Neal Haarberg wrote:
So after 26 years of service I think its time to retire my old 870 special purpose that my dad got me when I graduated high school. Its down to the bare steel so bad that rust is a constant problem that I am facing now. I have considered jsut hitting with rustoleum and calling it good, but it's time for something new. I am thinking about going to a semi auto and know nothing about them. never paid attention because my trusty 870 did the job. Most guys I hunt with have Bennelli's. I freelance hunt in the Pacific NW so that means I am not in a nice blind and often in the mud and saltwater at times.The gun needs to be able to take some abuse. Rarely does it get below freezing but I have hunted in 15F so cold can be an issue but it will always get wet. Other than being reliable in the field I would like to know your thoughts on ease of cleaning and the different finishes that are available now and how well they wear. I am hard on my equipment and I want whatever I get to last another 25 years, Thanks in advance for all the input.
Three years ago I bought an older Beretta Extrema 2. As much as I hate to say it I abuse my guns. Tidal flats, mud, salt water, rain, dirt. I like it so much and it worked so well I bought a second one as a back up. Even with 3 inch shells the recoil is very comparable to my 20 gauge Beretta. It is a heavier gun, but if you don't plan on doing a lot of walking it's not an issue. The original gun I bought had a vinyl camo wrap placed on my previous owner. Believe it or not it has held up amazingly well and there is no rust issues underneath.
The second one I bought I had Cera coated. It's a very nice coating and seems like it is impervious to everything
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I never know which is worse: the sorrow when you hit the bird, or the shame when you miss. http://www.hillmandecoys.com Mullica Hill NJ
