sdkidaho

Really? I have really liked the Titanium model from Franchi. Granted, I haven't even laid hands on one yet, but for an O/U it really appeals to me. Of course I'd have to get both barrel sets...

Ok, is the comfortech system a worthwhile improvement? I -hate- being kicked when I shoot, but seeing the reduction in recoil in the Benelli's it really made it a selling point for me. Any of the other brands of shotguns out there really don't have anything more inventive than the "Limbsaver", which tells me those manufacturers are leaving it up to someone else to figure out. So, is it worth it?

Even more random curiousness - why the Stoeger and not a Franchi?

Well, he is probably right as I have heard few people ever complain about their Remingtons, though the more I look at shotguns the more I am convinced that I am a Benelli man. My local sporting goods store didn't even have an M2 in stock for me to look at, but they had an SBEII, composite, 26" in stock and man did it feel goooooood. I don't "need" the gun that will shoot the 3-1/2" shells, but... considering I probably won't be buying another auto for many years to come, why not spend the little bit extra and have the gun that will do it all? I'd rather be happy with what I buy than having that little tickle of doubt in the back of my mind saying "I wonder"... I'm all for saving a few pennies here and there, but, I'm also convinced that if you buy less than what you truly want you'll nevery truly be happy with what you've purchased. The Benelli's have the features, and seem to be durable. I've enjoyed my Nova pump, and am certain that my next Benelli will be even that much better of a gun, and that much more enjoyable. Here's to saving a few extra pennies to have that SBEII. Now to decide for certain on 28", or 26" - MAX4 or Timber HD.

Duly noted. At retail of $420 more for the one I want, that is definitely something to consider. Thanks for the input, guys, much appreciated.

Dang you guys. Why did you give me another choice! :-D How the heck am I supposed to choose!? What I'll be hunting: 30% Ruffed Grouse. 30% Blue Grouse. 14% Pheasant. 10%Hungarian Partridge. 14% Duck 2% Geese (maybe) Of course that isn't an "exact" percentage, but that's my best guess. So, do you still recommend the M2 Field over the SBEII? I guess I don't "have" to have the SBEII, and more than anything I just wasn't really aware of the others as you don't see them get much press. I assume the M2 will knock down geese just fine if I decide I suddenly like that?

Fortunately I have no preconceived notion of barrel length or which is supposed to be superior, hence the reason for the question. I "assumed" that a longer barrel was to reach farther, and from the links provided above it seems that might be the case. From the article: "The basic bottom line is a short-barreled gun is for fast-swinging, close-in shooting. Distance shooting requires a longer barreled gun." I guess that answers my question. I'll be doing mostly upland game which is generally close in, but the water fowl that I "might" like to add in sounds like it would require a bit longer barrel for better accuracy for "average" shooters. So, a 28" is maybe a good middle of the road?

So if I am going to go for my first automatic, primarily for the field, and primarily for upland game, but still will want to do water fowl, the SBEII is my best bet?

What is the advantage to a longer or shorter barrel? I see that the barrels seem to range from 24", 26", 28", and 30".

Can someone tell me the main differences in these two guns? SBEII - $1585 2-3/4", 3", & 3-1/2" shells 24", 26" & 28" barrels Synthetic, MAX-4, Timber HD finishes Cordoba - $1600 2-3/4" & 3" shells 28" & 30" barrels Synthetic finish only I guess what I'm wondering is why would you buy the Cordoba over the SBEII, or vice versa?

I've got a buddy that posted this to another shotgun forum, but in having just found this I thought I'd put it here for him to see if someone here hopefully knows something: "I bought my SBE2 in June. I put over 500 rounds through it during dove season in Sep. and it didn't give me any problems. Then I put about 500 more 3 1/2 rounds through during this duck season and it was fine. Now all of a sudden it is giving me all kinds of grief. Before you read this keep in mind that I am very nice to my gun and clean it after every 30 rounds or so. I am talking about taking it apart and cleaning everything and slightly lubing everything up exactly according to the manufactor. What it does every 5th round of shots or so, it is taking the third shell and instead of loading it into the chamber it is acually spitting it out of my gun 4 feet away. No wonder I have been going through so many shells. The first 5 times it happened I just thought that I had frogotten to put in the third shell. But a couple of weeks ago I acually saw it out of the corner of my eye fly form my gun and I went and picked it up and cussed very loud because I could have doubled on a set of greeneheads. This has happened a total of about 12 times in the last month. Now I have switched ammunuition and it has'nt spit out a full shell yet. What it is doing now is, not loading the third shell completely into the chamber. I just have to give it a little push and then I can shoot it. I am happy doing that because at least I can get three shots out of it but still I loose time doing that. I called Benelli and they told me to send it in but I would'nt get it back until after duck season. I just thought that if you spend $1200 on a brand new gun it should function properely for at least the first duck season. I hope no one has this many problems. I have heard nothing but god about the SBE2 that is why I bought it. Any ideas?" And: Well, I took the troublesome super black devil II out for another spin last weekend. I don't know why I keep putting myself through this grief but sense I spent so much money I wanted to use it. It started spitting out the third shell again consitintantly, so I thought I would outsmart it and only put in two shells. Well just my luck it started spitting that one out as well. I just can't win. My gun is the offical SBEII one shot wonder! I wish Benelli would give me some advice over the phone or pay for a local gunsmith to check it out. After duck season I am going to send it in and hopefully they either reconditon it or replace it. Regardless I am going to sell it because I am going to go for a over and under. Not much can go wrong with that hopefully. If anyone wants the one shot wonder after I get it back form Benelli the first 800 dollars takes it. Questions: -Anyone here have an answer that will keep him from having to send it in? Some minor fix that needs to take place maybe? -If he does sell it, does the warranty go with the gun, or no?