Shotgun inertia or gas?

[muleman69]

Just wondering which one was preferred and the reasoning ? Inertia or gas ,what do you like and why?

 

[6brxdude]

I prefer gas over inertia. My reason is specific to my experiences with my Benelli SBE 2. It’s a great shotgun but will not reliably cycle light loads as recommended by Benelli. My Benelli M4 cycles these same loads without issue. I also have a VR60 and Weatherby SA 459 which cycle light loads without issue

 

[FNSafari]

Agree with 6brxdude.

 

[bobinpa]

Depends a lot on what you are doing with it.

 

[gmitchell]

I have a couple old Winchester model 1400 they cycle even when so gummed up the bolt barely closes. Couple drops of oil and wipe down back in business. We used for skeet and my boys always insisted in sharing never had any problems. Gas operated

 

[john 800]

I had the same decision to make as i kicked tires on 12 ga autos for a long long time. I ended up going with an inertia gun mostly for simplicity. My uncle and a freind of mine have been 1100/11-87 shooters for many years, they were reliable assuming they were maintained, clean and had a few seals replaced occasionally. What pushed me towards the franchi affinity I bought was the lighter weight and the fact that it is a bit easier t clean and strip. I hunt alot of walk in public land for pheasants and turkeys in addition to sitting in a duck boat getting rained on so the light weight was the tipping piont for me, along with my seeing a buddys repeated unresolved (and uncharacteristic from what i am told) issues with a winchester sx2. In all honesty, there are plenty of good ones of both today

 

[Snozzberries]

I have a stoeger m3500. You can add a weight in the buttstock that reduces recoil. When installed, the gun won't reliably cycle 2 3/4 loads. Without it, it cycles perfectly.

I love then gun. Never have to clean it as it never gets dirty.

 

[AckleymanII]

To my knowledge all Benelli shotguns are inertia shotguns. I had a Super Black Eagle, and this shotgun turned my shoulder Green on a dove field after shooting 5 boxes of shells in a T shirt. I shot off my left shoulder the next day, that shoulder turned green. Bottom line, Inertia shotguns kick like a MULE.

I traded the Benelli for two Browning Gold Sporting Clay shotguns, gas operated...no down side. Then bought a Beretta 390...these are very light kicking shot guns. I coyote hunt and shoot some very heavy 1 5/8 oz #4 buckshot loads at 1350, and they kick. I could not take the recoil of these heavy buckshot loads out of my 870's, Browning BPS(love these shotguns), and the Ithaca 37 would just KILL your shoulder.

I bought a Beretta Extrema II(gas operated) with the Kick Off system which is a shock absorber in the butt. This shotgun sets the bar for all heavy loads. On the Beretta 391 Extrema II with the kick off system, you have:
a. gas operated to reduce recoil, and it is substantial...more of a push than a quick jab
b. the shock absorber in the butt takes out some of the recoil as well.

I have another 391 Extrema II without the kick off system that I use shooting heavy crow loads.

Beretta shotguns have never had an issue jamming in any weather, which would be a function of the lube used, and the whole family is using Beretta's now.

On a dove field, a 390, 391, 400 are simply a cream puff to shoot in 20 ga.

 

[AckleymanII]

Benelli SBE 2 kicks like a mule. We make fun of our Crow hunting buddies using them, and we trade off shotguns, frequently. Ease of maintaining a Beretta is almost non existent. I shot sporting clays for 5 years and never cleaned my Beretta 390, probably 3000 rounds on it, at least.

I had a friend up in SD that was a Game Warden. He shot thousands of rounds from a Beretta every year on Coyotes from a helicopter or plane...said it was the only shotgun that would hold up.

Down in Argentina where they shoot untold thousands of Doves, the Beretta 390 20ga has been the gun of choice for years....they just keep running.

Lots of BS out there in how inertia shotguns hold up better for cold wet weather...it is all about the lube used. Some lubes just gum up below freezing. Guys in Minn learn this real quick.

 

[rr2030]

Hands down gas, unless it's a collectable vintage Browning A5 or the like.

 

[wkdickinson]

Gas! I had a Benelli SBE that I hunted ducks on Lake of the Woods with. It was a great gun, but very punishing. Shoot 3-4 boxes of 3.5" mags in 3 days and your shoulder will be black, blue, green and yellow! I also have a Berretta A390 Silver Mallard which is a delight to shoot, even with 3" mags and is almost maintainence free.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

1986 I purchased a Rem 1100 3" Special purpose for shooting the "New" 3" steel. It wouldn't cycle even the 3" loads until I opened the gas port about 11%. But it has required nothing more than cleaning, I have used it for pheasant,coyote,Fox,waterfowl,shot several European style pheasant shoots. After cleaning I give it a light coat of Hornady 1shot cleaner.

 

[22turborimfire]

I own both and I like both . My clay target guns are gas . I've learned it's the Indian behind the arrow . But I can't deni I did enjoy pride of ownership of a Monte Carlo K gun 4 barrel set for many years 1 of 47 .
My hunting guns are Benelli M2 12 and 20 gauge . I have added aftermarket Springs , carrier release button , extended carrier , trigger job and extended bolt handle . Both 12 and 20 are extremely light to carry . The raised rib fits me perfectly and it points where I look .
Day after day here in VA hunting recoil has never bothered me goose or dove hunting . But at any given day I don't shoot over 20 rounds while hunting.Gas is softer shooting as a general rule if it fits . I have no problems with recoil on the M2 I do have the comfortech stock and both guns fit me like I had it made for me. The Benelli is known for the ( Benelli CLICK ) the wolf spring helped with this in return I run at least a 1250 fps load .
Jim W

 

[biggun2869]

As a rule inertia operated is lighter to carry, gas is softer shooting. One of my favorites is a 20 guage franchi (inertia operated) it is very light to carry and the 20 doesen't beat you. I've had Frranchis in 12 ga, but not for long

 

[RussellJ]

Inertia. I know that I'm out numbered here however, I have owned a 12-gauge Benelli SBE2 for 17-years and have shot many of thousands of rounds, a very reliable shotgun. The Benelli SBE2 has less parts in it then my old Winchester 1300 pump shotgun had.

 

[shoot4fun]

At one time I preferred inertia over gas. Time passes and shotgun shells change. My Benelli M1 Super 90 hummed right along for a few years but then turned into a "maybe" gun. Replaced with a Berretta 390 about 20 years ago and it has been one of the best decisions made. Smoother, softer and 100%+ reliable says I wouldn't choose any other brand or recoil system than what Berretta has to offer.
Yes, it is my personal preference but I am not alone. Everyone I know shooting Beretta loves them.

 

[helmut in the bush]

Check out the Super Vinci, light, soft shooting and I haven't one issue with it in almost 10 years

 

[OmegaRed]

Gas

 

[jk80]

Definitely check out a beretta semi auto. My first one was a 303 that I used to shoot doubles with at trap. I shot it all year and never touched it to clean it. It had thousands of rounds through it. I had to soak the piston and action rod in a coffee can of kerosene to get the piston off the piston rod whe I finally did clean it. At that point it had stopped cycling with 9ne ounce loads. I've got 4 303's, three 390's and a 391 and a extrema 3 1/2 inch so i guess you could say I'm a bit biased!!

 

[acloco]

Don't overlook the offerings from CZ. Go GAS!!!