Looking into buying my first real shotgun own a little rossi single shot 410 but it's time to upgrade wondering what I should get as far as the gauge goes what would be recommended for all around use I wanted to get a semiautomatic shotgun, would I be able to use it for hunting, I know some places have restrictions?

How much money do you want to spend and what are you going to hunt?

I would say if you are of average build, 5'8" - 5'11" and around 190lbs, buy a Franchi Affinity 12ga, 7yr warranty, Made in Italy in the same facility as the Benelli, plenty of aftermarket choke tubes available, comes with shims to adjust the drop and cast and easy to clean and maintain.

If you are outside that build, I would say find you a Beretta A 300 Outlander, same basic features as the Franchi, except made here and has stock spacers to adjust the length of pull.

That's the bottom of price vs features range I would recommend. From there the sky is the limit on what you are willing to pay.

Both get positive reviews for the most part and are priced about the same.

I have a synthetic Beretta 391 in 20 ga that's an absolute pleasure to shoot and has very modest recoil. Not current production, of course, but well worth looking for used.

It's funny that you mention the Franchi Affinity. I bought the Franchi Intensity which is the 3.5" version of the Affinity and I couldn't be happier. The shotgun has exceeded my expectations in every way. I would buy an Affinity without hesitation; they're also both clean shooting and easy to clean.

I also have a Franchi I-12 which came out some time before the Affinity. It too is an incredible shotgun. Extremely smooth cycling and shooting, eats everything I've fed it from super light loads to pheasant loads to buck shot. I lost count of how many shells I've put through it, but it has never let me down. The only issue I ever had was the front bead wiggled its way out. I contacted franchi and despite the fact that my warranty had expired several years ago, they sent me two sets of replacement sights and a Franchi hat. I even got it in time for my weekend hunt that I mentioned to the customer service lady.

My dad also has a very nice wood stocked Franchi with a ported barrel, and it is a fantastic gun as well.

Thanks guys !!

I'm 5'10" and stocky. Affinity's fit me very well. The A300 doesn't. The Weatherby SA-08 also fits me very well and recommend it along with the Beretta and Franchi.

For all around use or if you only have one shotgun, most people suggest a 12 gauge and I concur.

In Texas a semi-auto shotgun is legal for anything you would hunt with one.

Another question, how is the range of aftermarket parts for these shotguns ? I do intend to use it for 3gun when I finally get to doing it

I've not seen much out there, but I've never looked either. For that purpose I'd probably look at a Moosberg 930. Do you still have a 930 Mr. Maas?

12 Ga is probably the best all around load.

You've not mentioned your budget, but the 3 "B" guns have been known for reliablity

Browning
Beretta
Benelli

I've got the Browning Maxus and love it.

No matter what anyone recommends, do yourself a favor and go check out each one. Throw it on your shoulder like you were going to shoot a dove and see how it fits you.

Besides the "B" guns, there are the "W"

Winchester
Weatherby

The Winchester SX3 uses the same gas system as Browning, so it to should be considered. The price point is a little less than the Maxus, but again, its about fit.

Weatherby is probably going to be the lest expensive. The gun is made in turkey, but Weatherby has quality controls in place to ensure a reliable gun. My neephew is hunting ducks with one now and is on this 4th year. Its turned out to be a reliable gun.

Guns to go check out:

Browning

- Maxus and A5

Beretta

- A300 Outlander and A400 Xtreme


Benelli

- Super Black Eagal II, Vinci, Montefeltro


Winchester

- SX3


Weatherby - SA-08

I have 2, one on each side of the bed. One with a Nordic Components 5rd extension and the other with a 3rd.

If I was going to 3gun, it's the gun I would choose.

Go over to the Mossberg forum and read up up on it until your ears bleed.

I think a couple are out of my price point as of right now will probably be between the weather the beretta or Mossberg I say it's gonna be my only shotgun but we all know those are lies, definitely looking at those nicer ones for next year haha

Weatherby **

I have a mossberg 930 flannigan that I use for 3 gun. It runs very well. The Stoger m3000 is getting a lot of attention in the 3 gun world right now as a reliable, cheap shotgun. You may also look into the Remington Versamax. It's more expensive but seems to run very well.

Also, I prefer gas guns to inertia guns.