re: Benelli v Beretta aesthetics and how we perceive them.

These threads always go well.

In my 17 years of avid clay shooting (over 200,000 rounds) and wing shooting, I've owned and beat the piss out of all three B gun semi autos.

Aesthetically, they all currently have (or have had) classic looking models and models that move the WTF scale. I mean shite, beretta sells a premium autoloader right now that is fricking blue and has plastic 'figured' wood that looks like they gave a 3 year old a black crayon and said, 'have at it El Niño'. And then, to top it all off, they put a pogo stick and a 'round counter' on the son of a bitch that looks like a 1987 Casio watch screen. Then there's the Vinci line and browning hump backs. With lines that make the guns look like unfolded lawn chairs. However, all of these guns work, and work well.

Perception wise, I guess I've been around long enough and shot with enough people to not really form a stereotypical opinion about a single shooter and accompanying manufacturer. I've met a lot of d-bags that shoot Benelli's and berettas that's for sure. I've also met a lot of really great shooters with excellent attitudes towards the sport that shoot each of them as well.

I've never made the connection between "Florida Georgia Line" type hunters gravitating towards the aesthetics of a Benelli over a Beretta purely on aesthetics. After hearing that though it's hard not to agree with it in the big picture, with Benelli having a more modern look across the line.

I don't think the new Benelli O/U looks terrible, it falls closer along the lines of the M2 and SBE2 which aren't as "bold" as the Vinci and R1 (two of the three ugliest guns I can think of off the top of my head, with TC's Dimension being the other). It is definitely not a Cordoba or a Citori, but it also not a Vinci.

Given the minimal difference in performance and the even smaller increment in performance improvements from generation to generation, it actually makes a hell of a lot of sense if you are in the business of gaining market share and making money. I don't think anyone is cross shopping a 828U with a DT11. There's a bit of market to be had for sleeker, lighter, and I guess more innovative O/U's. If I was in the market for one I wouldn't turn my nose at the 828U.

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Good point. Beretta is covering all the bases.

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They also compete with themselves as well. And my understanding is that Beretta has no intentions of really offering solid demarcations between the different lines. They all currently make money, and the money all goes to the same place. Everybody wins.

Why is Clames such a bitter dude?

Haven't seen anyone crap on the cynergy for looks....
Imo find a gun that fits u that u shoot well and giddy up. I shoot berrettas cause they fit me better I would shoot an sbe but they don't fit well. The benelli that I shoot well is the sv. .. I wouldn't mind shooting one looks b damned

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Why is Clames such a bitter dude?

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Why the frick can't you read something for being the data point that it was? Was I making any other point other than providing a factual piece of real-world data that showed a difference with published figures from a manufacturer. Intelligent, educated people do that. You on the other hand, took it mean something completely different. You and Doc can both bite your pillows now.

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I wasn't comparing anything

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Now you want me to believe you didn't make a suggestive comparative remark regarding the Xtra wood or Xtra grain process to the "enhanced" finish of 5-figure SxS's?!?

A long time ago, Beretta actually put real, good looking, high quality wood on the semi's. The A400 Xcel finish is lipstick on a pig. Just like Benelli's "carbon fiber."

I'm sorry your A400 is in no way comparable to the 5-figure SxS's. I really am.