12 gauge gas operated suggestion’s

4 or 5 seasons with Berreta A 400 Extrema , and no problems so far , from my gun .
Also hold the skyscraper record for furthest shot, pass shooting geese , verified with range finder , from my buddy , while I was shooting. Can't and won't tell you yardage, no one will believe it .
 
Beretta and Fabarm are both great recommendations.

As previously mentioned there are a multitude of configurations in the A400 along with lots of accessories and parts should you need a repair.
You commented above about the Remington 1100 feeling bulky in your hand compared to the AL48. I believe you will find all gas guns, including the Beretta/Fabarm, to have this more bulky feel in the forearm to accommodate the gas operating system. I believe Fabarm is a part of Caesar Guerini, so you should have great customer service if you go that direction.

You have a great dealer in PA, with Joel Etchen who carries both lines.
 
I use to do a lot of ducking hunting. One friend had an 1100. He got the name of one shot Richard. Every time we go out together he get in a few shots, then would be down to one shot. I have use a lot of pump action over the years, a few brake action. I never use a auto loader. Seen to many problems with them. A pump you generally brake down in the field and correct a problem. Autoloaders different. My go to shotgun was an 870 pump in several gauges. There action were stiff to start with. After using them they would finally loosen up. I got an BPS in 28 gauge several years back. The action was smooth as glass. I now have them in 410, 28, 20, and 12 gauge. The 12 gauge is chamber from 2 3/4" to 3 1/2". I am after a 16 gauge and 10 gauge if I can find them new. The problem is you can't hardly find any of them presently My go to shotgun was an 870 in 2 3/4" chamber. I would change barrel as needed. I have barrels in 24" IC, 30", and 34" barrels. I loaded a shot shells in 2 3/4" with about 35grs of Blue dot. 1 3/8 oz shot load. I just changed shot sizes on what type of birds I was hunting until steel shot was required for ducks.
The best part of that was when dove hunting. There were a lot of sky busters out there. With my 24" IC with the 1 3/8 oz load I could reach out to 50 yds. Others would try that with there 1oz loads. I would finely get mad and change to my 34" trap barrel. I could make 50yds look like child play. Others would see me taking dove at the 75yd mark. They then try it too. Watch them burn their shells. 🤣 🤣. Most never figure out what was going on.
 
4 or 5 seasons with Berreta A 400 Extrema , and no problems so far , from my gun .
Also hold the skyscraper record for furthest shot, pass shooting geese , verified with range finder , from my buddy , while I was shooting. Can't and won't tell you yardage, no one will believe it .
The magic pellet
 
Beretta and Fabarm are both great recommendations.

As previously mentioned there are a multitude of configurations in the A400 along with lots of accessories and parts should you need a repair.
You commented above about the Remington 1100 feeling bulky in your hand compared to the AL48. I believe you will find all gas guns, including the Beretta/Fabarm, to have this more bulky feel in the forearm to accommodate the gas operating system. I believe Fabarm is a part of Caesar Guerini, so you should have great customer service if you go that direction.

You have a great dealer in PA, with Joel Etchen who carries both lines.
Thanks frogfan. I did look up his shop and it's about 1 1/2 hours from me. I will call and see what he has on the shelf.
 
4 or 5 seasons with Berreta A 400 Extrema , and no problems so far , from my gun .
Also hold the skyscraper record for furthest shot, pass shooting geese , verified with range finder , from my buddy , while I was shooting. Can't and won't tell you yardage, no one will believe it .
I'd like to guess. 120 yards?
 
If you can find a SX3 it comes with the adjustable stock they are 3.5 chamber but I shoot more 3" shells and I've shot more sporting clays
with it than all my other guns combined. I can't speak for the SX4 but most of what I've heard is that it's not nearly as good as the SX3 that being said a lot of my duck hunting buddies love there berreta
 
I've had many years of good luck with the Remington 1100 in a 30" tube, then the 1187 in a 26" configuration. The Swiss gunsmith I've long used shaved the comb down on the 1187 to a production finish as I don't like sustained recoil. Liked the 1187 better for trap & skeet although neither one is my specific for the sport. My main pursuits have been the big upland chickens, then greenheads and Canada Geese.

Both shotguns have accounted for well over a hundred skunks as well as foxes, close quarter coyotes, etc., around my farm buildings plus aerial predators who have developed a taste for our chickens. All these critters must think that the seeming friendly ambling figure wandering around the front yard garden area, then into the back machinery area, furtively in and out of buildings and likely can't notice or see anything under that worn out, drooping old cowpoke hat - Hah!

For your careful consideration BD 68, you may wish to have a look at the Weatherby Element too as a colleague tells me his recent purchase is light in weight, equally so in recoil, flawless in operation, well balanced, and fits him like a glove. Plus, the price to him in the walnut finish was very reasonable.

Good Luck, shoot straight, stay safe and God Bless America!
 
I'm gonna stick my neck out here based on experience with a Hatsun Escort, the biggest drawback to this shotgun is the amazingly horrible trigger, so much so that I thought the safety was stuck on. After removing the trigger group, polishing all mating pieces and replacing the hammer spring with a lighter one, it's a serviceable auto loader with a decent trigger. I've purposely mixed light and heavy loads trying to get it to jam but it has fired everything flawlessly. It's the 26in Turkey model from Sportsman's Warehouse with the fiber optic sights. On sale it was 329.00.
 
Someone mentioned the V3. If they are making them again that may be a good option as well I think the waterfowl edition has adjustable shims. I had one for a while and it was a good gun but had a harder at time to get it apart than the berreta or the versamax. Browning also released the maxus II but I know nothing about it.
 

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