re: What is the best waterfowl shotgun?

Here it goes:


Two types of semiauto shotguns: Gas-driven and Inertia-driven.

Gas guns (Beretta A300/A400, Remington Versamax, Winchester SX3, etc) use a small amount of the remaining gas from shell ignition to cycle the bolt. They are generally more front-heavy than their inertia-driven counterparts, but offer a decrease in felt recoil and have very little pickiness as as to what shells you shoot.

Inertia guns (Benelli SBE2/Super Vinci, Browning A5, Franchi Intensity/Affinity, Stoeger 3500/3000, etc) use the energy from recoil to cycle the bolt. Since there is no gas system, they are typically lighter on the front end than their gas coutnerparts, but result in increased felt recoil. Since all of the residue from the shot is expelled from the barrel rather than going back into the body, inertia guns shoot much cleaner and can run for longer periods without a basic clean. It's a common myth that all inertia guns struggle with light loads, but this is only true for 3.5" inertia guns. These typically require a break-in period with heavy loads, but some come from the factory with the ability to shoot 1oz. Luck of the draw.


Basic rundown on each

Gas

Beretta A400 - The gold standard for 3.5in gas-driven guns right now, the A400 has the easiest takedown method, the lightest recoil due to the Kick-Off system, an excellent AquaTech coating for corrosion resistance, and great presentation (hard case, 3 chokes, etc). A tad heavy on the front end, but it's worth it for the recoil savings. These are very popular in Argentina. Only knock is the bullshite 1 year warranty. Retail - $1649 (camo) $1549 (black/wood)

Beretta A300 - The 3" version of the A400, it boasts similar benefits but without a 3.5" chamber. Best buy for a 3" gas gun IMO. Same bullshite warranty. Retail - $750 (camo) $650 (black/wood)

Remington Versamax - Struggled at first with a recall, but they are back up to spec and run well. They ripped off the gas system from the Benelli M4 (Benelli's only gas gun) and the recoil is minimal, making it very popular with 3-gun shooters and high-volume waterfowl hunters. Well-balanced, comes with 5 chokes. Dont have an exact retail figure because Remington is a shitty fricking company and treats non-big-box stores like dogshit, but they seem to go online for 1200 or so.

Winchester SX3 - Has the fastest-cycling action on the market (technically the fastest; nobody can perceive the difference) and good recoil distribution. Only thing I hate about it is the coating they put on the synthetic parts. It feels rough and sand paper-y. Great value buy—can be had for around $1000 locally.


Inertia

Benelli Super Black Eagle II - The gold standard of inertia guns, it has the best fit and finish of any mainstream waterfowl gun and can run forever. The best ergonomics (why I got it), awesome crio barrels and chokes, but the takedown has a bit of a learning curve. Mine was able to shoot 1oz loads from day 1, but some people complained about pickiness with light loads. Comes with hard case, 5 chokes, grease, choke wrench, and other goodies. 10 year warranty is the best in the biz. Retail - $1699 (camo), $1599 (black/wood)

Browning A5 - Basically ripped off the SBEII inertia system, but it still kicks arse. The duratouch coating has the best texture out of all the popular waterfowl guns, but it can tarnish and get sticky after ~7 years (you should be buying a new gun by then anyway). 3.5", good trigger, excellent weight distribution and feel (prob best-shouldering gun IMO), simple takedown, excellent sight picture. Like all 3.5" guns, it can be picky about light loads and may require a break-in. 5 year warranty is pretty good. Retail $1469 (camo) $1359 (black/wood)

Franchi Intensity - Benelli's subsidiary, Franchis are Italian-made and offer great value. The Intensity is a 3.5" gun with excellent ergos and a simple takedown method. Like all 3.5" inertia guns, it can be picky. 7 year warranty, which is great, regular box, 3 chokes. Awesome value at $999 (camo) and $899 (black/wood)

Franchi Affinity - The 3" version of the Intensity, see above. Retails at $749 and $649

Stoeger 3500 - Another Benelli subsidiary, Stoegers are made in Turkey and dont offer the same level of refinement and QA that Italian manufacturing offers. That being said, they are cheap and make for awesome "first guns" for a teenager or something. The 3500 is a 3.5" gun and comes with a cardboard box and 3 chokes. It's not too balanced, but it's very reliable out of the box and is also easy to take down. They commonly come caked with cosmoline, so I advise you to strip it after purchasing and clean all that shite off. These sell very well for us because of their great value and performance. These are workhorse guns without all the bells and whistles. Decent 5 year warranty. $649 (camo) $549 (black)

Stoeger 3000 - 3" version of the 3500, see above. $549 (camo) $499 (black)