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I have a Gold 3 1/2" Stalker that I love. My brother has the Gold 3 1/2" with camo. Neither of us have had any problems. They both eat anything we put in them. I have had an 11-87 SP 3" that was a little picky about what brand shells I shot. I liked it ok, but sold it to buy an new Benelli SBE. I didn't like it, sold it, bought the Gold in 2001 I think. Of all of them, I like it the best. I like both the speed-load feature and the magazine cut-off on the Browning. If you don't care about these features, you may want to look at the Winchester Super X2.

I am picking up my son's new Gold 3" Stalker tomorrow. He is 13 and it is a Christmas/birthday present. It will cost me total of $630 after shipping/FFL/rebate. Man is he going to be stoked!!!!

Best of luck. My guess is you will get supporters and doubters on both sides. Personally, I like the Gold, but would not hesitate about buying an 11-87. You may want to read some of the other posts that have been written lately about camo. Some like it, others don't.

 

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The magazine cutoff is a lever on left side of the receiver. It holds the shells in the magazine if you open the bolt. The bolt then locks back like if the gun were empty. It works well if you are duck hunting over decoys and a couple geese fly in, you don't have to empty the whole gun and then reload. You can flip the mag cutoff, slip the 2 3/4" or 3" load out and slip in a 3 1/2". Or if you are going out of the blind or taking a break while bird hunting and want to lay your gun down, you don't have to empty the whole gun. The bolt stays back, so everyone can see the gun is safe.

If you are doing a lot of upland hunting, consider a 3" instead of 3 1/2". I almost went with a 3 1/2" for my son, but 3" is big enough for most things. If you need the extra distance/power, you can always go with Hevi-shot or similar.

The 3" Gold does not come with magazine cutoff. The Classic model of the 3" does though. Features are explained pretty well and pictures can be seen on the Browning web site.

If you get the Gold before the first of the year you will get a $100 rebate. I assume they will still have a rebate after the first of the year, but it may only be $50 or $75.

 

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Sorry for repeating pretty much what Worc wrote. We must have been typing at the same time.

I would jump on the Gold for $650. Even without the rebate that is a very good price.