ATTN: hunters

[black_cloud_stroker00]

I'm looking for a new semi-auto shotgun (in my price range). God knows I would love and SBE II. Anybody use the Franchi I-12, Reminton 11-87 SPS or the Stoeger 2000. are they any good? cold weather operation? I have a Mossberg 935 and it's a pretty good gun, but it doesn't shoot 2 3/4", just 3" and 3 1/2". I would like to have an all around gun, so I don't have to switch.

 

[JLDickmon]

Umm... shotguns headspace on the rim, so yes, they will shoot 2 3/4"

Unless the elevator is fugged up on yours and it won't feed them properly...

Out of the ones you listed, I'd go 11-87

 

[sagebel]

I once had an 11-87. I only used it for waterfowl. Sold it and went to an 870 w/30" barrel. I didn't have any problems with 2 3/4 shells but the 3" would sometimes hang up on ejection. Remington didn't have the 3 1'2 then. My cousin has a Mossberg and is pretty happy with it. I don't think he shoots the 3 1/2 shells though.

Scott

 

[dpantazis]

why do you say you cant shoot 2 3/4"s?

i own the SBE-II. love it. i am left handed, so i PAID for it....
i almost never shoot 3 1/2's now- mostly 2 3/4's and 3's.

good- yes. in the cold- YES. durable? yes! it does not like being over-lubed though.

look at all 3 guns disassembled if you can. mechincally, the stoeger looks cheaper, but all 3 work the same. the binelli and the franchi look almost identical fit and finish wise. barrels are the last big piece. binelli by far is the nicest.

dp

 

[black_cloud_stroker00]

my mossberg works fine. it is designed to only shoot 3-3 1/2" the gun is not capable of ejecting 2 3/4"

what sucks is that the only auto loader that shoots all three shells is the SBE II at a whopping $1500 for the top model

I get deal with not shooting 3 1/2, but i would like to shot 2 3/4 from an auto.

anyone heard of the "inertia driven" auto shotguns

 

[JLDickmon]

anyone heard of the "inertia driven" auto shotguns

Like the Browning Auto 5?

get your wallet out.

I'm tellin ya... get an 11-87 if you're on a budget

 

[dpantazis]

the mechanical principal on the franchi and the stoger are all inertia driven like the SBEII, just different levels of quality in the parts. a friend's franchi's internals look very similar to my SBEII. even the bolt head is the same shape, just a little different in size.

the bolt has a 'leg' that drives against a spring behind it, housed in the stock. the mechanism uses the entire weight of the gun to work the action. i know it sounds goofy, but the only way the gun won;t work is if you have your shoulder against a tree and fire.

the A5 rattletrap used the weight of the barrel and the bolt only. they are neat guns, but like JLD said, they are pricey IF you can find them.

to me, the 11-87 is HEAVY. though, it makes for good recoil absorbsion. my SBEII will kick shooing 3 1/2's.

like i said, i almost NEVER shoot 3 1/2's any more. mostly 2 3/4's and 3's. if i was buying again, i might go for the M2 for the comfortech or the franchi.

dennis

 

[RenoF250]

I have an 11-87 Super Magnum that can shoot 3 1/2". I seems to be fine but I have not used it in the cold. It does not like light 2 3/4" loads but it can used decent ones no problem.

The Stoeger stuff I have seen has been pretty low quality.

I believe Benelli's are inertia driven. They are VERY nice.

 

[black_cloud_stroker00]

the 11-87 seems like a good gun, but the speedfeed buttstock is a little goofy. I don't think I would like that.

 

[JLDickmon]

you want the turkey gun
Remington Model 11-87™ SPS™ Camo