Benelli guys - Another Shotgun Thread

They have some good YouTube videos comparing the SBE2 and SBE3. I don’t find there to be much difference, granted I don’t own the SB3 but have compared them side-by-side.

My personal preference would be to add something different to the safe. You may want to look into a Beretta A300 or Winchester SX4. Great guns at about half the price. They point different with rounded receivers vs. the 45 deg. receiver of the SBE's.

If money isn't an option, I'd buy an over/under or maybe a SBE3 in a 20 g.

I shouldered my buddies brand new A5 this past weekend, and I was very impressed. It was very light. I shouldered his OLD A5 too, and it was like shouldering a short telephone pole compared to the new one.

If I wanted to drop $1400-$1600 on a shotgun, it'd be a new A5.

And thats coming from a guy who owns a Beretta and a Benelli 12ga. Not the top end models, but still.

Yeah, I try to get a new gun for hunting at a minimum every year and have been behind. My SBE2 (my dad's he got to troll me to "pass down one day") is brand new essentially and I just hunted with it and shot it for the first time ever. I just have a hole burning in my pocket to get another one, that I don't have to bother with dad's quickness. I mean the sbe2 is MINE but I want to buy one myself. But I really like the A5's or think something different might be money better spent. I'm not necessarily interested in spending the most money, but I just want another Camo duck gun. I haven't shot an A5 new or old, only shouldered them so idk if the humpback would drive me nuts or be my favorite thing ever.

Part of me thinks the SBE3 isn't worth buying if I have a new SBE2 I can use whenever I want and should get something totally different. I shouldered some Beretta's but didn't really like how they felt. Of course, a lot of stuff is out of stock right now.

ETA: I prefer inertia driven guns over gas but it isn't a deal breaker. I've watched some reviews comparing the A5 and SBE3 (Among other duck guns) but it is hard to get a good assessment, as all these companies are like looking at ford, chevy, ram trucks and comparing.

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Is there enough of a difference in the SBE2 and the SBE3 to justify it?

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If they really fixed the "Benelli click" problem between the SBE2 and SBE3 then it might be worth it. After the third tom my SBE2 clicked on me with, I had to stop myself from throwing it in the pond walking out. I still use the SBE2 duck hunting, but I've switched for turkey hunting

I have a SBE2 and a Córdoba. The Cordoba is the best shotgun I have ever owned.

I keep wanting to get another just because I love it so much.

I have a SBE3 and my dad has the SBE2. Honestly only difference is the look and they fixed the Benelli click problem with the 3. I have 4 other 12gauges and the SBE3 is my go to. One day I’m going to send it to Rob but right now I just don’t want to. I’m using kicks high flyer chokes with it. And it also cycles low brass.

I will say this though. I had to adjust the cast on it. I had to put the right hand cast and the most drop I could. Once I did that I been shooting lights out with it. I mean if want to go different you can always get the 20gauge in the SBE3. That’s going to be the next one I think. That way you would have somewhat of the set.

I have both got a 3 because I have worn out many of the parts on my 2 and I have to make repairs on it but I still love it, it's like an old set of shoes it just fits me, have shot easily 150 cases through it I just love the gun.

I have a 3 and the only issue is make sure the point of impact is the same as your aim. Most shoot high and some need to go back to Benelli to have comb adjustments. This issue may be fixed but 3-4 years ago when I got mine it wasn't.

I’m a huge shotgun whore. Owned or currently own all the B guns and a few other ‘nice’ guns along the way.

The Benelli click is not an issue once you learn what it is and how to avoid it.

Like another poster said, I agree, the best Benelli is the Cordoba (which has sadly been discontinued) and it’s the one gun I will never part with.

The new Benellis are almost all built on the ‘Ethos’ platform. I’ve owned and gotten rid of two Ethos’ now. For me, I can’t get used to the huge length between the trigger and the palm swell on the new design. They are sweet feeling and smooth operating guns though other than that.

If you’re wanting to get the ‘poor man’s Benelli’ get a Retay. I bought and then sold a Masi Mara a few years back. Decent enough guns that worked well but they are not the fit and finish quality of a Benelli. Don’t let anyone fool you that says a Retay is as good or better.

The new A5’s are beautiful guns but I honestly enjoyed shooting my Maxus over it. Haven’t handled a new Maxus II yet but I hear they fixed the forearm issues with them.

Then there’s Beretta. I’ve had two 391’s Teknys and an A400 blue receiver at one time. Got rid of all of them over the years. My biggest gripe with them is how dirty they get and the pain in the arse to clean. Also, when I was high volume shooting, they will turn into single shots when enough gunk gets on the piston. Enjoyed them other than that.

And finally, imo, the price of SBE2’s these days make them very attractive. But they aren’t my favorite Benelli.