12ga Autoloader Shotguns: Any Recommendations?

[GusBreacher]

I'm looking to buy a 12ga, autoloader/semi-auto 12ga, and I'm needing some sage advice.

I've read that the US Military has used these. Beyond that, I know zip about shotguns, except that I have my Grandpa's 10ga, single barrel, cracked stock, which hasn't been fired in 50+ years. (A gunsmith is going to work that piece long before I ever do. It's a "mantle-hanger", for now.)

Can anyone offer me some firsthand experience, or opinions on some units to try/buy?

Price? I'd like to stay under $1,000 if possible, including sight, case, cleaning kit, 500rnds.

[GusBreacher]

Isn’t that aa-12 going to need a tax stamp etc? about 5-6mos of waiting time? and jan 20th is only weeks away. (shiver) I need to get something quickly, plus 500 rounds to feed it.

[do the dhue]

I don't think you could get the a12, but I do believe you could buy the aa12.

The a12 is a lot more compact then the aa12 is.

[ChuteTheMall]

Another vote for the Saiga.

[do the dhue]

I jsut saw were, we the people can’t buy the aa-12 unless we have a class 3 dealers license.

I guess the guvment doesn’t trust we the people.

[yarddog]

I think any of the ones made by the major manufacturers would be good.

I personally would not recommend the Benelli. I had an M1 Super 90 which was beautifully made and looked really wicked. The problem was it was the worst kicking shotgun I have ever fired, even worse than a lightweight single barrel. They are incredibly reliable tho.

For some reason that short recoil system seems to magnify recoil. The advantage is it is incredibly clean, since no gas is bled off to operate the action.

[do the dhue]

Dealers can buy them to sell to Law Enforcement only.

[Pistolshot]

Remington 1187 Police.

[omega4179]

$1600 for a neutered 6 shot version-barf

[SVTCobra03]

Mossberg 930 SPX.

[Milhous]

Looks like America's tactical weapon shortage caused a budget busting price hike. :( This guy's asking $2000 for a supposedly slightly used M4 with options.

[omega4179]

Saiga 12 is the most bang for the buck compared to the italian masterpieces.

[KoRn]

"The brands to look at are Benelli, Beretta and Remington."

Benelli is king of the automatic combat type shotguns. For a pump, I'd go with the tried and true, inexpensive Mossberg 500. I love'em.

[wendy1946]

The Benelli semi-autos have what they call an 'inertial' action which means a more sophisticated sort of a blow-back mechanism which actually locks, but it cannot shoot the lighter kinds of skeet shells reliably. My own preference is the Beretta Xtrema-II which involves a very sophisticated gas mechanism with a heavy spring, a bypass valve, and a piston RING if you can believe that; they claim it's self cleaning and it isn't much of a lie: cleaning the piston and the chamber it moves in is a ten second deal and you still have to clean the barrel. It's ungodly strong and can shoot 3.5" shells if you want to.

On Gunbroker

[wendy1946]

including sight...

You don't use sights on a shotgun. Nobody does. Using shotguns properly is a pure hand-eye deal like tennis or baseball: if you ever tried to watch any part of a tennis racquet or baseball bat while using it you'd never hit anything with it. With shotguns, you watch the target 100% and the gun zero percent.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

http://www.auctionarms.com/search/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=8939162

Saiga AK-47 12 Gauge 19” BBL Semi Auto Carbine $595 new

[mountaineer1997]

I like my Winchester Model 1300 defender. It’s great.

Affordable, dependable, up to 3 inch shells if you want them.

Don’t get too fancy with your shotguns; they are such devastating weapons and have such a proven technology that the choice really is what type of action do you want.

Choose pump, and practice, IMHO.

[wrench]

What is the intended use of the gun?

The Benelli is the top of the heap right now. It benifits from improvements in materials and design over many of the other offerings available today.

But, even though the Benelli’s design is 100 years newer than the Browning A5, it is doubtful you could tell a difference in the operation and handling of the two guns.

Very few autoloader shotties have the speed-feed feature found on the A5. I am not sure the Benellis will do it, and that would be a deal breaker for me.

[al baby]

The way you worded that may get you a visit

[DuncanWaring]

With shotguns, you watch the target 100% and the gun zero percent.

Then what's the bead for?

[al baby]

Shooting fowl at a distance not blowing a bad guy up across you living room