Inertia or Gas Drive Semi-Auto Shotgun?

[woods0824]

Tried a lot of different guns over the years, I shot the SBE2 better than anything else but got tired of the "click". Always coming out of battery, especially in lay out blinds. Got rid of it and shot a Maxus (failed in cold weather), Beretta (didn't care for the feel of it), 870 wingmaster, and others. Always missed the SBE2. When the SBE3 came out I picked one up at could not get it to pattern to poa. Sent it back for repairs and since then it's been awesome. Shoots a great pattern 60/40 at 30 yards with factory full and boss #4s. I'm glad I didn't give up on it.
The F3 only comes out for the clays course and the dove field. Otherwise the SBE3 is fantastic For Me. Also have an M2 20 gauge for birds over decoys. I don't care for cleaning gas guns so it's an easy choice on the front.

 

[Safari Dave]

Got a SBE 2 that is great.


I think a SBE 3 will be better. Just waiting to pounce!

 

[Neil Molendyk]

Shotguns eh?
First shotgun I ever owned was a Ithaca Mod 37, 2 3/4". Basic firearm, shot a ton of ducks with it but now the left-handed grandkids use it for waterfowl hunting, granddaughter just got her first goose with it yesterday.
I then acquired a gas operated Remington 1100 3" magnum. Nice gun but it seems to need more cleaning than I'm happy with (in the field). Finicky with 2 3/4" shells even when using the 2 3/4" chambered barrel.
Then I purchased a Browning Citori White Lightning O/U. Chambered for 2 3/4", 3"and 3 1/2". Nice gun for field, sporting clays and migratory, but once again my third son, another southpaw, has really enjoyed using it. He shoots it well.
Lastly I bought a Benelli Super Vinci because I thought I needed an inertia style shotgun, capable of 2 3/4" as well as 3" and 3 1/2". The jury is still out on it but it's lot in life is a goose hunting shotgun. It sure is different feeling than the gas operated Rem 1100. It's my newest dance partner, however my 14 year old grandson just came home with 4 Speckled Geese and 3 Canada Geese yesterday and I think he is taking a shine to it.

I might have to buy another shotgun so I'll keep watching this thread. Not a bad dilemma to have, i suppose

 

[Ridge Runner]

I love the gas operated semi autos. However, I am a dedicated inertia operating system. And I use predominantly pump shotguns and SxS, except on doves, and occasionally for waterfowl.

[Semi] Autos, with me any ways, have a tendency to waste that second or third shell.

For deer and other big game; and for small game, ie rabbit with dogs, the gas operated is great for faster follow up shots; when / if needing a third shot.

I'm a (in 12 gauge) Remington 870, 1100, 11-87, and in a double L.C. Smith, J.C.Higgins, Ithaca, and in bolt shotguns a Stevens fan. For various reasons, mainly the childhood and young adult memories.

 

[Altitude sickness]

I have both Italian and Turkish inertia and American gas guns. I don’t shoot my shotguns much anymore. When I know I’m going to be shooting a lot. I prefer a versa max.

For early season partridge or woodcock. The cheap Stoeger O/U comes out. 20” barrels with multiple chokes. Improved usually. Handy in the stuff we plow through.

I would like to find a used CZ sharptail coach with nicely figured walnut, color case hardened action, 20 or 28 gauge and 20” barrels.

 

[BeeMaa]

@Altitude sickness - Is the Versa Max the one that uses ports in the chamber to cycle the action? So 2 3/4” shells cover less ports so more gas is bled to cycle the action and if a 3.5” shell is used it bleeds off less?

 

[Altitude sickness]

Yes Sir

 

[Altitude sickness]

I traded my VersaMax tactical that I used in 3gun competition. It never had a malfunction. Of course very heavy when fully loaded

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

The Eternal Battle of Gas versus Recoil Autoloading Shotguns

Randy Wakeman Outdoors is the independent resource for candid, hard-hitting firearms information, evaluations, and opinions.

randywakeman.com

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

The Design Defect of the Benelli Super Black Eagle 3

Randy Wakeman Outdoors is the independent resource for candid, hard-hitting firearms information, evaluations, and opinions.

randywakeman.com

 

[HankBuck]

I shoot everything with a ten pound 1961 Browning A5 magnum ... and I shoot it well.
View attachment 563803
View attachment 563806
The A5 was introduced in 1903, the world's first auto shotgun. It utilizes the long recoil system: barrel retracts during cycling to eject shells. If it is adjusted properly, the A5's recoil is every bit as "soft" as gas guns of the same weight (e.g. Remington 1100). The difference is the "double-shuffle" of bolt AND barrel jumping forward in the shooter's hands during cycling vs just the bolt for inertia or gas guns. Follow up shots with the old A5 are probably not as "fast" as gas guns but fast shooting is vastly overrated.

A couple of years ago I had a mishap at the range when a primer inexplicably blew up in my shotgun (only the primer - powder never detonated). I borrowed a Benelli auto to finish the rabbit station on our clays course. I cleaned the station without a miss. "Wow, Pat. You should buy that gun. Chris has it up for sale." No thanks. The recoil, compared to my A5, knocked my head off. I was shooting in shirts sleeves and it hurt! And just 1 oz trap loads too. Can't imagine how much unfun it would be firing 3" goose loads.

10 pounds - TEN Pounds ? What is that made out of - Lead? I never knew the older models were that heavy. Growing up one of my friends got a Belgium A5 12 gauge for Christmas in 1970 and he was the envy of us all in the duck blind. Great gun, chambered for 2 3/4” shells but that was all that was ever needed since “lead shot” was still legal. (I still never shoot anything but 2 3/4” except for Turkey or Buckshot for deer). His fixed modified choke and 28” barrel was perfect and he became the best shot out of all of us. That gun rarely jammed, even when he used some very old “paper” shells.
But I’m certain his A5 didnt weigh anywhere near 10 pounds. I guess for duck hunting it wouldn’t matter because your not carrying it around for miles - we hunted from a blind or boat and rearely walked more the a few feet.
Bottom line - you shoot your A5 well, it’s reliable, you have confidence in it and “it’s a CLASSIC....that’s GREAT !!

Later, 1971, I inherited a New Remington 11-48 and it matched the Browning in reliability and also never jammed regardless of conditions (even with paper shells).

 

[Challer]

As it turns out, my first 12G was a Benelli M1 field with wonderful furniture. My 2nd 12G was a Beretta AL390. Both are best in class in my opinion. The M1 is much more nimble in the field but the inertia may choke on certain shells. The 390 eats everything and the Cole's spring kit makes it even better. I now have two 390's and no M1s (although I wish I had not sold it.) Beretta never improved upon the 390 in many minds.

That said, the bulk of my bird hunting is with an F3, same as @BeeMaa or a sub gauge Fausti/Zoli

 

[HankBuck]

Seems simple right? That's what I thought.

Those of you who know me will recall that I'm a huge fan of the Benelli SBE3 with its inertia drive. What I didn't know is what I was missing by not shooting a gas gun.
It started with the purchase of a used Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus (gas drive) from another AH member. He swore that this shotgun will change my views on inertia vs gas drive. I was psyched to find out for myself.

First impressions of the Beretta were very good. Excellent fit and finish. Adjustable stock with shim plates. Recoil mitigation system in the butt stock. All of these are good, but I have these on my Benelli as well. So what does this gas gun offer over the Benelli?

Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus 30" barrel in the foreground with my SBE3 covered in the slip behind it.
View attachment 563786

One trip to the range will answer this question. Anyone who has a few years of shooting an inertia shotgun will immediately feel the difference when picking up a gas gun. The first thing I noticed is the hand-filling forend that is necessitated by the gas drive hidden beneath. Mount the shotgun and the first shot reveals the recoil impulse is SOOO much different. Also, the weight of the A400 is a little more than the SBE3 so it feels like less recoil…call it softer shooting. It was really quite enjoyable.

Two rounds of wobble trap (19 & 21) to warm up and off to the sporting clays range where I put another 4 boxes of ammo down it. The results were not what I expected. I shot poorly and the blame is on me. If I had taken the time to fit the shotgun properly, I’m sure the results would have been much better. I didn’t…and so paid the price. More on this later.*

That being said, this Beretta A400 shotgun really surprised me. They say the devil is in the details and Beretta paid attention. Good trigger, quick take-down, very few parts, recoil mitigation, adjustable stock, super easy loading, enlarged charging handle and bolt release. Of course this doesn’t apply to every gas shotgun, but they were welcome upgrades that waterfowlers (like me) look for. It’s truly a premium gas operated shotgun.

The one thing that sticks with me about this particular gas operated shotgun is how soft it felt in recoil compared to the inertia drive. It was amazing. Will it tame 3.5” turkey loads better? Probably no more than any other shotgun capable of doing so, but I haven’t gotten there yet. *The reason I’m not fitting this shotgun to me is that it’s for my Pop to use when he comes to town and want to hit the range. I’ll fit it to him and leave it that way. This was simply a test to see if I would like shooting it or not.

In the end, I switched to the SBE3 for a couple clays after missing with the A400…they turned to dust. And it just felt right to me. Maybe after all these years I’m not capable of making the switch because I’m too accustomed to the recoil impulse and slim feel of the forend on an inertia shotgun. For that reason, I’m firmly in the inertia drive camp. Special thank you to @Garrett89 for making it a close call.

I know there are a more than a couple of members out there who have share in the passion for semi-auto shotguns. What do you guys shoot and why?

BeeMaa good topic and thread - lots of interesting opinions posted so far and it’s helping me “catch up” on the latest trends for semi autos. From what I’m reading here the SBE3 is a significant improvement over the SBE2. That matches my own observations regarding the SBE2 which I think is inferior to the SBE1. I have the original and bought my Son the SBE2. While his works fine and cycles reliably in hunting conditions the trigger pull is awful and prone to getting “debris” in it requiring it to be sent back and repaired. It also felt “cheap” although the camo pattern looked “cool” and that helps market it well. He shot it very well and thats really the most important thing. While he could shoot straight rounds of skeet with it - it was just for practice as this is his duck-gun and not designed to be a competition gun, most competitive Clays shooters that use a semi auto use gas operated and the Beretta is very popular.

Learning from this thread the SBE3 is a worthwhile addition to a duck hunters firearm collection. While the Benelli “click” was never a problem for me - it did happen a few times and is annoying, it’s easily mitigated by just checking your bolt occasionally and that becomes “compulsive” while sitting in the duck blind — pushing bolt forward while sitting there or occasionally pulling bolt back and releasing forward. But its an improvement if the SBE3 you do NOT have to even think about it.
I like the Benelli Montefeltro and SBE1 equally and both have served me well waterfowling...plus they are Left Hand actions so thats a treat for a lefty! I have No need for a 3 1/2 chamber but tolerate it because it handles 2 3/4’ or 3” just fine. Also, although I like “wood” and think camo stocks are unnecessary - that plastic stock can take a beating and never looks any worse for the wear (because it never looked “beautiful” to begin with). I hunted almost exclusively in tidal salt water and the Ocean for sea ducks - the plastic stock and painted barrel finish on the SBE has held up well for 20+ years and that makes up for any lack-of-beauty.
I’ve heard - and this thread seems to confirm - that the Beretta A400 is an improvement in reliability over it’s previous model and doesn’t jam as much while hunting in cold or inclement weather.....good to know that there is a reliable gas operated alternative to the SBEs.

 

[CJW]

I shoot a Browning Gold Hunter 12 ga. mostly. My mom bought it in secret when I was 14. It just so happens that it fits me like a glove and I love the reduced recoil. The only gun I will never get rid of. I still want an A5 12 and 20 magnum and a sweet 16.

That said the trim lines of the inertia guns are nice as well. The SBE has always intrigued me and the 20's would be great to carry.

 

[CJW]

I shoot everything with a ten pound 1961 Browning A5 magnum ... and I shoot it well.
View attachment 563803
View attachment 563806
The A5 was introduced in 1903, the world's first auto shotgun. It utilizes the long recoil system: barrel retracts during cycling to eject shells. If it is adjusted properly, the A5's recoil is every bit as "soft" as gas guns of the same weight (e.g. Remington 1100). The difference is the "double-shuffle" of bolt AND barrel jumping forward in the shooter's hands during cycling vs just the bolt for inertia or gas guns. Follow up shots with the old A5 are probably not as "fast" as gas guns but fast shooting is vastly overrated.

A couple of years ago I had a mishap at the range when a primer inexplicably blew up in my shotgun (only the primer - powder never detonated). I borrowed a Benelli auto to finish the rabbit station on our clays course. I cleaned the station without a miss. "Wow, Pat. You should buy that gun. Chris has it up for sale." No thanks. The recoil, compared to my A5, knocked my head off. I was shooting in shirts sleeves and it hurt! And just 1 oz trap loads too. Can't imagine how much unfun it would be firing 3" goose loads.

10 pounds? That Brownings Heavy Duck version?

 

[BeeMaa]

The Design Defect of the Benelli Super Black Eagle 3

Randy Wakeman Outdoors is the independent resource for candid, hard-hitting firearms information, evaluations, and opinions.

randywakeman.com

I heard about this before I purchased my SBE3 but it prints perfectly. My understanding is that some of the early models had this issue and Benelli made a correction at the factory. I've also seen YT videos talking about it and how to fix it without sending it back. Seems to be a case by case basis, but I haven't had an issue.

Here are pictures of my turkey patterns at 30 and 60 yards holding the front bead directly in the middle of the red dot. There is no mid-bead on my shotgun.

30 yards is near 70% high & 30% low, but dead center. This is where I like it so I can see my target, not just the bead.

60 yards is around 40% high & 60% low but to be expected with the shot dropping.

 

[BeeMaa]

BeeMaa good topic and thread - lots of interesting opinions posted so far and it’s helping me “catch up” on the latest trends for semi autos. From what I’m reading here the SBE3 is a significant improvement over the SBE2. That matches my own observations regarding the SBE2 which I think is inferior to the SBE1. I have the original and bought my Son the SBE2. While his works fine and cycles reliably in hunting conditions the trigger pull is awful and prone to getting “debris” in it requiring it to be sent back and repaired. It also felt “cheap” although the camo pattern looked “cool” and that helps market it well. He shot it very well and thats really the most important thing. While he could shoot straight rounds of skeet with it - it was just for practice as this is his duck-gun and not designed to be a competition gun, most competitive Clays shooters that use a semi auto use gas operated and the Beretta is very popular.

Learning from this thread the SBE3 is a worthwhile addition to a duck hunters firearm collection. While the Benelli “click” was never a problem for me - it did happen a few times and is annoying, it’s easily mitigated by just checking your bolt occasionally and that becomes “compulsive” while sitting in the duck blind — pushing bolt forward while sitting there or occasionally pulling bolt back and releasing forward. But its an improvement if the SBE3 you do NOT have to even think about it.
I like the Benelli Montefeltro and SBE1 equally and both have served me well waterfowling...plus they are Left Hand actions so thats a treat for a lefty! I have No need for a 3 1/2 chamber but tolerate it because it handles 2 3/4’ or 3” just fine. Also, although I like “wood” and think camo stocks are unnecessary - that plastic stock can take a beating and never looks any worse for the wear (because it never looked “beautiful” to begin with). I hunted almost exclusively in tidal salt water and the Ocean for sea ducks - the plastic stock and painted barrel finish on the SBE has held up well for 20+ years and that makes up for any lack-of-beauty.
I’ve heard - and this thread seems to confirm - that the Beretta A400 is an improvement in reliability over it’s previous model and doesn’t jam as much while hunting in cold or inclement weather.....good to know that there is a reliable gas operated alternative to the SBEs.

FYI - The Benelli SBE3 is available in LH models in both Black and Realtree Max 7...sorry no timber options. Yes, to get the wood stock on a LH Benelli you have to go with a Montefeltro.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

A5 is a goose killing machine. Here's about an hour's work this morning and nine shots = five geese. Actually had to shoot two of them again as they were falling. I have to make sure they are dead if they fall in the standing corn. If I'm only batting five hundred, it's time to hang it up for the day. The dogs and I were looking for a downed honker in standing corn when I bumped into a huge black bear about twenty yards away. I called the dogs back and it turned and ambled off. Hardly made a sound going through the corn. I'd say it was at least 300 lbs. Very large but not freaky huge.

Didn't have time to get decoys staked up before flocks started coming.

I have a dozen old G&H shells Dad bought me in 1974 (left) and a dozen of the new model (right). If the field looks shitty, it's because it is. Dairy farmer spread shit on this field two days ago. Honkers love it. A lot of half digested grain and corn for them to pick through. Also the honey wagon has huge fat tires that smash down the corn stalks, making handy landing strips for the geese. The field was quite dry today but still aromatic. After a while I don't even notice the stink.

Someone is going for a swim before we get home!

Everything bagged up and ready for the 3/4 mile hike to the vehicle.

 

[BeeMaa]

Not to hijack Beema's thread... But since we are talking about shotguns.....

Has anyone tried one of these??

PrimeFaces Rain - Login

I've heard about these but never seen one in person. Not a bad idea if you are hell bent on using a break action shotgun for waterfowl. The only downsides I see is the weight and speed of reloading. Coming in at 8.5 lbs it outweighs most other semi-autos (and O/U's for that matter) but it does serve the purpose of absorbing more recoil from stout goose loads. No ejectors would be a problem having to reach down and pluck out the empties and then load. I believe feeding a magazine tube would be a little quicker and easier to top off if you only shot once or twice.

I gave a valiant effort into trying an O/U for waterfowl but I couldn't make it work for me. It was a Browning Cynergy Wicked Wing with 3.5" chambers (with ejectors) that now belongs to the person I'm responding to. It was a great shotgun and I hope he's enjoying it.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Never heard of the triple barrel either. Apparently it's been around for awhile.