Benelli SBE or m1

JimBow · 11-25-2004, 08:58 AM

Hello, I am looking into getting a good semi auto shotgun. The brand I am leaning toward is Benelli. I want the best shotgun for around 1 grand I can find.
My question is what is the diffrence between the SBE and the M1? I want to use this gun for turkey and waterfoul. I already have a Rem 870 2 3/4" that I'll use for Deer slugs. Thanks in advance for the info.

luckypunk · 11-26-2004, 12:11 AM

Biggest diff is M-1=3"max,
I have a SBE (camo,lefty) ...Almost made love to it the night I brought it home.
I mostly shoot target loads on upland game, I get that budget 6 to 71/2 stuff at walmart 100 for $16.88 (2 3/4"s)
I'll work the action 1st thing on a cold morning, I have had that light stuff not chamber the second shot, It'll shoot up to 3 1/2 with little felt recoil, I say "felt" recoil because when you're beading down on a Big Tom , or a big covey flushes up in front of you, you really don't feel a thing.
Another amazing thing about this gun is how clean it stays, I'll shoot 2 boxes by the afternoon, take it home, open it up...nothing

My gun is the "original" SBE not the SBE II. It came with 5 chokes, full to open, but I haven't tried slugs yet.

JimBow · 11-27-2004, 07:30 AM

Thanks I am probably going to try the SBE not the SBEII. I keep hearing they are having sone problems with the recoil pads and safteys. That and SBE are a lot cheaper because they are last years models.

RedAllison · 11-27-2004, 11:03 AM

JB you really should think about the SBE II. The recoil reduction system is AMAZING in them. A SBE I with anykind of 3.5" shell will loosen your fillings, its not a problem with the SBE II. As a dealer the only problem we have had with E IIs is that we cant get enough to meet demand. None of my customers have reported the first complaints and we are now into our local duckseason (TN/AR/MS) and not a single report of a problem.

The shortage of aftermarket choketubes is a shortlived problem that will be solved by this time nextyear. Most everyone is already working on tubes for the E IIs. And to be honest with you, if you shoot good stuff like Hevi-Shot, Nitro, or Hevi-Steel you wont need anything besides a factory tube except for next springs turkey season.

Good luck,
RA

Carpmaster · 11-27-2004, 04:54 PM

I think the SBE is the better choice to get the 3.5" capacity.

Cotten · 11-27-2004, 05:24 PM

I'm surprised at all of the talk about Benelli's on several of the HuntingBBs.com sites. I have never owned a Benelli but some serious waterfowler's I know would rather have a prostitute sister than another Benelli.

Worc · 11-27-2004, 06:51 PM

The best auto for around a grand may or may not be a Benelli. I'll take the Browning Gold first almost every time. I guess it just depends on who is laying out the cash and what they know. The Beretta's can also be considered the best. The SBE is a waterfowler specialists. The M1 is Benelli's most versatile model. Since your intended use is mainly waterfowl and turkey the SBE may be the way to go. The M1 is just sligthly lighter in weight and would also make a fine choice.

Cotten · 11-27-2004, 09:44 PM

I've hunted the last two duck seasons with a Browning Gold and had no problems. Season before last we hunted in 16 degree weather and the Gold worked fine. It was so cold the last retrieve was made without my dog breaking through the ice. I did shoot sporting clays with a guy who complained his Gold froze up during the same week of teen weather.

I prefer the old model Browning A5. I went to the Gold for the 3 & 1/2" capacity and the camo. My A5 was too pretty and shiny so I figured I would try the Gold. A couple of months ago I got lucky and found a brand new never shot in the box 3" Browning A5 with Synthetic and Matt finish. The Gold is my turkey gun now and duck gun loaner for my brother when he comes to visit during Christmas (he was using my pretty/shiny A5).

We have a gun smith in town that pushes the Beretta Extreme over the Browning Gold. He will tell you quickly though that no gun is as good as the old Browning A5.

luckypunk · 11-28-2004, 01:11 AM

Benelli has something different to offer than the other autos in that they are not gas operated, all the gas goes out the barrel, the spring & action stay clean as a whistle, the only anomaly I have had in very cold weather is no "freezeups" but walmarts 1 1/8 target 2 3/4 loads (federal I think) are light & may not fully chamber the second round, and this is only on the first shot of the day, I would expect flawless action (from the gun at least) the rest of the day especially with any premium, hotter, or longer shell.

I dont think I would go for their SBE II because of the stock perforations. I would be afraid of cracking it. No I have not shot the SBE II but I don't think needs "comforTech" perforations. I would not describe the recoil of a 3.5" turkey load as "teethrattling" Maybe for an 80 yr. old w/ false teeth , HA! nowhere near my friends ultralight 30.06, or guns like these...[link]http://www.accuratereloading.com/videos.html[/link]

Some of the best chukar areas here in Idaho are strewn with lava boulders. I have stumbled (OK.. fell on my ass) taking sidehill shots more that once. I know the SBE can take it.