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Plan on buying buying a new shotgun - duck , goose, turkey - semi-auto 12 gauge 3.5". Please give opinions on makes/models and any info on the differences barrel length make with all these options we have in choke tubes?

Thanks -

If your buying a 3.5 inch autoloader your more than likely gonna spend close too 1,000 if not more.. For that amount of money just about all your choices are gonna be good guns.. Sure you may have a bad one in the now and then, but stick with a gun that has been around a few years and your likely not going to have any troubles with them.. Every few years gun manufacturers come out with the newest model.. I like to give them a few years to work out the bugs. My suggestion is go to a store that offers several different models or go to a gun show where you can handle several different guns. The one that fits you best is probably the one your gonna like the most.... Oh and you don't need 3.5 inch shells to kill ducks, geese or turkey's and the factory choke tubes are just as good if not better than all the fancy smancy ones they sell in the stores.

I agree with pretty much everythign CWink said. As far as barrel length I think the 28' helps with swing and follow through thus improving accuracy for most people. But, if you hunt a lot out of a pit I prefer a 26" from the standpoint of not needing as much space.

Anything under a 26" = an ear buster

I know this is a discussion that can and has lasted for decades, but honestly at 1000 - 1500 dollars per shotgun all are a good choice. It pretty much depends an your preference of brand and feel. I like benelli's and browning's especially the SBE II 3.5 with a 26 barrel and the Browning Gold 3.5 with a 26. I know a lot of folks complain about the Gold but I have never had a problem just clean the gas system occasionally. And as far as the Benelli, what else can you say - its a Benelli.

As far as barrel length I have found the 26 to be a better fit for me and I haven't noticed any decrease (much) in pattern or distance. I think it all boils down to what you like and ghow it feels when you shoulder it.

Remember, they were killing ducks a plenty with Stevens Single shots long before super duper overpriced recoil absorbing long range with sexy camo autoloaders came around.

I got a Winchester SX2 off the DS classifieds last year for $550. Great gun, shoots 3.5", and hasn't hung up on me once even after being submerged a few times. Keep it clean and it'll keep shooting.

That being said, I agree with the fella that said you don't need a 3.5" gun to shoot ducks and turkeys. I wish mine had a 3" chamber so I could shoot low-brass reliably. Btw, SX2 and SX3 are pretty much the same quality gun, but the SX2 is a bit heavier little different profile. Big difference in price though.

Don Miller wrote:Anything under a 26" = an ear buster

26" Is bad enough by itself..Especially in a boat, or over someone's head

Buckwabit wrote:

Don Miller wrote:Anything under a 26" = an ear buster

26" Is bad enough by itself..Especially in a boat, or over someone's head

Speaking of 'Ear Busters', nobody has mentioned this yet, but unless you plan to hunt alone or with LOTS of ear protection for your hunting buddies, I'd think twice before getting a shotgun with a ported barrel. I use one and it helps reduce recoil, but then, I hunt with people that reload their own shells with near dynamite loads, soooo....