Pump or Semi-Auto

[laker]

Ok Old Gobbler, i need some help and suggestions. Currently i use a Remi 870 as my Turkey gun and i have Benelli Nova i use as my backup, waterfowl, everything else gun. As we all know, 3.5" shells are killer on a shoulder and i have heard from alot of people i need to switch to a semi auto for less recoil.
The prices on new Mossberg 935's are very reasonable and could get a turkey slayer for around $650. Deep down i feel i would really rather have a Benelli Semi auto. I can afford the Mossberg with cash, but if i bought a benelli semi auto it would require me to sell my Nova to purchase it.
How much are reliable semi auto's worth? Is the quality of Mossbergs that much lower that they are half the price? Should i keep my two cheaper pump guns and be satisfied and save my money? Just want OG's opinions.

[Bowguy]

I personally hunt w a 835. I'm 48 n have lots of injuries from construction and power lifting as a kid. Hopefully if I can handle it so can you.
I bought a turkey slayer, 7 shots in the slide bar broke. It's now being repaired. So much for the cheap Mossberg stuff, (or the apparent quality guns),  it's 24 years old n never a single problem.
The Benellis are nice guns, I have a couple but they pattern no where like my 835 so they're duck guns.
The 935 I honestly couldn't say much about the action, I don't own one but if it patterns like a 835 and it should it's certainly good enough.
With today's loads, any gun should be sufficient  and besides most guys can suck up a few rounds of punishment a year.
When in doubt call em closer

[USMC0331]

If you want a semi auto to help with recoil buy a gas operated shotgun from whichever brand fits you best. Inertia operated shotgun will not help you on recoil over a pump shooting the same shell. I have owned several of the Benelli shotguns and I could tell no difference between them (pump vs semi-auto). I own 3 of the Mossberg shotguns and with 3.5 inch shells they are pretty stout on recoil. I do not own a Browning, Winchester, or any Remington in a semi auto but have shot them while I had my other semi- autos with me and when shooting turkey loads, there is a difference. Do not own a Berretta  but a gas operated one may be a option as well. Hope this helps.

[laker]

I personally hunt w a 835. I'm 48 n have lots of injuries from construction and power lifting as a kid. Hopefully if I can handle it so can you.
I bought a turkey slayer, 7 shots in the slide bar broke. It's now being repaired. So much for the cheap Mossberg stuff, (or the apparent quality guns),  it's 24 years old n never a single problem.
The Benellis are nice guns, I have a couple but they pattern no where like my 835 so they're duck guns.
The 935 I honestly couldn't say much about the action, I don't own one but if it patterns like a 835 and it should it's certainly good enough.
With today's loads, any gun should be sufficient  and besides most guys can suck up a few rounds of punishment a year.

Sorry the confusion is my fault. When i said turkey slayer i meant a shotgun that patterened well and kill turkeys and did not mean the Ithaca Turkey slayer. My fault.

[laker]

Ok well i realize my original post was a little confusing. What i was really looking for was, is a semi auto really worth the extra money for turkey hunting only. I realize for waterfowl a semi auto is alot more necassary but is it worth the money for turkey? Also is the quality difference between Mossbergs and the higher end guns worth close to double in price if you are only going to be making a few shots a year? Thanks an i apologize for the confusion

[Bowguy]

For a couple shots a year a pump will certainly do. No for turkey imo guns worth twice the price offer zero benefit

[greentag]

the high end benelli's are inertia driven and you wont be able to tell any difference in recoil from the nova you have,the comfortec stock may help i dont know about that.ive had a nova for years and killed many turkeys with it,i got the itch for a new semi auto last fall and had been saving my change for quite some time.i bought a new super black eagle 2 with the steadygrip stock as this gun is for turkey only.it has the same hammer of death recoil pad as the nova and honestly i think that thing kicks harder,i put a limbsaver recoil pad on it and it helps tremendously.i got a .655 choke from rob roberts and it patterns awesome,i aslo had never used red dots so i figured i would splurge and build my dream turkey gun as i could afford it,i put a ff3 on it and it is awesome,i first had it mounted on top and didnt like that,so i got a speadbead mount for the ff3,its perfect for me.i love this gun.but to answer your question i really dont see the need for a semi on a turkey gun,i think its more of a want vs need thing.i had always wanted a sbe2 and when i finally could afford it i made it happen,the advantage i do see with it is that steadygrip stock,and how slim it is.it feels perfect to me and after i pick my nova up after shooting the new one it feels like a big log in my hands.i think you would be happy with a new semi,but dont think that you need one,those 2 guns you have are great guns and with the right chokes make killer turkey guns.

[MK M GOBL]

Built my turkey gun back 20 years ago, gunsmith team did a bunch of work to my 11-87 and it is still is doing it's job. When I decided this was going to be a dedicated Turkey Taker I put some $ in to building it. Worth the money to me

MK M GOBL

[dirt road ninja]

My 935 kicks just as hard as my 835.

[bbcoach]

870 and Novas are excellent Turkey getters.  If you don't have a quality recoil pad on them, then invest in one.  Otherwise change to 3 inch shells.

[Happy]

Personally I am a pump guy. In my mind it's just a little more dependable. I know semi's have come a long way but I like a gun I don't have to baby. If recoil is a concern you can always drop to a 3" shell. They will kill a turkey just fine. That's my opinion anyways. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[paboxcall]

Like Happy, I'm a pump guy too.  Just seems more rugged and dependable to me versus all the moving parts of an auto.  Whether that's fact or not, I don't know, just my take.  So I started with an NEF single dipped in original Bottomland, then a 1300, then a Mossberg 500, then back to another 1300.

After all that, I went back to carrying the single shot.  Light, maneuverable, simple.  That's just me and my journey.  Good luck in your decision - no matter what you choose, it'll get the job done!

[yelpaholic]

Built my turkey gun back 20 years ago, gunsmith team did a bunch of work to my 11-87 and it is still is doing it's job. When I decided this was going to be a dedicated Turkey Taker I put some $ in to building it. Worth the money to me

MK M GOBL
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Like what just curious

[surehuntsalot]

the pump is more dependable to me