benelli m2 vs win sx3

[conrad427]

have been shopping for a new shotgun for a while and have just today bought a M2 american for 799.00 I never liked benelli especially when shooting wallabies in New zealand. the m2 seems like the most traditionally styled benelli and seemed lighter than the sx3 plus it was $150 dollars cheaper. I went in to buy an 870 wingmaster but left with the M2. Anyone think i made the wrong buy, ie, should have bought a franchi or the winchester? i can still take it back.

 

[KansasSasquatch]

Franchi semis are more or less Benellis. I don't think the M2 will give you any issues as long as you clean it when it needs it. If you like it better than the Winchester I think you made a good decision, and assuming the price tag doesn't hurt you too much. If you are looking to do any 3 gun matches the SX3 is supposed to have 1 or 2 very slight advantages but they aren't MAJOR advantages.

 

[jmr40]

I have a couple of the older genration M-1's. I don't have any personal experience with the SX3. I hear they are great guns, but I like my M-1's better for several reasons. I'm sold on the inertia action as the most foolproof of the semi auto designs. The better gas guns are very close, if you keep them clean. The Benelli will take abuse and neglect as well as a pump and keep working. They are simple designs that are easy to maintain and as you noted are much lighter.

I'd have bought the Benelli even if both were the same price.

 

[conrad427]

bought two boxes of fiocchi 1200 fps 7.5 1 ounce loads yesterday. used five on two skunks this morning and the rest on clay birds this afternoon. broke 37 out of 45. it was almost boring. the M2 never missed a beat. nice and light, fits me very well and doesnt look like it was designed on an etch a sketch like other shotguns. All the wasted years not liking benellis!

 

[KansasSasquatch]

My friends hate shooting clays with me because I don't miss. I tell them the Benelli aims itself, all I have to do is load it and pull the trigger. Then they get mad when I trade them for a few clays and keep doing it. But my SBE makes it easier. It just feels better than any other shotgun I've picked up and I've been using it for so long.

 

[Coltdriver]

I think the main point is that Benelli or Winchester, either is in the high standard class for semi autos. Once the action is known to work to near perfection its just a matter of fit and finish.