For my 25+ years of duck hunting (along annual dove trips and occasional goose hunt) I've enjoyed two very reliable guns and a 3rd not-so-reliable one. Longer story below.

Bottom line I'm looking for a new wing shooting shotgun. I prefer a pump action but am open to exploring other options. Budget no higher than 1,500.
This is a gun that will be used and needs to withstand some mild abuse. Appearance is not a priority - reliability and performance are key.
A lot of you shoot a lot more than I do - what are your favorite makes/models?



Model 870 - received as a boy and it still does great.
Benelli Nova - had a fine one for 12+ years until the upper part of the receiver cracked in December '17.

Then got a New Benelli Nova - bought as replacement for cracked one. But it doesn't like to shot when ambient temp is below freezing. Tried to use it for this past season and had a couple of very frustrating outings that ended up as bird-watching over decoy spreads. (Benelli elected to replace the extractor arm when I sent it in and insists it shoots fine (at above freezing temps)). I've lost confidence in this gun.

Benelli SBE2 camo with a 26in barrel

If you want a pump...

https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/browning-bps-12-gauge-pump-action-shotgun

I'll second the Benelli SBE II. It is a semi auto and will be at the upper end of your price range but it is my go to duck gun.

If you are set on a pump checkout the Benelli Nova or Super Nova. Both are great and utterly reliable.

80sGeorge said:

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If you want a pump...

https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/browning-bps-12-gauge-pump-action-shotgun

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This. My cousin is an avid waterfowl hunter up in the Pacific NW... that is the exact gun he loves. He also has a 3" BPS in wood that it "replaced" - I say that in quotes, because it's still not for sale at any price.

BPS is the best pump shotgun made today. May have an argument for an old Itasca or something similar being comparable.

Looks like you should get a BPS.

I like semi autos so I'm not much help. If you can find a sbeII under 1500 and want a semi that would be my suggestion

Stick with the 870. You can spend more on the new semi autos but they dang sure aren't any better guns. The only thing you're really getting is less recoil.

CS78 said:

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Stick with the 870. You can spend more on the new semi autos but they dang sure aren't any better guns. The only thing you're really getting is less recoil.

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Tried to get in before the 870 recommendation. But you're right, you know.

Thanks all. Will check out some the suggestions later this week.

SanAntoneAg said:

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CS78 said:

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Stick with the 870. You can spend more on the new semi autos but they dang sure aren't any better guns. The only thing you're really getting is less recoil.

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Tried to get in before the 870 recommendation. But you're right, you know.

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I started in the 80s and 90s on trouble free Belgium A5s, moved to Browning Golds, then SBEs, friends have had Berettas, Mossbergs, Novas, etc. Finally settled back in for a number of good years with 870s. Got tired of the recoil and now shooting the new A5. Have had multiple breakages in just 3-4 years but I hit really well with it so Im sticking with it. Can't handle the 870 recoil these days and cant bring myself to drag the Belgium A5s through the muck anymore.

I love Winchester 1300s, for a while picked up every one i could get a decent deal on, and spent a long time looking for the full camo duck (not turkey and not du) model. In the meantime i picked up this mossberg 500 https://www.dfwshootingsports.com/shotguns/pump-action-shotguns/mossberg-500-waterfowl-12-gauge-28-vent-rib-ported-barrel-mossy-oak-shadowgrass-blades-synthetic-stock-accuset-chokes for a hunt. Have shot it a ton, really haven't taken care of it, i finally found my 1300 duck gun and its heavier, i don't shoot it as well, jams once in a while where the mossy never does, and I've gone back to the mossberg. It's really well thought out, fiber optic bead, ported (this can be a negative if you or your blind buddies don't wear ear protection), and has stood up to salt really well. Looks like it may be discontinued, but you could pick up 4 at the link above for your budget. Maybe i should!

Also look at the chiappa triple threat

Should be running a Benelli group buy next month... Just saying

Won't be needing anything until September so maybe.
I bet I can wait to see what type of deal may be coming.

Beretta a300 is a great fun.

Any particular reason you prefer a pump?

Couple of reasons.
I'm most familiar with them, i like the relative simplicity and I've been in (rare) bad conditions that reduced all the semi's around me to single-shot guns.

I have an A400 Xcel with 5,000+ rounds without a single failure shooting 1oz loads. My son got an A400 Xtreme (Thanks again EyeGuy/Texian) and is now upward of 1,000 rounds without a failure. I clean them around 5-800. I'd strongly consider the Xtreme as it chambers 3..5" for duck hunting.

I also have have 2 Benelli's (Legacy and SuperSport) with thousands of rounds without failure.

The Beretta Kick-Off system is superb. I'd put whatever hesitation you have about a semi-auto aside with modern B-Gun Semis.

I love the A400 Xtreme with the Kick-Off