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Browning A5 vs Benelli SBE3

Posted on 12/4/17 at 6:13 pm
Posted by weisertiger
Lake Charles, LA
Member since Sep 2007
2483 posts
Posted on 12/4/17 at 6:13 pm
Need reviews on the browning A5 and the SBE3. Which would you go with and why?
Posted by Tigah Jr
The Stick
Member since Oct 2011
846 posts
Posted on 12/4/17 at 6:55 pm to
Browning will be back at the gunsmith being worked on a lot. Can't go wrong with Benelli.
Posted by Donkeypunch
Georgia
Member since Jun 2007
1421 posts
Posted on 12/4/17 at 6:57 pm to
I was actually about to start this thread.

I’m going to be buying in a few months and I’m down to these two guns.
Posted by bbvdd
Memphis, TN
Member since Jun 2009
25080 posts
Posted on 12/4/17 at 6:58 pm to
They will both be fine. The Browning action is a direct copy of the SBE 1.

Just see which feels better to you.
Posted by Marciano1
Marksville, LA
Member since Jun 2009
18476 posts
Posted on 12/4/17 at 7:25 pm to
SBE3
Posted by Carson123987
Middle Court at the Rec
Member since Jul 2011
66479 posts
Posted on 12/4/17 at 7:28 pm to
SBE3. Superior ergonomics, comes with 5 chokes, and much better finish. Browning's duracoat gets sticky and shite after a few years.
Posted by Capt ST
Hotel California
Member since Aug 2011
12885 posts
Posted on 12/4/17 at 7:28 pm to
I did have some issues with my A5, then I cleaned it after 2 seasons and she’s working like a champ. I like the SBE too
Posted by tigerfan32
Houston
Member since Sep 2008
213 posts
Posted on 12/4/17 at 9:02 pm to
SBE3 for sure, I love mine!
Posted by BehindU
Lake Charles
Member since Mar 2014
564 posts
Posted on 12/5/17 at 8:34 am to
ok, I recently bought both the SB3 and the wicked wings A5(some posters might remember me posting about it a few weeks back). The SB3 shot high 6 inches and to the right, I sold it and bought the new A5 wicked wings. You can call
G & H in Gueydan and ask the sales rep they will confirm. If you have been shooting a SB2 or Berretta you will probably like the SB3. They do have shims but I did not mess with that. People can say what they want about the A5 but I am confident when shooting it and that's all that matters.

email me at gchance5@yahoo.com Ill give you my cell # from there I can explain further if you would like.

Good luck!
This post was edited on 12/5/17 at 8:42 am
Posted by Huntinguy
Member since Mar 2011
1754 posts
Posted on 12/5/17 at 8:47 am to
Handle them and buy whatever fits you best......I shot a SBE I for years and handled the Maxus, A5, and SBEIII yesterday.


And stayed with Benelli. I WILL pattern it with different loads and examine POI as I would with any new shotgun.
This post was edited on 12/5/17 at 8:50 am
Posted by mingoswamp
St. Louis
Member since Aug 2017
968 posts
Posted on 12/5/17 at 9:37 am to
This past Friday, I dropped off my buddy's A5 at the Browning repair plant in STL for the 2nd time this year for the same problem (failure to feed). They had it for 3 months at the beginning of 2017. Pretty much only fed Kent 3" 1&3/8oz #4. Browning says they'll shoot those during testing this time & hopefully get it fixed.

About 6 months ago, they started using hardened extractors, so those will get changed out this time while trying to figure out the other problem.
Posted by CheesyF
Member since May 2017
391 posts
Posted on 12/5/17 at 10:17 am to
Zero issues with my A5 after four years. Works great and love the quick load/unload. Finish is still good as new.

Never used a SBE.
Posted by Marciano1
Marksville, LA
Member since Jun 2009
18476 posts
Posted on 12/5/17 at 11:00 am to
I'll say this to the OP...asking for opinions on a gun is almost worse than asking opinions on a vehicle. You'll get just as many great reviews as terrible reviews. You ultimately have to put the guns you're considering in your own hands and decide which feels the best....then roll with it.
Posted by Vlad
North AL
Member since May 2012
2605 posts
Posted on 12/5/17 at 11:11 am to
quote:

The SB3 shot high 6 inches and to the right

quote:

They do have shims but I did not mess with that.
That is what they are for.

SBE3 Shim Change
Posted by BehindU
Lake Charles
Member since Mar 2014
564 posts
Posted on 12/5/17 at 12:04 pm to
I understand that. Thanks for the clarification. I however do not want to spend $2 grand on a gun and start taking it apart. There are forums out there where guys changed the shims and the results are far from perfect. but hey thanks again. do a little research before you jump in here acting like you know it all.
Posted by Vlad
North AL
Member since May 2012
2605 posts
Posted on 12/5/17 at 12:58 pm to
No problem, by the way, tell your husband I was trying to be helpful.
Posted by bbvdd
Memphis, TN
Member since Jun 2009
25080 posts
Posted on 12/5/17 at 2:11 pm to
quote:

I however do not want to spend $2 grand on a gun and start taking it apart


It's one screw? Not really "taking it apart". It's designed just for that. I have shims on my SBE2 and my S Super Vinci.

quote:

There are forums out there where guys changed the shims and the results are far from perfect


There are a lot of idiots out there that probably have them backwards and the gun is even farther from fitting them.

It is not a hard process. Take of the butt pad, unscrew the recoil spring, put the shim in correctly, screw in the recoil spring, and install the butt pad.

Done. Pretty certain the Browning has shims as well.

But, confidence like you said is key.
Posted by BehindU
Lake Charles
Member since Mar 2014
564 posts
Posted on 12/5/17 at 2:25 pm to
yea, I saw the tube video before parting ways with it and it did not look difficult and yes the A5 comes with shims as well. I have been hunting with a new A5 for the last 4 yrs and wanted a new duck gun as the salt water is hard on my gun plus I get close to 60 + hunts in a year. I got the new wicked wings A5 and I love it. The SB3 was in optifade timber and badass dont get me wrong. But I know when I look down the barrel of the A5 birds will be dropping. lol
Posted by BehindU
Lake Charles
Member since Mar 2014
564 posts
Posted on 12/5/17 at 2:29 pm to
the wicked wings came with 3 Briley(out of houston) chokes that pattern pretty damn well for factory chokes. compared to my pattern masters on POI
Posted by Cmk07c
Metairie
Member since Jan 2017
218 posts
Posted on 12/7/17 at 7:14 am to
Tell your buddy to find a new shell mingo. They phased out the 1 3/8 in 3 inch.
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