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Buying first duck gun

3K views 25 replies 12 participants last post by  rainingmallards 
#1 ·
Well I'm hoping to buy my first gun for waterfowling this year. I hunted with a borrowed gun last season. My Dad, Uncle and Grandfather grew up Quail hunting and had nice Browning Semi Autos, sadly these guns are all older and cannot handle steel. I need a new gun to keep on with this newly found addiction. I'm looking to spend under 650. Any suggestions? I'm a fan of auto's and have always upland hunted with the older Brownings. I wouldn't be opposed to a pump. I want a good quality gun, I'm used to the quality of the Brownings and want something that will hold up. I know for under 650 it will be hard to match Browning. I really like the look of the Beretta A300, but am wondering if there is a better option. Obviously I'm looking for the best deal I can get haha. Thanks.
 
#4 ·
Pumps:
Remington 870- one of the most used water fowling guns ever. Tons of guys use them and if they use something else they probably have an 870 for backup. can be a little rust prone so guys will look for the wingmaster which has a better finish to it. 870's new are under $300. I have shot mine for 12 years and never had a jam or anything break, its a great gun.
Remington 887- basically a bedlined version of the 870. it has a protective coating and shoots 3.5 shells. i wanted one until i held it and couldn't stand it. My buddy has one and he loves it.
Browning BPS- I have no experience with them but a lot of guys praise these guns. Just checked and Cabelas has them for $580 so look to spend close to that
Benelli Supernova- You can get a camo one for about $600, everyone who has a Benelli says it's the best, guys who don't will tell you there are better options for the price. My dad bought one after his 870 was stolen and to this day says he wishes he still had his 870, that's my only experience on the gun

SemiAutos:
Stoeger 3500- these can be had for around $650 I believe, my brother has a Stoeger pump that is modeled after the supernova and it has been a very reliable gun, never had a problem with it.
Franchi Affinity- a little more expensive but got for about $740ish for the black synthetic version. I was just told about this gun and have no knowledge or experience with it.

There are probably more options but I am no gun guru, this is just from my experience over the years and what I have gathered the past week in my search for a new gun. Like I said I have shot the 870 for over a decade but would like to give a semi a try. I am going to pick up a VersaMax for a little over $800 but I saw a used one the other day for $650 at a gun shop.
 
#7 ·
LiquidA45 said:
MarkM said:
You shoot 3.5" shells?
I did the last two weeks of season this year when that's all Wal-Mart had in stock, normally shoot 3's. You seem either confused, impressed, or disgusted?
No I was asking the OP if he shoots 3.5" shells, because guns I will recommend do not handle them...

There is no point in me recommending guns if it isn't going to handle the shells he shoots.

Edit: How did what I even asked seem either confused, impressed or disgusted?
 
#9 ·
WVClaysandBassin said:
I have only ever shot 3's. The 11-87 Special Purpose I borrowed from my Uncle is only Chambered for 3's. They do the job well enough to put a Teal on the wall and a lot of Mallards in the freezer :thumbsup:
To stay on the same platform check out a 1100 Magnum.
 
#10 ·
#12 ·
WVClaysandBassin said:
Like the look of the 1100, especially for the price, but will an 1100 handle steel? I know it needs to have interchangeable chokes to be safe for steel, or at least that was the impression I was under.
The 1100 is safe for steel. The choke on that one is a modified I believe, which would be ok to shoot the way it is. You could have chokes put installed if needed.
 
#15 ·
I just bought a Beretta A390ST on Monday for $645 including tax.
Deals are out there, good and bad, but you have to search.
It is called hunting. Go hunt you up a sweet lightly used semi in your price range.
Do NOT settle. Try several out on your shoulder. Swing them a little and see what feels good.

You will find THE ONE.
Good luck and have fun buddy.
Its not as hard as you think.
 
#17 ·
WVClaysandBassin said:
Betty, that's a great deal. Where'd you find that if you don't mind my asking? I've been looking around but have yet to find a deal like that.
Used gun.
Dave's Gun Shop in a tiny town called
Mayview, Illinois. Just east of Urbana on Rt. 150.
Was on consignment. I searched all over for two days and got lucky on the third.
It was...destiny.
They have a lot of new berettas but I did not ask about those or the prices.
 
#19 ·
woodwalker said:
Im looking for a good gun ....i already found 2 in my price range and want to kno the thoughts ...should i get a beretta a300 or a franchi affinity????
You should get the one that shoulders best for you.
 
#20 ·
MarkM said:
woodwalker said:
Im looking for a good gun ....i already found 2 in my price range and want to kno the thoughts ...should i get a beretta a300 or a franchi affinity????
You should get the one that shoulders best for you.
That beretta comes with shims and theres a plate in the stock.
By flipping and turning the two you can adjust cast on and cast off plus adjust the height.
Really simple AND you can order others if you are freakishly long necked or something.
Cabelas.
 

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#21 ·
Check out mossberg 535. My son in law has one and its great. Hunt everything and shoots all loads. It also came with a turkey barrel. All for around 400 bucks with tax and background check. I shoot the mossberg 930 auto waterfowler. Less than $500 from grabagun.com.
 
#24 ·
You can get a better pump in your price range than you can a simi auto. Pumps are generally more dependable. You can always get a simi auto to add to your collection later when you have more $$$. I have several autos and pumps but probably the best all around reliable pump is the 870 wingmaster. Check out an 870 and see what you think. It's a gun that will last a lifetime and be handed down to the next generation.
 
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