re: What is the best waterfowl shotgun?

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I will point out, if you shoot a Mag 12, you will not need to buy a new gun in 7 years


Why is that?

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Because they don't break. It's that simple. Ask any gunsmith and they'll tell you that 95% of Auto 5's that they work on either don't have the rings sets right or they haven't been cleaned in years.

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Those old Wingmaster's are damn fine shotguns. Wearing one out is a testament to how much your dad hunted and how loyal he was to that Wingmaster. Takes years of killing critters to wear one of those out

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Got one the put grocery's on the table for many years. Flat worn out. Even the blueing is gone off the receiver.

I have killed a bunch of ducks with a wood stock 1187 I got in 1987.

I bet there has been at least 10,000 rounds through that gun and it is still my go to duck gun.

(Do not buy the Wal Mart version of this gun that is now being sold. I know two people that did and both had trouble. Find an old one.)

Just read this whole thread. I'm in the market for a duck/goose hunting shotgun. I'm a hunting novice, I've been on 3 trips with friends and enjoy it and want to continue doing it.

I'm a lefty. First trip, borrowed a friend's Browning BPS 28". 2nd trip, used an 870 express. 3rd trip, borrowed a Beretta A300.

Of those 3, I liked the BPS the most, probably because of its ambidextrous style.

So I'm leaning to picking up a BPS, but I'm also considering spending a little more and getting a semi-auto.

Besides the obvious things like the safety orientation and the shell ejection, is there any difference on a left-handed specific shotgun?


If I get a pump, I'll likely get the BPS.

Doesn't seem like there are many left handed options out there.

Benelli SBE2
Benelli M2
Beretta A400
Franchi Affinity
Remington VersaMax
Charles Daly 600LH
Escort Extreme
Tristar Viper G2


Any advice?

I still shot a Benelli Nova pump that's 15 yes old. I'm not a great shot but put plenty of birds in the freezer. It's def a personal pref.

A blue/walnut montefeltro 12ga will be my nice shotgun one day.

Price jump from the BPS to the others mentioned is pretty substantial, especially the A400 and the SBE2. The M2 would be my pick. Pretty much the same gun as the SBE2 but isn't chambered for 3.5" shells which isn't a big deal and is much cheaper.

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Just read this whole thread. I'm in the market for a duck/goose hunting shotgun. I'm a hunting novice, I've been on 3 trips with friends and enjoy it and want to continue doing it.

I'm a lefty. First trip, borrowed a friend's Browning BPS 28". 2nd trip, used an 870 express. 3rd trip, borrowed a Beretta A300.

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I'm not a lefty so I can't provide much value from that standpoint, but I own all three of these guns and they're all great.

My dad has hunted with the same Browning BPS 12 gauge for nearly 40 years and has never once had a problem with it. He takes very good care of his shotguns, which is precisely why it's in immaculate condition. Brownings are the guns you hand down to your grandkids.

I've been duck hunting for over a quarter century and have pretty much exclusively used 870 Expresses. The lone exception was when I stepped up from 20 to 12 and I used my grandfather's 870 Wingmaster. I've had my 870 Express Super Mag for 15 years and swear by it.

I decided to try an automatic this year so I bought an A300. I've only hunted twice with it but it's done very well, and I like the weight and low amount of recoil. It and Stoeger are probably the best bang for your buck (no pun intended) on the auto market.

Also, in my experience, the type of hunting you do largely should dictate what gun you use. Heavy pumps generally aren't good for rice field hunting, especially if you're pass shooting and sky busting. If you're hunting tall timber where the ducks have to climb out after lighting, an automatic isn't a must. If you're standing by a tree and not in a blind, you might want to go light.

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Just got a Franchi affinity and I've been happy with it.

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Pity that only available in black and in the 3" affinity version and not the 3.5" intensity version.

The few times I've hunted have been in a rice field in Kaplan area where we've done a fair bit of goose hunting, so I think I want the 3.5" capability for flexibility, but I guess it isn't a necessity.

Love my A400.