HELP! I can't decide on a new shotgun! (Benelli M1 or O/U?)

[vikingshelmut]

So I've been looking at getting a new shotgun for a month or so. I thought I had my shotgun picked out, but I went and shot sporting clays with a rental, and now I'm confused and back to square one. The details...

I have been looking at getting a Benelli M1 Field for a while. My friend has one, and I like it. The #1 problem is that to me, it kicks like a mule, and my shoulder starts to hurt very quickly. I figured I needed to suck it up, since it probably kicked less than a fixed breech gun like an O/U... until I shot one. When I shot sporting clays, I rented a nice Browning O/U that fit me really well. It had LESS felt recoil than the M1! Logically that does not make sense to me. It did have a nice recoil pad that the Benelli did not, and probably more importantly, with the recoil pad the stock was about an inch longer than that of the Benelli. My guess is the combination of the recoil pad with the longer length of pull on the O/U added up to less felt recoil. When I shoot the Benelli, it feels like my right hand is too close to my body. I'm not that tall, so I wouldn't have thought I'd feel better with a longer LOP, but go figure.

So now, I'm totally confused. I am very sensitive to recoil, and want to minimize it as much as possible (please no gas gun recommendations). If I add a good recoil pad to the Benelli, does it make sense that it would have equal to or less recoil than an O/U with the same setup? I really don't want to spend more than $1000, so the M1 is just right.

Any thoughts?

 

[bad LT]

Benelli makes fine shotguns, as do browning...

Whatever shotgun you get, make sure it fits you in the clothing you shoot in. If the browning fits you, get it. If you are dead set on a Benelli M1 Field, get it with a nice wood stock and get the stock fit for you.

 

[mete]

The Benelli will be lower recoil than an O/U of the same weight because the automatic mechanism spreads out the recoil over time .If a gun does not fit properly recoil will be accentuated. Most of the Brownings are heavier. My Benelli M1 90 is 7 1/4 lbs , the Browning O/U I used to have was 8 1/4 lbs. The Benelli M2 has a special gel filled recoil pad that absorbs recoil.You can get a pad for your shoulder that does the same thing [PAST]. Going to a 20 Ga often doesn't work because the 20s are usually lighter.

 

[mscott]

It sounds like a gun fit issue, but I've heard from plenty of others that Benellis will beat you up. I have a Citori and think everyone should own a good O/U. Don't skimp and buy one of the cheaper ones. If you are only going to shoot clays once in a while then get the Benelli you've been wanting. You can always use lighter loads in the Benelli to help with the recoil or maybe even start loading them. I run a 7/8oz load in my 1100 that is at least as light as any 20ga. There is no cut and dry answer here as both guns are very good, but also different. Why are you so opposed to gas guns?

 

[Dave McCracken]

Both are fine shotguns. Get the one that feels best....

 

[vikingshelmut]

If you are dead set on a Benelli M1 Field, get it with a nice wood stock and get the stock fit for you.

If I need to lengthen the LOP, I can get a synthetic model and just add a larger recoil pad right?

If you are only going to shoot clays once in a while then get the Benelli you've been wanting. You can always use lighter loads in the Benelli to help with the recoil or maybe even start loading them. I run a 7/8oz load in my 1100 that is at least as light as any 20ga.

I'm hoping I can run the same 7/8oz loads in an M1, but I haven't heard any feedback as to if it will still cycle.

Why are you so opposed to gas guns?

I'm not really opposed to gas guns, I just really like the simplicity of the Benelli. I'm all about simple take down and cleaning, and I've heard that gas guns foul quicker.

As long as I can get the Benelli to fit like the Browning, I'll probably get that. I need to find out how long the LOP on that Browning is.

 

[LUGNUTZ426]

IF YOU ARE SENSITIVE TO RECOIL....TRY A 1100 OR 1187 BEFORE YOU

BUY ANY OVER UNDER OR THE BENELLI. NOTHING TREATS YOUR SHOULDER

ANY BETTER! LOTS OF OLDER TRAPSHOOTERS WHO ARE SENSITIVE TO

RECOIL SWITCH TO 1100'S. MOST OF THEM FIND THEY SHOOT BETTER

WITH IT TO BOOT!

 

[mscott]

Yes, gas guns will foul quicker. I wouldn't expect an 1100 to run more than 500 or so before showing it.

 

[45R]

Try the Benelli M1Field with the Limbsaver. It really soaks up the recoil. I have one for my M1 Tactical and just ordered one for my field. Its a night and day difference. Your shoulder will really thank you for it.

 

[ArmedBear]

The Limbsaver is nice, but if you put it on a gun that isn't already the worst-recoiling gun out there, it's even nicer.

If you're really recoil sensitive, but you need a 12, I'd avoid both the M1 and an O/U. Benellis double-hammer your shoulder, and with an O/U, one of the barrels is necessarily out of line with your shoulder, which makes recoil worse.

Remington's gas guns are famously soft on the shoulder. My 1100 sure is. The new one coming out, the 105CTi is AMAZINGLY soft and it's light, too. If you don't mind the price, and it seems you don't, try to find one. Bottom-eject, and it comes with a special, extra-thick Limbsaver, even though it has low inherent recoil.

Yeah, you'll have to clean a gas gun. If you don't clean your O/U, though, it'll wear out a lot quicker, too. The gas gun can be cleaned quickly at the range with Rem-Oil or Bullfrog wipes, and only cleaned thoroughly every once in a while, in my experience.

 

[vikingshelmut]

That is one nice sounding Remingotn. It is a little out of my price range, as I was looking at less than $1000. I'll have to keep my eye out though. I might have to revisit the 1100 or 11-87. I think they have a "sportsmans" model that is synthetic, so that might fit the bill.

I just really like the Benelli, but who knows.

I'm heading to Sportsmans Warehouse this weekend to pickup my new XD, so I'll have to shoulder some of them to see how they feel.

If I do get the Benelli, I'll have to add the Limbsaver and some weight.

 

[ArmedBear]

If you want a heavy gun that doesn't recoil much, the 11-87 Sportsman will do, for a lot less money. I think it's way too heavy; I like the Premier a lot better, but if you want to add weight to a Benelli, what's the difference I guess?

If the Benelli hurts your shoulder, why the hell do you like it? I tend to like guns that give me a good shooting experience.

Just say no to hype!

$1000 is an interesting price point. I'd avoid spending $1000 on the wrong gun if I could get the right one for $1150. I know from experience I'd want the grand back!

On the other hand, many good guns fall far below that mark: Beretta 3901 and 11-87 Premier, for example. And there are many that fall a bit above it, like the 391's, 105, etc.

Take your time!

 

[vikingshelmut]

If the Benelli hurts your shoulder, why the hell do you like it? I tend to like guns that give me a good shooting experience.

I like it because I shoot really well with it. I think the reason it kicks so hard for me is partially because of a fit issue. That was why I was looking at a larger recoil pad.

$1000 is an interesting price point. I'd avoid spending $1000 on the wrong gun if I could get the right one for $1150. I know from experience I'd want the grand back!

Well from what I can tell the 105CTi is $1500. Yes that is MSRP, so I'm sure I could find it cheaper, but I doubt I could find it that much cheaper.

I will check out that Beretta 3901. It seems pretty affordable, about the same price as the Benelli. You've brought up some good recommendations, I really appreciate it!

 

[mscott]

Be careful adding weight to the stock of a Benelli. They are recoil operated and a little more sensitive to such changes.

 

[Squidward]

Beretta Extrema 2

http://www.berettausa.com/product/spotlight/spot_xtrema2_main.htm

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Benelli's tend to be lighter weight than the others----great for the field---not so good for clays---the light weight and recoil system will pound you---I got rid of a Montefeltro 12ga due to the harsh recoil.

Now own a 20ga M1---extreme light weight-----carried a lot---shot a little. Not my main shotgun but more of specialized tool.

For around $1200---check out the Citori Satin Hunter----it has to be the heaviest Citori I've ever handled---and Citori's tend to be heavy anyway----it has a 3.5in chamber----but stay away from those and just use 2.75in light loads.

Also consider the Browning Gold and Beretta 391 autos---the heavier weight and gas systems will make for about the softest shooters you can find.

Remington autos were good 30 years ago---these days they are just an also-ran--------personally --I would avoid them like the plague.

 

[Lobotomy Boy]

If you are worried about recoil, you might want to consider the M2 with the Comfortech Stock. I have a Super Black Eagle II with that system and it is easy on my shoulder. Last weekend I went through more than a box of 3" magnum shells and my shoulder feels fine.

 

[p_pac]

What do you guys think about Beretta Extrema2?

 

[ArmedBear]

Remington autos were good 30 years ago---these days they are just an also-ran--------personally --I would avoid them like the plague.

I might agree, but I've shot the new one. This statement is no longer true, not by a long shot.

 

[vikingshelmut]

The Beretta looks nice, but is at the high end of my price range.
I do like all the recoil related features, but why do they have to make the synthetic version look like a ray gun!

I would love to shoot an M2 to test the Comfortech stock, but I can't find a good place around here (Bay Area) that would rent one. I need to find someone who ownes one.

 

[45R]

Be careful adding weight to the stock of a Benelli. They are recoil operated and a little more sensitive to such changes.

If you break in your Benelli properly, it will eat just about anything with side saddles and Tactical Lights The key word is properly

With shotgun and recoil technology getting better and better each year, sore shoulders will be a thing of the past soon.