Shotguns

[Wile E.]

One thing I almost certainly expected to be on this forum was a discussion about shotguns. I've shot a Browning auto-5 for a long time and now due to unfortunate circumstances, it's time for a new auto. With the Auto-5 out of production I'm kinda at a loss. Since you guys spend a lot of time hunting, any suggestions on any of the new guns or should I save myself the effort and find another old humpback?

[Rick "Willis" Turch]

Wile E.,

My choice is the Super Black Eagle by Benelli. Now with that said there are a bunch of gun manufactuers that make great firearms. I would try and get a hold of some family members, friends, etc. who have some shotguns to try out. Otherwise your local sporting goods store should have them where you can at least feel and see what fits you best.

[Xtremegoosehunter]

Its time for the great debate to begin put on the boxing gloves.

[Brett Beinke]

The A-5 is a true classic. I shot one for years. Right now I am waiting for the new Winchester Super X-3 to come out. I had been shooting a Super X-2 since they first came out and loved it. The nice thing about the new technologies in shotguns is you can get lighter weight guns with less recoil. The bad news is a lot of shooters should have more weight for proper follow through. The dependability of the newer shotguns has greatly improved over those from years ago. As with any gun, fit and price are probably going to be the most important factors for you. I would look at the Benelli SBE II and the Winchester Super X-3 on the high end, Beretta, Benelli SBE, Frianchi, Winchester Super X-2, Browning Gold, Stoeger, and Mossburg in the middle and the Baikal M153 is a very good good on the lower end of the price scale. Something to consider. With the new introduction last year of the Benelli SBEII the SBE used are very affordable. Likewise since Winchester came out with the Super X-3, used Super X-2's are also very affordable.

[Bob "Chappy" Chaplin]

I shoot a pump gun, but if I was to buy a new auto, I would do like Rich said, and see if you can find buddies who have the guns you like and try them out.

[MNhardcorehunter]

For a new auto I would go with the new super x3.

[Mark Brendemuehl]

There are lots of good choices out there. I shoot an X-2 and I LOVE it. I wouldn't trade it for anything at the moment.
Mark

[quackaddict]

If ya want something like what the old A-5 felt like, I would start looking at the Browning silver and the Beretta Pintail if you can find one. Both have semi humpback recievers. All of the above mentioned guns seem to do the trick. Personally I am going with a Winchester Super X2 In shadowgrass.

[vah2ofowler22]

Wile E,


Since you are a browning man, check out the new Silverhunter. This gun was introduced last season. This year the gun is being offered in 3.5". Much like that A-5 the silverhunter has a hump, not as much of one tho. Neat gun and something to think about.

My opinion Beretta extrema!!!

Good luck and let us know what you get.

[Bearman]

The A-5 is a true classic. I shot one for years. Right now I am waiting for the new Winchester Super X-3 to come out. I had been shooting a Super X-2 since they first came out and loved it. The nice thing about the new technologies in shotguns is you can get lighter weight guns with less recoil. The bad news is a lot of shooters should have more weight for proper follow through. The dependability of the newer shotguns has greatly improved over those from years ago. As with any gun, fit and price are probably going to be the most important factors for you. I would look at the Benelli SBE II and the Winchester Super X-3 on the high end, Beretta, Benelli SBE, Frianchi, Winchester Super X-2, Browning Gold, Stoeger, and Mossburg in the middle and the Baikal M153 is a very good good on the lower end of the price scale. Something to consider. With the new introduction last year of the Benelli SBEII the SBE used are very affordable. Likewise since Winchester came out with the Super X-3, used Super X-2's are also very affordable.

Brett, have you had your hands on a Super X3? I am buying either the X2 or X3, but can't decide. I am going from a 3.5" Citori to a semi-auto for the 3rd shot....I have debated doing this for 10 years now and going to try it out...just too many times that third shot would be nice when the geese are feet down now that I am hunting over FFDs. i am almost leaning toward the X@ to have a heavier gun to make the Citori to semi-auto switch easier. How much lighter is the X3, like half a pound?

[Troy Bailey]

There are alot of quality guns on the market. The first thing you have to decide is do you want a 3" or 3.5" gun. Then decide what brand or brands and models you feel are superior to others and go try them on for size. I have shot a Winchester SX2 for the last five or six years and have had tremendous luck with it. Prior to that I shot a Beretta 390 which also had tremendous luck with, only putting it aside for the longer chamber.

[Brett Beinke]

Bearman,

I have not had the chance to yet but my brother not only had the chance to feel it but also shoot it at the shot show. He was not sure how much lighter the X-3 was from the X-2 but the word significantly described the difference. He said the recoil was the same as the X-2. His words to me was to sell my X-2 fast and get one of these X-3's. Both of us have now sold our X-2's and are waiting for the X-3's to come in. I am not sure how many X-3's he has on order, I just know he has got a good waiting lists developing for them!

[duckbird]

i use for the hunt a browning A 500 3 inch automatic a ferry good hunting shotgun for all the hunting game

[vah2ofowler22]

Bearman.

I dont believe that browning is making a 3.5" Citori anymore. However this year, at the shot show there was a special. The new cynergy(spelling?) was availible in a 3.5 with a factory dip, in MOSG. I will tell you, I put this gun together yesterday, if i have $2000 laying around, this gun would be mine. Its an awesome gun, and therre are not many people that will be able to say they have it because it is a one time deal.

[Bearman]

Bearman.

I dont believe that browning is making a 3.5" Citori anymore. However this year, at the shot show there was a special. The new cynergy(spelling?) was availible in a 3.5 with a factory dip, in MOSG. I will tell you, I put this gun together yesterday, if i have $2000 laying around, this gun would be mine. Its an awesome gun, and therre are not many people that will be able to say they have it because it is a one time deal.

I think you are right, I bought my 3.5" Citori the first year they came out with the 3.5" gun, I want to say like 1994, but don't remember, I'll have to look that up. It is pretty much the only gun I have ever shot, except the 870 I started with. I have shot dove, turkey, waterfowl, and squirrels. I absolutely love the gun and shoot it very well. It is pretty much shoulder and shoot anymore, no thinking or aiming, just a natural motion after shooting it so much for so long. I just think that I am ready for a semi-auto and the 3rd shot. I actually dropped the Citori last year and broke the "side plate" on the stock....I held it on during the hunt and it worked fine. Used a litlle wood glue and a clamp and she is like new. I actually had the gun dipped two years ago after hunting the salt waters of NJ 3 years in a row had its toll on the bluing. I'm nervous about switching guns, but think I will be glad I did when I do. Also, the X2 has proven to be so good, buying an X3 that might have a few kinks is concerning to me too. What is the MSRP delta between the X2 and the X3?

[bolweevil]

My 2 cents, find another A-5. They are the best.

[iawaterfowler88]

One thing I almost certainly expected to be on this forum was a discussion about shotguns. I've shot a Browning auto-5 for a long time and now due to unfortunate circumstances, it's time for a new auto. With the Auto-5 out of production I'm kinda at a loss. Since you guys spend a lot of time hunting, any suggestions on any of the new guns or should I save myself the effort and find another old humpback?

Like others have said, if you like the classic humpback style look at the Silver Hunter or even the Browning Gold Classic. Its got a hump instead of just the sleek rounded back on the reciever like the normal gold. The only thing is that I think they only make it in a 3". But its up to you on if you want to bump to the 3 1/2" or stick with the classic 3" which offers those classic looking guns (Silver will be 3 1/2" like someone else had mentioned). The 3 1/2" is nice for late season geese but I haven't ever shot anything but a 3" and have killed geese just as hard and far out as my buddies with their 3 1/2".