Browning vs Benelli

[sipseyduck]

SBE I or II

[GulfCoast]

I have owned 2 SBE I's. They were pure crap, both had mechanical and warranty problems, and I finally washed my hands of them. I have been "retained" twice to sue Benelli over failures to honor their warranty (never had to sue 'em, they caved and did right eventually). I have personally seen the barrel rings crack and the barrels fall off two of them. I have seen several more break extractor plates. If you are going to buy a Benelli SBE I, take a cold shower and buy the Super 90 instead. I don't know anything about the SBE II other than it costs too much.

I have Browning Golds that have been shot to the point they should be falling apart, over 50K rounds through one. 10 hours under salt water in Katrina. Still going strong. I cannot imagine being more satisfied with a gun than I have been with my Golds. I seldom clean them, either. If you are going to buy a Gold, get camo since the recievers are prone to scratch at the ejection port.

I really like the speed load, so its worth the extra money for me, but otherwise I would buy the Winchester Super X2, same gun, only a few parts won't interchange, and it costs less.

[Law Duck]

I've had both. I've had trouble with both shooting light loads from time to time. I would have to say that the SBE did better with light loads, but I still had a few problems. The biggest difference to me has been the weight of the Gold....it just seems so much heavier. I have only had it for about a year and a half, but I don't shoot nearly as well with it. I am not sure if it is the fact that I am not comfortable/confident or what. Overall I have to agree with everyone else.....just a matter of opinion. The best advise is to shoot both before spending the money.

[GulfCoast]

Personally, I always add weight to my guns, so I prefer the heavier Gold. Either the SBE or the Gold have very good balance, so the shooting dynamics are not much different to me, other than pure weight. I like a gun that is "hard to stop" versus one that is "easy to start". Other folks who "snap shoot" want a short barreled light gun. As my old football coach would say "It all verfifies from person to person."

The new Franchi's are basically Benellis marketed at a lower price point, so if ya just "gotta do it" I would look at the Franchi.

[chadrideduck]

I have both...Benelli is lighter and patterns better to me. I keep picking the Benelli up when i go hunting. Just like it more overall.

[chadrideduck]

They both shoot anything I ever put in them from cheap dove loads to turkey loads......

[Dingy]

Benelli M1 owner for three seasons, love it. Lightweight (comparably), yet it swings nice and the pattern with #4 faststeel and factory choke is crazy.

[reloader]

Gun fit is the most important thing when buying. I have my favorite brand of gun. But for me to tell you to purchase on brand alone would be stupid. A gun that you can't hit with no matter how well made isn't worth crap. As you can tell from the posts all gun brands have their problems and all guns have their highlights so buy a gun that fits or can be fitted to you and go smoke your buddies in the blind.

[kenneth lister]

check out Mark's outdoors website,it will be in birmingham AL.,they have the winchester superx2's for 475$ right now.I think that is a good price.I am personally on my third season with a sbe1,i shoot heavysteel and kick's highflyer choke extra full.A combo any better than that would not be fair to the ducks!

[GulfCoast]

Where is this place in Birmingham??????

I need to buy a Christmas gift, and that would be a killer deal!

[kenneth lister]

gulfcoast,its in vestavia hills,I just called them for you and they said they would ship it to a licensed dealer but not to individual.The price is correct though,he has wood,black and camo.The address is 1400b.montgomery highway birminghamAL.

[GulfCoast]

Thanks for the info!

[Josey Wales]

I have a Browning Gold..get the Benelli..My Browning Gold hangs up way too much..

[tunica]

I got a ted williams from Sears and Roebuck. it aint never failed Me either. Wonders if I can be grandfathered in to shoot lead with it.
Other than My two super 90 tomato gun's

[Chocolate Seal]

MY REMINGTON MODEL 11 HAS NEVER HUNG UP

IT IS REAL OLD ALSO