re: Help me pick a shotgun

Beretta 300 or a used 390.

The old 390s are workhorses - great duck hunting guns.

The 390 with a standard modified choke will throw steel out a long way with deadly impact.

The 390 shoots 1 3/8 3 inch #2 steel shot very very well....with the factory modified choke.

I had this exact same dilemma two months ago and went with the beretta a300. Only difference (other than $800) is it only shoots 3" shells and the recoil system is not as good but I put a limb saver on it and have shot ~15 boxes through it so far and it's worked flawlessly. You can literally buy 2 a300's for the price of 1 a400. Just my $.02.

870 can do no wrong

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.it has a benelli action

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I love when people say this. It's painfully obvious they've never looked at the action of a benelli and franchi side by side. The franchi is the same as a stoeger. Not a benelli.

Correct

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I currently shoot a SX3 which is about a grand, I love it. Makes me upset I didn't buy it earlier.

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this...

I don't know the answer to that be honest and I don't want to muddy the waters. I did some research 3 years ago and ended up buying a Beretta 3901 cause it sounded like a good deal. Wasn't ever really happy with it and I didn't shoot it that well. (My natural throw had me staring at 3/4 of the top rail, causing me to have to move my head or raise the butt of the gun while trying to get on target.) I went and picked up a couple guns at the store and found that the SX3 and the A5 felt really good and knowing quite a few people with the Winchester SX2-SX3 I went with that ($500 price difference also factored into play).

I liked the way the Franchi felt but the trigger pull being to me was a little off putting. My friend has 3"+ in height on me so it may not be as bad for him.

Best advice is go to a store and shoulder a couple different guns like you just got buzzed by kamaze teal, if all you see in the bead that's a good place to start, if not your not going to be able to confidently throw one or 3 out there and expect to hit it.

If you go with 870, which is a solid choice, make sure it's an older model. The new 870s are cheaply made. You will want something made with real wood stock. Not the laminated stuff. Thats how you now you got a good one

To really answer your question we will also want to know whether you prefer pumps or auto matics. Then start shouldering them and make sure you fell comfortable. I personally can't shouder the Berettas but the Brownings work wel for me. It's all up to your own preference