HavocTec

I had the same thing happen on my AL391. I just chalked it up to normal wear and tear from breaking it down all the time to clean.

LOL! Nice Pic!

I agree with all the positives about the SBE2. The fit and finish is awesome, but the mechanical reliability is what really shines in the field. A few years back I took a trip out west and had everything from 80 degrees dusty and sunny to freezing mud and snow in the same week. The guys in my group were all having trouble with jamming guns due to the conditions. All except for one guy - the one with the Benelli SBE. I was shooting a SX2 at the time and it was a nice gun. Like Mudhen, I found it had to be cleaned constantly to function properly. It never caused a problem hunting around home, but on a expensive trip it sucks to have the 1 shot auto in your arms. After that I went out and purchased my first SBE. It was so awesome that I bought the SBE2 when it came out. I also owned a AL391 until recently, which was a great weapon... but a pain to keep clean with the gas operation. I traded it for a Legacy. The ease of cleaning and breakdown, as well as the reliability made it easy. The people I see complaining on these forums fit 90% into Tucker's response. I personally don't find either gun a bad choice for the range. I don't notice a big difference between my Legacy and the AL391, just don't expect the lightest loads made to cycle - they might, just don't expect it. Hope this helps.

I will be patterning my Briley Xtra-full and factory chokes this week on my SBE2. Will try and post once I get it done.

I noticed the camo finish scratches and chips, but so my matte black finish scratched under "normal use". I look at my SBE as a field gun that "normal use" means getting muddy, wet and banged around in the blind/boat more than I would ever abuse my range gun. I don't think the finish on any gun would be perfect unless you really baby it. Mine doesnt have any finger prints on it, but maybe they are camoflaged and hidden! [ 03-22-2005, 05:00 PM: Message edited by: HavocTec ]

Geno - Thanks for the info! I'll call for my nice one with the cleaning threads that fits the full choke. Kinda wish I would have kept my old one when I sold my SBE to get my SBE2. I geuss those guys from Benelli are ok afterall!

I recently sold my AL391 to upgrade to a Legacy I got my hands on. Very similar guns in weight and handling with the AL391 kicking just a little bit less overall. (Makes sense since they are manufactured by the same group) Ease of cleaning and breakdown on the Benelli made my change a no brainer after owning a SBE. I agree with the guys saying the difference in live hunting is basically not noticeable...Let me qualify that... if you shoot 3 & 1/2's on a SBE II, it kicks your butt after a box or two, but isn't that the point - want to drop them big honkers from way up there! Seeing them fall makes it not so noticeable, it's only when you miss!

I just shot my new SBE II this last week also. Worked as flawless as my first SBE that I sold to a friend. I didnt score well either, but it will come. I usually shoot a Legacy at the range, but had to shoot the camo SBE II to try it out. It is such a similar gun, I thought I would be fine - but it does shoulder slightly differently. Only problem I've ever had cycling any shell in a Benelli is those light "gimmick" tracer rounds. Good luck heavy 4x4 - I'm sure you will love that gun for a long time in the field and at the range!