I'm going to dip my toe into the three gun waters here in N. Texas but before I do I need a decent semi-auto shotgun. I've seen two that come "race ready". The benelli M2 3 gun model, and the Stoeger M3K. I'd love to here from you guys about what you are running, what you like, what you don't like, and what are the essential mods that have to be done. Also if you have seen anything worth buying at your local gun shop or something on the trading post. Thanks.

I run the Beretta 1301 Comp and I like the shotgun but I could actually reload the Mossburg JM model better / Faster but I gave it to my son. I have heard the Mossburg was not as reliable but we have run it for 3 years with no issues.
I do know where a new Benelli 3Gun is on the shelf or at least a few weeks ago it was still there.

3 years with no issues is a pretty good track record. The mossberg JM was not one I was aware of. Thank you.

I bought one from Rose Action Sports a couple years ago, mainly due to short wait time or lack of.

Most builders do the same thing.

Although I don't compete, I runt eh stages once in a blue moon for fun and it's a good gun.

Dien, Thanks for your input. I looked up the Rose Action sports website and read about the mods they do. Where do they sell their complete guns? It's not on their website.

If money is no object, M2 or Versamax. For a budget, 930 or stoeger m3000/m3k.

I bought mine directly from him. Just give him a call, unless he's changed to a distributor model.

I know Alpine Shooting Range had an M2 3gun, not sure by who though.

My entire 3-gun Team runs 21" Benelli M2's. We didn't order the 3-gun models though as we did the work ourselves.

By work I mean... adding a tube extension, barrel/mag coupler, widening the opening port, replacing the lifter & adding a rear sight.

They're great guns, and after running these, I wouldn't recommend anything else if you can afford this setup.

Good luck to you sir - it's addicting!

I never thought I would care to own another Remington shotgun made after 1980, but the Versamax has changed my mind. If I had to buy a semi-auto shotgun, it would be a Versamax.

Bob, I am leaning heavy towards the M2. Is there a special reason why you and your crew run the 21" rather than a 24" or 26"? Also what did you replace the lifter with and is it necessary to weld as I see some others do?

I'd go M2, no question. From my experience, it is far more reliable than anything out there. There is a reason it outnumbers most other shotguns at any given match.

The following is my opinion only...

"MUST DOs" for the shotgun.

1. Welded or extended lifter. A stock "forked" lifter will try to tear your thumb off regardless of your loading style.
2. Extended Mag Tube. You have to have a high round count shotgun tube to be competitive. Ideally, you need to be able to get a minimum of 8 rounds into the mag with one in the chamber for a total round count of 9 in the gun when the buzzer goes off.
3. Beveled magwell. How much you bevel off the magwell will really depend on how you choose to load the weapon.
4. Sights. I had dovetails cut into my vent rib so that I could mount a set of pistol sights. It's really handy shooting 100+ yard steel with slugs.
5. Everything else. There are a million mods and control extensions you can do to your shotgun but they aren't completely necessary. IMO, Items 1-4 are minimums. I also run a 21" barrel on my Benelli. The shorter barrels are faster to shoulder and more maneuverable on tight courses of fire. You could easily get by with a 24 or 26. Personally, I wouldn't go more than 24".

I feel like the shotgun is the hardest weapon to "master" in the game of 3-gun. Matches are won and lost with the shotgun. This is due to loading times. A slow pistol or rifle loader can still manage to cram 20+ rounds into a pistol or rifle in just a few seconds. Compare that to shotgun loading. A fast guy can cram 12 shells into a shotgun in 8 seconds or less. A slow loader can take 8 seconds a shell. I've seen it. It's really hard to make up that kind of time, especially if you have multiple or high round count shotgun stages or a low capacity shotgun and are having to do a lot of loading.

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Glad to hear this report on the Versamax. Remington made great shotguns for a long time hope they can do it again. I have a Model 58 Sportsman 20 built around 1960 that is the sweetest handling gun I have ever put to my shoulder and the engraving is something to look at too.

Is there anybody in DFW that does these kind of mods? The mag well beveling is the one thing I'd want a pro to do on a $1200+ gun.

Is there anybody in DFW that does these kind of mods? The mag well beveling is the one thing I'd want a pro to do on a $1200+ gun.