remarkable

Your SBE 3 more than is setup from the factory with the B Drop Lock Plate. If your model is a right handed version you will note that the Drop Lock Plate will be noted B DX. The DX represents a right handed cast. You can change the orientation of your cast by using the side of the Drop plate labeled SX. You will then have a gun casted left handed. I would suggest moving your Drop Locking plate to the D locking plate if you want to lower your POA. Please remember your Benelli is designed to shoot a 60/40 pattern high. Benelli tolerance is 1" to 5" at 21 yards. Most guns will be on the lower side of this delta. Please reach out if you may need additional help.

Benelli is moving away from the M2 chassis in SOME segments, the Cordoba, Super Sport have already moved into the Ethos chassis platform which affords the opportunity to utilize the Easy Bolt and the updated two piece carrier latch. The SBE 3" and 20 gauge SBE reflect additional line movement into the updated chassis which speaks to a segmented market. Market segmentation is the process by which firms identify the different portions of the market according to how they respond to different products and features. This is a vital part of markets because the marketing concept requires companies to both understand and satisfy their customers’ needs better than the competition. As such, by segmenting a market, it is possible to identify those groups of customers with similar needs, and specifically target them with products that fulfill said needs. Successful marketing usually occurs when you speak precisely to your target audience. Market segmentation helps you achieve that precision. IMC programs that include segmentation assist in developing marketing messages that speak to your target segments, activities that are geared towards these segments, and clarity around your business that attracts clients like a magnet.

The 3" version and the 20 gauge version are lighter than the 3.5, both are fine additions to the Benelli lineup, some if not all models will and have moved to the SBE and Ethos platform. Would like to hear more about your observation "hybrid of the Ethos and SBE". Both the 20 and the 12 3" are selling well, many educated shooter are just not interested in shooting 3.5" shells, for many reasons.

Please reach out with a PM, I can get you the SBE 3 that you would like.

You will probably need to remove the butt stock to gain more clearance for the trigger group to seat properly.

The Super Black Eagle would be a fine all purpose, there could be other considerations in models if you do not plan on shooting 3.5" shells. Most POI issues can be traced to improper fitting, basic understanding of POA VS POI, and very few 17 model year guns which the barrel stop ring was improperly installed. Most Benelli models shoot a 60/40 pattern high, with that being the standard. Most modern ribbed semi automatics are designed to shoot a pattern higher than the point of aim. Benelli tolerance is up to 5" high at 21 yards. Most guns will be on the lower side of this delta. This means the point of impact will be up to 5" high the majority of the pattern. This assumes that the gun fits the owner, a good fit requires a flat rib. This can be done with the drop shim plate and corresponding shims, cast and drop. Unfortunately most shooters do not take the time to fit their gun properly. Of the more than 900 Benelli's that I have worked on less than 40 have different Drop Shim Plates and shims that were different than the OEM setup. This certainly does not mean the other 860 guns do not fit the shooter properly. Your POI can be lowered by using a larger front sight such and Hi Viz and similar - as well. There were some SBE 3's in the early 2017 that had POI out of spec. This condition COULD have been caused by the magazine tube barrel stop ring that improperly set to spec. The barrel stop ring primary function is to work and assist in alignment of the barrel as it is secured into the receiver. It is vital that these to points of contact are precisely met at the same time, if not the barrel is forced out of position or it is simply to loose to secure the barrel assembly. Most Benelli models do not even use the barrel stop ring. The SBE 3 and some M2's do. 20 Gauge M2's do not use the barrel stop ring. I randomly sample SBE 3's with a laser sight as well as having access to SBE 3's performance shop patterns that were done by Rob Roberts all of which have a POI higher than the POA. The good news is that altering your shotgun’s POI can lead to more accurate and consistent shots.

Second the vote for the SuperSport from the performance shop. This is truly a great sporting clays gun. The price is very fair, these retailed for 2899.99 or better new.

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These are very nice guns, shoot great! Just shot one today, sporting clays, 24 out of 25, never shot the gun before.

PM's sent Mark

Here are the detail, there are 66 of this model number on backorder 12 are in transit. Currently Benelli is a 90 to 120 day company, which means I would not expect a gun to come in that I have order to come in for 90 - 120 days. Keep in mind this is not unusual currently. Example: Browning is 7 times greater volume than it ever has been in the existence of the company. To the original question, when did your dealer order the gun? Was it even ordered? We have had several M4's as of late, just sold one of each Black & H2o yesterday. I do have both of these models coming in by the end of May. Please reach out if you would like one of these. 1799.99 or 1999.99 H20. Benelli USA & Beretta have been by far the best companies moving through these challenging times in the industry. (There is another major shift in the market, you will see many guns very soon) Mark

Please PM me, I can provide some insights. When was the gun ordered? Who did you order it from? Did you get confirmation that the dealer of choice actually placed the order forb the gun. These questions would be great information to address your question.

Mike, I am glad you are reaching out to Benelli, great customer service. The purpose of the forum is quite often a place where others can learn and grow in knowledge and understanding. Understanding POA (Point Of Aim) and POI (Point OF Impact) is very important to assist shooters with knowledge and insights that could make them a better shot. Most modern ribbed semi automatics are designed to shoot a pattern higher than the point of aim. Benelli tolerance is up to 5" high at 21 yards. Most guns will be on the lower side of this delta. This means the point of impact will be up to 5" high the majority of the pattern. This assumes that the gun fits the owner, a good fit requires a flat rib. This can be done with the drop shim plate and corresponding shims, cast and drop. Unfortunately most shooters do not take the time to fit their gun properly. Of the more than 900 Benelli's that I have worked on less than 40 have different Drop Shim Plates and shims that were different than the OEM setup. This certainly does not mean the other 860 guns do not fit the shooter properly. Your POI can be lowered by using a larger front sight such and Hi Viz and similar - as well. There were some SBE 3's in the early 2017 that had POI out of spec. This condition COULD have been caused by the magazine tube barrel stop ring that improperly set to spec. The barrel stop ring primary function is to work and assist in alignment of the barrel as it is secured into the receiver. It is vital that these to points of contact are precisely met at the same time, if not the barrel is forced out of position or it is simply to loose to secure the barrel assembly. Most Benelli models do not even use the barrel stop ring. The SBE 3 and some M2's do. 20 Gauge M2's do not use the barrel stop ring. I randomly sample SBE 3's with a laser sight as well as having access to SBE 3's performance shop patterns that were done by Rob Roberts all of which have a POI higher than the POA. The good news is that altering your shotgun’s POI can lead to more accurate and consistent shots.

Mike, Your M2 was designed to shoot a 60/40 pattern high. If you needed to use the SX Drop Shim Plate to "Center Your Patter", your gun clearly is not a good fit for you. When you say "Center The Pattern" what you are saying is the gun fits you better casted Left Handed. Your benelli is shooting where you are pointing it. This is why having a gun that fits the shooter is vital and working with a dealer who not only understands shotgun fitting but also the entire Drop Shim Plate and the corresponding drop shims and cast shims that Benelli offers on most models. I wish I had the gun in front of me so I can clearly understand the cause and effect in your description. If you think that the barrel stop ring is not installed properly, sent it back to Benelli for warranty work. I believe with the information provided you have a gun fitting issue, this by your own admittance in your description of using the Left handed drop locking plate, when you are a right handed shooter.

Mike, The SX would indicate that your gun is now cast Left Hand, your C drop lock plate is current the gun was setup originally with the B drop shim plate. You could move you drop locking plate to a D. If you are right handed you will then need to choose the D DX plate. IF your fitting is not correct, it will lead to the causing you to shoot high. Your explanation about the gun being level is not clear to the extent of the fitting of your gun. In MOST cases the operator is shooting the gun high because of improper fit. You COULD have a tube barrel stop ring out of adjustment as well.

Mike, please tell me about what drop shim and corresponding shims you are using. Secondly is your rib flat when looking down the barrel? If not you are shooting the gun high.

Thank you for posting this follow up. I often describe similar experiences adding optics to a Benelli and how this effects inertia and cycling in Benelli/Franchi. Secondly, these types of components added to the gun are very important when describing cycling issues, most of these are often left out and are critical to cause and effect conditions in cycling shells in Benelli/Franchi. Proper shouldering most often gets snickered at when introducing root causes od cycling issues as well. These are SOME examples of why "my Benelli does not cycle shells". My first reaction when I hear my Benelli does not cycle shells, these are the guns I would very much like to have in front of me. Your gun is awesome and a perfect example of why Franchi is exploding in growth.

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Chris, could you take a photo of the inside of the M2 stock and sent me a PM. Secondly what model of gun did you select when getting the wood stock? Thanks Mark

I would not expect Benelli to offer the 3" SBE 3 or the 20 gauge in a left hand model without a proven track record for the right handed versions that are currently out. I do see a trend moving away from the M2 platform, platform growth is occurring in Ethos and SBE Chassis. IF the M2 is discontinued this could create left hand demand for the two offerings you are interested in.

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The biggest problem with many of these threads is the author of the thread never follows up on any details that were asked for nor do they make contact. I often wonder why some even post on the forum.

Would be very interested to hear why you prefer the SBE 1.

Great choice, be patient it will be a long wait. They are backordered. Could be 60 - 120 days.