Thinking about an "ok" semi-auto 12 ga shotgun

[bradbn4]

My budget can't stand to get a good shot gun, so what I am thinking about getting is one that I can beat the snot out. If I could find good ammo selection I would consider even a SA-20 tactical. Or better yet the same design / price in a 12 ga rig.

I am mostly looking to go for more reliable versus high end - right now I am eyeballing the Mossburg 930 jm pro, or would the SPX 8-shot be a better selection.

While I am not a 3-gun person, it would be nice to find something that would "qualify" in that shooting sport. Which I think means it needs to have a 21 - 22" barrel.

[Fromk]

I run a Mossberg 930 and I really like it. Much more affordable than a Benelli but doesn't have a couple of little features or quite as much of an aftermarket selection. It would be pretty easy to find a model with the barrel length you want and get a tube extension rather than get an SPX and get a longer barrel. The SPX will, however, be plenty to get you through a lot of 3-gunning and range days.

[SouthPaw]

Charles Daly makes a semi-auto that is under $500 IIRC. I looked at them for awhile and read some good reviews on them. Might be worth checking out.

[Great-Kazoo]

Charles Daly makes a semi-auto that is under $500 IIRC. I looked at them for awhile and read some good reviews on them. Might be worth checking out.


Something to consider BEFORE you drop money on it is. What accessories are available for it? I've seen more than one purchase get stopped cold by lack of acc and cool gear.

[MarkCO]

If you want a semi-auto that is not a total handicap for 3Gun and less than $600, the 930JMPro is about your only choice. After that, you are stepping up to about $950 for a FNH SLP and $1000+ for a Benelli or a VersaMax.

A lot of guys are going the cheap route of the CZ712 utility which is a knock-off of the SLP. Technically, adding a tube is illegal since it is no longer 922R compliant, so not really a good option if you want it for HD. All trimmed out, they run the same as a 930JM.

IMHO, the only accessory a SG might need is a mount for lights, and there are a ton of rail mounts out there that mount to barrels and or mag tubes for SGs.

[bradbn4]

Some well worth information to consider - I won't shoot "official" 3-gun anytime soon. Some ranges might let me play 3-gun with the understanding that I would not be ranked. The surprise shotgun I see referenced is the CZ-712 utility.

I figured if I really wanted to go 3-gun big time it would be much better to start off with a platform really designed to handle that style shooting.

My idea of good aftermarket parts would be - sites, optional barrel if I decide I want to change up on the style of shooting. I figure I would use the shotgun as a primary HD duty, secondary popping a few hand tossed clay pigeons to simulate bird hunting.

My budget is the current out the door price for the Mossberg 930 jm pro - $700, finding it less would be nice.

I rather stay on the good side of the law...while bass fishing is a sport... I guess 3-gun does not qualify. It won't take much work, but I figure I am going to learn to hate 922r because of what it can do to my budget.

[bradbn4]

If you want a semi-auto that is not a total handicap for 3Gun and less than $600, the 930JMPro is about your only choice. After that, you are stepping up to about $950 for a FNH SLP and $1000+ for a Benelli or a VersaMax.

A lot of guys are going the cheap route of the CZ712 utility which is a knock-off of the SLP. Technically, adding a tube is illegal since it is no longer 922R compliant, so not really a good option if you want it for HD. All trimmed out, they run the same as a 930JM.

IMHO, the only accessory a SG might need is a mount for lights, and there are a ton of rail mounts out there that mount to barrels and or mag tubes for SGs.

I noticed that the CZ website was selling (out of stock) the tubes in the US of A. If the CZ 712 is made in the US - it should not run afoul of the 922R?

[MarkCO]

I noticed that the CZ website was selling (out of stock) the tubes in the US of A. If the CZ 712 is made in the US - it should not run afoul of the 922R?

That would be correct. Some people beleive that ATF does not enforce this rule, some do. There is even some ambiguity when i spoke personally with an ATF agent. There are a bunch of them out there.

As for the 930JM, on-line sellers are geting $560 to about $600 shipped, so that really seems like the best budget option.

[bradbn4]

I went to Specialty Sports to look at the CZ 712 - none in stock, and I almost walked out with a nice canvasback over / under instead. Now if I lived back in Wisconsin I could see that as a nice bird gun.

Last price I remember at buds was a bit more for that rifle. Also - I did spot that once at Palmetto State Armory. I rather throw my business to a local company versus pure mail order...but I will do mail order if I can save about 100+ dollars.

[MarkCO]

In the FYI category, I am pretty sure all of the MDs who run 3Gun matches in Colorado will let you shoot their matches with whatever you have (provided you use appropriate ammo).

CZ712 Utility is $424 shipped from Bud's: http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/59707

and $438 shipped from Grab-a-Gun: http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/59707

[bradbn4]

In the FYI category, I am pretty sure all of the MDs who run 3Gun matches in Colorado will let you shoot their matches with whatever you have (provided you use appropriate ammo).

CZ712 Utility is $424 shipped from Bud's: http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/59707

and $438 shipped from Grab-a-Gun: http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/59707


Thanks for the links - but I wanted to see in person just what a CZ-712 was all about.