bambihunter

Popapi, here's one at a decent price: http://glocktalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=233786

It can absolutely done safely and very easily, the barrels seem to be in short supply since I had one on order for 4 months then finally cancelled the order. They run upwards of $400 so they ain't cheap. Another few ideas is a rifled choke which won't be as accurate as the barrel, but it does work. You can also shoot sabot shells through the open (cylinder) choke for decent accuracy out to 50 yards or more. The SBE is actually the PERFECT starter gun if you are sure you will stay into the shooting/hunting sports. I bought mine in '94 and used to own a lot of shotguns, now I only have the SBE and a Remington .410 (and I'd buy a Benelli if they made 'em in .410). Many times the standard full choke will work fine for turkeys. I think I averaged 2 more pellets in the kill zone on a turkey target at 35 yards with an extended extra full turkey choke than I did with the factory full (I don't think the $75 that I paid for the extra full was worth it).

Yes, the standard slug barrel will only handle 3" but you can shoot the longer slugs through the smooth bore. From all the testing I've seen, the 3.5" is less accurate and doesn't provide much of a benefit in the form of flatter trajectory, more velocity, or more energy. Of course you pay for anything added with my recoil. I do feel that they will eventually offer this, even though I feel it'll reduce the accuracy of the shorter loads since the slug will have to "jump" onto the rifling...

email sent...

My phone number is xxx-xxxx... I live up by Remington Park. Anyway, give me a call if you'd like, we can try to find a time when we can both get away and shoot it. If you just want to shoot it, we can go to just about any gun range (although I don't go to H&H anymore) or we can go out to El Reno and shoot clays with it. BTW, if you really like the feel of the 26" then go for it, the velocity loss and pattern difference is very minimal at best. Mike P.S. I tried to send this as a P.M. but it gave me an error and of course I won't leave the # on a public forum... I'll try to email ya (if you have it on your profile).

BTW, if you intend to hunt with it in this configuration, you'll need a plug for migratory birds and waterfowl. I have one listed for less than I paid for it and it's never been used. If you're interested it's listed here: 3 shot limiter plug for SBE/M1 I can't help you much with the installation. I too bought one, but then decided it'd be too heavy to carry in the field and would change the center of balance (not to mention I couldn't use the additional capacity for migratory birds) so I never installed it. I sold it long ago, but still have the plug. Mods, I didn't see anywhere that I couldn't list stuff for sale, or outside links. If that's not the case please delete this posting and accept my apologies.

I do like the idea of the built-in recoil absorbsion, but it's a little funky looking. I have an all black SBE, but never liked the looks of the all black Nova. The camo patterned Novas look good to me however, I guess it breaks up the lines better. I'll just have to handle the SBE 2 to decide, but at this point I don't see myself shelling out the money to "upgrade" when what I have is doing everything I need it to do, and has 10 years of reliability (and my trust) behind it.

Yes, it's normal, but I can't recall why... It SEEMS like it was something to do with the safety on it, but I could be way off.

BTW, the Benelli is inertia operated, not recoil operated - there is a difference... I pretty much agree with most of the others comments. I haven't tried the recoil reducers, but most of the time I don't need it (although I do have pics of my bruised shoulder from shooting 350 rounds on clay pigeons one day). The steady grip is great for turkeys and defense situations, but I can't stand them for most other hunting situations where you'll have "snap shots" at fleeing game (like rabbits, quail, etc). You won't regret the SBE, I have owned a lot of 12 gauges over the years and now I have just one - the SBE. In fact, it's the only shotgun I have besides my .410 and if Benelli would make one in that caliber I'd buy it too! My SBE would honestly be the very last gun I'd get rid of.

What? Are you just showing your baby all torn apart, or are you asking something???

Mine will cycle everything 100% except it won't correctly cycle the el-cheapo 7/8 oz loads. I use the cheap 1 1/8 oz loads and have for 10 years and haven't ever had it not work. On the light loads, mine will eject the empty, but doesn't pull one from the magazine (just closes on an empty chamber). I've said it before, my SBE will honestly be the very last gun I ever get rid of (unless MAYBE to replace it with the SBE2, but I doubt it).

Ya know, I've had my SBE for 10 years now and I don't think I have a single picture with me and/or game in the picture (I do have pics of my gun collection for later reference if needed, but I won't post those here). Nice pics BTW, but who's that ugly fellar in it? *just teasin'*

For most uses the ghost rings don't really help much (but argueably they do look cool). Worse case scenario, order a new barrel with them and sell your old one. I've seen used barrels go for upwards of 80% of the cost of a new barrel. Considering what a 'smith will charge this might actually be cheaper. Good luck, and you got a heckuva deal!

The only ammo my SBE won't cycle 100% is el-cheapo 7/8 oz. light load 2 3/4" shells. On these it'll eject the empty, but it doesn't release a shell from the magazine. That's ok, for pennies more a box I get the 1 1/8 oz loads (for quail, dove, and skeet/trap). Mine has worked flawlessly for 10 years now and should continue for the foreseeable future. It really sounds like you got one of the few bad Benelli's I've ever heard of.

Have you tried ordering one from Mustang Gun and Pawn? Call 'em, if they don't have it in stock they can get it. Either them, or Outdoor America on MacArthur. Read my other post about the offer to shoot mine (I'm here in OKC too)...

The above info is good but let me recite the old addage: Tis better to have (the capability) and not to need, then to need and not to have... I have quite a few guns and as God as my witness, the Super Black Eagle would be my very last one to get rid of. It can simply be used to do too many things from waterfowl, to deer, to even home defense... The M1 would do these too, but if you shoot steel you'd be better off with 3 1/2" SBE. However, if you shoot lead-alternative shot for waterfowl, then the M1 should suit you fine. In my experience I've not found a good 3 1/2" turkey load that patterns very well (I get about the same number of pellets in the killzone whether I'm shooting 3's or 3.5's...

Yep, as remarkable stated, the choke is common between all Benelli 12's that I know of, as well as current Beretta offerings.

popapi, your info says you're from OKC... Me too... I've got a 28" SBE if you'd like to go shoot sometime then you can see what you think of that length. Some other points to consider is the longer barrel helps reduce muzzle jump slightly, a plus when shooting magnum loads. However, it makes it too barrel heavy for my wife to shoot it. She used to shoot my Ithaca that had a 26" barrel. However, to be fair, the whole gun was 1/2 pound lighter than the relatively light SBE.

A guy I know bought his in Denmark and he said he got a plastic case with his, but he didn't know if that was "dealer incentive" or part of the deal direct from Benelli... The best part of what you get in the box from Benelli is the gun! You won't be sorry with the SBE... Oh, there also should be a thread cleaner/choke remover in there too, as well as plastic choke tube holders.

I originally had an E.R. Shaw barrel for mine but sold it without ever firing it because they didn't have open sights and my 'smith didn't recommend putting them on that thin barrel. I don't want a scope on mine right now for the close-in whitetail hunting I intend to do with it. When the slug barrel comes in I've got a few suggestions to try out. Thanks again!

I didn't know they changed 'em... I bought mine in '94.

Yeah, I've had the SBE since '94 and for a while it would ONLY cycle quality heavy loads (like Winchester AA's), but now I can shoot cheap heavy loads too and it functions nearly 100%. If I drop in 7/8 oz loads, the cycle rate drops to probably maybe 60%. As quick as these are to change I'd be interested in it just for skeet use. I'll check out the different suggested loads when i get the slug barrel and forearm in. I'll be using the open sights on mine. That suprises me that a 2 3/4" load would have better specs than the 3" load. I just wanted an idea of what to try first when I head to the range when I get it. Any ideas on the dates of when they switched from the small round safety to the oversized version? Thanks!

I'd be first in line to get one though (hint, hint Benelli engineeers). Of course I'd expect it to shoot both 2 1/2" and 3" shells interchangably... Willey, if you're sincerely wanting one, then I guess the closest thing out there is probably the 1100LW Remington.

In my opinion, a inertia-recoil Benelli would not make the best home defense gun. I've tried shooting my SBE "free-hand" (not against my shoulder, just holding it) and an alarming number of times it ejects the empty but doesn't come back far enough to release a shell into the chamber. If I were you, I'd get a SBE for all hunting uses and then, depending on your finances get a purpose-built defense shotgun like the M3 or if you're on a budget after the SBE, get a Rem. 870 police, Moss. 500, Win 1300 defender, etc.

I recently ordered a slug barrel and modified forearm for my SBE. I know I'll need to try some to find out what shoots best in it, but does anyone have any recommendations for a 3" factory load (or several) for these? Also, when (what year) did they start putting the big oversized safety on the SBE? I was just wanting to get an idea on the years so when I was looking I'd know. One last thing, a friend that lives in Denmark says he bought a light load spring kit for his SBE to shoot 7/8 oz light loads and even showed me the link to the foriegn (language) website that mentioned it. Is this available in the U.S.? Thanks