My FIL is getting tired from lugging his Benelli M2 in the woods. I'm looking for suggestions on something lighter, shorter, and with a pistol grip. He still wants a semiauto action. Recommendations?
The only auto lighter than a 12 gauge Benelli M2 is a 20 gauge Benelli M2. They are making that with a 24" barrel now and I believe it is just less than 6 pounds.
The TC Encore may also be an option if he is willing to play ball with a single shot.
TC Encore, not a semi, but excellant to tote in the woods!!!
20 gauge
I've got a Rem 1187, MOBU, Gunsmith shortened a 26" to 23" barrel, has custom made Briley .555 choke, a couple of carlson chokes, and another but forget the name. In addition I have several (over 10) boxes of Original Heavy Shot, Fed Mag Shot, and 4 or 5 boxes of Steel shot. Will part with all for the right $. :gobble: :gobble:
look at the franchi affintity gun has a 26 barrel but is light weight and swings and aims nice almost same internals as his m2 as well i bought one and fell in live with it not going to be my turkey gun but could make a great one
Only way to go lighter than benelli 12 and stay in semi auto is go to a 20. Plenty of those to choose from. I held a nice weatherby semi auto 20ga turkey gun the other day weird sights but now gun
Justin
Benelli makes a lighter 12 than the M2. It's called the ultralight . However, the only finish it comes in is walnut and high luster blue. It comes with a 24 inch barrel, and weighs an ounce or two over 6 lbs. It also takes the same crio plus chokes as the M2. It runs about 1600.00
Quote from: CadeCart on April 11, 2012, 06:54:02 PM
I'm surprised lugging an M2 is tiresome for the guy. I carried an over EIGHT pound Remi 1100 for years. Went to a 21" 12ga M2 at 6.9lbs and it is a dream gun - pretty light for a 12ga auto. Add a Benelli SteadyGrip to it and his problem is solved.
If he is not dead set on a auto, you could build up a 21" 870 20ga with ShurShot stock and get very light gun. Add a cheap $10 RSF, some TSS or FedHW and he's got a supreme turkey thumper.
I'll look at the Remington.
At this point, I think he is looking for shorter more than he is looking for lighter.
All - thanks for the advice. I have a bit to chew on now.
20ga and never look back
Winchester made a 1300 Turkey pump that's small and light. You can find 'em on gunbroker... :turkey2:
I'd look very hard at tha 20 gauge guns. My little 870 20 just wrecks birds and it weighs much less than even my SBE II. I have a Knoxx stock on it and a 21" bbl and a micro-style red dot sight on it. It currently wears the truglo ghost ring style sights wich work but I just like a red dot. Weighs in at a shade over 6 pounds and carries AND SHOOTS like a dream! The pic shows it with a saddle mount and a 30 mm Tasco red dot but it has since gone to the gunsmith to be drilled and tapped.
That's a good lookin gun mightyjoe