Currently in the market after selling my 15 yr old Browning Gold Stalker 3½. Looking for a new model. Personally looking for a 12ga 3½ that will cycle lighter dove loads as the Browning did. I have my eye on the Beretta A400 series. What's your guys thoughts? I'll be slamming waterfowl and gobblers mostly.

i was in the same boat as you earlier this year. I've had my gold for close to 20 years and got the itch for something new. I really liked the A400, the Maxus was nice but didn't fit me as well. Decided to just stick with the gold as it still operates flawlessly. I'd go shoulder the guns your interested in and see what gun fit you the best. That's the most important thing to consistent shooting.

Franchi Affinity 3.5 less than a grand

A400 all the way! You want be disappointed.

A400

Until I can drop the coin on an A400, I’ll have to settle for my A300’s. I say that with a grain of salt because I have been extremely happy with the A300.

New Browning A5! Works flawlessly with any load I have used form light dove loads to heavy goose loads.

I have had great luck with a benelli cordoba and I hunt a lot

semi auto 12's are for "blasters" , you're basically admitting you are going to miss the first 2 shots,,, so why take them?-------- hunters use 20 ga. over and unders.

You will not find a better gun for the money. My Fiancee got one a 3" affinity about 2 years ago and won't even pick up her SBE 2 anymore.

Or you believe you'll shoot triples....

I've got the new A5, shoots every duck load flawlessly. The dove loads not so much. I use it exclusively for waterfowl so I couldn't be happier.

Next gun is going to be a Browning Cynergy waterfowl addition. If I can find one.

Wrong, stoeger

Haha. The guys always teased me about my 20 OU, I shot my fair share of ducks compared to them and their 12s.

Wrong, mossberg

I have both Beretta A400 and Franchi Affinity. Both have been great trouble free guns but are very different in price and feel.
A400 being the 3.5in is a heavier built gun that still handles well and shoots dove loads all day long.
Affinity 3in is a lighter/quicker gun that handles all loads (excluding 3.5in) very well too.
Recoil is subjective to the individual and I don't see a huge difference, sorry.

Both guns share several design features even though the A400 is gas and the Affinity is inertia, that make clean up very easy with the main thing being the recoil spring located on the magazine tube instead of in the butt stock. A problem area for some guns if not maintained.

Go fondle the ones you're interested in and research on gun forums like shotgun world (the best)

You can buy nearly 3 Affinitys to 1 A400 if that bothers you.

It is what it is. Good luck

Shoot what fits you. If the drop and cast are off you will find yourself shooting at a disadvantage. I'm a left hand shooter, so I'm a believer in buying a gun with the custom cast and drop shims. I opted for the Beretta line. I own both the A300 and A400. The A300 has a reversible safety and shims for left hand cast. The A400 is the left hand model. Both are great dove guns.

I’ve got a matched set of Benelli Cordobas that I really like.

A400

Are you hunting honkers or cranes? If not you should consider getting a 3" instead.

If I had to do it all over again I would get a cheaper 3" semi-auto designed for dove/ducks and a cheap pump for turkeys.

Hands down the beretta A391 aka xtrema2
I had that one for almost 10 yrs and never failed on me

I have used all three Benelli, Beretta, and Browning. I am currently using the Browning maxus and I have no complaints as I shot 3-4 cases a year the last 4 years while in Louisiana marsh water. I think you cant go wrong with any of those three brands, but truly it is all about your comfort level with the gun.

Appreciate all the insight fellows. Going to the shops to see if I can get my hands on a few models to see what feels and fits. Yes honkers and gobblers are on the list so a 3½ is my interest. I have a really good 20 but the wife usually tags along and uses it. Trying to get the most outta one purchase. Thanks again!

I shoot my Benelli SBE-II

Was the maxus, I couldn't miss with it and it was a really soft shooter. Started giving me problems snd I sold it.

A400

Stoeger M3500 but with all the A400 comments i'm going to check that out!

Browning A-5

I picked up two affinity 20s last year. One for me and one for my youngest son. My oldest son shoots and M2 20 guage and the affinity was equal in performance last year at 1/2 the $$. Outfitter I know in Argentina putvit in perspective. They get 20,000 rounds out of the Benelli before it starts to break parts and about 15,000 out of the franchi. More than most hunters here will ever shoot.

done it, but a goose gun wont be a decent dove gun..
went 7 for 7 on dove w/a 835 ONE time..
then I changed...

of course the one with the coolest most hardcore TV commercial and the latest camo pattern. Don't forget the barrel stickers either. If I were buying a new one next week, i'd consider the a400 or a browning. There are a lot of older guns out there that are of much greater quality than those of today, shotguns are almost like iphones and computers to an extent. You can find a lot of them for 5-800. Will they go 20,000 rounds like what brazos mentions? No, but if you can afford to shoot that many rounds bird hunting, you can afford a new gun every once in awhile. I would much rather have a classic that shoots where I'm looking vs. the latest trend.

I shoot a Stoeger M3500. Not bad for a $650 3.5 inch semi-auto.

For the Dove fields, I pack my SBE2 & Weatherby SA-08 both have the inertia system.

I'd go 3" myself... but that's just me. I have a Affinity in 20 and love it. I doubt I'll ever get another gas gun.

A 400................can't beat the kick off system.

its interesting to read all the responses. it seems almost everyone loved the their new gun for a few seasons then no matter the brand/model it starts giving them problems in some form or fashion.

i'm also surprised no-one mentioned Winchester SX models.

Have you ever shot a triple? i didn't think so!

I'm not usually a brand fanatic but have had extremely good luck with beretta's. (X2) A391's and (X1) A400. No failures except one stove pipe in thousands of rounds. Might get flamed for this but I usually don't clean 'em until I've shot 500-600 rds or if it was raining. Was told to use heavy loads first 100 rds and then anything after that. Shot several times with my brothers beneli. Loved the way it felt and swung but it had reliability issues. No great experience with other makes.

So my 2 cents - A400

Beretta 28 gauge and sweet 16

I guess you never shot a triple!

Benelli SBE II over any other shotgun in my safe.

Two words: gun fit.
Go to a gun shop with a good inventory of different brands and models.
Find a gun that fits you.

If you can't hit with it, it doesn't matter how much your buddy likes his "_________" brand shotgun.

Browning Maxus

Beretta A400 unico with Kick off in 12 gauge.
My third beretta auto and surely not my last. I currently own Remington and Winchester autos and have owned a Benelli. I love the 400 and the kickoff system is awesome in my opinion.
I have put a few thousands rounds through it at least, and it functions damn near flawlessly like the 391 Urika before it. I will clean the gun thoroughly maybe once a year. I wipe off the exterior with oil after most hunts but that’s it. I’ve yet to meet an owner of an A400 with the kickoff that didn’t love it.