Looking to get my son into one before dove season. He’s been shooting my brothers Benelli and now he wants one himself. I’m making him work for it so I’m trying to get some other ideas to consider before I drop 1300-1400. Went and handled a few Stoeger and franchi and he felt ok with them. I can definitely say I could feel a quality difference in the two. If I could find an older Remington 1100 in good shape I’d go for it. Anything else out there? It’s been years since I’ve really shotgun shopped.

1187

Winchester SX4

I have a Browning silver hunter I really like. Weighs almost nothing and handles very well. I rarely shoot it however, as I prefer my O/U's.

The Benelli Montefeltro and the Franchi clone are very nice as well.

the 1100 and 1187 are good guns but much lighter pieces can be had now. The Beretta 391 is also another one to take a look at.

Just get the one he wants. If not, you'll just save to get that one later.

I love my benelli m2 though. So light in weight and recoil.

I handled many of them before I bought mine and went with the Beretta A400 Xplor. Second choice was the Silver Hunter. The Franchi's are nice as well. Personally not a fan of Benelli because of some bad experiences. Best thing to do is go let him handle some of them and shoulder them. The Beretta just felt the best when I held it and shouldered it, and it is very light.

I do like an 1100 as well, but I shoot a benelli auto (m1 super 90) and will never buy another auto loading shotgun. It’s the best I’ve ever had, hands down....And it fits me well. I bought it 20 years ago and have never had any issues with it whatsoever. If he’s working to save money for it, then I say go for it. He will probably keep it forever.

In 20 gauge I have:
Winchester SX3
Franchi Affinity
Franchi 720
Weatherby SA-08
I like them all and haven’t had issues with any of them.

My next 20 gauge if I ever get another will be a Benelli M2.

Other 20’s I have experience with and recommend:
Browning Silver
Mossberg SA-20

My wife shoots the Franchi and loves it, as do I. It’s very light weight which she wanted but has a great recoil pad. She was very happy to not be shooting my Beretta Extrema any longer.

Weatherby SA 08 is the best budget entry 20 semi

This https://www.skbshotguns.com/shotguns/rs300

Benelli!

I have the following in 20

Remington 1100
Benelli
Beretta a400


Really like the beretta

Yes

I'd look for an older 1100 or even the 1187. I prefered to load my own back in the day and always loaded what was essentially a Winchester AA Target load, all perfect components. That's what makes the difference to be able to outshoot those that have the mindset one must use "high brass" loads to bring down dove at long distance. Proved it time and again and made believers out of many by making them shoot my gun and loads. Aint no sense in taking a beating when it's not necessary.
Still though, my all time favorite shotgun is a Browning Citori.

Older Remington 1100 LT-20 Special Field.

Why not a Beretta 390/391 in nice shape? I think the recoil/inertia guns are much easier to clean than the gas guns.

Had the Franchi 720 (last gas gun they made, now all recoil operated), great gun, never a problem but just too light for my taste.....best 20 semi I ever owned was a Beretta 303, perfect weight, perfect balance, only sold it because I was offered way too much for it....wish I had it back.

Can’t go wrong with best auto loader ever made... beretta’s are simple to clean

X2

When I was a kid I my father bought me a 20ga Wingmaster. A few years later he bought me a 20ga 1100. I rarely carried the 1100 because it was too heavy. I guess I'm saying one of the B guns is likely to be carried more...

You aught to be able to pick up a used Franchi 720 for pretty cheap. I've had a Franchi 620 VS for 25 years and I don't expect to ever need another.

I had a 390 and it was just a terrible fit for me. Ended up with an old AL-2, which I absolutely love. I'd love to have an A400 in 20 gauge one of these days.

1100 LT-20 MAGNUM.....

Browning A-5 Light 20. Had one of these. It was a great gun. Sold it to a cousin of mine for his wife.