What would be the most versatile semi-automatic shotgun?

[rlongnt]

Benelli M2 is #1 on my list to fill that exact role.

For the money the Beretta A300 is pretty good.

1100 is a good option for less money but if it's a newer one that takes 3" shells the gas ports are too small to reliably cycle really light loads. Luckily I have the original 1982 IC barrel that came with mine as well as the newer style so that's what I use for sporting clays.

 

[technetium-99m]

An M2 is worth the price tag.

 

[SoonerP226]

I don't know about the M2, but my M1 has been worth every penny I paid for it. It's set up as a defensive shotgun, so it's probably not ideal for birds, but it did reach out and touch a skunk at somewhere between 75 and 100 feet (the skunk and I were both moving, so I'm not sure exactly how far) with a load of 00 buck one night.

 

[Shadowrider]

I vote Benelli Vinci.

 

[MR.T.]

Franchi 48al 12 guage.

 

[O4L]

I like the 1100. Been shooting them since I was a pup.

 

[technetium-99m]

The M1 is only slightly behind the M2 in goodness.

I'd take a used M1 over anything else remotely in the same price range.

 

[zghorner]

The M1 is only slightly behind the M2 in goodness.

I'd take a used M1 over anything else remotely in the same price range.

that's exactly what I did when looking for a 3 gun shotgun...bought a used M1 field for $600 put another $240 in it and have a really nice gun for about $400 less than a bare bones M2.

I just recommend the M2 since the M1 is phased out, parts and what not were easier to find for the M2 when I was putting my gun together.

 

[Leadlobber]

Browning Gold is on my list....
I have been shooting an older Browning B 80 .....

 

[turkeyrun]

Gas operated longevity?

I have a 16 ga. 1100 that Santa brought me 45 yrs ago. It has taken dove, quail, pheasants, turkey, teal, mallards, geese, sandhill crane, snipe, rabbits, and squirrels. With the mandate for steel shot, I got a 12 870Mag. A few years later, I went for the 1100 in 12 ga. I picked up a 20 ga, because it was a good deal and then added a 20 ga LWT.

The 1100 can and will do it all.

I have considered a Versa-Max, but I don't know why.

$1300+ for a Benelli? OK, if you have money to burn. All 4 of 1100s combined were less than a grand.
BTW, I have 5 870s, 12 MAG, 12 riot HD, 16, 20, .410.