I have done quite a lot of reading here and at other sites. Have finally got permission from the boss to buy a new quail/dove gun. The 3 I am considering: Benelli montefeltro, beretta 391 urika, or the browning gold fusion all in 20 gauge 26" tubes. All three are within $3o of each other locally. Is there enough difference in performance to lean one way or the other or does it boil down to fit and preference?
Thanks Matt

If I were to buy a semi auto it would probably br the Beretta or Bennelli. From those I've handle they just seem to fit better. I have Beretta O/Us, one for over 30 yrs. Never have had a bit of trouble with them. But I do not have much experience with the semi autos. Do have a Browning Sweet 16 which is a great shotgun, nothing like the new ones tho.

The only autoloader I ever used that I liked was an old Browning double auto. Have no idea where you'd find one. I use sxs's and mostly a 16ga AyA. Love it. Also have a Browning citori in 20 ga but use it very little, my son thinks he should get it.

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or does it boil down to fit and preference?

Yes. Buy the one that YOU like the best.

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Originally posted by akers13fox:
I have done quite a lot of reading here and at other sites. Have finally got permission from the boss to buy a new quail/dove gun. The 3 I am considering: Benelli montefeltro, beretta 391 urika, or the browning gold fusion all in 20 gauge 26" tubes. All three are within $3o of each other locally. Is there enough difference in performance to lean one way or the other or does it boil down to fit and preference?
Thanks Matt

My son uses a Beretta and my wife uses a Benelli.

Get the Benelli!

My favorite upland guns are Citori 16ga, Citori 20ga and a Montifltro 12ga in that order. The Benelli has a 24" tube with LM choke. Great on pheasant and quail. My next will be a M2 24" 20ga. Light and quick.

thanks for all of your input, haven't ruled anything out yet pending a trip to the range but all the smiths i have talked to really like the montefeltro all of the benelli perks w/o some of the extractor issues that have popped up locally with the super black eagle 2's.
thanks again
Matt

To each his own I hunt with shotguns I can easily disassemble and readily obtain parts for in the out of the way places I frequent.I have others that I have to take to a smith to be repaired but they stay in my safe and are only used locally.

Akers, if the budget will run to it, I would buy a Beretta O/U 686 or 687 in 20 gauge and 30" barrels. These are great for your purpose.

I have 12 bore O/U's and an Arrizabalaga SxS. They hardly ever get an outing now, except maybe ducks or clays. The Beretta 20 O/U goes everywhere.

I bought a Browning Gold Stalker 12 guage late last fall thinking I would use it while dove and pheasant hunting. Needless to say, it is an awesome gun and shoots really nice and is very comfortable. However, it has only made it to the range twice and the rest of the time since it has stayed behind. When it comes time to head to the field, I always take the basic old Remington 870 express in 16 guage. I like a gun I can breakdown in the field in a matter of seconds and reassemble just as fast.

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Posted 09 October 2006 03:29
I have done quite a lot of reading here and at other sites. Have finally got permission from the boss to buy a new quail/dove gun. The 3 I am considering: Benelli montefeltro, beretta 391 urika, or the browning gold fusion all in 20 gauge 26" tubes. All three are within $3o of each other locally. Is there enough difference in performance to lean one way or the other or does it boil down to fit and preference?
Thanks Matt

Fit really can't be over-rated.

The new Gold Superlights have impressed me:

Gold Superlight Hunter

Thanks for all replies, i have got a trip planned saturday to the gun shop to compare all three guns and plan on taking my jacket with me. I will keep you updated on my decision thanks again Matt

own a browning gold and while it feels reallllygood, have been disapointed with the reliabilty,,, the berettas 390 & 391 ... i have never seen guns so dirty that still functioned,,, and the benellis are very good all around guns just cant find any thing wrong with them... but fit ,,it must fit to shoot

Benelli, Benelli, Benelli...just back from Argentina and 3100 shotgun shells later my Benelli is still working. One of the Beretta auto stuffers (older one) had the carrier to break in half. Odd thing to me.
Benelli is the only thing (in autos) that is going to Timex on thru...take a lickin and keep on tickin. I have been twice to South America with mine and it works! Everyday 20 ga. Super 90 Montefeltro.

After shouldering just about every 20 guage auto i could find i decided to go with the gold superlite hunter. It came in today, have yet to pick it up but pics and range report will be coming shortly. Thanks for all of you input
Matt