I was thinking about upgrading my semi-auto and then getting a pump as a back up. I mainly duck hunt- would like the option of 3.5 chamber- which gun would you get in the 3.5?

Thinking about the BPS bottom feeder- I am a lefty and thought it would be a nice option for blinds and then either the extrema or SBEII.

I do some clay shooting and would like one to chamber the lighter loads well. My rem 11-87 mag has issues with the smaller loads

If you are talking pump guns with a 3 1/2" chamber, then they will chamber all 3 sizes of shells.

The Benelli Nova/Supernova, the Browning Pump, Remington 887/870, Stoeger P350, Mossberg 535/835, and the Winchester 1300 all have or can be had with 3 1/2" chambers.

Buy used and extend your dollars if you can.

When it comes to preference, choose the one that best fits you and your style of hunting.

my Win Super X 2 handles the light loads fine. 3.5" also.
cant go wrong with Rem 870pump. super mag for the 3.5".
good luck

I would consider buying a good 20ga. as back up. 20ga is very useful and light weight. They are good for everything from quail to turkey.

But if you want a 12ga. the bps is a good choice. I find them to be a bit long of a reach in 3 1/2 chamber, though.

Sbe2 can't go wrong with the benelli I love my benellis

Browning BPS in a pump. Then the Browning Maxus of SBE II for the auto.

would you do both in 3.5?

Nova!

No, I would buy one 3" gun and maintain it religiously and not worry about a back up. Save the money on the back up for premium shells for goose hunting.

I shoot a Browning Mag 12 A5 that is 18 yrs old and still running strong.

I am a lefty as well and just upgraded from a BPS stalker (3in version) to a Benelli M2 and so far it has performed perfectly. I have avoided the 3.5 chambers because I don't really hunt geese and the 3's seem to knock down every thing I need. The other reason for the M2 is since it only shoots 3's it handles the low brass loads for clay shooting. I have heard the SBEII sometimes doesn't like the low brass. I liked my BPS as it was rock solid. Occasionaly it will throw a live shell when working the action but not very often. The 870's if you can find a lefty version are hard to beat for the price if all it is going to be is a back up. Since you are a lefty from what I can find you are limited basically to Benelli (M2 or SBEII) or Remington (1100, 11-87, or new CTI) for autoloaders. Beretta kindly directs you to Benelli. I called Winchester/Browning and they said they have no current plans to offer any of their autoloaders in a left-handed version. If you are looking for a recommendation I would say the Benelli M2 and a Remington 870 super mag (3.5in) for back-up and 3.5in shooting situations. M2 is cheaper than SBEII and 870 is cheaper than BPS and will give the same reliability as the more expensive versions and meets your criteria of a having the ability to chamber up to 3.5 in and still shoot clays.

SteelIRX- thanks for the advise- I just really like the Stalker because of the bottom feeding option. The issue I have with the right handed guns isn't the ejection- its the safety being backwards for shooting. what are the major differences between the M2 and SBE?

The only real difference I could find between the M2 and the SBEII was the SBEII shoots 3.5in shells. When you look on the website the "innovations" all matchup and the weight is within 0.1lbs when comparing gun to gun. The difference in price is about $300 to get the supermag ability. I talked with some guys who shoot a lot of clays and they said some of the SBEII don't really like the low brass because of the stiffer spring. I don't have the need for the supermag and I like to shoot clays from time to time so I opted for the M2. Besides if it's good enough for Tom Knapp to shoot most of the time in a show you know it is pretty reliable for the low brass. I chose the left eject because it only takes on goofy shell to screw up my dominant eye. That is why I had the BPS. You can't go wrong with it either, I have killed ducks, pheasant, quail, geese, and turkeys with my BPS. Reliable to the end. Didn't "need" a new gun just wanted to step up to an autoloader. This is my first season with my Benelli but so far reliable and fast shooting.

thanks really appreciate the advise

My BPS has never ever failed me.

there is a left handed SBE II in the classifieds sectiion, he posted up he would take $1200.

Yes I would. Nice to have the capacity if needed

1st of all not to be a smart arse I thought all semi/pump shot guns all were bottom feeders. It is bottom eject that is unique. If you are only hunting ducks there is not a real need for a 3.5" chamber. I have not priced the difference between 3" vs 3.5" guns.If there is a wide gap in price consider staying at 3", and going with a premium shot shell. You did not mention anything about goose hunting, but that also can be handled by 3"ers with the right load. BPS is a very good bottom eject. Another option is to find an Ithaca model 37. I do believe they produced it with a 3" chamber.

My SBE shoots light loads just fine unless I fail to keep it clean, but at that point nothin shoots good. If your talkin pump I can't think of any reason to not buy the 870 but then again they make a lot of different guns for a reason. All of the guns that have been mentioned are good guns. My advice would be to go and get em in your hands then look at the price tag and make your decision from there.

I did have one more peice of advise. Don't pay the extra money for the camo version. Mine is rubbing off and the ducks don't care if it's black or brown as long as it isn't chrome you will be fine.

Guess you have never owned an A5........