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Semi-Automatic 20 ga
#5209854
07/20/14 04:37 PM
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 163
FishStickMan
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 163 |
I'm in the market for a new-to-me semi-auto 20 ga for my wife. She currently shoots a 1974 Citori 20 ga (26") with fixed chokes. The chokes don't really fit well with the hunting opportunities we get, so I'm looking to get her a semi-auto with changeable chokes.
I've been looking for used 11-87 Premier 20ga's and used Browning Silver Hunter 20 ga's. Does anyone have opinions on either or a recommendation for another gun?
My other option is to get screw-ins installed in the Citori, but that makes me kinda nervous.
Point me straight, guys...
Last edited by FishStickMan; 07/20/14 05:54 PM.
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Re: Semi-Automatic 20 ga
[Re: FishStickMan]
#5209874
07/20/14 04:52 PM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 934
hornedfrog
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 934 |
My wife's Tristar is a lot better than I expected for the money. Light and very reliable.
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Re: Semi-Automatic 20 ga
[Re: FishStickMan]
#5209979
07/20/14 06:12 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 3,069
MDMORROW
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 3,069 |
Wife likes her Benelli Ultralight. I like it too.
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Re: Semi-Automatic 20 ga
[Re: FishStickMan]
#5210223
07/20/14 09:08 PM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,982
udamdan
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,982 |
Winchester 1400 is a sweet inexpensive auto . cant go wrong with a Rem 1100 !
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Re: Semi-Automatic 20 ga
[Re: FishStickMan]
#5210427
07/20/14 11:27 PM
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,101
Colt W. Knight
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,101 |
I bought an 11-87 Premier Light Contour when I was 18 years old. It remains my favorite shotgun. I over oiled it once, but once I figured out that was the issue, I have never had any problems cycling everything from dove to duck loads with it. Very soft shooting shotgun, and it fits me perfectly.
Last edited by Colt W. Knight; 07/20/14 11:28 PM.
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Re: Semi-Automatic 20 ga
[Re: Colt W. Knight]
#5210433
07/20/14 11:30 PM
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 163
FishStickMan
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 163 |
I bought an 11-87 Premier Light Contour when I was 18 years old. It remains my favorite shotgun. I over oiled it once, but once I figured out that was the issue, I have never had any problems cycling everything from dove to duck loads with it. Very soft shooting shotgun, and it fits me perfectly. I used to have a 12 ga 11-87 Premier LC that was an awesome gun. I'd love to find one in 20, but it's proving a challenge.
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Re: Semi-Automatic 20 ga
[Re: FishStickMan]
#5210528
07/21/14 12:12 AM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 5,046
David Maas
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 5,046 |
Out of the 2 you mentioned, Browning.
Winchester SX3 20ga is basically the same gun internally, just a cosmetic difference. It has speed load, light and nimble and can be found new for around $800. Is available with synthetic, the Silver is not, their camo version is camo over wood.
Don't overlook the Browning Gold 20ga either, no synthetic, but the same internally as the Silver or SX3.
NRA Endowed Patriot Life Benefactor GOA Life Member TSRA Life Member NSCA Life Member
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Re: Semi-Automatic 20 ga
[Re: FishStickMan]
#5210753
07/21/14 02:11 AM
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 163
FishStickMan
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 163 |
Yeah, I forgot to mention that she would really prefer real wood. That's primarily why I mentioned the first two guns. Anyone know of somebody looking to sell either one or a Benelli ultralight?
I'm not real big on the 1100 for no good reason. Finding an 1100 LT 20 with changeable chokes doesn't really save me any money over the other three.
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Re: Semi-Automatic 20 ga
[Re: FishStickMan]
#5210986
07/21/14 10:47 AM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 5,046
David Maas
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 5,046 |
Also, don't overlook the Beretta 391/390 series, or even the 303.
NRA Endowed Patriot Life Benefactor GOA Life Member TSRA Life Member NSCA Life Member
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Re: Semi-Automatic 20 ga
[Re: FishStickMan]
#5211016
07/21/14 11:37 AM
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,677
BigAL33
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,677 |
IMO, the Benelli Cordoba 20ga is the best shotgun available for dove hunting. So smooth!!! 
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Re: Semi-Automatic 20 ga
[Re: David Maas]
#5211018
07/21/14 11:42 AM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 6,219
dee
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 6,219 |
Also, don't overlook the Beretta 391/390 series, or even the 303. This would be my recommendation. I've seen more than 1 benelli 20 fail and would not buy one unless they fix the issues.
"A vote is like a rifle; it's usefulness depends on the character of the user" Theodore Roosevelt
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Re: Semi-Automatic 20 ga
[Re: dee]
#5211121
07/21/14 01:16 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 20,249
janie
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 20,249 |
Been very pleased with my Franchi AL-48 .20ga.
He is your friend defender your dog. Be worthy of such devotion
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Re: Semi-Automatic 20 ga
[Re: FishStickMan]
#5211251
07/21/14 02:46 PM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 207
TxDiver
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 207 |
Get her whatever shotgun fits her best. Make and model are secondary considerations compared to this. There are lots of good brands out there, and for the most part they all make a good gun. Then again, they all seem to have the occasional problem. My 391 is plain unreliable, my 11/87 jammed a few times, while my Benelli went full-auto on me.
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Re: Semi-Automatic 20 ga
[Re: udamdan]
#5212337
07/22/14 12:38 AM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 29,253
TXHOGSLAYER
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 29,253 |
cant go wrong with a Rem 1100 ! Yep
LETS GO BRANDON
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Re: Semi-Automatic 20 ga
[Re: FishStickMan]
#5212534
07/22/14 02:43 AM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 248
Aggiebanker06
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 248 |
I have had an 1100 that did not fit me well and always blew o rings. Sold it and got. 391 And never looked back. The gun fits me much better and I have never had an issue with it. Five, ducks, skeet. You name it, it'll shoot it down.
I also second the idea of making sure it fits her. As someone who tried to competitively shoot with a shotgun that did not fit right, I can attest to the importance of fit. Without the proper fit she will not shoot as well and will likely lose confidence in her abilities as a shotgunner.
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Re: Semi-Automatic 20 ga
[Re: FishStickMan]
#5212586
07/22/14 03:13 AM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,139
SR025
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,139 |
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Re: Semi-Automatic 20 ga
[Re: FishStickMan]
#5212717
07/22/14 06:46 AM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,400
bentman
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,400 |
A400 with the kick off system. it has the lighest recoil on the market hands down. tou can get 1 at abels ammo for 1375.00
If it bleeds I can KILL IT
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Re: Semi-Automatic 20 ga
[Re: bentman]
#5212793
07/22/14 11:59 AM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 6,219
dee
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 6,219 |
A400 with the kick off system. it has the lighest recoil on the market hands down. tou can get 1 at abels ammo for 1375.00 They are soft recoiling but are very strange feeling. I personally was not fond of it at all.
"A vote is like a rifle; it's usefulness depends on the character of the user" Theodore Roosevelt
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Re: Semi-Automatic 20 ga
[Re: FishStickMan]
#5214513
07/23/14 06:32 AM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 308
danmac
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 308 |
+ 1 on the A400 and the soft recoil. It's a light weight gun and I really like the way it handles.
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Re: Semi-Automatic 20 ga
[Re: danmac]
#5214587
07/23/14 11:51 AM
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 163
FishStickMan
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 163 |
I hear you on the A400. I'm afraid that's more than I intend to spend this year. I'm probably looking at $800 and under. Unless I can find a screaming deal on a used one, it's probably off of my list.
Any other thoughts on the original two I was looking at - 11-87 Premier 20 or Silver Hunter 20?
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Re: Semi-Automatic 20 ga
[Re: FishStickMan]
#5215508
07/23/14 10:43 PM
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,101
Colt W. Knight
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,101 |
I saw a used 11-87 Premier 20 gauge in a gun shop in Tucson for 600 a few months back. I almost bought it so I would have a 12 and 20.
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Re: Semi-Automatic 20 ga
[Re: hornedfrog]
#5215834
07/24/14 02:31 AM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,993
ImTheReasonDovesMourn
Snarky Mark
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Snarky Mark
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,993 |
My wife's Tristar is a lot better than I expected for the money. Light and very reliable. +1, I traded for a Tristar last year and have shot over 700 shells through it with no malfunctions. It's pretty impressive for a $400ish gun. I also got a Franchi Affinity 20 gauge that will probably be my designated dove gun until either me or the doves go extinct.
Haha yea I polished that thing for hours.
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Re: Semi-Automatic 20 ga
[Re: FishStickMan]
#5216899
07/24/14 09:33 PM
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 563
taylormade820
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 563 |
Those a400 are sweet! I hope browning comes out with a new 20ga soon or I'm buying one
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Re: Semi-Automatic 20 ga
[Re: FishStickMan]
#5216902
07/24/14 09:34 PM
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 563
taylormade820
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 563 |
Is that Tristar the over under?
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Re: Semi-Automatic 20 ga
[Re: SR025]
#5216994
07/24/14 11:16 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,392
Tactical Cowboy
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,392 |
I like the way you think... I personally would stay away from the 1100/1187. An A-5 20 is purely awesome. Call Briley and see how much it would be to thread the barrel for chokes. If they make a mistake they will make it right. If she already likes that shotgun and shoots it well, why change?
The secret to a long life is to try not to shorten it.
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