r/canadaguns • u/ivanlarav • Jun 23 '26
Buy recommendations Best “Do-It-All” Semi-Auto Shotgun Under $1,500?
Which semi-auto shotgun?
I’m debating between a few options. The main goal is to have a “do-it-all” shotgun for:
- Casual clay sports (trap and skeet)
- Hunting
- General range use
Beretta A300 Ultima 28”
This one goes for about $1,400.
Mossberg 940 Pro Field 28”
I can get this one for $899, or the Cerakote version for $1,149.
Mossberg 940 JM Pro 24”
This one goes for about $1,320.
I like the JM Pro because of the 24” barrel. It doesn’t seem too long or too short, and it feels like a good middle ground. I can’t seem to find the A300 with a 24” barrel, at least on Almost Prohibited.
I know there’s no true “one-size-fits-all” shotgun, but I’m trying to stay under $1,500 and get something that comes as close as possible to covering all three uses.
What would you pick, and why? Any other models I should be looking at in this price range?
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u/Straight_Ad3670 Jun 23 '26
Keep in mind 24 inches aren't allowed on a lot of clay fields.
I would suggest a Benelli M2 or a Turkish M2 clone. They are pretty simple mechanically, less things to go wrong.
I have a girsan mc312 that I got for 450 and I've shot over 10 rounds of trap one time within a day and it did fine.
If you could only have one gun, I suggest to steer away from the 940 as well as other Turkish m4 clones because they have quality control issues.
But honestly, the best do it all would be a pump.
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u/Dummy_Wire Jun 23 '26
The difficulty in finding a “do-it-all” semi-auto shotgun led me to get a pump-action, so I just thought I’d offer that option (I went with a Mossberg 500).
I had no intention of using it for skeet, but I use it for trap (28” barrel with chokes), hunting (24” rifled slug barrel), and more “tactical” range uses (18.5” cylinder bore barrel) all off of one gun, with the multiples barrels.
For me, at least, it was hard to find one “do-it-all” barrel length that didn’t compromise too hard, so I compromised on a pump-action instead.
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u/jp815569x19 Jun 24 '26
My experience with owning and shooting both options says to buy the Beretta.
Mossberg autoloader are suspect. We bought 3 940s a few years back. All 3 broke down. All 3 owners gave up on trying to get them to run. Mossberg customer service left me hanging too. They refused to replace it even though it was unreliable and they couldn't explain why it kept jamming and locking up. They basically shrugged and sent it back to me. I didn't ask for my money back, I asked for a new gun. They said no and sent me back the haunted POS.
My A300 has been amazing and trouble free. So has 2 other A300 options owned by my friends.
For what it's worth.
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u/number75 Jun 23 '26
You should probably check what the minimum barrel is for any place you plan to shoot clays at. That will be a major factor in your decision if you plan to regularly do that.
That being said, I knew the Mossberg Semi-Autos tend to have QC and reliability issues. The 940 series is definitely an improvement over the previous 930, but if you're spending money on a JM Pro then you might as well go up to the A300. The price isn't that much different but the build quality alone is probably worth the extra money.
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u/CrowsFeast73 Jun 23 '26
I'm a fan of my Stoeger M3500. It does struggle to cycle shells under 1oz, even with the light recoil spring, so I guess it's not suitable for skeet but it's fine for trap. It cycles great with hunting loads, handles great and looks great (imo, cerakote with reed camo).
If used is an option then you can find lots of great Franchi or Browning shotguns as well.
I avoid Mossberg because I've seen way too many having multiple issues during trap.
If used pump is an option, you can never go wrong with an 870.
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u/BisonCompetitive9610 Jun 23 '26
Do you have the gen 1 or gen 2? I haven't had issues cycling anything with the gen 2.
With that extra cash, he can get a vortex red dot, tube expansion, and trigger upgrade. Great gun!
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u/CrowsFeast73 Jun 24 '26 edited Jun 24 '26
I wasn't even aware there were different generations?
ETA: looks like I have the gen 1. I installed an oversize bolt handle and release button myself. The stock I already find fits me very well, though the trigger reach is a little bit long as I recall. I haven't shot too many 3.5s through it yet but I certainly never felt the need for an improved pad and I don't even have the recoil weight installed.
The manual does talk about not being able to cycle light target loads but I think if I ran enough loads through to really break in the light recoil spring it would run better (on light loads); so the biggest thing I'm missing is the beveled loading port (which I'm not planning on messing up the finish).
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u/Familiar_Hunt_5164 Jun 23 '26
The 870's semi auto brother the 1100.
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u/Derringer373 Jun 23 '26
Won't find a more eternal shotgun than the 1100. Loading gate takes a little getting used to.
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u/Iokua_CDN Jun 23 '26
Something to consider if you don't want to buy 2 barrels.
If you get a gun with Mobil 1 Chokes, and you can throw a 6 inch barrel extension with choke on it.
My plan is to buy something around 20 inches, and then throw the extension on to have a 26 inch barrel when I want
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u/Iokua_CDN Jun 23 '26 edited Jun 23 '26
Heads up, they sell a300 Ultima for 1150. Gun dealer has them, as does rangeview sports.
I'd personally go with that one over the 940s
Do any of them have chokes though? I'd want Chokes on a do anything gun. A 19 inch Ultima patrol (if it has chokes) you can throw a 6 inch extension on and have a 25 inch barrel, which is close to your desired length
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u/ivanlarav Jun 23 '26
Yeah, that's an option. I'm not sure if I want a used or demo one, but it's definitely an option. I'm local to this store, about a 40-minute drive.
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u/houleskis Jun 24 '26
I bought a very gently used O/U shotgun (looks near brand new to my untrained eyes save for a small scratch on the barrel where the for grip goes) for clays from Rangeview. Came with all the original items including the cardboard box. Worth a look IMO
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u/epstein_did_not Jun 23 '26
Fabarm stf 12 (it’s pump action but imo better than all 3 semis you listed)
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u/Steelringin Jun 23 '26
I've got a Fabarm Martial, predecessor to the STF, and of the dozens of firearms that I've bought and sold over the years it's the only shorgun I've ever owned. It was one of the first high quality firearms that I bought and after 15+ years I've never felt compelled to even consider anything else. It's a treasure!
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u/Murray3-Dvideos Jun 23 '26
Id even say that its the best tactical CQB pump shotgun on the planet. AND an exceptional slug slinger. But IMO its also a very poor choice for a birdgun, professional skeet gun and action sports shotgun (slow AF to reload unless you molest it for quad loads).
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u/Steelringin Jun 24 '26
I've busted clays with my 14" barrel on a few ocassions. Obviously not suitable if you're on a porper trap/skeet field.
Also, mine is fully molested for quad loads. I ran it in a couple of seasons of 3 gun. Still not as fast as the semis but it was super slick for a pump.
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u/Substantial-Onion-92 Jun 23 '26
No one mentioning the Franchi Affinity 3. Made in Italy, Benelli is the parent company. Awesome and reliable semi 12ga for way under $1500. Super underated.
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u/thewindchimes Jun 23 '26
As others have said, 24 inch barrel may limit your options for clay shooting.
I personally have the A300 Ultima, and it's a great gun. Haven't had any issues, and your shoulder will thank you for the kick-off system in the stock.
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u/KalashnikovParty Jun 24 '26
a300 probably has the best reviews out of the ones you listed
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u/ivanlarav Jun 24 '26
That's what I'm seeing. I really like the 940 JM Pro, but I want to get the best one out of these options.
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u/chefst8us Jun 24 '26
ATA Mirage
I’ve have mine for 10 years, I think it’s jammed twice. All my pals are jealous and keeping asking to borrow it. I’ve hunted and shot trap/skeet with it and I’m super happy with it.
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u/Temporary-Box-7493 Jun 25 '26
Love my JM Pro, super fun shotgun, roughly 900 rounds on mine in about 5 outings, very fun to shoot and no issues. Easy to clean
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u/ivanlarav 29d ago
So cool. I really want this one over the Beretta; I really like the design, colours, and length. Might go for this one honestly, haha, although popular wisdom says A300, but I dunno, I feel more attracted to the JM Pro.
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u/Temporary-Box-7493 29d ago
You know I don’t have anything bad to say about the baretta, I have seen some a300s have failures and they don’t get some stuff that makes the new baretta lines super dope like Google the a300 vs 1301. I’ve seen a few failures on the a300s that I haven’t seen on the 940s. I think the 940 gets a bad wrap bc the 930 was farts and unreliable. The new 990 looks sick too
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u/houleskis Jun 23 '26
How are you going to distribute your time between the 3 activities? Shoot clays a few times and month and hunt 1-2x a year, then probably the Beretta. Spend most of the time at the range and maybe participate in some dynamic shooting? Then probably the 24” Mossberg. Etc etc. I would prioritize your main activity and compromise on the others.