FN SLP or Benelli M2?

For what purpose?

Isn't using them for anything other than HD a bit of a stretch?

Maybe 3-gun matches with modified tubes... but I can't think of anything else.

I hunt with a Benelli M2 Field (12ga and 20ga), I shoot clay games with a Benelli M2 Field (12ga and 20ga), and I use a series of Benelli M2 (Field and Tactical models) for HD. I guess that I like the platform pretty well, and I never considered the platform non-suitable for anything other than SD and 'tactical/practical gaming'.

I like the tailorability of the Comfortech stock (shims for cast/drop, pop-off combs for cheekweld, pop-off buttpads for LOP) and the simplicity of the action.

Both are good. Based on name alone choose the Benelli. M2 is a macho military sounding name, SLP sounds like a motor oil additive.

I primarily shoot an M2 Tactical in 3 gun events where the shots are longer and the sights are useful. I would prefer the Benelli over an SLP for home defense just because I like the way it fits me, also the inertia system has proven to have ultimate reliability over many years. I've shot a couple of SLP's at events but that just didn't seem anything special to me, fit ok and shoot ok but they didn't stand out in any way.

When I decided to try a gas gun for 3 gun I went with the Mossberg 930 Rhythm, 12+1 made a difference for me and it's also a very smooth shooting shotgun.

C0untZer0 said:

Isn't using them for anything other than HD a bit of a stretch?

Maybe 3-gun matches with modified tubes... but I can't think of anything else.

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If I had to spend what they cost I hope those would be used little more then wall prop in walk-in closet (the so called HD role).

I have the 18" SLP (not the MK1) and it's the best shotgun I've ever owned. It's perfect for home defense- short and light enough for close quarters work, and has a 6+1 capacity. It shoulders like it was made for me. I added a Tri-Rail adapter to hold a light. Thinking about it realistically, I hung my ProEars on the safe just in case...

FNH LINK

These two are too expensive for my tastes. Given choice I would look at Turkish version of Benelli from Stoeger.

Why can the Mossberg 930 SPX which has an 18.5" barrel hold 7+1 rounds and the FN SLP which has an 18" barrel only hold 6+1 rounds?

Does 1/2 inch make the difference between getting an extra 2.75" shell in ?

I can't stand any shotgun with ghostring sights unless they come with a raised comb to maintain cheek weld. Iron sights absolutely demand a repeatable mechanical indexing of eye to sights, and a repeatable and solid solid cheek weld is how that's best accomplished for me. Jaw welds of some form simply don't work for me.

YMMV.

I can't stand any shotgun with ghostring sights unless they come with a raised comb to maintain cheek weld. Iron sights absolutely demand a repeatable mechanical indexing of eye to sights, and a repeatable and solid solid cheek weld is how that's best accomplished for me. Jaw welds of some form simply don't work for me.

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Wow...you make it sound like it's a combination of rocket science / voodoo to sight the gun. I think you'd be surprised if you ever actually used an SLP. It's not quite the onerous task you make out to be - it's really quite easy to sight. Even used it for trap one day just to see what would happen...24/25...really it's not that difficult to use.

If you don't like the ghost ring setup - the rear sight comes off by simply loosening a knob and removing the sight. Put on whatever kind of sight you want.

rbernie said:

I can't stand any shotgun with ghostring sights unless they come with a raised comb to maintain cheek weld.

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Check out the SLP Tactical then. It has the Tri-Rail as standard equipment and comes with three cheek pads and three recoil pads for the more picky shooters.

I didn't want the pistol grip so I went with the plain SLP. Nothing against them, just like the way the regular stock shoulders.

Wow...you make it sound like it's a combination of rocket science / voodoo to sight the gun.

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I didn't think that I did, but I'll take the gambit anyway because I think that its an important point.

Shooting squared up at static targets inside of 25 yards doesn't demand much from the shooter, in all honestly. Shooting at fast moving targets presented from oblique angles at distances ranging from contact to 40+ yards , on the other hand, really does tax your ability to keep your head aligned with the 'sights' and the shot going where ya want it. A firm cheek weld is the principal attribute in maintaining that eye-to-bore/sights alignment under demanding circumstances.

Why doesn't the SLP hold 7 rounds in its magazine tube?

Why doesn't the SLP hold 7 rounds in its magazine tube?

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Because it's only long enough for 6?

C0untZer0 said:

Why doesn't the SLP hold 7 rounds in its magazine tube?

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I would guess the same answer as browningguy gave. Is it important? I can always put a couple shells in my pocket if I felt undergunned with six. But seriously, can you cite even one example of a home defender discharging seven shells trying to stop a burglar or home invader?

I think if making a shotgun in the 38-40" range just 1/2" longer meant being able to load another 2.75" shell it would be worthwhile.

The Mossberg 930 SPX has an 18.5" barrel, the magazine tube doesn't extend past the barrel and it holds 7 shells.

OAL of the SPX is 39"

The SLP has an 18" barrel and it only loads 6.

OAL of the SLP is 38.75"

My Benelli M1 is the sweetest shooting shotgun I've ever owned, so I'd recommend the Benelli. Zero experience with the FN, however.

Two fine firearms there. I would take either one, but if I had to choose it would be the Benneli for it's inertia operated action. Just cleaner and theoretically more reliable in a long period of sustained fire.

I did a lot of web searching and handled a lot of SG's when making the same decision. I went with the Benelli M2 Tactical. It is probably the best firearm related purchase I've ever make. It fit's like it was make specifically for me and after ~1000 rounds (I realize that's not a huge number) of everything from cheap wallyworld promo bulk packs to 3" mag slugs, it has never once failed to feed, fire, and eject. That means a lot to me.

I like the inertia system, even after a long day of cheap shells the action is reasonably clean and a quick breakdown, rag wiping and light oiling it's ready to go again. After shooting mine, my two shooting buddies went out and bought themselves one.

Did you put an extension on it?

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Yeah, a +2. It is exactly even with the bbl, and gives me a 7+1 capacity. The Benelli has a bit of a different operating system, it drops the next shell from the mag onto the carrier when the hammer falls from the previous shot. I stuff 7 into the tube, check about 11 times that the chamber really is empty, and pull the trigger. This decocks the hammer and drops a shell out of the tube onto the carrier. Now, the shotgun is decocked on an empty chamber, the mag tube is loaded one down from capacity for spring life, and all I have to do is yank the charging handle back one time to be good to go. I figure that's a "coarse" enough action that I should be able to handle it fine with a big ol adrenalin dump going on.......

Mainsail said:

I have the 18" SLP (not the MK1) and it's the best shotgun I've ever owned. It's perfect for home defense- short and light enough for close quarters work, and has a 6+1 capacity. It shoulders like it was made for me. I added a Tri-Rail adapter to hold a light. Thinking about it realistically, I hung my ProEars on the safe just in case...

FNH LINK

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I have the standard 18" SLP as well and I really like it. I bought the tri-rail and have a TLR-1s light on mine. I also have a Mesa Tactical 6 round side saddle. I've fired 900 rounds from it so far. The only issue i have is when I try to fire low recoil 00 buckshot rounds like LE132-00 or LE132 #1 buckshot rounds they don't cycle the SLP reliably sometimes.

I use full power 00 buckshot rounds that fire at 1325 FPS or faster. I found that the following rounds cycle just fine in my SLP an I use the improved cylinder choke:

XM127 9 pellet 00
Remington 9 pellet 00
Federal PFC154 00 with flitecontrol
Rio Royal 9 pellet 00
Nobel Sport 12 pellet 00 and 27 pellet #4 buckshot.
Federal 1 oz slugs
Brenneke KO slugs
Winchester tri-segmenting slugs.