Thumbs
Up and Thumbs Down on Autoloading Shotguns: and Why
I've
been asked many, many times to give a brief thumbs up or thumbs down verdict
on several firearms. Since this is so very rarely done, I'll take a stab
at it. I've always found it to be a bit frustrating to read a product
review where no clear impression, much less an actual conclusion is ever
arrived at. If all everyone wanted is to just read catalog copy and ad-brags,
surely there is enough of that to go around.
As
this is written, September, 2013, I'm mindful that the “brand new,
all new” 2014 models are soon to be announced. Things can change
in a hurry. So, here we go, the thumbs up autos followed by the thumbs
down category, in no particular order. You'll note that there are more
thumbs-up models than thumbs-down offerings, and a few companies managed
to hit both categories as well.
THUMBS UP
WEATHERBY
SA-08 DELUXE
In
either 20 or 12 gauge, this ATA made autoloader is one of the best imports
I've used in some time. Easy on the eyes and shoulder alike, it has what
you don't find very often: authentic walnut, decent triggers, extremely
light weight, and a better than average recoil pad. Weatherby has done
a very good job continually improving this line and they stand behind
their product.
REMINGTON
VERSA-MAX
After
a very poor launch saddled with an instant recall, the Versa-Max has been
improved to the point where it merits serious consideration for the goose
pit. Pushing eight pounds and with an extremely thick recoil pad, Remington's
take on the Benelli M4 Super 90 gas gun is a very, very soft shooter and
now is available in a Sportsman basic version that is easier on the wallet
than the initial offering. It took three years, but it is the best Remington
branded autoloader introduced since 1963.
BENELLI
VINCI
Of
the crop of new autoloaders that hit the market more or less together
in 2010, the Vinci has proved to be one of the most innovative and hassle-free.
While the aesthetics may inspire or dismay, it has good shell handling,
a reasonable seven pound weight, and a ComforTech stock that is no gimmick,
but a huge improvement in shooting comfort over a conventional stock.
FRANCHI
AFFINITY
A
very well-built inertia shotgun, with very good triggers, the only cause
for lament is the goofy notched recoil pad that makes aftermarket additions
problematic. It is priced right and functions beautifully.
MOSSBERG
930
The
Mossberg 930 is a value-priced model that has better triggers and a lower
price than many would think possible. A moderately heavy model, it defines
the “all-around” gas autoloader.
GIRSAN
MC 312
Extremely
well-built at an attractive price, the 12 gauge only MC 312 is one of
the latest inertia autoloaders: a seven pound autoloader that is essentially
maintenance-free. It handles 1 oz. 1180 fps loads right out of the box
and handles them well.
FABARM
XLR5 VELOCITY
The
best made, most fully featured autoloading target gun on the market today,
with the most non-gunsmithing user adjustments, the softest recoil, and
backed by the best customer service team in the industry.
BROWNING
MAXUS
Although
the Maxus retains the heavy triggers of most current Browning autoloaders,
it is one of the softest-shooting seven pound autoloaders out there, well-finished
in the “Hunter” and other walnut versions, and is Browning's
best autoloading shotgun as far as I'm concerned.
WINCHESTER
SX3
The
SX3 (and Browning Silver) share the same action, and can save you a few
pesos compared the Maxus if you like the raised rib (SX3) and can do without
the speed loading feature. Again pleasantly soft-shooting, as the Browning
Active valve gas guns always have been.
THUMBS
DOWN
BROWNING
A5
While
quite functional, ridiculously heavy triggers, an obnoxious center bead
in a non-tapped hole, harsh recoil despite a fine pad, and an incomprehensible
choke tube system all combine to leave a sense of it being over-priced
and also that it could have been done a whole lot better. While not a
disaster, it is a very hard shotgun to love.
CZ
712 and CZ 912
While
CZ-USA is a fine company, the Huglo autoloaders are poorly finished, jam-prone,
and aren't improving. It is currently the type of product you'll have
to buy twice and that is no one's bargain.
BERETTA
A400
Full
of gimmicks, fake dip plasta-wood finishes, the pogo stick plastic kick-off,
a shot counter by Nintendo in the Xcel model, another choke tube system
that improves nothing, the A400 line is an advance to the rear. Nagging
problems with soft, sourced parts remain. It defines 500 years unmarred
by progress and is tragically over-priced as well. The bafflingly weak
one year Beretta limited warranty (three years with a peculiar "within
30 days" registration scheme) is not at all confidence inspiring,
in particular when compared to the seven years from Franchi/Beretta and
the ten years from Benelli/Beretta. Overly hollow stocks that are difficult
to fit, finishes impossible to match, and horrifically over-priced extra
barrels ($799) all combine to make the A400 series one that has caused
dedicated 391 and 390 Beretta aficionados to shake their collective heads
and go elsewhere.
STOEGER
MODEL 3000 and MODEL 3500
Yes,
a price-point gun, but with a generally dismal track record that makes
many wish they had gone elsewhere, even within the Beretta family to the
Franchi Affinity, if not to Girsan and others that offer clearly better-built
product. Heavy ribs, heavy triggers, and overly heavy guns are part and
parcel of the Stoeger line. For the same dollars, or a just a few dollars
more, we can all do much better.
Copyright
2013 by Randy Wakeman. All Rights Reserved.
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