DuckSouth.com

I've used a Benalli Nova (3 1/2 pump) for 2yrs now. I think I'm going to upgrade next year to an auto. I find that the best advice is from other hunters rather than the store owner of the sporting goods store, so I'd appreciate any input (good or bad) on your auto. thanx.

Go with the BGH. The SBE is a good gun, but will not cycle out the lighter load shells without a sure cycle system being installed. The 11-87 will freeze up at times and can be a jammomatic. The Beretta Extrema is also a great gun, haven't heard any bad things about it. Either the BGH or the Win SuperX2, same gun, just cheaper, or the Extrema.

I have both a Browning and Remington auto with the 3.5" chamber. I have no personal experience with the SBE. I prefer the Remington simply because it fits me better off the shelf. I have had no problems from the BGH but prefer the feel and swing of the Remington. My $.02.

I would go with the Xtrema. With very little maintenance it shouldn't hang up. It will let you know when it needs cleaning because the action will gradually get a little slower when you are unloading your unfired shells. The action still doesn't "hang" it just doesn't close quite as fast. In my mind, I think that's a good time to clean it, but it probably doesn't really need it.

This occurs for me about once every 7 to 10 days with everyday usage during 1 and 1/2 duck seasons, still no hang-ups.

Oh yes, it will shoot the lightest of the light dove shells too, with no problems. This past Summer, I reloaded the lightest (slowest) 7/8 ounce recipe I could find, and shot 50 rounds.

I finally had to clean it when I did have two hang-up's occur while on a "fun" sporting clays shoot this Spring. I was shooting a variety of shells, and had the gun hang up when I shot the Estate 1 & 1/4 ounce heavy dove load. The gun was still dirty with last years duck season funk. Could have been the shells, but the bolt just didn't quite close up completely.

Good luck with you decision.

Have a 11-87 in 3", treat it like a red headed step child and it has never jammed, ever. I turkey hunt, and duck hunt with it. I do clean it on occation and wipe down the rings and slide that the gas pushes on under the foarm but this if few and far between. Only drawback with this gun is the weight, it is the black sysnthetic stock and is heavier than a Barretta or Bennelli auto. It does swing and shoot really well though and much cheaper. I would seriously consider another if I had to buy another shotgun.

If you've been shooting the Benelli and would like to stay with same, I can honestly say I've had good results with the SBE. I've taken mine to Argentina several times hunting ducks, geese, doves, etc. and it has now fired over 14,000 rounds without any real problems. Two of my other buddies carry SBE's with them as their waterfowl gun with similar results. I shot 70 boxes of dove loads in one day on a dove field and the action finally slowed down about 3:00 p.m. It didn't jam, you could just feel it cycling slower. A shot of Rem oil solved that. If you care anything about the way a gun balances between your hands you ought to pick up a SBE and compare it to the gas operated guns and feel the difference. The SBE has no rings or pistons under the forearm, which makes for a better balanced gun that points much quicker. The forearm is also slimmer. Overall, it feels in the hands more like an over under than a autoloader. One thing is true though......with the lightest of dove loads a SBE can be finicky on ammo. Mine will shoot Winchesters all day long without a hitch. The exact same load by Remington makes it urp within about a half a box or so. I spoke with the Benelli rep at the DU outdoor festival......and he gave me a brilliant response......lol......just shoot Winchesters. One other note, my father, who still shoots an old Winchester Super X from the 70's says my SBE feels like a "thrashing machine" when it cycles.....lol....so you may want to be aware of that. Overall, the gun has been really good for me.

The hell with the others, Berretta AL 390. I have owned benelli, remington, browning and to me they don't compare. I clean mine maybe twice a year during the season and it has only failed once when a piece of rice stem got lodged. Two second fix. I don't like the new 391's though. Just give a 390 a try you will understand. It is lighter, faster, and better balanced than any you have mentioned. What else do you have to do Duck season is over.

go with the Benelli SBE. i have owned for for 4 or 5 years and love it. in my opinion, it is the best gun around!

WOW!
I can't even believe this is even a discussion.
GO WITH THE SBE!!!!!!!
Just hold one, and you'll understand, it's perfectly balanced.
Yeah, it didn't like the light loads at first, but after just 2 boxes of 3.5" BB's even the dove loads cycled fine.
And best of all it doesn't have any of those darned gas chambers to gum up.

Just my $.02
SBE

SBE is correct about the heavy loads first. I have several SBE's and the one I hunt with all the time has just finished it's 9th season. Used it to bust ice, paddle and rides 90% of the time in the back of the truck or in the rack of the ranger in the weather. I have replaced the extractor 1 time and thats it. No telling how many rounds have been through it dove & duck loads. Took a new one out of the box last year and tried shooting light loads right off the bat and after the 3rd or 4th box it started hanging up. Shot about 5 boxes of 3 1/2" that duck season and now it shoots the light loads fine. Not that much difference in the price of an Xtrema. You can get a new SBE if you have a friend with a FFL reasonably. Kinda like Fords & Chevys. Some like 1 some like the other. I go with the SBE.

I shot 70 boxes of dove loads in one day on a dove field-Weedwader

Damn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

one gun you guys aren't considering, and much cheaper--eaa baikal mp-153 3 1/2" gas auto, made in russia--see it at eaacorp.com---$290 plus shipping to a dealer--hunted doves with 1 oz. and shot over a case of duck loads, no malfunctions---best money i ever spent

what i love so much about this topic is the number of new posters it has drawn.... alot of new guys just hand around and read, but this one has raised their bristles..... join in fellows and share some thoughts..........


judge jb

Winchester Super X2 3.5. Have you tried or looked at it. I wouldnt take 2 SBE's for it. Just my opinion but we do live in America don't we.

Do they still make other shotguns besides the "Real Deal" Super Black Eagle


I had the Xtrema, Gun to Gun it is no macth to the SBE in the duck hole. I really thought I would like it because I like the 391.