Wanting an autoloader

T

Tom Hickman

Active member
Good evening to all. I’m looking to purchase a 12 gauge autoloader for next waterfowl season and asking for input. First I’m left handed, I don’t mind a right handed gun as long as I can flip the safety to the correct side. Secondly I’m not interested in 3 1/2” guns and lastly my budget is $1,000.00. I would prefer a wood stock. Wood has soul and I really don’t care about the gun being camouflage. Thanks for the help. Tom
 
shot 870 s and o/u citoris for years. But I found third shot handy, but couldn't always get the it off, sometimes the ejected shell would get stuck. I've had a Benelli for 3 years and love it. Not sure about changing the saftey for a left hander. Mine was in good shape with a deer barrel and good scope included, got it for $1250. There may not be too many around;not sure if they come with a wood stock. A lot of the newer guns are chambered for 3 1/2", but usually shoot 3" or even 2 3/4
 
I shoot a Beretta 390. It's synthetic, but the A300 outlander is offered in wood. The 390 is an older model and on the economical end of the Beretta lineup. I paid about $550 for it 10 yrs ago. I've put hundreds of rounds through it and love it. It's chambered for 2 3/4" or 3" rounds. I shoot a full choke for everything from duck to dove to pheasant as it holds a great pattern. I drop ducks at 40+ yds with 3" 1 1/4 oz Remington hypersonic shells. I can't speak highly enough about it. I believe the A300 is a current comparable model and is well under $1,000 if I recall correctly.

A lot of folks prefer Benelli, but I'm not a huge fan of the inertia guns. My Beretta is gas operated and has never given me any trouble and I put it through the ringer. It doesn't get babied. In 10 yrs, I have only broken it down once for a thorough cleaning and that was this year. Granted I don't shoot a lot of cheap dirty shells either.

If you know someone who owns a Beretta and Benelli, try each one out to see if you prefer a gas or inertia gun. Either would be great but will come down to preference.

~ Bryson
 
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Check out gunbroker. Plenty of left handed autos out there. Just because its a 3 1/2" gun does not mean you can,t shoot 3" or 2 3/4" shells in it. All made now generally function right down to trap loads. I shoot a Browning gold 3 1/2" quite a bit and haven,t shot a half bx of 3 1/2" shells thru the gun in all the years I,ve owned it. Just prefer the extra weight of that model gun for wingshooting. Gas generally a little less recoil than inertia but you,ll probably never notice in hunting situations.
 
I bounce around from gun to gun all season... if I could only have one I'd pick either
Browning Auto 5
or
Benelli M1

Both have served me (and thousands of other hunters) well for decades.
 
I believe Browning, benelli and remington all have a lefty models not sure if they are in your budget.
Mossberg 930 has the safety on the tang which helps leftys
 
I have been shooting a Benellie M2 for the last five years and I love it have had only one case of jamming and it was more ammo related.
 
I really like my Browning A5 so far. It has a wood stock version and according to Browning the safety can be switched to left hand "by a competent gun smith" which is probably lawyer speak for "you can do it but we wont take responsibility if you mess it up". It may be difficult to find one for $1000 but it can be done, i picked up mine for $950 after a sale and veteran discount.
 
I have a Mossy 935 and I love it. It took some bad press early on for two reasons. First, because people kept trying to run 2.75 shells through it when it was clearly marketed as a 3 & 3.5 gun; and second, because people didn't clean them before operation. Perhaps it's part of Mossberg's low pricing to not give the guns a thorough wipe down before leaving the factory, who knows, but I took mine apart and cleaned a lot of grease and lube out of there before firing. After that, it's been great. It is light and well balanced. Good looking and easy to operate. If I dropped it overboard tomorrow, I'd buy another in a heart beat.
 
Tom,

I love my Benelli. My M2 has been up and down mountains with me, in and out of swamps, has suffered abuse and kept on ticking. Lots of rounds shot through it and all that has needed doing has been replacing the inertia spring in the bolt because I wore it out. It also has been fed a diet of 2 3/4" and 3" loads with no problems.

I can tell you from accidental experience that the safety on my Benelli can be switched around so that it's on the left. Didn't realize I'd done that until a flock of sage grouse had gotten up in front of me. OOOOOOPS.

The only other auto loader that I have any experience with is the Remington 1100. I liked shooting that gun, though it was only for skeet.
 
Thanks, I found a Benelli montefeltro left hand with a wood stock on gun broker for $1100.00. I will go look at this gun along with the Beretta A300. I did research the A300 and the safety on that shotgun can be switched. Thanks to all who responded. Tom
 
Same here.
I've shot a Berretta 390 since Fall 2003, best $560 I've ever spent. Its never failed me unless i did something stupid like feed shell into the tube backwards (duhhhhhh). It is synthetic but its a great gun. If Beretta makes a similar action in wood, then go for it.
I stuck the modified tube in it when I bought it and havent changed it once in 15 years.
 
I'll put another vote for Mossberg. I haven't used all of the other models mentioned, but I know that my Dad who is left handed has always liked that the safety is centered on top. I'm right handed, but I've use them for years myself and always thought that aiming / shooting process was very smooth with the safety on top. I've used a Remington the past two seasons and am still adjusting.
 
Benelli M1, M2, or Remington 1100 3".

Only experience hunting with a autoloader will tell the tale, and what it does best will make itself known to you. Then you must decide if you keep it or not.
 
Hello Tom, x2 on the Beretta 390' it's a tough find , if you find one scoop it , trigger assembly can be changed with a 391 should you ever need parts , (highly unlikely, ) , the 390 is the real deal especially for a waterfowling gun, just my 2 cents !
 
Don't know how the Beretta 390--or an almost identical except for minor cosmetics 3901--would be for a lefty, but add me to the list who sing its praises. I don't think I have ever heard a complaint about the 390 or 3901. Far more reliable than similarly price semi's my buddies shoot.

I had a 390 that I got for around $500 10+ years ago. I bulged the barrel on a stuck wad--my fault, damp shell that fizzled and instead of taking the gun down to check the barrel I followed through on a second shot at a low flying goose. Replaced it with a slightly used 3901 in black plastic for around $700 two years ago. I know there was a wood stocked version available back then.

One word of warning--replacement barrels are expensive. I bought a new gun because that was cheaper than replacing my barrel! Replacement parts for Beretta's are often hard to find. Coles Gunsmithing in Harpswell, Maine can get you most anything, but even they didn't have any barrels for me.
 
Lot of praises for the 390/391 berettas in the comments so far. Beretta has taken that basic action and made what they call the a300. Its available in wood or synthetic and can be bought on sale for around $500 in synthetic, little higher in wood. Stock shims for adjusting cast and drop at comb come with it. Its a 3" gun so that would fit your criteria. Guns only been out about 3 years but seem to have solid performance. I believe safety is ahead of trigger as on other Beretta Autos. Not sure if its available in L.H. version.
 
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