I went through what you are considering. I shot 12 Ga. 2-3/4' Remington 870 Wingmaster all my life. I wanted a 3-1/2' mag. pump so I bought the Benelli Nova Pump. I never got used to it in 5 years. I shot it poorly because the ventilated rib starts low goes up and then gones down to the end of the barrel. Probably most shooters like it that way because they shoot over the barrel. The remington I had was flat and I shot it well. Also the nova had the safety in front of the trigger. I was used to the safety in back of the trigger. Every time a bird buzzed me, I could not get a quick shot because I had to look for the safety. My finger went to the back automatically.

I looked at Benelli(s), Beretta, Versa Max, Winchester, and the Browning Maxus.

The Versa Max is a good shotgun.

The Beretta has the best steel.

The inertia systems are easier to clean because you do not have the powder residue.

The Maxus fit me the best. I have put a couple hundred rounds through it and I can hit with it better than with the old remington. So far I think I made the right choice for me.

All of the these guns are good, but to me the most important part was being able to hit with it.

Go to a gun shop that has them all and see which one fits you the best.

Any shotgun you buy is going to have felt recoil shooting 3 1/2 shells.

My favorite is the Maxus. Make sure any gun you buy is camo coated.

Like you i gre up hunting with remington shotguns, from the wingmaster to the 11-87 and everything in between. I also have a benelli super black eagle 2 that is a good gun as well. About a month ago i recently purchased a Versa Max Waterfowl Edition. And all i can say i absolutely love it. I have already shot 15 boxes of shells out of it and never wiped it down or anything. From Dove hunting to shooting clays to now most recently shooting teal.And like you when i went to lafayette shooters to purchase it they tried to get me to buy the beretta and benelli, personally i think if i went to get a gun, i did the research and i know what i want. So with that being said i think it was a good buy and no problems yet. But like the previous guy said go shoulder the ones you are considering and see which one fits you better. Also one downside to the versa max only remington pro-bore chokes (which come with it) can be used. Patternmaster, kicks, etc. do not make a choke for it yet. Hopefully soon!!!!! Good luck on your purchase

Also, Between my super black eagle to my versa max, the versa max kicks less.

Justfishin is right. The first step is to figure out the guns that fit you. Both feel and fit. I know that you can pay someone to alter your gun but selling it later is more difficult. I did a lot of research and decided on an Extrema 2 six years ago. Then I had a chance to handle the gun. It was all wrong for me. Didn't fit or throw up right at all. The super black 2 and the silver hunter fit me perfect out the box. I have both and love them but still think the Extrema 2 is the best duck and goose gun from my research. My super black has failed a few times, but I have learned to fix it. Good luck. Doug

Buy the gun that fits you and feels great.. I second the guy above on the browning maxus. I bought the bottomland camo model 28' barrel and shoots 3 1/2' and I love it. In my opinion-Benelli, beretta , and browning are your top choices. All great guns known for reliability. The maxus feels the best hands down. Load and unloads the fastest with quick load feature. Shell cut off so you can cycle just the chambered one out. If my reciever is open i can load a shell in the magazine tube, push it in, let it go, and it cycles the round for me. Shoot three shots need one more just push it in the tube and shoot. No pressing a release button to pop the shell out then pulling the reciever to chamber it. Its slim and makes for good grip and feel when shouldered. The weapon is solid when you cycle the receiver by hand compared to beretta and Benelli. They feel like lightweight cheap parts. I dont think a 1700 gun should have a lightweight cheap feel of any kind. The versa max feels cheap also. Forend wobbles right out the box, like super cheap plastic. Browning kicks the least and is the lightest in weight. Maxus is the way to go, guaranteed!

...what 'ya gott'a get is the Cosmo Galaxy Super Purple Poka-Dot Sparrow Big Bang IV...'da recoil and weight is a little heavy but get someone else to shoot and carry it for 'ya ???...cheers

P/S...(it's a shame that some just don't get it)

Haha yeah that's the one.. I heard its a real great deal.

I shoot an old wingmaster most often, and an SBE II the second most often, but I have shot a bunch of them and I would not overlook the Beretta A400's. Everybody loves the Extremas (391's), but the A400 is an awesome shooter. They are more expensive than the Versamax, but what's a couple of hundred bucks over the next 50 years? Just try your best to shoot them all and make the right choice for you, and you'll have a gun you'll love for years!