[Mike Boufford]

Semi-Auto = Benelli
Pump = Rem 870 SPS.

50% of the way there Doc. I would agree with the Remington but I'd rather have a 105Cti than a Benelli but since I am a Browning aficionado the point is most definitely moot.

 

[JDogger]

What shotgun would you shoot for ducks under $1500.

If you call'em in close, almost any gun will kill'em. Almost never use the third shot on a pump or an auto anyway. JD

 

[Steve Hamel]

There's nothing like killing decoying ducks with a "nice" OU . Browning Citori Heritage owner.

Steve

 

[Joe Dutro]

Remington 1187 Super Mag. Back up is a Beretta Extrema.
I have had the 1187 since they came out with the 3 1/2 version. When I don't hunt with it its like leaving your favorite dog at home.
Joe

 

[gdgnyc]

Pump gun is my choice. I shoot an 870 (almost 30 yrs old) and I shoot a Mossberg 835. No complaints. I wouldn't want something "nicer" for my hunting as 95% of my hunting is shooting the salt marsh.

 

[David Maddox]

Cant go wrong with a Browning Citori,,,,, Plus some of the best customer service if you need it....

I have owned several shotguns over the last 20 yrs, pumps, autos, and 3 other O/Us, and I always seem to take my Citiro Satin Hunter O/U. It's heaviest of the Citori guns, and handles 3 1/2" shells with very little kick due to the weight/balance. GREAT gun!!!

 

[Clint Watts]

If you plan on ever shooting geese I would stay away from an O/U, because you will need that third shot. Also shooting a 3.5 in a O/U will beat the hell out of you. I shoot an Extrema 2. Just my two cents.

 

[Miriam Wade]

I have a Mossberg pump. I've tried to shoot an automatic and I can, but I find I concentrate better when shooting a pump. I don't hunt as much as all of you probably do, but I get my birds. I've only gotten a double omce when hunting, but I'm more of a pass shooter than a deke & call hunter. I've live gunned more than a few times at tests/trials/training (not always perfect, but once I get warmed up I can hold my own & I have witnesses! ) I also have to shoot my own flyers training sometimes and I really like my old gun. t gets heavy for upland and then I guess I would like something better, but it was an inexpensive investment. It's sort of like an old dog-you leave with the one that brought you.

M

 

[PocketLab]

Got 3 870's and 2 mossbergs. I alternate between a Red Label and an 1187 during the season. Just getting the itch for a new shotgun. Have shot most of the guns mentioned just looking for opinions.

 

[gward]

scratch yer itch, save your money, and shoot yer 870!

 

[skywatcher]

browning silver

 

[skywatcher]

superx 2 superx3 870

 

[WingsAtDawn]

Xtrema2 - best gun I have ever owned

 

[David Maddox]

If you plan on ever shooting geese I would stay away from an O/U, because you will need that third shot. Also shooting a 3.5 in a O/U will beat the hell out of you. I shoot an Extrema 2. Just my two cents.

I have an SKB 685, and Antonio Zoli that are both O/Us that'll beat you up pretty good. BUT, the Browning Citori Satin Hunter O/U was designed for shooting heavy loads at BIG birds. It is smoother shooting 3" or 3 1/2" shells than any of my other guns. Whether it be my pumps or autos. It is truly an exception.

One day while hunting with this old man, who shot nothing but 2 bangers, I asked if he missed having a third. He told me that you could buy a brand new gun with the money you waste on all of the 3rd shots you take and miss. This was probably true for me.

BTW: I own, and enjoy, auto loaders as well.

 

[PocketLab]

David, I find I shoot better with my Red Label because I know I only have two. And it fits great. Those 3 inch mags get old after a couple of good days though.

 

[DKR]

Over the years I’ve had several and I think if I was asking this question I’d look mostly at reliability and durability then fit and form. For $1500.00 you have a great choice of guns and it boils done more to what chassis (pump, auto, O/U) you are wanting.

I have two shotguns today and I have a about $1500.00 invested in both of them. If it was me I would only get 3 ½ guns because you can shoot anything thru them and are not limited.

The first gun I would get would be a pump, I think it’s the most versatile. I have a Benelli Super Nova in black composite and love it, I don’t think I’ll ever sell it.
I like being able to fit the gun to me and the recoil is a little less than the base Nova. This is my go to gun when things are crappy like hunting in mud, rain, layout blinds on the ground or when conditions are not nice. It’s my abuse gun.

My second gun is an O/U it is the most reliable gun I have had and my favorite for everything except abuse. My daughter and wife bought me a Browning Cynergy a couple of Christmas’s ago and I really like it. It is the most fluid shotgun I have owned. Easy, simple, fires every time, cycles every time, a breeze to clean and maintain.

If I were going to get another auto it would most likely be a Benelli SBE II, again based on simplicity and reliability. I have had an Extrema II I liked better when it was cycling correctly but it was not very reliable in harsh conditions, it only worked well if it was clean, and it’s tough keeping a gun clean if your laying in the dirt hunting geese in the Texas Panhandle.

My challenge with autos (mostly gas driven autos) are all the moving parts must work well or it becomes unreliable.
With a pump you can overcome some of the reliability issues and with an O/U you really don’t have to deal with it. Gotta have a gun that goes boom when you pull the trigger.

 

[Clint Watts]

I have an SKB 685, and Antonio Zoli that are both O/Us that'll beat you up pretty good. BUT, the Browning Citori Satin Hunter O/U was designed for shooting heavy loads at BIG birds. It is smoother shooting 3" or 3 1/2" shells than any of my other guns. Whether it be my pumps or autos. It is truly an exception.

One day while hunting with this old man, who shot nothing but 2 bangers, I asked if he missed having a third. He told me that you could buy a brand new gun with the money you waste on all of the 3rd shots you take and miss. This was probably true for me.

BTW: I own, and enjoy, auto loaders as well.

For most bird hunting I will agree with the old man, but when you have 30 honkers coming in and you drop the first two, you sure would wish you had that third shot for the triple.

I have never shot the Browning Citori Satin Hunter, sounds like a great gun. I use my wifes Berreta Silver Pigeon 20 guage O/U for quail and dove and love it.

 

[Bobcanoes]

Best way to buy a gun is to try the brands you want to buy out at a range. Ask your friends what they shoot and get together and shoot some clays. If that won't work then go to a good sporting goods store that has the top three that you are thinking about. Have them put all three out and try them out for size. One of the guns will feel better to you because of the pull length, drop, etc.

I have the Winchester SX3, Benelli SBE I, and Xtrema II, I love them all but shot the Xtrema 2 the most!!!;-)

 

[copterdoc]

I think the 1187 is underrated. You can find parts anywhere and if you look hard enough, you can buy one for $500.

The only problems they are known for, are largely due to over torquing the magazine cap.

I have a "lazy" friend that fired over 1000 rounds with his Premier, without ever cleaning the gas system. In those 1000 rounds, he never had a FTF or FTE!

 

[BonMallari]

I think the 1187 is underrated. You can find parts anywhere and if you look hard enough, you can buy one for $500.

The only problems they are known for, are largely due to over torquing the magazine cap.

I have a "lazy" friend that fired over 1000 rounds with his Premier, without ever cleaning the gas system. In those 1000 rounds, he never had a FTF or FTE!

I too had an 11-87 Premier skeet gun and the only thing I ever replaced was an extractor arm and an O ring...almost as good as the 1100..Remington guns have always fit me well, not so much with the Beretta's but they are a good gun too...Winchester SX2 or SX3 may have one of the better gas/piston systems around,especially if you can find one of the SX2 that came with two pistons (light and heavy loads) buy it...