Semi-Auto Shotgun for under $500

[macville]

So I am looking to buy a semi-auto shotgun for under $500 and looking to see what people suggest. It seems when I look at brands I know, they are all over $800. Looking for 12ga, pistol grip, around 20" barrel, and probably a synthetic stock. Any suggestions on what I should look at.

[2006Blackpearl931]

Mossberg 930. I have seen the field/security combo for less than $500. Has a 28" and 18.5" barrel. I've had two 930s and both were good shooting guns. The aftermarket options for stock is unlimited, although Mossbergs tang safety isn't as easy to use with a pistol grip.

[RED333]

I paid 500 for my Saiga 12 a year ago, not any more.

[hipower]

Check out the classified forum here. Porkchop has a real nice Remington 887 for sale.

 

I'd go for it myself but working on spending all I can get on a Dan Wesson.

[Magiccarpetrides]

An excellent gun for the money when you can find them is a used Beretta 1201fp same action and layout as a Benelli Super 90 only without the associated price tag.  Its hands down my favorite home defense gun.

[R1100R]

There are allot of new Turkish made auto's out right now that fit your bill. The Tri Star Raptor ATAC and some from Linberta (Bud's).

I bought a Tri Star Raptor from Academy for a great price. I have only had it a few weeks and it fires standard and high recoil shells fine. I have been starting to work on it for low recoil (Target Bulk) shells. Both of these shotguns are modeled after Benelli/Beretta's and use their chokes.

[Guest ThePunisher]

Mossberg 500 Predator- 7+1 2 and 3/4 inch shells for around $340.00

[Jonnin]

my used 1100 was under 300 and has served me very well.   IMHO 500 is a pretty good budget for a shotgun, you should be able to find a nice one with that, with enough left over for some customization like a bigger mag tube or the like.  The pistol grip is going to cost you whether you do it yourself after or it comes on it....

Edited January 8, 2013 by Jonnin

[macville]

Okay, after looking through the suggestions in here, I am changing my criteria some. While I would like a semi auto with a pistol grip, I am finding that most major brands allow for a stock change (not sure why I didn't think they couldn't!)

 

So I am looking for more suggestions on semi autos that would be under $500 (new or used) that are decent quality (I know I am asking for quality at a lower price point, but that's why I am also looking at used.

 

I currently have these on my radar:

Mossberg 930

Stoeger 3000/3500 (read that the finish isn't as good on these guns though)

Remington 1100

Beretta 3901

Beretta A300

Franchi I-12 (though I wanted less recoil vs a pump and this is a gassless system which has the same kick)

 

 

I currently have a Remington 870 that has worked flawlessly, so I am kinda thinking of spending a little more than $500 and getting an 1100. But the 930 is also nice gun too. I think I may be able to find a synthetic 1100 closer to my price range because there seem to just be a lot more on the market due to remington having sold more so far. But I am open to any more suggestions or good places to look for used shotguns.

 

[Poor_Dog]

I really like the 1100's, I have two of them, 12 and 28 gauge. Both perform flawlessly.. an 1100 12 gauge used to sell for 400-450, don't have a clue what they are going for now.

[.357SIG]

I have a mossberg 935 and I love it! I use it for duck/turkey hunting and sometimes other game. The one I have is a 26" barrel with a +5 mag extension. I know you would be looking more at a 930 for your needs but they are mechanically almost identical(3" vs 3.5" chamber). I would highly recommend this firearm. It may not have the fit and finish as some of the higher end semi's but when you pull the trigger it goes bang and that fits my needs. Hope this helps.

[Raoul]

I really like the 1100's, I have two of them, 12 and 28 gauge. Both perform flawlessly.. an 1100 12 gauge used to sell for 400-450, don't have a clue what they are going for now.

I found a lightly used 1100 magnum for 450.00 recently. Nice guns.

[Guest RevScottie]

Walmart sells the Mossberg 930 with 18.5" barrel for $499 when they have them in stock.

[MarkInNashville]

Just to add to the mix - I have bought 2 (different) Browning Auto-5 12 gauge shotguns in the last year, each for under $500 (one was $300 from Gunbroker and the other $200 from Hero Gear in Winchester). Only thing is that some work is required to make them reliable enough to shoot - new springs and the like (not a surprise since one is circa WWII and the other early 50's). Of course finding things like pistol-grip stocks for them is another matter, entirely!

 

I can't help it, I just LOVE these guns!!! One I would like to black-out and turn into a zombie killer. I know, its a sickness, somebody help me! 

Edited January 19, 2013 by MarkInNashville

[Ropin4gold]

What are you going to use it for? I have found the beretta autos (3901/390?) for sale for under 500 before. I bought one to carry to the duck blind and it did great.

[macville]

Ideally it would be used for skeet and home defense more than anything. I have a pump already that if I wanted to hunt, I'd probably use that.

Does anyone have suggestions on where to look besides online since I am not finding a ton of used stuff online for a reasonable price? should I be looking at pawn shops (I always think of them having more handguns than anything) or other places which might have used guns?