I'm looking to buy a new semi auto shotgun between now and opening day of dove season. I'm mainly buying to hunt waterfowl later in the year but I also like to dove hunt on occasion so I would like one that's good for both. I don't want to spend more than $1500. What are some suggestions? I have looked at the Remington versa max, the 1187 sportsman, and several others. Just haven't shot enough of them to decide. I'm open to all brands and suggestions, I just want to know I'm getting a good gun for the price.

I am not a shotgun expert by any means but with that budget I would look very hard at a Benelli or Beretta-their actions are very efficient with minimal recoil and run very clean.

Using the search function in the waterfowl forum will keep you busy for a while.

I had the opportunity to put a few shells through a friend's VersaMax and I was very impressed. The gas system is a direct copy of the Bennelli M4 that Remington sporterized when Benelli's "ARGO" patent expired. If I had a grand burning a hole in my pocket and a hole in my safe where a shotgun should be, I would strongly consider purchasing one - but I would probably wind up with a Franchi Affinity. The Franchi is the same action as the Benelli SBE II, but with a 3" chamber instead of 3.5" for about half the cost. Nice shotgun.

Here's a 3gunner's look at the VersaMax... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBWJVAWFrW4
(skip to the 4:15 mark to get straight to the good part)

I have also shot a VersaMax, it pointed very well and it even cycled my 3/4 oz reloads. You can find a black one for around $1,100 or camo for $1,250

Got my son a winchester sx-3, has been a great gun the last 2 seasons. buy whatever fits you best.

Get a Beretta 390 or 3901 and save your money.

I really appreciate it. I've been leaning towards the versa max but I still have a little time to look around and decide.

I'm a firm believer that any of the big 3 B's are great.
I just happen to prefer Berettas. With that budget, I would go A400.

Winchester sx3 gets my vote. Mine has been flawless in reliability for four years of hard use. Not a single jam, misfire, Or FTF. It is actually a browning gun manufactured under the Winchester name for the Olin corporation. They are built by FN Belgium.

Benelli, Franchi, Stoeger are all owned by Beretta and have crossover models. I have owned 3 Beretta shotguns and consider them to be the Ferrari of the shotgun world.

Another vote for the SX3, I think they're an underrated gun

Are you wanting a 3 1/2 or 3" chamber?

I have competed with and hunted with Autos my entire life and you can't get a better auto loader than a Beretta. The 390 and 391 are both amazing buns and are built to last and are easy to fix/find parts for if you need them. I also own and love the Browning Gold Hunter. Great gun as well. I have always seen that the Remingtons had more moving parts which equaled more broken parts. The Beretta's and the Browning are the best for the money IMO.

If the option were between the 390 and the 1187 or the 1100, I think it would be a no-brainer - but the Versa Max is actually a pretty cool platform with a dirt, dirt simple gas system... The 390 or the 391 are Swiss movements by comparison. That said, I'm still a little wary of the modern Remington - they seem to be having a lot of QC problems and seem to be marketing shotguns that are actually in an advanced stage of R&D rather than market ready...

Here's a decent look at the guts: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPFUpsxFFjY

Winchester sx3 is the way to go.

Can't beat a Beretta Extrema II. Best money I've ever spent on a shotgun!

Benelli, every time.

SBE II

I'm looking also, I think it's between the super vinci and the beretta a400.

x2

This. This right here. Although I'll be getting me a Browning Maxus soon. Had a poor man's Benelli at one time that never gave me trouble. So stick to the 3 B's.

Winchester SX3 or Browning Maxus. Both are great guns and easy to take care of.

If all you are doing is a little bird hunting and not going thru
several flats a yr..any well made auto should work..Most of the cheaper Russian, imports work, but if you are looking for a real
auto that can be used yr round for hunting, and shooting sports it's a no brainer..Beretta..The old 390's were used for yrs. by
many shooters and instructors and still are..and the 391's seem to be a little more refined..If you get around some of the clubs where these guys hang out you can usually find one that's been tricked out and tuned for around a $1000..it won't be new, but may have 3 to 4K worth of work in it..DD

I'd love to get a new A400....... But I just can't justify buying one because my 391 treats me so well. I hunt in cold, windy, sandy conditions and never have problems, then step right out on a sporting clays course and run through half a case of 7/8oz target loads with no hiccups.