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suggestions for a semi-auto 12 gauge for my teenager

they nave been shooting a full size 12 ga pump(ouch) since the age of 12, so I was looking for something with less recoil, they don't complain, but long days in the dove fields might be taking a toll on their accuracy. I would like to keep the price under $700 or so. safety and reliability are my top concerns.


as always thanks for the help!
 
they nave been shooting a full size 12 ga pump(ouch) since the age of 12, so I was looking for something with less recoil, they don't complain, but long days in the dove fields might be taking a toll on their accuracy. I would like to keep the price under $700 or so. safety and reliability are my top concerns.


as always thanks for the help!
oh and camo would be nice, thanks
 
For a teenager I would suggest an AR15 style shotgun.... Gunbroker has multiple for sale, and your price suggestion works. I found several on gunbroker (for reference only)....JTS M12AR 12 Gauge Semi Auto AR Style Shotgun AR10 AR15
 
Why not a 20ga? Unless you want to knock the rip roaring snot out of something, the modern 20ga shells do all the 12ga did just a few years ago. I switched just a few years ago and love it!
they only want to shoot a 12 ga, they tried other calibers and that is what they are happy with, plus we have 12ga ammo
 
Beretta 390, 391, or 400 series are the best of the light kicking gas operated guns. Very low maintenance shotguns also. I have Remington 1100's and 11/87's also, and the Beretta's kick considerably less.

I had a Benelli Super black eagle, turned my shoulder green from recoil in 5 boxes of dove loads. I replaced the SBE with Browning Gold gas operated, and loved that shotgun also.
 
Try dropping down your 12 ga shells to 1oz loads. The 1oz loads are more likely to cause your semi-auto gun to have some re-cycling issues unless you keep the gun clean & hold it tight when shooting. Try shooting 10 rounds of each brand back to back.
A shooting lesson can be real confidence builder.
Ben
 
Any of the Winchester SX series. I still shoot an SX2 with over 5,000 rds through it. The Winchester is lighter than the Brownings. Go gas operated for less recoil. Benellis, are not gas and you have to shoulder them tight or they won’t cycle. Ok, as long as you understand it.

go 12, don’t go 20, your kid will hate it. Smaller pattern and tougher to shoot at moving objects, don’t start em off with a handicap.
 
I'd suggest the Beretta A300, I think they call it the "Outlander". You could get the black one at your price point no problem and you could probably get the camo version if you shopped carefully. I bought one for a guest gun and it runs just as well as my 390's. It cycles one ounce loads @1180 fps with no issues--but I've heard not all will cycle them.
 
Try dropping down your 12 ga shells to 1oz loads. The 1oz loads are more likely to cause your semi-auto gun to have some re-cycling issues unless you keep the gun clean & hold it tight when shooting. Try shooting 10 rounds of each brand back to back.
A shooting lesson can be real confidence builder.
Ben

As an add on, buy quality 1 oz trap or skeet loads. Not the cheap, on sale for dove season at walmart ones. The lead in the trap and skeet loads have about 3% antimony in it to keep the shot rounder and it patterns better. The on sale stuff is soft and deforms badly going down the barrel.
 
Beretta gas autos mentioned above, or the Remington 1100/11-87. See if shooters at the range will let you borrow their guns for a round - the best way to shop for a gun.
Agree, shoot light load, low velocity, but high quality shot. In a 12 ga double barrel, I shoot 7/8 at 1200 fps for skeet, trap and sporting clays. If I miss, its not the shell's fault.
 

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