I am looking to take the step into the semiautomatic world. My budget is $1500, what do yall recommend?

I mostly hunt doves, but a duck trip would not be out of the question.

You could click on that search button up top and maybe find a thread or two about this very subject

Or just get an sx3 and be done with it

or I could start my own thread.

ok, sx3 looks like a pretty good gun. what puts it above the rest?

with that budget our options are wide open go to a big gun store and try them all and when you find one that feels good shop around for the best price. I would try the new A5 Browning first then the SBE and so on

So do you want something that can shoot 3.5" or is a 3" chamber good enough?

I'd stick to the B guns.

I think that once you get to the $1,000 guns, there isn't a whole heck of a lot that puts one above the other. It really boils down to how the gun feels to youamd whether you prefer gas or inertia guns. I really liked the sx3 because of the fact that it is a gas gun, and feels good on my shoulder. I also thought it was a pretty sharp looking gun, and I'd be lying if I said that wasn't a determining factor for me...

I agree on the fit. If you are mainly a dove hunter maybe do a bit of research on what the boys down in South America use for guns. They have to use guns that will stand up to hundreds of thousands of rounds. You'll never shoot that much but it's better to have something that can if needed stand up to that kind of use.

From what I hear they pretty much only use Berettas and Benellis.

Beretta 390 is my absolute favorite all around 12 guage.

I've also heard its what they use in South America because it's the only one that can hold up to the heat. A guy I know went there and said that your firing as fast as you can and reloading immediately. The guns action and barrel are incredibly hot. They just keep on truckin.

If I had $1500 to spend I'd find me 3 Beretta's!! One with a really nice wood finish for the range, one with a duck marsh camo, and one with a dove field camo. But that's just me . . . . .

I have two good buddies that did those dove hunts at different times one used a benelli the other beretta. Both said you had to wear gloves after a while because the guns would get so hot.

My dove field camo consists of jeans and whatever shirt that's at the top of my short drawer

vinci. shoots 2 3/4 dove loads like a champ man.

I prefer a Beretta 391 myself. I have a camo 12 and a pretty 20 and between the two I don't need anything else. I use the 20 for dove, quail, pheasant, sporting clays, etc and love it. I save the 12 for ducks, geese. My 12ga is a 3" and never have a wished for 3.5".

But shotguns are very much a personal preference purchase like most firearms. When you get up to that price point just get the one that shoulders best for you. Hook'em.

Benelli Super Black Eagle II American, it will shoot 2 and 3/4 up to 3.5 inch shells they will shoot hundreds of thousands of rounds no problem. They can be had for around $1000. You can get the Regular version with the kick off system for about $1500 but is a wast of cash I'm my opinion. The American version is the best value out there for a semi-auto IMHO. I shoot clays with mine on a regular basis and it has never let me down. It has also taken many ducks in wet muddy conditions with no problems. I will never shoot anything but a Benelli. Just my 2 cents.

I guess everyone is just naming the gun that they shoot

That's what most people do. My ego is not wrapped around my gun so I could care less and try to give objective suggestions based on what the person wants. Obviously there are lots of great shotguns.

If I were buying a 3" gun it would be a Beretta 391 urika

No, I do not own one (anymore)

3 INCH would be good enough.

3 inch really opens it up. I'd look at the Berettas mentioned as well as all the Benellis that are 3" 12ga. Browning Maxus is an option. For a less expensive option I've also heard great things about the Franchi Affinity but I've never shot one.

exactly, thats why I am going to recommend a perazzi, great shooting gun

I love my Ceasar Guerini

meh

Yes, everybody is calling their gun!
I call mine.

" Saiga-12, 12ga, 24"bbl. Converted and added muzzle brake/polychoke,skeleton stock with a thick limbsaver pad. Guys who shot it saying it has almost no recoil comparing to regular semi auto shotguns. (I would say 30-40% of regular shotgun recoil on 3" turkey or 3" duck/goose heavy load. I can go shoot 200 rounds of sporting clays and not hurt at all same or next day. Could do more than 200 but range is closing by that time, as we normally go there after work. Very happy with my shotty. It is not light weightwise, but not hurting next day is worth it. No teeth shattering recoil comparing to pumps."