What is the best valued auto shotgun out now. Wanting it for duck hunting primarily.

Vinci

Win/Browning SX3, Gold,Silver ect.

Beretta Extrema II. or SBE II. You can't go wrong with either one of them.

I personally like the FRANCHI I-12. Handles very well.
Only drawback (not a problem in my opinion) is it is chambered for 2 3/4" & 3" only.

Best value....EAA Baikal MP153. Built like a tank (russia) @ about $450

Browning Maxus

Vinci SBE2 or the berreta extrema 2

Instead of just naming the shotgun I own and saying it's the best for everyone I'll give you what I consider the best waterfowling shotguns out there. The berreta extrema 2 is proven as is the Benelli SBEII. Newer to my list is the Benelli Super Vinci (or just Vinci in 3" chamber) and the Browning Maxus in 3.5" (it also offers a 3" chamber). I think Berreta has replaced the extrema 2 with the A400 Extreme Unico but I know nothing about it really but would expect it to be every bit as good as all other Berretas.

I think it's important to look at multiple shotguns and figure out the best one for you. There are some differences in features and strong points in all of these and more importantly they may fit and feel different.

There are some cheap semi autos most of which are a total waste of money. As netboy mentioned the Baikal MP153 is actually a great value. But at the same time it's super heavy, swings like a 2x4, and not very easy to clean...also it has an adjustable deal that you use based on the loads you are shooting light or heavy....the more expensive shotguns just do it.

I would say if you are serious about waterfowling then you owe it to yourself to get the gun you really like and not settle for some cheap gun that you will end up regretting that you didnt just buy the gun you really wanted. The 4 I mentioned are around $1300-1600 depending on features but when I look at my shotgun the price I paid factors in very small if I look at the per hunt cost because I've already had it for 5 years and I know if will last a lifetime if I take care of it despite the abuse it gets in the field.

As a Vinci owner, can I just say that the folks touting Vinci as one of the best obviously dont own it. Since day one, I have had the "finger rub" issue that seems to be prevalent among Vinci owners.

I was out at Mack's Prairie Wing a few weeks ago and asked the guy at the gun counter who knew the most about Vincis. He said he knew quite a bit and I asked him about this issue. He proceeded to raise his hand and show me his blood blister that he maintains during waterfowl season that is EXACTLY the same as mine. He told me this was a HUGE issue and many Vinci owners were complaining about the design and same thing.

My opinion, stay away unless you can deal with personal injury from your firearm, as it is working as designed when it injures you!*@$#?????

I have a Vinci, what are you talking about? Just curious. I'm not all defensive or anything So far I like mine, it's on its second season. It will rust if I look at it twice, though.

Mine

No seriously...the best shotgun is a free shotgun.

Okay, I agree with Marcstar if you need (or feel you need a 3.5 inch gun). I personally think it is overkill on ducks and a 3 in gun is all you'll ever need.

Best value and great gun is the 3901 Beretta Walmart gun. It is the old 390 which is a sherman tank of shotguns. If you like the feel of an SX3 it is going to rank real high up there and is the softest shooting gun I have shot. The Browning Maxxus has very similar insides as the SX3 with a few more bells/whistles. The regular Benelli Vinci (ugliest shotgun ever made in my opinion) or M2 would also be two other great guns.

If you spend around a thousand and almost all of them are good guns the two under a thousand that I would consider are the 3901 and the SX3 (just barely under a 1k).

Good luck and shoulder a few and shoot (if possible) and see what you like.

In talking to folks at Mack's I believe there is a class action coming... so looks like you may get some money back on that well working Vinci, or more likely they are rumored to be redesigning the trigger/stock piece of the unit and may ship to current owners.

I spend a lot of time researching shotguns and reading every report I can find. By all accounts the Vinci is a great shotgun but you are right I don't own one and this is the first I've heard of this John. Interesting and duly noted. What exactly is happening? What finger is getting rubbed?

BassinJohn...for some twisted reason this Beretta guy wants to own the ugliest shotgun is the history of shotguns. I'll give you $600 for yours

Marc...this isn't the first time I have heard of it. I believe it is the middle finger. I know you know which one I am talking about I am sure you see them all the time (sorry, couldn't resist)

Browning gold is nice!, i still shoot an A-5 28in 3inch gas c.

Those are all great suggestions, but also very expensive. If you want a great autoloader for quite a bit less, check out the Beretta 390. I've used mine for the last 2 years with very few real cleanings and it has done outstanding.

If you're looking for something less expensive, why not got with a Remington 870? It's cheap & reliable, and you can replace it with an expensive autoloader when you have the funds and desire for it.

You may find after a year or two with the 870 that you don't want an auto...

The 3" chamber vs the 3.5" chamber...something that also needs to be considered and has had many threads dedicated to the debate in the past. Judd is right about 3" being fine for ducks. For me and others I like just having the option to shoot 3.5 shells. Also I goose hunt so I pretty much only shoot 3.5" when goose hunting. Again it can be debated and the word "need" is thrown around a lot. Personally "need" has nothing to do with anything for me when it comes to hunting.

It's a good point but he specifically asked for semiauto recommendations.

Yeah, I was just teasing. Kind of like how I own a Glock and don't understand people who pay more for other semi-auto pistols