The Unofficial P64 Resource Forum

My last pheasant hunt has inspired me to buy a new shotgun and I want to see if you guys had any experience with a few semi-autos I am looking at.

I want a new or like new semi-auto 12 ga with a 3" chamber and I would like to stay under $400.

3 that I have looked are:

Baikal MP-153 (3.5" chamber, http://www.baikalinc.ru/en/company/95.html).

Harrington and Richards Excell Auto (3" chamber, http://www.hr1871.com/Firearms/Shotguns/excell.aspx).

Charles Daly Field Hunter VR-MC (3" chamber, http://www.charlesdaly.com/html/product ... afield.asp).

I am leaning more towards the Charles Daly but only because of their lifetime repair policy. If anyone has any experience with any of these semi-autos I would like to hear what they have to say about them.

I dont want the shotgun for mass skeet and trap shooting, just for hunting and occasional skeet shooting with friends and family. I would like to get a Benelli, Beretta, Remington 1100 or something along those lines but the price tag on those is beyond my budget.

Thanks and have a good Thanksgiving,
Marc

I own a Baikal ???, O/U 12ga and love it. I use it to shoot Trap only (not a hunter) fixed chokes is the only thing that I might have liked to be able to change but I'm not good enough to need them anyways. The fit and finish is great and never a problem with function (O/U does has much fewer moving parts than an auto-loader).

I picked up a used Winchester 1200 for my son this year for around $240 and he just loves it...again Trap only.

Charles Daly does have a great warranty. Ihaven't heard anything regarding their shotguns but did hear some griping about their Browning High Power 9mm pistol's fit and finish.

I would not hesitate to recommendthe BAIKAL and I grew up with a Remington 870 and wish I still had it, that is the perverbial "classic"...you'll never go wrong with that!!

I'm not sure what they are going for now, but I've only heard excellent reviews on the Saiga 12 (I mean come on, it's an AK shotgun)

I have handled the same model Baikal as yours carguy, if I was looking for an O/U I wouldnt hesitate to buy one ( I especially like the double triggers on yours), but with an auto-loader....eh. Because I need to stay in the low end of the semi-auto shotgun market I want to be able to get parts for it if need be.

My current shotgun is a Remmy 870 20ga that I love and wont trade for anything (full set of chokes and everything).

Trent,

Saiga's skyrocketed in price and are now floating around $500. They are no longer being imported, which sucks cause I would really like to have a Saiga 410.

I pikced up my O/U used (thus the double...older model...triggers) and spent about $325 in the spring on it.

But I know where you're going...good luck...maybe stick with the old 870 in 12 gauge...you already know how great it is!!

I know you have indicated the dollar amount you would like to spend but... when considering an autoloader you can not go wrong with the Benelli. I know it costs a bunch but it is worth every penny. It is a gun that will last the test of time and I am sure it will be passed on to one of my sons. The design is simple and will not fail.

I had a Stoeger M2000 for a month or so. Never shot it so I can't comment on how it shoots, but it seems well made. I understand they are less than 300 new.