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suggestions for a semi-auto 12 gauge for my teenager

1187 is what I suggest. Very smooth feel when shooting it. I have a M1 Super 90(Benelli) and that is not for a beginner, quite harsh recoil.
 
The old 300 series Beretta is almost bullet proof. It has a better gas system than the Remington that results in better cycling of the action. The owners manual that came with them said to clean the gas system every 2000-3000 rounds. You have to take better care of the Remington.

Another advantage for the Beretta is that you will not be standing in front of a game warden trying to explain why you can get 4 shells in the magazine. The gas system design limits it to 2.

I am not sure if that holds true on the 390's and 400 series.
 
Last spring i was looking for a new semi for turkey hunting. I knew i didn't NEED a 12ga. Nor did i particularly want one.
After much research i ended up getting a CZ720.
And i love it!
Came with nice hard case, and 5 chokes.
$479.
 
The A300 Beretta is quite a good value, but you should also look at TriStar in 12 & 20 ga. They make some really good value shotguns and some nice youth guns.
 
HTSmith said:
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.
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I have an beretta outlander and love it.
I have 8 shotguns in the gun room and this is the one that gets used nowadays.
 
hillbillydruggist said:
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!
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20 GA
 
+1 for the Beretta A390. I've shot 6 boxes of 3" magnums with mine over the course of 3 days, with no black & blue shoulder. Softest recoil of any 12 ga. I have ever had (Remington 1100, Browning A5, Benelli Super Black Eagle).
 
Beretta's shot one handed like a pistol will shock you in how little recoil there is. Fit for me with the Beretta is about perfect, but my 1100 and 1187 shoot a foot low due to stock fit...Burris speed beade is the fix.
 
Another vote for Beretta. I have an A390 Silver Mallard. Excellent shooter, has never jammed with low brass, regular 2 3/4 or 3". A 24" with the Improved, medium, or full choke should handle well for a 12 year old of average size. A used 390 or its replacement should be fine. Recoil is very manageable. Much lighter than my A5, model 12, and definitely less than the M97. JME WD
 
I still like my 1100 more than my 11-87 or 391. It cycles quicker and smoother. The trick to keeping it(and the 11-87) functional is to wet the trigger with some oil, but dry the rings and mag tube after cleaning.
 
HTSmith said:
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.
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^ This, I just sold a used one to a friend & they're probably the best gas-gun for the price point. I bought it new & put around 2000 target loads through it in a season, took it hunting & it never had a hiccup (sold it to thin out the 12 ga herd).
 
AckleymanII said:
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.
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You have a Beretta and a Bernelli, where is the Schwarzkopf scope. Can you adopt me?.

Many of you know I have a autoimmune blood clotting disease so I take massive amounts of Coumadin for anticoagulation. I was shooting 5 position trap and by the 4th position my shoulder twinge, by the next day I couldn't pick it up, by the next day at the MD I had a bleed into my shoulder. So needle the extra fluid, or as my son says "grow a pair". I choose the needle. Anyway I love shooting and I found a slip over recoil pad. It comes with foam, you put 1 of the 3 pads in and go on. I figured if I compressed them I could get all 3 in. I now have one on each of my guns. Your kids could get away with the 2 in foam. I just rigged my because of my condition. Here is the link.

https://www.beartooth-products.com/collections/recoil-pad-kit

Take care and thank you for getting kids into the shooting sports/hunting. We need more people like you.

Paula
 
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