Shotgun Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Forums

looking for real world performance data on inertia guns

Jump to Latest
1 - 20 of 24 Posts
T

TryEveryAuto

· Registered
Joined
·
20 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hey, so I haven't bought an inertia gun this year, and I'm about to. I've read quite a bit about the following contenders for this next purchase, but would love to hear some real world, in-the-field feedback (preferably the icy, wet, cold, marshy-type field.) I'm leaning towards a forearm spring gun vs stock spring (like my retay, which has been a winner for sure), but right now I'm considering:
-weatherby element
-weatherby 18i
-CZ 1012
-Dickinson 212
-Dickinson ASI
-Impala plus
-Franchi affinity

Any real world experience you have on these, or similar guns, good and bad, would be much appreciated! thanks
 
#2 ·
I have the Dickinson 212 ELR Gold, nice gun, won't shoot 3/4 ounce loads, but will shoot 7/8 ounce. I have not used it in inclement weather, so I don't know how it would hold up. Only used it for sporting clays.

cdb
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#3 ·
Affinity 3. Dead nutz reliable with >7/8 ounce ammo, stupid simple to break down, clean (if it actually needs it) and reassemble.
With regards to 7/8 ammo, it needs a little more speed to cycle these because...well...it works on inertia. Immaterial to me. I load 1 ounce loads at >1200fps. No worries, mate.

tp
 
#6 ·
I have a Weatherby Element 20ga and it is rear grip/stock spring recoil action like Benelli. I don't have longevity experience as I bought it in May. I have shot about 10 boxes of a mix of 1200 fps and 1290 fps 7/8 oz #7&1/2 shells (Rem Gun Club & Win Super X) at Sporting Clays and it cycled every one. I even mixed the shot speed and 1200 fed the following 1290 and vice-versa. The gun is light which makes it good for Upland and field shooting. Can't rate recoil because I am used to pumps and break open guns which recoil significantly. I haven't shot any high brass or magnum loads in the Element, so I can't address this. It is the first 20ga and semi-auto for me. Easy to clean. It mounts well for me. I have shot pumps, SxS, and O/U for 59 years.

JB
 
#7 ·
I'll vouch for the Element (although it is a stock spring rather than a forend spring).

I've owned mine about 3 years, only shoot targets, but it's been completely reliable. It'll cycle 7/8 loads, and will go quite a while without a cleaning if that's important to you. I have done some shooting in rain/snow/cold, with no mechanical or cosmetic issues, but nothing like a day in a duck blind.
 
#10 ·
TryEveryAuto said:
Hey, so I haven't bought an inertia gun this year, and I'm about to. I've read quite a bit about the following contenders for this next purchase, but would love to hear some real world, in-the-field feedback (preferably the icy, wet, cold, marshy-type field.) I'm leaning towards a forearm spring gun vs stock spring (like my retay, which has been a winner for sure), but right now I'm considering:
-weatherby element
-weatherby 18i
-CZ 1012
-Dickinson 212
-Dickinson ASI
-Impala plus
-Franchi affinity

Any real world experience you have on these, or similar guns, good and bad, would be much appreciated! thanks
Click to expand...
You've mentioned that you have used several inertia guns over the years: what is it that you're looking for, exactly?

All of the shotguns you have mentioned are big, fat downgrades from a Retay Masai Mara. With the inertia plus action, speed unloading, a machined metal trigger group (with a push button quick-release), barrels made from Bohler steel . . . the Retay Masai Mara is an easy choice.

None of the shotguns cited are from real shotgun companies except the Istanbul Silah Impala, the rest are just spec guns thrown in a branded box. What Weatherby was or is thinking with the bulbous fore-end Marocchi-made 18i is anyone's guess. The old Civolani action is offered by many, including Girsan, the 'new' SKB, and so forth. You can throw in the 'new' A5 as well. It is same old, same old: it is over 55 years unmarred by progress.
 
Discussion starter · #11 ·
Well, the root my problem here is that I am addicted to trying new guns, looking for a hidden gem, a diamond in the rough...something that is amazing but isn't so popular I suppose. Like my doctoral advisor told me about his wine collection "anyone can go out and spend $200 and get a great bottle of wine - the fun of the hunt for me is to research, learn, ask, try and find an amazing bottle for $20. People will tell you that it can't be done, but I have fooled the experts, and it can be done with some legwork." So I want to do the same thing with autoloaders. My batting record isn't great, lots of flops, but some gems in there too that I relish. When I got my retay the rep told me I was the first to have one in Michigan, and it wasn't really that expensive, I had never heard of them - so I put that into the $40 bottle of wine class, satisfying at the time. But now everybody I hunt with got one, my son (who will shoot this next gun the most) isn't in love with the stock spring (he's short and stands in water a lot while hunting).

So I'm hoping for something a little different for the next one. I only care about mag performance while waterfowling in wet, cold conditions. I did read some crap reviews on the CZ 1012, but sounds like those are target load based. I'm leaning towards a Dickinson now due to their excellent tech guys I've spoke with, 30" barrel option and great warranty. But getting one ordered around here has been tough. I want to learn more about the Impala and a few others, just amazed at the lack of info online...in looking at the manuals I could find, I'm wondering if several of these actually have the same guts?

Also, does the weatherby 18i have a front spring with that chunky forearm?

thanks for the thoughts.
 
#14 ·
TryEveryAuto said:
Well, the root my problem here is that I am addicted to trying new guns, looking for a hidden gem, a diamond in the rough...something that is amazing but isn't so popular I suppose. <SNIP>
So I'm hoping for something a little different for the next one. I only care about mag performance while waterfowling in wet, cold conditions.
Click to expand...
Well, I almost hate to tell you this, but inertia guns aren't the only good shotgun actions. The recoil spring placement was done in the Stoeger M2000, etc., just because it is cheaper to do . . . it isn't any better. It makes more sense in a gas gun where more cleaning is necessary, but does nothing for an inertia gun as far as reliability.

While you may claim you "only care about mag performance while waterfowling in wet, cold conditions" --- no one means that. Everyone cares about gun fit, handling, controls, balance, recoil, and so on. Aside from the Benelli click, there is no basis to suggest that any number of inertia guns are any more reliable than others. On hunts with a high of -6 degrees F, I've used Automatic-Fives and B-80's with no problems whatsoever.

An autoloader can only be as reliable as the ammo and beyond that-- a pump gun always wins.
 
#15 ·
RandyWakeman said:
TryEveryAuto said:
Hey, so I haven't bought an inertia gun this year, and I'm about to. I've read quite a bit about the following contenders for this next purchase, but would love to hear some real world, in-the-field feedback (preferably the icy, wet, cold, marshy-type field.) I'm leaning towards a forearm spring gun vs stock spring (like my retay, which has been a winner for sure), but right now I'm considering:
-weatherby element
-weatherby 18i
-CZ 1012
-Dickinson 212
-Dickinson ASI
-Impala plus
-Franchi affinity

Any real world experience you have on these, or similar guns, good and bad, would be much appreciated! thanks
Click to expand...
You've mentioned that you have used several inertia guns over the years: what is it that you're looking for, exactly?

All of the shotguns you have mentioned are big, fat downgrades from a Retay Masai Mara. With the inertia plus action, speed unloading, a machined metal trigger group (with a push button quick-release), barrels made from Bohler steel . . . the Retay Masai Mara is an easy choice.

None of the shotguns cited are from real shotgun companies except the Istanbul Silah Impala, the rest are just spec guns thrown in a branded box. What Weatherby was or is thinking with the bulbous fore-end Marocchi-made 18i is anyone's guess. The old Civolani action is offered by many, including Girsan, the 'new' SKB, and so forth. You can throw in the 'new' A5 as well. It is same old, same old: it is over 55 years unmarred by progress.
Click to expand...
What is "big", and "fat" about the Dickinson 212, mine tips the scale at 6 pounds 12 ounces, and is rather sleek.

cdb
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#18 ·
RandyWakeman said:
cdb1097 said:
What is "big", and "fat" about the Dickinson 212, mine tips the scale at 6 pounds 12 ounces, and is rather sleek.

cdb
Click to expand...
A "big, fat downgrade" means a large and significant downgrade: nothing to do with weight or blubber.
Click to expand...
Matter of opinion, I will take my Dickinson over any other 12 Ga inertia gun.

cdb
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#20 ·
RandyWakeman said:
cdb1097 said:
Matter of opinion, I will take my Dickinson over any other 12 Ga inertia gun.

cdb
Click to expand...
Only because you own it. That's hardly any type of critical analysis.
Click to expand...
I could say the same thing about your analysis.

cdb
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
1 - 20 of 24 Posts
About this Discussion
23 Replies
12 Participants
Last post:
tresamigovizslas
Shotgun Forum
posts
4.5M
members
164K
Since
2000
A forum community dedicated to Shotgun owners and enthusiasts including the Remington, Beretta, and Mossberg shotguns brands. Come join the discussion about optics, hunting, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
General Shotgun Discussions Shotshell Reloading Sporting Clays Tactical/HD Shotguns Shotgun Opinions