re: Xtrema 2 vs. SBE II

The A5 won't be offered in a 3.5 chanber if I'm not mistaken.

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Maxxus

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It's too new of a gun to me... unproven over the long haul I guess.

When the 3.5's became popular in the 90's people were buying benelli's like crazy and I had a buddy get a browning gold hunter. It didn't make the grade like the old SBE's and it wouldn't eject 2 3/4 very well. It just put a bad taste in my mouth for newer browning semi auto 3.5 inch guns.

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understanding the inside of your gun is of paramount importance.

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Paramount for sure.

+1, its absolutely paramount

I've had an xtrema2 since they came out and have never had any issues...it holds up really well and I'm pretty hard on guns and clean probably 2-3 times a year...but like everyone says, how it feels to you is of paramount importance!

I have an SBE II and the Super Vinci. They are both great guns. You really can't go wrong with the Benelli, Beretta, or the Browning. On the Super Vinci, I don't think it's a pretty gun but it is the very best gun that I've ever shot.

I have an old Browning Gold 3.5 and I still love that gun. The dove loads need to be a minimum of 1.125 oz loads, but all manufacturers of 3.5 magnums say that. Well, I think they all do at least. So don't let that one experience with Brownings put a bad taste in your mouth, your buddy was probably shooting 1 oz shot. My old one would cycle them either but never had a hiccup on 1.125 oz.

I have an xtrema 2 and have never had a problem with it. It's as sturdy of a gun as I've held and it just feels "right". It's hard to imagine a better duck gun. It kicks light, and I don't have the kick-off. It's also incredibly simple to take apart.

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Beretta, Benelli, Browning and Remington all make a great autoloader. As aforementioned, when you're paying over 1K for a shotgun it really comes down to personal pref. I can't say that I have any experience with the Winchester SX's at all, but I have heard some good things about them as well.

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This used to be true but hasn't been for 10-15 years. Brownings later "Gold" offerings were far too unreliable. They've gotten back in the game with the Maxxus but jury is still out. Poor Remmy hasn't had a good auto since the "good" 100's and early 1187's were made, then they got cheap on everything. Even now they're just trying to copy an Xtrema2 with the new gun, forgot the name.

If cost is the same, your choice in Xtrema2 or SBEII comes down to fit and preference on the action. I've always said there will be no gun that will pry my now-6 yr old Xtrema2 out my hands.......but then I shouldered the new A400 in camo last month. It's evertyhing the Xtrema2 is but lighter and a shade less bulky; then I saw the price tag, yikes! Not any time soon. To me you cannot beat the take down & ease of cleaning of the Xtrema2. the SBEII is a great gun, I won't knock it, but it's a different animal from the Xtrema2.

I have the xterma 2 and love it. Everyone in my family hunts with them too and have never had any problems. And all of the hunting is in tough marsh conditions.

Really comes down the which gun feels the best to you. Try to find someone who has the guns and go shoot both. All comes down to personal preference with the semi autos around $1000.