Top 7 (for durability) semi-auto 12 gauges

[retrorichard]

I am trying to start collecting older semi-auto shotguns that are built to last.

Here is my list of tough, reliable semi-auto shotguns in no particular order:

Remington 1100?
Winchester model 50
Benelli M1
Browning a5 (and similar [e.g., remington 11])
Beretta a301-a390
Baikal mp-153
Saiga 12

Thoughts/ additions/deletions?

 

[Markp]

Street Sweeper...

Seriously though, the 1100 jumped into my head first followed by the Saiga.

 

[blackthorne]

Cosmi
Beretta 391
Beretta 390
Beretta 303
Beretta 302
SuperX & Browning family
1100

 

[RangerWillrett]

I just shot a saiga 12 on monday and I really liked it and added it to the want list.

 

[browning guy]

BROWNING A5, COME HELL OR HIGH WATER IT WORKS!!!!!

 

[iHasCrabs]

Id trust my beneli m3 to go bang every time no matter what conditions or ammo I throw in it.i love that thing

Sent from my DROIDX

 

[shaddydan]

A-5 all the way...mechanical is more reliable than gas operated!

 

[rj1974]

The only semi auto shotgun I have is an old Franchi Featherweight in 20g. Its never had a hiccup though and is damned fast .

 

[mopar92]

Any news on reliability of the Remington Versamax?

 

[BigSteve57]

BROWNING A5, COME HELL OR HIGH WATER IT WORKS!!!!!

Yeah! My Auto 5 was a gift from my wife after we got engaged in 1984. It was her wedding gift to me!!! And yes, that sorta made it a shotgun wedding.

Seriously it looks & shoots like the day I got it new at Clyde's Sport Shop.

 

[retrorichard]

The only semi auto shotgun I have is an old Franchi Featherweight in 20g. Its never had a hiccup though and is damned fast .

If it is a franchi al48 it uses the brownning a5 action.

 

[leroygibbs]

It's amazing it took 5 posts to mention the A5....

I'm a beretta shill, but the A5 is a magical beast...

 

[BlackBart]

BROWNING A5, COME HELL OR HIGH WATER IT WORKS!!!!!

Due to the fact that it's been around for OVER 100 years and it was OFTEN copied....yeah, it would have to be #1.

 

[gwhunter350]

Beretta 390 with out a doubt if you can find one!

My dad and I both have them and they both have thousands of rounds through them, minimal cleaning here and there and not one single jam or FTF in either gun. He got his from walmart when they carried them and I got mine from gunbroker. We both paid around 550.

I had an 1187 prior that was the biggest POS gun I have ever owned, jammed constantly.

You will not find a better, faster shooting gun for $550 dollars!

 

[BlackBart]

It's amazing it took 5 posts to mention the A5....

I'm a beretta shill, but the A5 is a magical beast...

That shows the ignorance or partiality of some.

 

[rj1974]

If it is a franchi al48 it uses the brownning a5 action.

Id have to go pull it out and check but that does ring a bell . It has the recoiling barrel . My uncle gave it to me when I was around 19 or 20 for helping him paint the outside of his house .

 

[apexinm3]

Never had an issue with the Benelli M4. Also never with the Benelli M3, either.

 

[retrorichard]

It's amazing it took 5 posts to mention the A5....

I'm a beretta shill, but the A5 is a magical beast...

I thought the A5 was in the first post....

 

[BlackBart]

I thought the A5 was in the first post....

Looks like it is, somehow it was obscure. The fact remains the A-5 is to auto shotguns as the Mauser is to the modern bolt action. Most everything else that followed is just a copy in one way or another.

 

[leroygibbs]

Curses! Reading was never my thing...

But seriously, the A5 was not there...