Maxus vs SX3 vs M2

[Rhyno37]

I decided to increase my price range to some high end auto loaders. I began looking at the Benelli M2, Winchester Super X3, and the Browning Maxus. After taking a trip to the store today and shouldering them all, I can say that they all felt great. I originally had my mind set on the M2, but the guy there somewhat steered me away from it. He said he just wasn't a fan of the recoil, and others that had bought from there said the same thing. I trusted he knew what he was talking about because he said the Comfortech was kind of a gimmick, and it really only took a bit of the sting away, not much recoil.

So that left the Maxus and the SX3. He said they were both made by the same company, and had some of the same features. Also said that the SX2 was his best selling gun every, couldn't get enough of them. He then went on to tell me that he has a Maxus, and is now drinking the kool-aid. He said he's a fan of lighter loads, and shoots 1oz loads quite often, and the Maxus cycles the light loads perfectly. He did say it is a bit lighter in the front end.

After hearing his own opinion, I'm now leaning towards the Maxus. I'm not completely ruling out the M2, but I had some questions.

1. Cycling light loads, which of these guns would be best? This is my biggest concern.

2. Rib Height. The SX3 and M2 have higher ribs, while the Maxus has a flat ribs. What do you guys tend to like best? I've only ever shot an 870 so I don't have a lot of experience here.

3. I've heard of some forearm "wobble" or troubles with the Maxus, what exactly is the problem? How common is it, and how hard is it to fix?

3. In your own opinion, which gun would you buy and why? I'm just looking for reviews and comments at this point.

Thank you!

 

[303tom]

This is all I have got to say !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCB7uEQ9W9A

 

[vaherder]

Maxus

Both M2 and SX 3 are not the current generation. I have a Maxus 28" in black which I purchased over two years ago. It will handle any loads down to my friends 3/4oz loads he does himself. My girlfriend ahs the same gun with a 26" barrel. I also have a Maxus Sporting 30" which I got this Spring for Sporting Clays. Havent had any problems with the forearms. We have put approx 8000
rounds through all three. My Sporting handles all loads. None of our Maxi are 3 1/2". We use them for clays and upland. My girlfriend has used hers for ducks.

You need to try Beretta's A400 And Benelli's Vinci. Winchester doesnt have a new shotgun out yet. SX3 is based on the Browning Gold.

Buy the shotgun that fits you best. Do not listen to what other people tell you to buy.

 

[vaherder]

Who Cares How Fast You Can Hit Targets

Flannigan is a pro and he is no longer with Winchester. In real life and in real situations all semi autos are fast enough. Did you a get a paid spokesmen's or pro's opinion before you married your wife? Did you have the AVN's award winner for best male performance try her out before you said I do?

 

[DaleCooper51]

I really wanted a Benelli Cordoba until I had a chance to shoot one for a round of sporting clays. It wasn't the most pleasant gun to shoot and really changed my mind on the recoil action guns.

I would get the gas gun that feels the best to you. It is even better if it has some shims to adjust it to you.

My 1100 Skeet gun finally died on me last month. I borrowed and shot a bunch of different autos trying to figure out what I would get next. A Remington rep was at the club for an AFL/CIO shoot and had a couple Versa-Max guns with him. I was able to shoot a round of skeet with one and I was sold on it. It's a 3.5" 12ga, but ran flawlessly with my 3/4 oz 2 3/4" shells. The recoil was light and it fit me well out of the box. It comes with length of pull and cast/drop shims. I only have about 2 flats through my gun, but think it will be a suitable replacement for my 1100. I think it might be worth a look.

 

[Rhyno37]

I want a gun in camo, but then you can only get one with a 3.5" chamber. How badly do you think that would affect the cycling of lighter loads if at all?

 

[DaleCooper51]

I think the only differences are the camo dip and the camo one comes with 4 extended chokes where the black synthetic one one has 5 flush mounted chokes.

I have only had mine for a few weeks, so it is still a new gun to me. I have about 500 rounds through mine ranging from 3/4 oz reloads to 1 1/8 oz gun clubs. It ran everything without any issue at all. I'm not a waterfowler and know mine will never see a 3.5" shell and most likely wont see many 3" shells.

 

[Rhyno37]

Well shoot, the Maxus in Duck Blind has a 3" model, but the Mossy Oak All Purpose Break Up only comes in 3.5". Since they are the same gun, would 3" or 3.5" chamber affect the cycling of lighter loads?

Would a Maxus and M2 basically cycle light loads as well as each other?

And, is a gas gun really that much harder to clean than an inertia, and get dirtier as easy as everyone says?

I seem to be flip flopping between the Maxus and M2 again :banghead:

 

[Partyguy816]

I bought the Maxus 3.5" chamber about 10 months ago. So far it will cycle everything that I've put through it. Elcheapo federal shells and winchester super x all cycle fine. For giggles, a buddy had a bean bag load that I tried to shoot through it. It did not cycle that. Bolt came back almost half way.

Overall, I love the Maxus. There is no forearm rattle what so ever.

Hope this helps you make your decision.

 

[Rhyno37]

Does the Maxus come with the colored sights to install instead of the bead? (I cannot think of the technical name)

 

[jmr40]

I like the M-2, but the others are good too. In my opinion the recoil issue is over rated unless you shoot ammo by the case. After time it does add up. The gas guns will kick less because of the gas system and the fact that they are heavier. While the M-2 will have more felt recoil, it is certainly no worse than the pumps and doubles that have been used for over 100 years. The comfortech stuff may well be hype, but the new recoil pads made by limbsaver etc. are not.

Of course not everyone uses their guns the way I do. I don't spend hours every weekend at the range playing the clays games. If I did I'd get a gas gun and never look back. I spend a few weekends shooting clays each year, but use my guns primarily for waterfowl and turkey hunting on large tracts of public land. I'll often walk 10-12 miles in a day getting into and out of my turkey hunting areas and nearly that much getting to beaver ponds during duck season. I don't stay home in the rain and the lighter simpler design of the Benellis suit my hunting style. They are simple, rugged, reliable and lightweight just like a pump. Except they pump themselves.