Bennelli 12 ga autoloader vs. Mossberg 930

[CT-Buzz]

I'm looking to buy a autoloader 12 ga but not sure witch to buy. It is going to be a defense weapon. Anyone have any ideas ?

[SeaHawkDriver-B]

You can buy 4 Mossbergs for the price of a Benelli M4.... I wouldn't go all out with the Benelli unless you really want it, I've got the M4 w/skeleton stock, shell holder, Eotech, and +2 extender, and the M3 Super 90 with bare-bones ghostring sight and +2 mag. They're awesome-schmawesme, but guess what, I carry a mossberg in my truck. I'd never leave a $1200-1500 shotgun rattling around underneath the seat. The Mossy is a workhorse and who cares if it gets beat up.

[PainKillaX]

I've never handled a Mossy autoloader but I can tell you the 500s/590s are beasts especially given the price.

[ynoty3k]

I agree with seahawk. The Benelli's are the softest kicking sweetest shotguns I've ever handled. I love mine, but it's a sporting gun, and not the best for defense. The 930spx is a great defense shotgun and can also do some sports too if you so choose, at a fraction of the cost.

If you want a perfect inroad between the two, the Benelli Vinci is an inexpensive, very reliable gun (inexpensive for a Benelli) and yet may also do well for defense, but is still rather sporty.

If you just want a tactical shotgun, SPX no doubt.

[flyingirish04]

If you are going to spend the money on a benelli, I recommend the M3. It can work as a pump or auto. It is in my opinion the best gucci defense shottie out there. The vinci, SBEs, M2s are all sporting based guns, not ideal for defense. The M4 is great, but I like having the fail safe of switching to a pump if need be.

For the cheap, I would by a Rem 870. I prefer them to Mossbergs. My opinion of course, but I feel they are smoother operating in the action, I like the mechanism better, and I feel they are a bunch more rust resistant than the 500s.

[darksidemxer]

Look into stoeger...owned by benelli just made in turkey, my model 2000 was a great gun, never had any problems. I even had a custom tube ext made for it. Was very affordable and the shop I bought it from was a benelli dealer, and stripped them down to show me, the parts were the same. Great gun. Also I know its a "cheapo-depo" but my girls charles daly has been a awesome gun for us, we never have issues and she has put over 250 3inch mags through it and well over 400 2 3/4inch.

[flyingirish04]

Look into stoeger...owned by benelli just made in turkey, my model 2000 was a great gun, never had any problems. I even had a custom tube ext made for it. Was very affordable and the shop I bought it from was a benelli dealer, and stripped them down to show me, the parts were the same. Great gun. Also I know its a "cheapo-depo" but my girls charles daly has been a awesome gun for us, we never have issues and she has put over 250 3inch mags through it and well over 400 2 3/4inch.

Parts aren't the same actually, but close. You can't interchange them. I tried when I was looking at one. Still a good option. I would by the stoeger over any of the M1s or M2s.

Love to see what you get.

[Rapier1772]

For the cheap, I would by a Rem 870. I prefer them to Mossbergs... and I feel they are a bunch more rust resistant than the 500s.

I can attest to that. My dad's 870 is as old as I am & it has no rust on it. My 500 on the other hand, has had to be reblued twice. I bought it in '93 or '94.

[SHEEPDOG]

If you are going to spend the money on a benelli, I recommend the M3. It can work as a pump or auto. It is in my opinion the best gucci defense shottie out there. The vinci, SBEs, M2s are all sporting based guns, not ideal for defense. The M4 is great, but I like having the fail safe of switching to a pump if need be.

For the cheap, I would by a Rem 870. I prefer them to Mossbergs. My opinion of course, but I feel they are smoother operating in the action, I like the mechanism better, and I feel they are a bunch more rust resistant than the 500s.

I have two M3s and an M4. IMHO the M3 is a far superior weapon. I like the M3 auto/pump aspect of the M3. I have Ghost rings, mag extensions and a choked field barrel. The field barrel and extended mag works great hunting Blue Quail. The M4 has a nice paint job. Both have the fastest actions made and superior quality. You may be able to buy four of the Mossys and 870s for the price of a Benelli, but it is very difficult to carry four shotguns at the same time.

[flyingirish04]

Yeah Swe, I love the M3. The M4 my dad has is one of the models that shoots 3.5". That is the only thing it has over the M3 in my opinion. The M3 will be the next shottie I buy most likely.