[Pat McKean]

the Beretta A400 with the kickoff probably the best bet out there right now I have 2 of them and love them, don't see how you can go wrong there

Mac

I've got two of them also. One Multi-Target and a Cole Special.

I picked up a new A400 from Beretta today where the Kick-off device is just being the grip instead of the butt on the stock. The area where it compresses is right where I place my cheek, about two fingers back of the front of the comb. Ouch!

 

[MackC85]

I was looking at a Browning Maxus II and a Winchester SX4, side by side (the guns were on the counter together, I'm well aware the SX4 is a semi auto, not a sxs) on Saturday and the only real difference was the Maxis was $1599 and the SX4 was $849. While I'm definitely a Browning guy (8 in safe) i just could not justify the $750 difference in price.

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[birdk9]

The magazine cutoff and speed loading are spendy features on the Maxus.
For those that not have shot a Maxus. There is a tab that you push down to stop the gun from cycling a shell. If the gun has a shell in the chamber and the magazine, you can flip the lever, unload the shell in the chamber, and the next shell does not cycle. The bolt is locked back and open. Pressing the bolt release will NOT cycle a shell. Great feature in a duck blind or crossing a fence. The magazine lock is also a great source of humor, when you duck hunting buddies learn how it works. They turn your gun into a single shot when you are not looking.
The speed loading is when the last shell has fired the bolt locks open, similar to other guns. However, when you feed the first shell into the magazine it will automatically cycle into the chamber without having to press the bolt release button.
The SX4 locks open when empty. You MUST feed the first shell into the action, the lifter is locked down. Once you press the bolt release, the first shell is chambered, then you can feed additional shells into the magazine.
Browning name + Speed Loading + Magazine Cutoff = $750.

 

[The Canuck]

I shoot an SX3 20ga for hunting waterfowl, upland and skeet. I didn't clean the gun once with it just to see how it would perform. I was well into my second hunting season with two full seasons of skeet on it before it decided to slow down one freezing cold morning. It still cycled but it was like the bolt was stuck in molasses. I had no less than 5 flats of hunting loads through it and 11 flats of target loads before it waffed. I stripped it down which wasn't easy. I had neglected it so badly I had to use a rubber mallet to knock the barrel out of the receiver and the mag tube and gas piston were so thick with baked on crud and rust I could not believe the gun even functioned. It took an entire bag of #0000 steel wool and 1/2 can of Rem-Oil bring it back to a nice mirror clean finish. I won't ever leave it like that again but I do go about a flat of ammo now between cleanings and it runs fine. My hunting partner has one in 12ga and he hunts 7 days a week for 12 weeks each year pounding 3" waterfowl loads through his. He shoots between 1500-2500 rounds each year on waterfowl and he had his first breakdown last season after 8 seasons of hard, hard use. They are great guns with very mild recoil. I've owned a Browning Silver(same guts as an SX3) , a couple Browning Golds and a Maxus(again all the same system as the SX3) and all have been great performers and very reliable. My wife shoots an A400 Xplor in 20ga for hunting and skeet also and it is fussier than my SX3 about what it digests and the recoil is more substantial as the gun is a full pound lighter. Nice gun but I prefer the Browning owned and made Winchester.

 

[Tron]

Friends don't let Friends shoot Browning Simi autos.😁

They are junk.

 

[Schnurb]

I prefer Beretta semi autos. If anything, I like the safety in front as I grew up shooting my 10/22. Might be different if I would have just used my dad's Remington Speed Master.

 

[Jusanothajoe]

I have a A400 Xcel Sporting on order, trading in a Maxus with the hideous safety button.
Worst designed safety on any gun.

 

[LETI]

You cannot go wrong with Beretta semi-auto shotguns. From the 303 to 390 to 391 and now the 400 series they are solid shooters. I have the three hundred series guns and shoot the 303 the most. Shot the a400 the other day and its nice, can't justify another buying one as it feels the same as the 391. All 30" guns. Good Luck!

 

[Lost Lost Lost Dam]

You cannot go wrong with Beretta semi-auto shotguns. From the 303 to 390 to 391 and now the 400 series they are solid shooters. I have the three hundred series guns and shoot the 303 the most. Shot the a400 the other day and its nice, can't justify another buying one as it feels the same as the 391. All 30" guns. Good Luck!

I owned a 391 , A Maxus that was ported
391 was my Favorite
Saving up money for another 391 30”
Work in 2 Gun shops Beretta is my Gun of Choice
Can’t Afford the A 400

 

[Spearheadbill]

I love my Fabarm L4S sporting. I also have the Fabarm XLR5 Waterfowler. I have an A400as well but the last Autoloader I would get rid of would be my L4S

 

[Akbarstrap]

My personal preference for a target/all around semi is the original Maxus. I have a Maxus Golden Clays in maple as well as a wicked wing. I also have an A400 Multi Target. I’d say for me, the recoil is the same on both the beretta and browning but, I much prefer the look and ease of cleaning on the Maxus. I know the Maxus 2 has more recoil absorbers but the piston remains the same- so I wouldn’t trade it for the wood on the original Maxus. I’m not a big fan of the beretta Xtra grain wood or cleaning the spring around the mag tube on the A400. The big plus on the A400MT is the adjustable comb and rib.

I’d stay away from the Benelli inertia system for repeated target shooting. If you’re looking to reduce recoil for heavy shooting, nothing beats a gas auto loader.

 

[Tarpon Hunter]

I have 3 Maxus Golden Clays. My first is my go to for skeet and sporting clays. I liked it so much I bought a maple for the looks and saw another in walnut that was so gorgeous I just had to get it. I've gone through 7-8 boxes with only minor soreness and I have a total shoulder joint replacement. I have shot 1 oz slugs with it but it definitely pounds. I bought a Remington V3 when they first came out. When shooting slugs with it, there is FAR LESS recoil. The butt pad is the reason perhaps. It does have a different gas system. The Versa Max is supposed have even less recoil. Remington has since been bought by Ruger.
My 1st shotgun was a Benelli and sold it due to the recoil. I tried the Beretta 400 last and liked it but the Kick-off system dissuaded me. It gave me cheek slap. I could have gotten it without but figured I didn't need anymore shotguns.

 

[aloha one]

I'm the sentimental type, and would suggest an old Rem 1100 that has not been beat to hell. Reminds me of when the candle was much taller, and most of my life was still up ahead. Remember trophy's and prizes are nice, but our sport is really is all about having fun, bottom line
Good hunting, hope you find one you will treasure
Aloha

 

[Jomama]

I shoot trap A LOT. On occasion I get to shoot a continental bird hunt which is an odd set up. I shoot on those days around 7-8 boxes of 1-1/4 Oz #5’s at 1450fps. They are deadly and I have a blast! Using an O/U I can barely raise my arm for the next two days. I want to find a semi to not only help with the recoil but also hold a few more shells. I’ve taken a Benelli SBE2 out twice now and it’s flawless but still has some bite to it. I like the simplicity of the gun. That being said, I am a Browning shooter and have a lot of brownings which I shoot competivtively. I really like the Browning Maxus Ultimates but never shot one and am afraid of 200-250 dirty-heavy reloads without a cleaning will give the complex gas system some issues.

So I’m torn between the New Browning Maxus Ultimate 2 or the Benelli Montefeltro Silver. Any semi guys opinions out there would be greatly appreciated. TIA

Beretta A400

 

[TheMaineEvent]

My primary trap gun is a Beretta A400 and I can’t recommend it enough. I also have an O/U, but these days that one is mostly relegated to letting an occasional friend use it.

 

[Duckperry]

The only Semi I recommend is a Peterbilt.

Dude...FAS!!!
And as you know.. "Old Semi-Auto trapshooters and truckers never peter out.., they just get a new peterbilt!

 

[murphranch]

Got a Beretta A400 for my 4H kids. Have several smaller framed boys and girls who weren’t liking the recoil of other 12 gauge guns. They haven’t complained about the Beretta at all.


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[Brian in Idaho]

I'm the sentimental type, and would suggest an old Rem 1100 that has not been beat to hell. Reminds me of when the candle was much taller, and most of my life was still up ahead. Remember trophy's and prizes are nice, but our sport is really is all about having fun, bottom line
Good hunting, hope you find one you will treasure
Aloha

I'm a dinosaur too. In my opinion the best old school semi-auto trap gun is a Remington 1100 Magnum with a factory backbored trap barrel (which came with fixed full or screw in choke tubes) and a suitable trap stock. Why a magnum action? Because the magnum barrel sleeve is heavier than the trap barrel sleeve, resulting in softer recoil.

 

[big kahuna]

I've always thought the Remington 1100 was a beautiful shotgun. They usually came with great wood. It's hard for me to get a warm fuzzy feeling over a matte finish and nylon stocks.

 

[jwine]

To me the Brownings Gas operated and Winchesters SX series always have had less recoil but the old 30
0 series Berettas are a lot more dependable. I have not shot the 400 series but friends who shoot them love them. good luck jim