I am in the market for a good auto shotgun. I was considering an SBE II or a Browning Gold at first, but am pretty set on Benelli's because they are inertia driven. Whichever gun I buy will be used as all purpose (deer hunting with slug barrel, trap, maybe occasional duck or turkey hunting). I can get a like new SBE II that has had 9 rds run through it for $1100 but I am wondering whether or not I really need the ability to use the 3.5" shells.

The guns I am considering are the SBE II, SBE, M2, and the M1. I will end up getting the wood finish, no camo or black. What I would like to know are if the guns are fairly similar except for the comfort tech stocks and what not that the SBE II and M2 has and the fact that M2 and M1 do not shoot 3.5's. I am currently under the impression that the SBE, SBE II, and the M2 are pretty much the same gun except the SBE's shoot the 3.5's .

I have also been told that once I run about 150 rounds through the SBE II that I will be able to shoot 2 3/4 a lot easier. And also that I can always shoot 3 or 3 1/4 dram 2 3/4's with no problem.

Any opinions or help would be greatly appreciated.