Duck Guns 2000

By Aaron Frasier Pass
For waterfowlers, this year brings both new shotguns and refinements to existing models

Starting in early autumn and climaxing in January at the annual Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show, firearms companies debut their new shotguns. In 1999, the industry was rich with new waterfowling models. The Winchester Super X2, Benelli Nova, Ruger All-Weather over-and-under, and a waterfowling version of Ithaca's Model 37 were all brand new.

Those firms elected to stand pat in 2000, although Winchester is presenting a new Mossy Oak Shadow Grass finish on the 3 1/2-inch Magnum Super X2. However, Remington, Beretta, KBI (Charles Daly), Heckler & Koch/Fabarms, and several other companies have new waterfowl models for the new millennium.

• Remington brings us the very popular Model 11-87 autoloader enlarged to accommodate the 3 1/2-inch 12-gauge shotshell. Appropriately named the Remington 11-87 Super Magnum, this autoloader handles everything from 2 3/4-inch field loads to the big 3 1/2-inch 12-gauge magnums without adjustment. A state-of-the-art gas metering system automatically siphons off the appropriate amount of gas pressure to operate the action for the various loads and reduces recoil in the process. The Remington 11-87 Super Magnum is available as an SP variation with a walnut stock, or an SPS with a black synthetic stock.
  
  
• Beretta's new AL391 Urika autoloader is a close call between a new model and an extensively refined version of the popular AL390. The many improvements to the excellent AL390 seem to amount to more than the sum of their parts. A prime design goal was a slimmer feel, to resemble the handling characteristics of the much beloved Beretta 303 autoloader. The internal self-regulating gas metering system was redesigned for simpler assembly and easier maintenance. There are two vibration dampers: one in the receiver softens the blow of the recoiling breech bolt, and another in the forend dampens vibration coming off the barrel. Both result in less stress on the gun and on the shooter.
  
  
• Browning is looking into a venue of waterfowling not addressed by the marshland camouflages offered on their existing waterfowl guns. This year, the Browning Gold Waterfowl will also come in a timber-hunting version featuring a Mossy Oak Break-Up finish, 26-inch barrel, and choice of 3- or 3 1/2-inch chambers.
  
  This version is aimed predominately at the southern ends of the Atlantic and Mississippi flyways, where duck hunting in flooded timber and river swamps is a deep-rooted tradition. The moderate barrel length recommends this Browning Gold Hunter as both a waterfowl and a turkey gun.
  
  Also of interest from Browning is a new set of specialized Waterfowler Extended Choke Tubes. These are Invector-Plus tubes designed to provide appropriate choke dimensions for Browning's back-bored barrels. (They also fit the Winchester Super X2.) The new tubes are designed to handle all forms of nontoxic shot. Since the various nontoxic shot materials react differently to various choke constrictions, these tubes, in full, improved modified, modified, light modified, and improved cylinder, allow the shooter to tailor his choke choice for any type of nontoxic shot.
  
  
• KBI, Inc., known for its Charles Daly shotguns, joined the 3 1/2-inch-magnum club in 2000. Its new Field Hunter MM VR-MC Classic autoloader and pump gun models are completely new designs built to accommodate the increased power of the 3 1/2-magnum load. All barrels are ported for recoil reduction, and the guns are available in Advantage, Advantage Wetlands, Realtree X-tra, and Realtree Hardwoods camouflage patterns. The Charles Daly 3-inch models, the Field Hunter VR-MC in both autoloader and pump, remain in the line.
  
  
• Benelli brought out a left-handed version of the Super Black Eagle 3 1/2-inch autoloader last year. This year, the Benelli Super 90 receives the same treatment for southpaws who are content with a 3-inch autoloader.
  
  
• Mossberg relies on its well-proven Model 835 Ulti-Mag 3 1/2-inch pump to carry its waterfowling banner. In 2000, a new finish, Realtree Hardwoods, will join Mossy Oak Shadow Branch and Mossy Oak Shadow Grass on the 835UM.
  
  
• Weatherby announced its SAS autoloader in 12- and 20-gauge last year. This autoloader's self-compensating gas system allows the use of both 3- and 2 3/4-inch shotshells without adjustment. This year, Weatherby has made the SAS more field specific with finishes such as Mossy Oak Shadow Grass for marshlands, Superflauge for woodlands, and a synthetic-stocked model in black matte.
  
  
• Fabarm Shotguns, imported by Heckler & Koch, brings a very nice autoloader to the waterfowler's table. The Fabarm Camo Lion, in Advantage Wetlands, is a gas-operated autoloader that handles both 3- and 2 3/4-inch loads. Fabarms autoloaders feature Teflon-coated gas system parts for extra smoothness. Twin, forged action bars drive the action. The TriBore barrel features three diameters to provide the recoil-reduction of back boring with no velocity loss.
  
  
• European American Armory (E.A.A.) is premiering two 3 1/2-inch smoothbores that might interest waterfowlers on a budget. The Model 153 autoloader handles loads from 2 3/4 up to 3 1/2 inches without adjustment. Its companion pump, the Model 133, also has a 3 1/2-inch chamber. These are Russian-made and carry the maker's mark of "Baikal," already well known for solid, economy-priced over-and-unders. Double-barrelled duck and goose hunters have an increasing number of choices for next season. A number of sturdy, moderately priced side-by-sides and over-and-unders are now competing for this market, which has been somewhat overlooked.