If Noveski and L.M.T are some of the best in the semi auto rifle world and then
Les Baer and Ed Brown are much better than average in the pistol world

Where do people look too for semi auto shot guns ,when they are ready to step up?

For tactical only:

Benelli
Beretta
FN
Remington
Mossberg

In that order from top down.

For hunting/clays - I'll leave that for others.

Unlike the higher-end custom rifles and pistols like you referenced, there aren't small shops out there making high-end custom semiauto tactical shotguns from the ground up.

Instead, what we have are gunsmith shops like Vang Comp, Taran Tactical, and Wilson Combat/Scattergun Tech, who take factory semiauto shotguns from big manufacturers like Remington and Benelli and customize/improve them.

quote:

Originally posted by DansSIGs:
K.I.S.S.

Remington 870

870s aren't semiauto.

and thats why his post went to " the D.H. " thread

Benelli Ethos & Beretta A400 Xcel Multitarget come to mind. These are $3K semi auto scatter-guns.

My Benelli M1 Super 90 has been totally bombproof for years now, it is way more capable than it's operator (me).

Benelli.
Or an 870. The older the better.

quote:

Originally posted by bendable:
If Noveski and L.M.T are some of the best in the semi auto rifle world and then
Les Baer and Ed Brown are much better than average in the pistol world

Where do people look too for semi auto shot guns ,when they are ready to step up?

Beretta and Benelli are the most popular semi autos, in general, in the clays games, which are the most focused on longevity and reliability. A lot of others make great guns, too. Browning used to be the #1 but the other 2 B's have surpassed them in popularity.

Waterfowlers are the others who demand reliability in adverse conditions and again, Benelli, Beretta, and Browning are the top 3.

Each maker has several lines of gun at different price points. There are some really fancy Beretta and Benelli shotguns with carbon fiber, etc.

Semi-auto shotguns do not demand the same level of attention that accurizing a rifle or pistol do. The pressures are much lower and the mechanism does not have to be as robust. 11,000 psi for a 12 ga, 50-60,000 for a .308 for instance. So the performance at price point does not swing as widely. It is just not that hard to make a reliable shotgun.

Attesting to my own limited experience with semi-autos I own,
the Benelli M2 and the Beretta 1301 I 'stepped up' to have given excellent performance and reliability.

My older Remington 11-87 did for years but maybe just needs some professional service and consumable parts replacement.

The Beretta 1301 seems to have unseated the Benellis for the top spot in tactical shotguns in some circles.

For the shooting spots the Benellis and Berettas are great, I have browning thats good on the domestic side the Remington 1100s and 11-87s and their descendants have had good performance in the past.

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:
Unlike the higher-end custom rifles and pistols like you referenced, there aren't small shops out there making high-end custom semiauto tactical shotguns from the ground up.

Instead, what we have are gunsmith shops like Vang Comp, Taran Tactical, and Wilson Combat/Scattergun Tech, who take factory semiauto shotguns from big manufacturers like Remington and Benelli and customize/improve them.

I'll shill for Langdon Tactical and say that I've owned a Benelli M1 (ghost sights), two Remington 1100s, a Vang Comp 870, and a FN SLP Mk 1 and I'd have traded them all for the LTT 1301 that I've got (though I would have wanted some cash, but not as much as you'd think). My LTT 1301 is THE shit. Maybe there are some $3000 Benelli shotguns out there that are "better" but for $2300 (including Holosun, sling and light), my LTT is the one light in this dark time.

Benelli, SBEIII, Ethos, M2, etc. They have a lot of models.
Beretta A300, A350, or A400
Browning A5 or Maxus
Remington Versa Max V3

The above are hunting or sporting models. For tactical:

Benelli M2 or M4
Beretta 1301
FNH SLP (Browning Gold)
Remington Versa Max Tactical or Tactical Competition

I prefer Browning and its speed loader feature to any other brand. I have both Brownings, Benellis. and a Remington. Benelli got everyone started with the modern short recoil (inertia) system. Browning claims they have an updated inertia system. Beretta is gas piston only but well regarded. The V3 is actually a very good system if Remington's QC is on. It's a gas piston too.

You need to see which one fits you best and meets your budget. There really isn't a bad gun in the bunch it's really personal choice.

Benelli

Benelli
Franchi
Remington

You have a couple gunsmiths/companies who will dude up "tactical" shotguns and more gunsmiths/companies who with modify guns to "race guns" but I don't think there's anyone "building" custom semi auto & pump shotguns similar to what you're asking. Roth Performance makes their own Benelli M2 pattern receiver that they build on, off the top of my head that would be the only thing compatible. (and I've no idea if it's any better, but it's not it's not just polishing and painting someone else gun)

You're probably referring to new shotguns.

I'm a huge fan of older well kept Remington 1100's.

Dang near bulletproof, just keep a couple extra O-rings on hand and you're good to go.

Remington V3
Fabarm
Beretta 400”s
Benelli

Because I am bored out of my goard, I went a Googling

https://www.wilsoncombat.com/standard/
https://www.vangcomp.com/
http://www.performancearms.com/
and
this guy gets good revue's on a half a dozen firearms forums
https://aiptactical.com/

but his website leaves a lot to be desired

Many great factory options have been mentioned, never tried a boutique version.

Versamax
1100/11-87
FN SLP
Beretta 1301
Benelli-M3 in my case

They are all great, some just require a bit more attention to keep running well.

If anyone’s looking for a 1301 Locked & Loaded has them for a decent price, 799.99+shipping, no affiliation. I think the 1301 is my favorite, the lightest by far and recoil still isn’t too bad.

Never had work done by aiptactical but if you need a Remington shotgun part he is the guy, hands down.