"Gunfighting is a thinking man's game. So we might want to bring thinking back into it."-MDFA
As somebody who went through the same quandary not long ago, the M2 is a great answer. It's what I picked up and I'm super happy with it. If memory serves, my M2 (26",Max-5 camo) was in the neighborhood of $1300. Benelliusa.com has replacement barrels, between 18.5" and 21" for $400-500. So, the OP would be looking at $1700+ for the set.
Then, you'll probably want a mag extension, follower, etc, etc.... It's a great gun, but the rabbit hole is real.
Cheers!
I duck hunted for a couple of years with an 1187 SPS Camo but never really liked the fit. Sold it and moved on. It was reliable but I just never really liked it.
I’m leaning towards the Benelli. Of course, maybe I just need to sober up and not try to cram a two gun mission into a single gun....
Last edited by LSP552; 03-06-2019 at 09:29 PM.
Another option coming out is the Remington V3. I just saw that they were offering 18.5" barrels on their store. I haven't seen one of the 18.5" barrels in person yet, but I've liked the "musket length" V3 in the time I spent with one trying to break it (and my shoulder) over the course of several cases of 2 3/4" target and game loads and 3" turkey shells. Usually helps that Remington is running rebates more often than not anymore.
Last edited by ragnar_d; 03-08-2019 at 07:55 AM.
"If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur."
Disclaimer: I have previously worked in the firearms industry as an engineer. Thoughts and opinions expressed here are mine alone and not those of my prior employers.