Which Semi-Auto To Get For New Shooter

My wife wants to get into trap shooting. We are trying to decide which gun to get her. A buddy of mine let her try his new A-5 Ultimate but she didn’t like the amount of recoil with 1 1/8 ounce 1200 fps trap loads. Thinking of going with a gas operated action. Kind of have it narrowed down to Browing Maxus, Winchester SX3, or Remmington 1100. Probably an adjustable sporting model with a 30 inch barrel. Hoping to keep it under $2000. Anyone have any pros/cons on these? Also not 100% set on these 3, so welcome to any other suggestions. Thanks!

If the person is a new shooter, I highly recommend against getting a semi-auto to start with. The follow up shots come too fast and a new shooter won’t have the discipline to reacquire the bird.

Go with a pump or an over-under to start with.

I bought a Rem 1100, 20 ga. for a girlfriend once and after she was gone I started using it myself. Light and easy to swing.

With a budget of $2,000 you might consider more than one shotgun. Start her on a 20 gauge (with a choke system)- less perceived recoil, and generally lighter than a 12 gauge. Might even suggest a pump to start out on – she most likely isn’t going to be doing doubles in the near future. Once she is hooked on trap or skeet – SHE can make the choice….(you still gotta pay for it).
jim

I would disagree with lhprop for only one reason, recoil. I have quite a few semi-auto shotguns and not a single one shoots softer than my old camo SX2. The second runner up is my SX3 sporting adjustable. I help out every year with a fundraising trap shoot and bring my arsenal of semi-auto guns for folks to use and the unanimous favorite is the SX2/SX3’s. They are light, nimble, point easy and best of all, they are SOFT on the shoulder. Another shotgun that deserves an honorable mention is the Rem 11-87. Good gun and soft shooter, but heavier than others.

I bough my Mother a CZ 712 ALS and she loves it. She is a very small lady and she really benefits from the adjustable stock. Ugly? yes, but they are incredibly functional. They are not known for the best quality in semi-auto shotguns, but they get the job done nicely for the average trap shooter.

If recoil is what you are looking to minimize, I would avoid inertia driven shotguns. I am prepared to take flack from Benelli shooters, numbers don’t lie…they hit harder than most gas guns…

I’d go with the Benelli Super Sport super light little to no recoil especially with trap loads

Ducky

Beretta A400

bullcans wrote:

Beretta A400

X2…An incredible gun…RR

Benelli M2 field is also a nice semi auto

SuperDave1959 wrote:

I bought a Rem 1100, 20 ga. for a girlfriend once and after she was gone I started using it myself. Light and easy to swing.

Gotta be a country western song in there somewhere.

if mainly for trap shooting get a Beretta and look into the sport model, it’s comb is in the middle of a field grade and trap. stay away from a 20 GA, more felt recoil. I reload either 7/8 or 1 oz, usually 1 oz because it’s more versatile and use a slow burning powder. also look into a kickeez or gooey butt pad. If you can let here try shooting different guns to see what she likes and fits the best. if in the east metro you can try a couple of ours out. most trap shooters will let you try their gun if you know them.

couple main points, make sure the gun fits her, use a light load. the only problem I have had with the wife shooting is that everything costs 2X as much now.

Remington 1100 ir 1187

Given your wife’s needs and concerns about recoil, I would very strongly encourage you to look at a Beretta A400.

Here’s why:

The Beretta is gas operated as opposed to the recoil-operated actions of Benelli and some of the other popular lightweight autos. I can tell you from over 20 years of owning both Beretta autos and recoil-activated autos, that the Beretta action soaks up a TREMENDOUS amount of recoil. It really is remarkable. A Benelli kicks like a mule in comparison.

Don’t listen to anyone who tells you gas operated autos are “less reliable”. There is no factual basis for this statement. As I said, I’ve owned both styles of actions and both need to be kept clean and if they are you will never have an issue. With today’s shotguns, function issues are virtually 100% owner error.

Older Remington 1100s can represent good value and they are also gas-operated autos, so they do a good job in the recoil department as well. My one “however” to this is that while an 1100 was a high quality gun 20 years ago, I am not impressed with the level of quality coming from the production Remingtons now. Fit and finish are lousy, the mechanicals sound awful, and the overall pride of workmanship is just not there. Comparing a new Remington to a Beretta, well, there is no comparison.

I personally would not get anything longer than a 28 inch barrel for a new shooter. The benefits of longer barrels are not there for someone just starting out.

Grouse

Thanks for all the advice! I think I know a few of the guys at league that will let her shoot a few shots through their guns. Never looked at the Beretta A400 but definitely on the list now. Then I guess it’s time for a gun shopping date night! I’m still shooting my grandpa’s Belgium made Auto-5 Magnum with Special Steel 32″ barrel. Kind of a beast for trap, but would like to get a 25 patch for grandpa before I retire it.

Beretta A400 and never look back. Get one fer you too! Very versatile with adjustable LOP. The stock adjusts with spacers/washers for comb drop and cast on/off. Nothing more frustrating than a gun that does not fit. Many versions to pick from. And they are pretty!