For a reasonable discussion of this often-asked, highly-pondered, loudly bragged-about question, let's take a step back from the usual gun club banter or advertising hyperbole. To start with, let's consider not just the stunt of a “
torture test” that many manufacturers claim, all with predictably fabulous results. We will go straight to the source, a very good source of high-volume autoloading shotgun performance evaluation.
Hayes and Hayes Outfitters is run by Alex and Zeke Hayes in Argentina. Please refer to
H&H Outfitters | Best Dove Hunting Experience in Argentina . They have been at it for over eighteen years. Hayes & Hayes keeps over 150 rental guns on hand for clients that would rather avoid the hassle of bringing their own shotguns, although you are most welcome to.
Hayes & Hayes clients consume up to
six million shotshells a year. When the subject matter turns to millions of rounds per year for eighteen years, it is a body of experience that cannot be easily dismissed. No manufacturer or individual can hope to compile this level of data, not even close. Millions of rounds fired, with clients averaging over 1200 rounds per day is the type of work-out that few shotguns will ever see. It makes that little “
4000 round” torture test on a new model shotgun look puny and insignificant by comparison. So what is it that Hayes & Hayes has observed with this level of shooting activity over the years? Zeke Hayes has come up with the following direct quotes in times past about a few popular models.
Beretta 391: “
Doesn't hold up as well as the 390 because the 391 pistons break."
Browning Gold: "
It is the next in line after Beretta and Benelli for quality."
Remington 1100/11-87: "
Some fanatics bring Remingtons, but they have to nurse them."
Most of the house guns are twenty gauges, the autoloaders of choice are Benelli Montefeltros and Beretta 390's. It isn't that even these guns are completely immune from any wear, as Hayes keeps replacement links on hand for their 390's and replacement inertia springs on hand for their Benelli's. Not everyone is going to agree with Zeke Hayes' finding that the most reliable autoloader is the Benelli followed by an obsolete Beretta 390, but that isn't the sole point.
The point is that very few individuals or companies in the world have equal experience to base their findings on than Zeke Hayes. A high-end, high-volume Argentina outfitter has more riding on the long-term performance of a shotgun than the fellow just shooting a couple of rounds of skeet per week. Jamming and broken guns give clients headaches, the outfitter as well, and keeping guns running is part of the cost of operating high-volume hunts.