Gun question, Benelli vs. Beretta

[mshunter77]

there where a lot of different rumors going around about browning and winchester, some people where saying that winchester bought out browning or browning bought out winchester, i talked to a winchester rep and he said that a group bought out browning and i beleive they also bought out winchester, the reason that winchester quit making certain models was that they closed down a mill that just wasn't running at optimal performance. Academy sports has the X2 in a wood stock 3 inch for $ 398, and it is made in belgium, the browning silver hunter is made in japan and it sells for $699 they appear to be the same gun other than a few cosmetic differences.

[GordonGekko]

the above is correct Browning and Winchester are both owned by the same company (Giat Industries I think)...this has been so for quite a few years actually the SX2 and browning gold are almost identical, only a few parts won't interchange....

Jeff, honestly if you don't like the way the beretta handles you probably won't be happy with it...however, in my experience both the Benelli and the Beretta will be much more reliable than an 11-87, not even in the same league in fact.... Shoot them both before you buy....

[Seem too Xtrema2 you?]

my screen name i guess answers where I stand. Good luck with your shopping.

[ducman77]

Well if you are around Greenwood before you buy one i will let you shoot both if the Beretta will shoot. LOL

[Jeff]

What has me most interested in the guns is how everyone tells me how much more reliable they are than an 1187. In eleven duck seasons, I have had that gun jam once, and other than storm affected years, that is normally at least 2 cases of shells ran through it, plus a thousand or so at the skeet range every year. I am real interested in the reliability of something that is hands down better than that? I really just want a gun that will be a good back up to my SP-10 for geese and turkey. However I know it will soon by my all the time gun and the 1187 will be the backup to the backup.

[ducman77]

I have an 11-87 and it froze up one year and that is when i bought the Benelli. The guy i was hunting with had a SBE and kept on shooting while i sat there and watched.

[Jeff]

Freezing up isn't an issue forme unless I get locked in a deep freeze with my gun.

[Dutch Dog]

I have a SBE that's pushing 10 years old now. One HELL of a good gun. Only had 1 problem in those 10 years. The ejector broke clean off. I believe that's what it's called...little spring loaded device on the inside of the receiver that causes the shell to be forced out of the ejection port. YEARS of 3 1/2 shells through it was the cause. Thinking of sending it off to the camo dipping place in GA to make it Mossy Oak Break Up. They say it won't rust after doing that....HMMMM????

[Deltamud77]

Jeff,

Take a look at the new Browning Silver too. The new Silver is chambered in 3.5" and it is a good looking gun. I don't think it has all the bells and whistles of the Gold, but it doesn't carry the price either.

As to the Benelli, I know the SBE2 has a problem with the stock pad coming off with minimal side force when the gun hit the market. That problem may have been fixed by now, I don't know. I had several gun dealers point this out when I was in the market a couple of years ago.

[GulfCoast]

You want apples to apples comparisons?

I have owned each of the following (several in multiples):

Browning Gold 3.5
Xtrema I
Xtrema II
Beretta 390
Super X 1
Super X II
SBE (H&K)
SBE I
SBE II
Super 90 (Super 90 I, I guess)
11-87

I have shot the hell out of all of them.

I would not trade any of the others for my old beat up Browning Gold 3.5 that I quit counting shells at over 50K rounds. I know countless hardcore guys that hunt with these, never seen a problem. I keep expecting mine to fall apart due to the aluminum receiver, but it keeps spitting them out. I love it.

SBE's are the most overated guns in history. I have yet to ever hunt with anyone that did not have a problem with one sometime over the weekend. I have seen 2 barrels rings crack and the barrels fall off. Seriously. The Super 90 is underated, a fabulous gun, and more gun than the SBE ever will be. If you go Benelli, get a Super 90 and don't look back.

The Beretta 390 may be the best gas gun design ever. Never seen one have a problem. They use them for high volume rental guns in Argentina more than any other brand. Either Xtrema is a rock solid gun, beware of loose triggers in the store and 15 inch length of pull if you are not NBA basketball player size.

Super X2 is a darn good gun, I am just used to the speed load on a BGH, and if its gonna look like a BGH, I want my freaking speed load.

I would not cross the street for another Remington, ever.

The best duck gun ever made was the A5 or the Model 12.

Peace out.

[MudHog]

Okay I realize this is like asking about favorite trucks/women, everyone has an opinion. I am getting real close to pulling the trigger on a new shotgun. My 11-87 is wearing out after 12 years as a push pole, and my SP-10 is starting to give my cycling problems. I need a reliable back up for geese/turkeys and also would like something I can shoot ducks with. It is also important to me that the gun eject light loads for shooting flyers while dog training (approx 25/week). If you could only buy one 3.5" automatic, what would it be? I am leaning twoards the Beretta, but am still open to ideas. I am also EXTREMELY hard on my equipment, I am a member of the goosebruce sand your gun down at the end of the season and spray it down with BBQ paint at the end of the season. Whats everyones opinion, I realize I will get about 50 different ones.

If the 11-87 lasted 12 years of the abuse your saying, why not go with another one?

You hunt the same type of land as myself, so I know what you hunt through. My gun, like yours, is a horse. It's never in a case, sits at the bottom of my boat in all the sandy water, mud, leaves, etc. and still shots every shot. They make great walking sticks when needed too.

I always trust a Remington. For their price, I wouldn't look at anything else.

[Greenhead22]

The reason is because the 11-87's aren't made like they were years ago when he bought his. I've heard about very few problems out of the 3" 11-87's like the one Jeff has, but the 3.5's are an entirely different story.

The two worst jammomatics I've ever laid eyes on are the 1100 and 11-87 when it comes to light loads.

[lower14]

SBE's are the most overated guns in history. I have yet to ever hunt with anyone that did not have a problem with one sometime over the weekend.

Well, I've hunted with my SBE for 11 seasons now, in the fields of the Mississippi Delta, the brackish waters of the Chesapeake and the salt waters of the Eastern Shore, and I have never - ever - had a problem with it. Yeah, you have to keep 'em clean, but you have to do that with most autoloaders.

I love mine - I doubt I'll ever shoot anything else.

[GulfCoast]

You may be the exception to the rule after 15 years, but lets just say I hunt A LOT and you would be the first! Its really cool to watch a barrel ring crack and the barrel come sliding off and stick up in the mud like a spear!

Trade that thing for a Super 90 and then I will show you some Benneli love!

The older Remingtons had machined parts. I forget when they started stamping them. The Super X1 is the same way. Old ones lasted forever, thats why they quit making those and the Model 12 and A5. Precious little demand for new ones when the old ones never wore out.

[bigwater]

got a browning gold.. will be glad to sell it for sure.... hell of a gun..