Which semi auto shotgun?

[parsimonious]

I've decided I'm in the market for a semi auto shotty.

I had my eyes on a mossberg 935. Seen one at the shop today, and
the salesman told me 2.75 shells won't cycle it!

I want one mainly for making empty cardboard boxes dance in the yard,
and potentially for home defense. So I'd like a shorter barrel like 18.5 to
maybe 22''.

Most of all I want something cheap to feed, and south of the $700 range.

 

[Mike_Indy]

I have a 930SPX. I've had some issues cycling Rem 00 2.75. 3" works flawlessly. Very well made and flat fun to shoot.

 

[gunman41mag]

I have two BENELLI M1 SUPER 90, but They are still new in the box, I shoot my BERETTA 1201 FP & it's an excellent shotgun it handle the 2.75 shells with no problems

 

[Expat]

I have a couple Rem 1100s. They shoot 2 3/4 in only. Never had a problem with them ever.

 

[Bang-bang]

Check out Stoeger M2000, $350-400. Great one ,Got 1

 

[Gunaria]

Any semi-auto shotgun is good for shooting at boxes or my favorite, traffic cones. The Mossy 935 will cycle very heavy loads of 2 3/4 inch loads. I have 2 of them. But those loads are not cheap. Heck I just passed on a Winchester 1400 for $100 today. The best advice here is to try to stick with a more modern 12ga semi. The older ones are a PITA to clean. The newer ones can be broken down, cleaned and put back together in 10mins.

 

[illini40]

I've decided I'm in the market for a semi auto shotty.

I had my eyes on a mossberg 935. Seen one at the shop today, and
the salesman told me 2.75 shells won't cycle it!

I want one mainly for making empty cardboard boxes dance in the yard,
and potentially for home defense. So I'd like a shorter barrel like 18.5 to
maybe 22''.

Most of all I want something cheap to feed, and south of the $700 range.

I cannot speak for finding a barrel of that length, but I would toss out the idea of looking for a Remington 11-87. Mine cycles any 2 3/4" and 3" that I have thrown at it.

Also, as above, I would also suggest looking at the Stoegers based on what you are looking for.

 

[nate77]

Sounds like you need a Saiga 12, nothing like having 20 rounds to make those boxes dance.

 

[gglass]

^^^ This ^^^

For what you described as the intended use, you really can't get anything better than a Saiga 12. High volume plinking, and home defense is where the Saiga rules.

 

[sgreen3]

Saiga 12 would be the way to go

 

[LotsofGlocks]

Saiga 12 would be the way to go

 

[clonies]

I've decided I'm in the market for a semi auto shotty.

I had my eyes on a mossberg 935. Seen one at the shop today, and
the salesman told me 2.75 shells won't cycle it!

I want one mainly for making empty cardboard boxes dance in the yard,
and potentially for home defense. So I'd like a shorter barrel like 18.5 to
maybe 22''.

Most of all I want something cheap to feed, and south of the $700 range.

Late 60's-70's Remington 870 Police. Really any kind of older Remington Police. I recently purchased one that looks like it was made in the late 80's-early 90's. I'll be able to find out when once I get it and pull the barrel to check the date code.

ETA: Just re-read your whole question. If you're really looking for an el-cheapo, why not just go to a pawn shop?

 

[Zoub]

I have two BENELLI M1 SUPER 90, but They are still new in the box, I shoot my BERETTA 1201 FP & it's an excellent shotgun it handle the 2.75 shells with no problems

Buy either of these used. You get a great gun for a great price.

 

[Shootin'IN]

Here is a video I took at a local range's pumpkin shooting event where I watched this guy put 20+rounds into this huge drum type mag.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0tRxaFDMnM
Not sure if it is a Saiga but it is a extremely custom full-auto shotgun......Looks like fun!!
That is the way to take care of those bad old pumpkins.LOL

 

[kawtech87]

I know you said you want to stay south of the $700 mark, but if you can swing an extra $300 then I would recomend the FN SLP line. Mine cost right at 1k plus i bought a handfull of chokes a sling and a light load piston for 1/8oz and lighter loads. It comes with 2 pistons one for loads up to 11/2 oz and one for 11/2 and heavier. The total cost of the package was around $1200. Its super easy to dissassemble, clean and swap pistons (takes longer to get the barrel off than to swap pistons). I HAD a saiga 12 and sold it for a few reasons but mostly bc it wasnt a "do it all gun" like the FN is. The FN takes invector chokes and can go from hunting to defense work just by switching the choke/ammo. The middle piston handles 90% of 12 gauge stuff and spends the most time in my gun. 23/4 loads cycle it just fine. I did months of research looking for a semi-auto shotgun and i chose the FN and i coudnt be happier. Yeah it "ONLY" holds 9 rounds, but it also doesnt have the ugly and hard to manuver with mag hanging down to your knees. Check out the FN I think youll be pleasntly surprised. Mine has close to 1k rounds through it without malfunction. Oh I almost forgot..... THE FN IS MADE IN THE U.S.A!

 

[2cool9031]

I guess I am stuck in a time warp with my Remington MDL 11 and my MDL 48

 

[smythe012]

Check out Stoeger M2000, $350-400. Great one ,Got 1

I second the Stoeger. I have two 2000's, one of which I've owned for seven years and haven't had a single problem. If you want to increase the capacity you can easily add on. See the link below:

NC Shotgun Extension Tubes

That plus an extra barrel, pistol grip...all for under $700.

 

[Chapparal]

Find a nice older A5. They can be had for south of your price point and are solid guns. I have them made in BE and in JN and both work very well. 2 3/4" is plenty for game. Longer barrel the better! Also, they are a bit heavier so the recoil is not as bad as with say a light pump shotgun. My old Remington beat my shoulder worse than the .44MAG...

 

[jeremy]

My Mossberg 930 cycles 2 3/4 all day long...

 

[junglerogue]

+1 for Benelli M1/2/3/4. The only problem I had was due to a cheap Tacstar extension that basically broke up. Here's a grainy vid of it in action