Benelli Super 90 help

[jato]

I have a Benelli M1 Super 90, ghost ring sights, pistol grip & 7 round magazine. I purchased it new in 1995 or so. The only modification I have made was to add a Tac-Star “side saddle” shell carrier.

Okay, I know this is sad but I have only fired the weapon one time since I bought it. I fired about 50 rounds of buck and slug loads without any malfunctions.

Until… two days ago I took the Super 90 out to shoot it. I used some old buck shot rounds (Federal and Remington, no more than 10 years old, stored in military ammo can) that I wanted to shoot up. The Super malfunctioned about %40 of the time. I noticed some rounds were not as powerful as others. They had less recoil and reduced muzzle flash (I was shooting near dusk & could see the flash). I used “full power” loads (I did not use “tactical” or “reduced recoil” loads).

During the malfunctions I noticed expended casings were being ejected in a weak manner and only being tossed out a few inches from the port. The bolt was not able to go back far enough to grab the next round in the tray. Once or twice the expended shell would not travel far enough back and would not eject from the port.

After I returned home, I tore the Super down in preparation for cleaning. I did not notice any damaged parts and the gun was clean (no fouling, rust, etc.)

1.) So is it the gun or the ammo? (I know, I know… I will "test it using fresh ammo and see what happens)

2.) Does the Super 90 have reliability issues?

3.) Does shotgun ammo go bad or weaken within 10 years? (This is important, if it does, I don’t want a semi-auto shotgun)

4.) Will the Super cycle reduced recoil loads? Bird shot?

5.) Any other suggestions?


I was absolutely amazed at what happened. I wanted to take the Super and toss it in the trashcan. When I buy a firearm, I want it to be reliable.

[Mr Jody Hudson]

If your ammo was stored wet, that is if it was put into the ammo cans and not kept dehumidified, the shells could have become damp.

It is still needed to "keep your powder dry".

Also, although I have no idea why, it seems that if an ammo can is stored on a concrete floor - something about some sort of action regarding concrete and metal cans, causes cartridges to go bad... I've heard all sorts of non-scientific sounding "reasons" for this but the ONE agreement is that ammo cans full of ammo on concrete - equals bad ammo eventually. :what:

[jato]

Thanks Jody. I think you are on to something.

It was on concrete. However, where I live my garage never gets below 50 degrees (if temperature even matters). It is usually between 60 to 90 degrees (during the seasons and day/night).

I have not had a problem with my pistol & rilfe rounds which are stored in the same manner. Is shotgun ammo different?

[Mr Jody Hudson]

It seems that temperature has nothing to do with it...

Time does. Has your shotgun ammo been in the box and on concrete longer?

[SKN]

The Benelli inertia operating system can sometimes be problematic with: 1) reduced recoil/tactical/light target loads; 2) adding weight to the gun; 3) improper mount/stance/firing platform.

Since you mention that there was a noticeable difference in recoil & muzzle flash I suspect your recent problem can be attributed to the ammo. Benellis are most reliable with full power loads. Changing out the inertia spring to a lighter one may help if you intend to use light loads.

Benelli armorer specs warn against adding more than, I believe, 600 grams of weight to the gun because that slows down the cycle of function. Many LE agencies have found that attaching light mounts and side saddles can cause the weapon to lose reliability so eliminating one or both have been the solution. With side saddles another factor can be that the mounting bolts are too tightly screwed in causing the aluminum receiver to deform effecting bolt movement/speed. You didn't say whether or not the side saddle you have attached to it was a recent addition.

Finally, if you've not firmly placed the stock into your "shoulder pocket" or not leaned forward enough to put body weight behind that mount the gun can malfunction.

HTH

[HSMITH]

1) BOTH.

2) YES, and you make it worse when you hang gadgets on the gun. It needs to be kept light, and have a solid shoulder to recoil into. Add weight or shoot with a soft shoulder and there will be problems.

3) NO, not if it is stored properly, previous posters have handled that issue very well.

4) NO, not very well, and that gets worse as you hang stuff on the gun.

5) Get an 870 if you need the sidesaddle, light, laser whatever and all of that. It will also shoot ANY ammo you can get that will fit. If you want a semi-auto the best bet will be the SuperX2. To continue will be an excercise in frustration, and have you thinking the Super90 is a pile of ___ which isn't true. You just don't have the right gun for what you are trying to do.

[jato]

The Benelli inertia operating system can sometimes be problematic with:


2) adding weight to the gun

Okay, I have taken everything off and I will try it again...with fresh ammo.

3) improper mount/stance/firing platform.

I really concentrated on this after my first malfunction. I am sure I provided a proper platform.

5) Get an 870 if you need the sidesaddle, light, laser whatever and all of that. It will also shoot ANY ammo you can get that will fit.
I have three of them! :D

Thank you all for the help.

[RussB]

...I purchased it new in 1995 or so...Okay, I know this is sad but I have only fired the weapon one time since I bought it. I fired about 50 rounds of buck and slug loads without any malfunctions... Until… two days ago I took the Super 90 out to shoot it. I used some old buck shot rounds (Federal and Remington, no more than 10 years old, stored in military ammo can)...I was absolutely amazed at what happened. I wanted to take the Super and toss it in the trashcan. When I buy a firearm, I want it to be reliable.

OK, if you buy a firearm and want it to be reliable, you have to shoot it. If you add an accessory, bada boom bada bing, more shooting. Still like reliability? Use fresh ammo. Shame on you. get out and shoot that durn thing, will you? Heck, it's not even broken in. Give it a thorough cleaning and a lubing, then shoot at least 200 FRESH rounds in one sitting (Wal-Mart Federal value-packs cycle through my '90 just fine) Toss that side saddle, too IMHO.

Now get out there and go shooting! :)

[bmwguy]

Could it be that the sidesaddle was mounted to tight?

When you first shot 50 rounds was the sidesiddle mounted?

I have a feeling the mounting might to too tight. When its tight, it squeezes the receiver thereby causing the malfunction internally.

I would loosen the sidesaddle mounting screw and test.

[jato]

When you first shot 50 rounds was the sidesiddle mounted?
No.

I have a sidesaddle on one of my 870s, I didn't think it would be a problem on my Super.:confused:

I have NEVER had ammo go bad on me before. So what is a good way to store shotgun shells?

As to rarely shooting my Super...what can I say :uhoh: I have been using my 870s for home defense. Having 3 young kids, it's hard to get out and shoot ALL of my guns as often as I would like.

[HSMITH]

jato, stick with what you KNOW, You have a nice gun but it is wrong for what you want. Either adapt your thinking or your gun, neither is wrong IMO.

[fawndog]

You know, they say concrete sucks the life outta batteries too, I just gotta say that maybe the shells got "wet". Oil can also seep into a cartridge.

[jato]

You have a nice gun but it is wrong for what you want.
Okay, I am not sure what this means.

I don't like "nice guns". I like guns that work out of the box. As to what I want it for...combat. Some have called it the best combat auto shotgun available (at least at the time I bought it). A lot of people have praised it for speed and reliability.

In addition to my thread, I have also read:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?threadid=59507

I can’t hang lights or accessories on the gun? I can't shoot the gun holding it at different angles (straight up/down upside-down etc.)? I guess they should call it the Stupid 90. Give me back my 870 please.

[grendelbane]

My M1Super90 has been 99.9% reliable. The one failure was a 3 decade old reload from my teen age years.

I have no lights, or sidesaddles, or other accessories on my M1Super90.

It fires just fine, from the shoulder, or from the hip, tilted to the left, or to the right. I have even fired it prone, (not recommended, it kicks). Functioning was just fine.

My favorite load is Federal's Tactical 00 buckshot. The Federal Classic actually patterns a little tighter though.

My Benelli performs about 25% better than my Saiga-20, and only costs about 4 times as much.

I suggest you give it another try, it may not be broken in yet.

[rallyman]

I have been lurking for a while and finally decided to post on this topic. I have seen first hand the 'antics' of a Stupid 90. No offense meant to those who like it, but it is not my cup of tea based on my personal observations. I am also smart enough to realize that some people may have better luck than others based upon their usage of the firearm.

One day several many years ago I had the dubious honor of watching a seasoned tactical officer fight with his Stupid 90. The gun would fire, but fail to eject/fail to feed every time he tripped the trigger. Why? Well the general consensus became that the Tactical loads he was using were "too light in recoil" to allow the gun to function reliably. There was also a parallel theorum that thought there was some problem with the way he was holding the gun.

At the time I was considering purchasing one of these little "jewels". My immediate decision was that I would not really want something that was that finicky. I'd rather have an 870 that will fire each and every time the trigger is pulled as long as the round is capable of going off. Or if I had the need of an auto loader then it would have to be an 1100 or 11-87. I don't have a lot of experience with the 11-87, but from being around 1100s and from all the commentary and first hand reports on the 11-87 that I've heard there are none of the reliability issues with the Remington gas operated guns that there are with the Benelli recoil operated ones.

Do the Remingtons have issues? Sure there are, but I have never heard them 'touted' the way the Benelli 'recoil' issues are. Also I don't know of anyone that has ever ran into any problems when they wanted to put a side saddle or flashlight, etc. onto a Remington.

As has been mentioned, the Benelli is a nice gun and to each his own, but when I want a scattergun for serious social work, I'd rather have something I don't have to be so meticulous over what it's being fed, over what position or how it's being held, over what's hanging on it and whether or not something might be squeezing it's receiver a bit too much.

Oh, and the part about the gun "not being broken in yet" has me really scratching my head. I understand about breaking in the barrel of a high performance rifle, but the action of a shotgun? Why would you want something that might not work quite right out of the box if its "not broken in yet" ? I have yet to see a Colt, S&W, Glock, AR, FAL, Uzi, MAC, etc that needed the action broken in to "function properly". I can see it now......"It was a dark and stormy night when I came across the intruder in my home.....I pointed my Super 90 at him and said, "Hold on just a minute while I finish breaking in the action of this gun so I know it will function each and every time I need to shoot you and your slimey friends." No thanks. Give me something that works straight from the box.

My .02 cents worth, your mileage may vary.

[grendelbane]

I would never trust any firearm straight out of the box. I always give it a breakin period. 100 rounds usually seems about right. If, after that point, it is not functioning reliably, with proper ammunition, then I know something major is wrong.

In my part of the country Benellis have a strong reputation for reliability, and mine has done nothing to diminish that reputation. Of course, the Saiga shotguns that I have seen are also ultra reliable, if not too pretty.

Individual incidents can alter one's perception of any product. I know an older gentleman who will swear on a stack of bibles that a revolver will never jam. Perhaps not, but I have seen him beat open the cylinder on his S&W model 10 with a rubber hammer on more than one occasion.

In any case, I feel my Benelli is as reliable as any pump. Proper ammunition required, of course.

[rallyman]

I think I would have to differentiate between a "break-in period" and a "do I trust you period".

The connotation of a break-in period to me is a time used to 'seat' various parts to one another by jumping through certain hoops so that the machine will continue to function after that time properly and reliably. During this time you run it at certain RPMs or so many shots in so much time, wait, shoot more, etc.

The "do I trust you period" is more to make sure the machine was assembled properly and will function in the manner it was designed. Not jumping through certain hoops, but instead getting, in this case, a number of rounds through the firearm to make sure it will work as advertised without any dreaded surprises.

From the original mention of a "break-in period" I took the meaning to be one of a....well, break-in period. And the indication in the post would seem to be that the firearm was not fired enough to 'break it in' so that it could function properly.

Now if what you really meant was a "do I trust you period" where he shoots it enough to be sure that it will function reliably I think this particular Super 90 is failing miserably at this time......it shot ok at first, but now it is "bang-hang, bang-hang, bang-hang, cuss cuss". :cuss:

I tend to agree with you that the Benelli does have a reputation for reliability - as long as PROPER ammunition and PROPER form are used. Again, to paraphrase someone else, if that's your bag then the gun is good for you....if it's not your bag then.....find what suits you. For my part, I always plan on having the proper ammo, but we all know the saying....."the best laid plans......." I am a realist and I remember Mr. Murphy - so I plan for the inevitable moment that I won't have the PROPER ammo or the ability to use PROPER form. Sorry to rant on, its just one of my pet peeves...... :banghead:

As for this particular circumstance, is it bad ammo? Bad accessories? Bad form? I tend to think it's bad ammo. I bet if you put brand new fresh stuff in it it'll run just fine - all other things equal. There in lies the rub - what if your life depends on it and you DON'T have brand new fresh stuff handy??? :eek:

Grab the 870 :D

[grendelbane]

Break in, or "do I trust you" seems to me to be merely semantic differences. I do like to shoot several rounds to "knock off the rough edges" on any gun I acquire.

As far as fresh ammunition goes, I believe it is very hard to outlive properly stored ammunition. I do not trust the new lead free primers, as I have already seen some malfunctions with them. Shotgun ammunition, being plastic, may not have the shelf life of other types of small arms ammunition, but I don't believe a decade is going to make that much difference. 20 years ago I fired a .38 Special cartridge I had found in the back of my grandfather's desk. Imagine my surprise when a white cloud of smoke, and the familiar aroma of black powder appeared! I will let you guess as to when it was manufactured, though I suspect it was about 80 years old.

In any case, if you prefer 870's, by all means shoot 870s. When the inevitable malfunction occurs, lay the blame squarely where it belongs. I will do the same with the Benelli. Any mechanical device is able to malfunction. This includes pump shotguns, and revolvers. Especially revolvers!

[Nightcrawler]

This topic has remained suprisingly civil. Usually the Benelli guys get really upset when someone questions their guns. I suppose if I paid $1100 for a shotgun I'd be touchy about it too.

(Actual quote from another forum: "It can't be the ultimate shotgun because it doesn't say BENELLI on the side") Same guy talked about having 9 shell casings in the air at once with his Italian wonder....

[TrapperReady]

Nightcrawler - 9 shells in the air is nothing. I've had upwards of 200 in the air... when I tripped over a bag of wads stepping away from my bench carrying a tray full of reloads.

As they said in "A Christmas Story":

[I] wove a tapestry of obscenity that, as far as we know, is still hanging in space over Lake Michigan.

[CPS1]

You know I really like my bennelli. The one thing that I always notice when someone complains about the recoil action is that every time they have done something to it (sidesaddle, flashlight, attached dvd player to foregrip, etc.) or are using a reduced recoil load (Fedral McTactical .0001 oz loads). I have never seen anyone post a problem when the gun is used stock with full power loads. My has never misfired, and my technique is pretty sloppy. Anyway they are not perfect: they cost a lot, and they recoil a lot harder than gas semi's. But if anyone were to break into my home, and I could choose any weapon on the face of the planet, I would choose a full auto MP-5;). My second choice however would be the Big Bad Benni.

[rallyman]

****grendelbane said, "Break in, or "do I trust you" seems to me to be merely semantic differences."

I thought I spelled out the differences (to me) in what I'd call break-in or do I trust you.

One (break-in) is a required set of steps to make certain the machine will work properly for the rest of it's natural life, i.e. breaking in an engine so it won't burn oil, breaking in a barrel so it will perform to the best accuracy, etc.

The other (do I trust you) is NOT REQUIRED steps to make certain the machine will function properly for the rest of its lifetime, but is required (if you so desire for your piece of mind) to make you sure the machine was assembled properly, etc and will there fore function in its designed manner.

****grendelban said, "I do like to shoot several rounds to "knock off the rough edges" on any gun I acquire."

This seems to me to be indicative of "do i trust you" and I am all for that! What was said in the earlier post was indicative, by name and inferred action, of 'break-in' of the weapon. A combat weapon that requires a break-in period to make certain the action will function in a proper manner is.....well let's just say its not my cup of tea.

****CPS1 said, "is that every time they have done something to it (sidesaddle, flashlight, attached dvd player to foregrip, etc.) or are using a reduced recoil load (Fedral McTactical .0001 oz loads)."

I'll agree with you about that DVD player on the foregrip! It unbalanced my 870 so bad I had to take it off! Now the sidesaddle I added I just left it right there so I'd have 6 extra rounds handy....and that Sure fire fore end didn't seem to hurt it either and I look at that as being all the better to help identify my target down the hallway in the middle of the night....I just hate it when the pesky kids are out banging around in the kitchen at night and 'cuz I couldn't see 'em I accidentally dumped 'em! Or alternatively I thought it was the pesky kid wandering down the hallway and 'cuz it was soooooo dark in the house I couldn't identify(until it was way too late!) that it was the neighborhood midget ax murderer come to send me on to nirvana! - I suppose I should practice more holding my SL20X with one hand and the shotgun with the other.....ahhhhhhh.....that's where the autoloader part comes it! :scrutiny:

Now of course I'm exagerating just a little bit with those stories :D, but the point is, if you can't add a reasonable accessory or two to your tools to make them easier, better and safer, then its a very limited tool....I don't particularly like limitations like that....but to each his own.....I suppose we can all just agree to disagree on this subject.

The Benelli boys obviously like their guns - they understand they have limitations - they have to leave 'em box stock, make sure they have the bestest and freshest ammo (to be ABSOLUTELY certain the gun will function reliably), and use (according to some sources) good form while shooting. For this you get a piece with fine Italian workmanship, the ability to put nine empty cases in the air all at once, and bragging rights to an undoubtedly fine (and expensive) combat weapon.

I'll just stick to an 870, and live with the fact that I'll never see 9 empties in the air at a time - I'm good, but not that good! I won't have many bragging rights with her, but the ones I do have will be to a gun that I know will eat whatever I put in it, that I can modify it to make nighttime target identification easier and more positive, and one that I can add additional ammo storage to without worry of flexing the receiver to the point the gun won't function.

Well that's my story and I'm sticking to it......

[CPS1]

Just for laffs... a quick bit about the 9 in the air number.

I tried to pull this off with my M1s90. Actually it was eight in the air as I still have yet to try the 7+1+1 loading process. First of all it's total bs, there is no way shell 1 hadn't hit the floor when I fired number 8. I probably had 4 or 5 in the air at best. Also can you guess where shots 6,7, and 8 went? They went up. My last shot of the string was definately at the ceiling. There is no way to control that much recoil. Its like shooting a full auto elephant gun. The owner of the range was none to happy. I didn't blame him. Had to try it once, but never again. At least not indoors.

[rallyman]

****cps1 said, "My last shot of the string was definately at the ceiling. There is no way to control that much recoil. Its like shooting a full auto elephant gun. The owner of the range was none to happy. "

That's too funny......I bet he was a bit 'miffed' about it....and anyone around at the time.....that would have been hysterical to watch....from behind some armor plate, behind you!:D

[RussB]

I said, Heck, it's not even broken in. I should have typed, "you should have fully function-fired the gun, until you were confident in it's reliability and function with your ammo of choice"

rallyman (Craig) took my comment out-of-context and really ran with it, to promote his anti-S90 agenda ;)

jato, the original poster, bought his S90 9 years ago, fired 50 rounds, then modded the gun by adding a side saddle. Fast forward 9 years. Old ammo, untried gun (with the side saddle) and who knows if the gun was ever cleaned/maintained in all that time?

My point is that one must fire the weapons that one may depend upon in a defensive situation. 50 rounds in 9 years is a sad excuse for the practice that is nessessary. My "go to" guns get shot...alot. The ammo gets used up and replaced. I don't buy a gun, stick it in the corner, and expect it to perform. But hey, that's just me :)

Russell

[fawndog]

When I made the decision to get a automatic shotgun I looked at the 11-87 and the M1S90. I was already to buy the Remington, I liked the 870 Marine (so go with good history right?), research also revealed Benelli had problems with locking lugs. Then I saw it.
http://sidearmor.com/images/shotgun/m401/PICT0353_640.jpg

This is the M1014, it has a different (ARGO) operating system, and if it will pass Marine muster then it's good enough for me. M1014 (http://www.benelliusa.com/firearms/m4.tpl)

[jato]

who knows if the gun was ever cleaned/maintained in all that time?

Uhhh....I do. Yes it was. ;)

50 rounds in 9 years is a sad excuse for the practice that is nessessary... I don't buy a gun, stick it in the corner, and expect it to perform.
Maybe IT was jelous of the 870 I was firing. Maybe IT's muscles atrophied. Maybe IT didn't like sitting next to the Winchester 1300 for 2 years.:D

As for the old ammo (which I suspect was the problem), it never hurts to have a stockpile. But what good is a stockpile if one has to rely on it to function in a M1 Smelly-90?:neener:

:evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil:

[CPS1]

fawndog...What was the problem with the locking lugs? Range buddy has easily 30,000+ rounds in his bennelli (not the M1s90, but same recoil action) without any problems with the lugs. Not saying this problem doesn't exist it's just that your the first person I've ever heard mention it.

Also the m1s90 could pass the marine standard, save the reliabilty problems that one runs into when mounting a lot of hardware. I.e. can't mount a lot of marine sights,etc.

Finally, I wanted the new marine shotgun too but lets face some facts. Its not the marine issue. It's been Sarah Brady'ed to hell and back. Fixed stock, may be illegal in Cali even with the fixed stock(bs tiny adjustment issue), and oh yeah *5* round capacity. Sorry but even though I'm an auto guy I would take 7 in a pump over 5 in an auto. Still it looks pretty.

[fawndog]

Early model M1 Super 90s apparently had the bolts locking lugs break off. The M4/M1014 can hold 7 with a +2 mag tube, 1 in the pipe+1 on the lifter=9 which is of course illegal.:uhoh: So all you need to do is convert to a regular "Monte Carlo" stock and You're good to go. :neener: Brady

[Nightcrawler]

The thread can be found HERE (http://www.falfiles.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=97316). It was over at The FAL Files (http://www.falfiles.com), when our own intrepid Blain (http://www.thehighroad.org/member.php?s=&action=getinfo&userid=3083) posted the thread about his customized 3.5" Remington 870, seen below.

Some of the responses from some people were quite obnoxious. One thing I do like about The High Road (http://www.thehighroad.org) is that people are a lot more civil than other forums. The FAL Files (http://www.falfiles.com), AR-15.com (http://www.ar15.com), and Glock Talk (http://glocktalk.com) just don't seem to be as friendly.

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?s=&postid=712016
Blain's Shotgun

[fawndog]

I am a member of a few forums, and so far this is one of the good ones, I read your post Nightcrawler and am glad to talk with professional and courteous people. The thread you pointed out reminds me of a guy walking into a gun shop asking "How much fo dat (gold plated) foety fye"

[rallyman]

****RussB said, "rallyman (Craig) took my comment out-of-context and really ran with it, to promote his anti-S90 agenda"

Uhhhhhh......don't think it was out of context since I just quoted what you said in relation to what the topic was......if you meant to say something different with a different meaning then....uhhhhhh....don't put it off on me! I only quote 'em and respond as I hear 'em or should I say read 'em.

That said, I don't have any type of anti-S90 agenda. What I do have is an "anti - non reliablity agenda" and "anti - I gotta have this and it's the best 'cuz every other bloke and his buddy says it's the freakin' best and I'm just piling on the bandwagon 'cuz what else am I supposed to do agenda"!

I can only base my opinions and observations on what I have observed and have seen reported. Unfortunately I have heard to many negative reports about the super90. Two or three unrelated reports relating to the same thing is just about two too many for me! I can't imagine dropping that kind of cash on something with that kind of 'vague' reputation. Too many other fish in the sea!

I must say that I understand that not everyone has/had these kinds of issues with the gun, but as the saying goes.....where there's smoke there's usually fire......and too many proponents of the gun have agreed with the issues - ammo, form, etc.

I won't go over all I've said before on the issue, but suffice to say that I think the super90 is a good, perhaps even a great weapon - within it's limitations. I think there are many other choices of great weapons...without the same limitations. I hate limitations. That's why I'd never own a super90......I can pick something else with fewer, less complicated and limiting limitations.....

My .02 cents worth......that and another .96 cents will get you a cheeseburger at Micky D's too......

[Zak Smith]

I've got a M1S90 "Tactical" with nothing hanging off of it except for the 7-round tube. It is 100% reliable with all "Tactical" or "Light" (Winchester 1 1/8oz loads) or heavier shells, with little to no cleaning after thousands of rounds.

Remove the shell carrier and try it with known good ammo. If the problem does not go away there may be something wrong mechanically.

-z

[rust collector]

I've shot the M1 Super 90 at ducks for 10 years or so, and am happy with it. It may be a victim of its own marketing, however. It hiccups every once in awhile just as every gun I've ever owned did. This is no big deal--I've dug plenty of rounds out of the carriers of various 870s, and spent way too much time trying to get an old Rem 878 auto to repeat.

Before all this lightning fast surefire claptrap, most shooters understood that a shotgun was a mechanical device that would let you down from time to time. Once Benelli started parting us from an inordinate amount of cash, someone had to come up with a rationale. I got mine because it felt good in my hands, but the $630 I paid stung a little less when it was explained that this was a genuine whiz-bang technological marvel with a new and miraculous locking system. Well guess what--the laws of physics still apply.

It's simple. If it's not working right, it should be simple to fix or to trade to someone who will fix it. There is no santa claus and there is no voodoo that makes a gun foolproof just because it wears a Benelli, Sauer, Merkel, Anschutz or Hammerli handle.

I hope your S90 gets to feeling better, perhaps by more frequent use with fresh, full power loads.

[HSMITH]

rust collector, great post!!

You made your point quite well and still got a laugh, well written sir!!

[sm]

rust collector, Welcome to THR!

Concur with HSMITH...

I'm just sit gonna over here and grin....

But the guy in the flowered shirt wrote that article, its newer, it costs more, its black, it has more features than Grandma's Buick... and like the Donkey party says, if it don't work...throw money into it and...and...

"Doesn't anybody learn to shoot anymore?"

[BillL223]

One problem I've read about but not experienced is rust or corrosion accumulating in the recoil spring tube. Its likely that this could occur during the long period of storage. I believe that a firm named Sure Cycle makes a replacement tube assembly out of stainless that addresses this problem. Its also possible to disassemble this tube and clean it up. It is asembled with red loctite so needs heat on the joints that need to be unscrewed. My Benelli is 100% reliable with 1 1/8 oz loads and 3 dram equiv. It is used in 3-Gun and tactical shotgun matchs and I have started stages with as much as 21 rounds loaded and hanging off the gun in side saddles, butt cuffs etc. It is carefully cleaned and lubed as required, rarely run more then 300 rds between cleaning.

[harrydog]

QUOTE:
"Early model M1 Super 90s apparently had the bolts locking lugs break off."


I've never heard of this even once in the past 10 or 12 years that I've been interested in Benelli. Can you point me to a source for this information?

In the past I've spoken to range owners who have M190 rental guns that probably have in excess of 50,000 rounds through them and are still going strong.

As to malfunctions, sure, some Benellis have occasional malfunctions but don't fool yourself into thinking that pump guns are immune from malfunctions. Although anything mechanical can malfunction, I'd say that 99% of Benelli malfunctions are operator induced in one way or another.

The bottom line, in my opinion, is that the M190, or any variant, is as reliable, or more so, than any semi-auto shotgun out there and perhaps just as reliable as any pump gun if the user knows what their doing.
But of course, that's just my opinion. Everyone has one! :)

[dwestfall]

Wolff makes a reduced-power recoil spring that will help reliability with lighter loads.

Worked for me!

[fawndog]

harrydog,

You have to know that many things circulate on the net, with that said I can not say that I have evidence of such things happening, my knowledge or lack there of is based on reading articles and fourms online. I will try to retrace my sources.

[harrydog]

fawndog,
No problem. I was just hoping to read about it, as it interests me.