Affordable Semi-auto shotguns

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As of late, I'm seeing a lot of new semi-auto shotguns pop on sites like Classic Firearms.

Anyone have experience with these "off-brand" semis like TR Imports, EAA and Tristar (ok, I know those, but NOT for shotguns), and the likes of Yildiz?

I'm fairly brutal on shotguns in terms of just wanting something to knock about and plink, not caring to beat it up or longingly admiring the depth of the finish on its fine walnutty stock and what-not.
LGC Texas - Vice President

Re: Affordable Semi-auto shotguns

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Stoeger M3K. Mine has been 100% reliable in competition, where it gets run pretty hard.

It has also attained a critical mass of competition users so that a lot of upgrade options are available. If you're not planning to compete with it, that last part doesn't matter, and you could take a chance on one of the cheaper options.
"To initiate a war of aggression...is the supreme international crime" - Nuremberg prosecutor Robert Jackson, 1946

Re: Affordable Semi-auto shotguns

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I had a good conversation just the other day about the same question. I was considering a 20 semi for my stepdaughter. She really enjoys skeet. We talked about the Tri-star Viper series. The conversation came down to parts. These lesser known/popular brands are hard to get parts for. The advise I got was to go to Academy and get a Yildiz. Although it is an import, Academy has a great warranty program. Now, I ignored all of that when I found a great deal on a Mossberg Silver Reserve II O/U. Never looked back. Great shotgun for the money. They fixed all that was wrong with the first series.

Just my 2 cents.
Never confuse knowledge with intelligence.

Re: Affordable Semi-auto shotguns

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I've had a couple of Stoeger M3000s and despite my best amateur gun smithing efforts, I have yet to screw one up. I use mine for 3gun, high round count and plenty of abuse, but they're rock solid. I also occasionally shoot skeet and 5 stand with it, but I remove the extended mag tube.

I've also had a Tristar Raptor ATAC, which ran just with 3" or 2 3/4" shells with 3.5 dram. Anything less would result in an FTE, despite running a bunch of 3" shells to 'break' it in. Not a fun gun to shoot, but it has a ghost ring sight that I really like when shooting slugs.

Another inexpensive shotgun is the ATI TAC SX2. Not sure if they're still in production, but it's a dependable shotgun and I got it for under $200.

Re: Affordable Semi-auto shotguns

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atxgunguy wrote:
Maccabee wrote: Tue Mar 06, 2018 2:17 pm I’ve been saving for an over/under, but you guys are making a good argument for the m3000...
Not really and over-under fan. The experience is..underwhelming. My shoulder will hate me, but I'd rather stick with my 870.
I don’t honestly have a lot of experience with shotguns, but the few times I’ve done sporting clays I used an over/under and enjoyed it. Shot pretty well with them too. They seem to be favored often in that particular sport.

Re: Affordable Semi-auto shotguns

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Yeah, for semi's I'm still on the Stoeger bandwagon as well- one thing that hasn't been mentioned in thread yet is the fact that it's an inertia driven semi rather than a gas system driven- same system that runs Benelli's (owned by them in fact) for quite a bit lower of a price. One less thing to worry about cleaning and maintaining, and it is rock solid reliable. And as others have noted, due to availability and popularity, parts/upgrades are easily accessible.
“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
- Maya Angelou

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Re: Affordable Semi-auto shotguns

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shinzen wrote: Tue Mar 27, 2018 9:40 am Yeah, for semi's I'm still on the Stoeger bandwagon as well- one thing that hasn't been mentioned in thread yet is the fact that it's an inertia driven semi rather than a gas system driven- same system that runs Benelli's (owned by them in fact) for quite a bit lower of a price. One less thing to worry about cleaning and maintaining, and it is rock solid reliable. And as others have noted, due to availability and popularity, parts/upgrades are easily accessible.
I've shot the M3000 on a few occasions. It seems like the best mix of affordable and reliable. I also don't see many used ones, so that means people usually keep them rather than trade-up.
LGC Texas - Vice President

Re: Affordable Semi-auto shotguns

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Two brands that I see locally are Pointer and Escort, both made in Turkey. I kick myself I didn't buy a Stoeger M3000 that was on closeout. I still see Stoeger side X sides. Stoeger is part of Benelli and Benelli is part of Beretta, small world.
"Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts." - Daniel Patrick Moynihan

Re: Affordable Semi-auto shotguns

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atxgunguy wrote:Just discovered the ATA Arms Neo line of semi-autos. From what I have read and seen, these appear to be near-exact copies of the Beretta A400 but a steeply-reduced priced. I'm seeing them as low as $300 on GalleryofGuns and only slightly more from places like Academy Sports.

http://ataarms.com/en/neo.php?modelID=17
I’m no means an expert but I’m pretty sure the A400 is a gas operated gun. The ATA Neo line appears to be inertia operated.

Re: Affordable Semi-auto shotguns

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Maccabee wrote:
atxgunguy wrote:Just discovered the ATA Arms Neo line of semi-autos. From what I have read and seen, these appear to be near-exact copies of the Beretta A400 but a steeply-reduced priced. I'm seeing them as low as $300 on GalleryofGuns and only slightly more from places like Academy Sports.

http://ataarms.com/en/neo.php?modelID=17
I’m no means an expert but I’m pretty sure the A400 is a gas operated gun. The ATA Neo line appears to be inertia operated.
Yes, that is true. They operate differently but look almost identical otherwise.
LGC Texas - Vice President

Re: Affordable Semi-auto shotguns

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atxgunguy wrote: Tue Apr 03, 2018 5:38 pm
Nato wrote:Can you define "affordable" please.
The max price is $700. That gets you a Jerry Miculek Mossberg 930. As I'm not competing for anything more than bragging rights and shoot shotguns maybe half a dozen times a year, I'd like to spend less than that.
I picked up a 20 gauge 1100 for $400. The last couple inches of the barrel were pitted. Cut it down to 19 inches and solved that problem. A few dollars on new gas rings and some elbow grease and it's a nice gun for hallways. :wtf:

Re: Affordable Semi-auto shotguns

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FWIW, I used a JM 930 for my first action shotgun class- it had some feeding issues, between and Spara's advice is why I picked up the Stoeger, which was less money but has proven to be completely reliable.
“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
- Maya Angelou

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