 712 and the Beretta A300. Gonna be hard to beat the feel of that Franchi, but I have plenty of time to look around and I really want to give those two a try.
🇺🇲 "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." - Thomas Jefferson 🇺🇲
Have you looked at any Benelli's?
Edit;
Nevermind! I did a quick search and learned that the Franchi's are under the Benelli umbrella. Kinda like Fords and Lincolns.
I looked a a few Benelli's. All were VERY nice. Felt great, looked great, but started a few hundred more than the Franchi.
🇺🇲 "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." - Thomas Jefferson 🇺🇲
There's been a bunch of Beretta 391's in 20 ga. Right here on GB. Most are beyond what I want to pay but there nice guns. I've read that the Browning Gold and Beretta 300 series are the same inside. I own a Browning Gold SL. Very comfortable to shoot with standard loads. It's a 20 ga. It's so light that I can't use it for 5 stand.