AndyUK

Thanks, GoBow, I'm looking for the Vinci with the slug barrel, as it it fitted with iron sights and I might then put an Eotech or similar on the action. I won't then have the issue of a slight change in zero each time I remove the barrel. Also, now that Benelli are selling 7 and 9 shot magazine tubes for the Vinci, it makes them a better option for the tactical / practical type competitions. All I need to do now is sell a kidney to pay for it!

As it says. I'm currently using a SuperNova with an Eotech sight as my slug gun (target shotgun comp.) and I've seen that an iron-sighted slug gun variant of the Vinci is advertised on the Italian website. Having the barrel and action as one, should help with accuracy if the sight (optic) is mounted to the action. Anyone have any experience of this? regards Andy

In England you would need a licence for those braces! Andy

Gents, The Italian gun company Breda (who still sell the 'original' SBE as the Grizzly) say, in their catalogue that the Grizzly / SBE uses an 'Ergal' alloy receiver, and Rilsan stock. I'm no metallurgist, but I reckon the barrels will be something like Nickel Chrome Molybdnum. Given the almost incestuous relationship between many of the Italian gun companies, I bet that the Benelli is the same. Certainly, Janes Infantry Weapons refers to the Benelli shotguns as having Ergal receivers, rilsan stocks and Nickel Chrome Moly barrels. Incidentally, Walther used to advertise their lightweight PP / PPK and P38 models as having 'Dural' alloy receivers, which was also used in aircraft and, I think, airships. Best regards Andy

First of all, as the original poster, my apologies for not coming back on this. I must admit I'd thought that this thread had 'died'! I do not actually own a 28 and have little more than an academic curiosity. The 28 is certainly a more serious proposition as a starter gun for a youngster or lightly built adult, than a .410". There I DO speak from experience. I started shot gunning with a .410" and it was a BAD move. A 28 or lightly loaded 20 would have given me a much better chance. If however, you look to Italy, it is common for them to shoot small songbirds etc. and maybe, they think that the 28 will leave something for them to eat. Plus, any possible reason to buy something else is automatically a good reason, in my book:D Andy

I have a 6 shot version on a SuperNova holding an EoTech 512.A65 absolutely no problems after 2000+ shells BUT I did have the receiver drilled and tapped by a gunsmith as it did not come pre-drilled/tapped. Rgds Andy

I see that Benelli have launched a new 28 gauge auto, called the Rafaello Crio 28. Are they available in the US - anyone have any experience? I think it's the first 28 that Benelli have produced. Rgds Andy

I'm unable to comment on 1) and 3) however, I do use a side saddle mount on my SN for competition and have found the one manufactured by Mesa Tactical to be entirely suitable. Dependent upon the SN model that you have, you might find it necessary to drill and tap the receiver to affix the side saddle. I have the 6 shot version and I do not find the gun 'unbalanced' with the row of shells on the left side of the receiver. I DO know that other people actively dislike this method of shell carriage. At the end of the day, the choice is down to you and your preferences / circumstances. I don't have personal experience of any other side saddle and cannot comment. Kind regards Andy

Simon - R, A friend of mine (who lives near Wakefield!) has a left hand SN and he set up the stock adjustment for a left hander - ordered a left hand butt plate (they angle the other way) and fitted a left hand (cheek?) cheekpiece. He shoots the gun very well and finds the right handed safety button is not a problem, as is. Regards Andy

Huklbrry, Benelli state that the reason for this system was to facilitate rapid exchange of different cartridges without causing unwanted rounds to feed from chamber e.g. you are out hunting rabbits with std. vel. 1 1/8 oz No.6s and you see a fox. Quick! Remove round from chamber, drop in a 1 1/2 oz. Magnum No.1 and kaboom - bye, bye Mr. Fox so goes the theory ... I've also heard that some people use it as a means of quickly emptying the chamber whilst they climb over an obstacle (empty chamber 'safe' gun) and then reload, without having to go through the process of a complete unload / reload drill. As I've never used a gun utilising this mechanism I cannot really say how good or bad the idea really is. Kind regards Andy

The wonderful thing about advice ..... you can ignore it! If you don't like the fact that people are trying to be helpful then don't ask questions. People here try to be genuinely helpful. Being abusive doesn't help and guarantees that no-one will try to be helpful to you in the future. AndyUK

Mesa's website and forum don't mention the Nova, only the SuperNova (obviously, plenty of mention of the autos). My dealings with this company have been very good - for a quick response ring them and they will tell you. it would be highly counterproductive of them to tell you it would work with a Nova if it wouldn't - you'd come straight back here and moan about it! As with all accessories one needs to learn a new 'manual of arms' to a certain extent. It may seem awkward until you've re-programmed yourself to the new layout. I'm not sure how a side rail would interfere with the trigger finger - I know two 'lefties' who've used mine without any problem. Indeed the issue that some right handed people have, where the wrist of the 'pump' hand catches the leading edge of the rail is NOT a problem at all for lefties. Personally, I would not use the 8 shot - stick with the 6 shot; the 8 is too long and shooting right handed you might catch your 'pump' hand more readily. At the end of the day, spend money on ammo and practice with any new accessories until you are fully attuned. All the best Andy UK

I think that they wrote the manual before they came up with the SN Tactical w/ pistol grip stock and couldn't be bothered to do a re-write. Given the number of people who flag this issue I would hope that they put an addendum into the next edition instruction manual! With regards to the need for a 'tactical' socket set (cammo or black?) they probably thought that individual police officers or soldiers would not be doing that sort of strip down on a regular basis. If a few of us, using the same model, are away on a shoot, we usually take one socket between the team. Actually, think of what the German Infantry used to do - you needed three soldiers to screw together their cleaning rods to make one rod of sufficient length to go through a barrel. I guess that when there were only two of you left barrel cleaning wasn't high on the priority list!! Andy

Adamlau, I can answer 2) I have a Mesa 6 shot rail on my SuperNova. Although I have 'normal' length (not gorilla!) arms, I've only had to move the angle of my wrist and not really moved my hand. I fully endorse the Eotech - it looks a bit big but it 'feels' OK on the gun and provides a great sight picture both indoors (low light level) and outside, too. Enjoy. Andy

What can I say? Personally, I think that the SN ranks amongst the top three pumps. I'm biased; it's number one! Frankly, nothing wrong with Mossberg, Ithaca, Remington or Winchester BUT Benelli have used modern design and materials to produce the very best pump extant! Best regards, Andy

Duvall-609, Super MK4's answer is absolutely, on the money. No need for me to repeat his comprehensive response. FYI here's how my SN looks: Regards Andy

Interested to see your comments concerning fitting a 6 shot carrier to your SNT. I also fitted the six shot version. I suspect that experiences of 'interference' - with the hand/wrist catching the side rail are a function of the manner in which you hold the fore-end. I've not had that problem ( I seem to be holding the fore-end with a more forward hold than some people would). However, I suspect that the 8 shot version would result in whacking the hand / wrist against the front cartridges and rail. The 'work around' would seem to be practising using a forward hold! As for fitting a Mesa rail, I think that the SNT models are shipped to the US already tapped. My standard SN had to be drilled and tapped using the Mesa rail as a template for the screw locations. The top of the Benelli SN receiver does seem a little thin and I would advocate using something like loctite and NOT removing the rail once fitted. After about 2000+ rounds, with an EoTech fitted on the rail, I've had no problems of movement etc. Regards AndyUK

OK Anybody out there got any news concerning new Benelli releases for '08? The only one that I've heard about is a 'new' 20 gauge Ultralight (Beccaccia) model and I have a sneaky suspicion that it was already available over here in Europe. Additionally, I believe that there might be on or two cosmetic 'tweaks' to some of the current line up. AndyUK

Well, perhaps beauty is in the eye of the beholder! Rgds AndyUK

Caligvla, The 553.A65TAN is obviously, one of the latest iterations of the EOTech HWS family. My choice was based upon better availability of AA as against CR123 (may be different in your locale) and not needing the 66' immersion capability. The ARMS dual levers look great and might justify the cost if you are regularly taking the sight off for transportation, to use iron sights or to transfer to another gun. However, it does seem to be a significant price premium to pay for a quick release feature. Remember, the other EOTech models can be fitted using the additional knurled knob which is packaged as a replacement for the 7/64 head bolt. It takes only about 10 - 15 seconds to remove using the conventional knurled head knob. Of course, at the end of the day this is all very amusing but we all have our own preferences - and your choice could not be faulted. Regarding the reference to 'close quarters'; a shotgun is a close quarters arm. It is not a rifle; although it can make a passable carbine when loaded with slug and properly zeroed. For reference, last weekend I put five 2.3/4" Winchester slugs into one 2" jagged hole from an unsupported kneeling position at 25M. I would not call that at all unusual. Even with a special rifled barrel and sabot slugs the EOTech will be a perfectly good sighting system at any range at which it would be sensible to use slugs. Busting clays (aerial targets?) with an EOTech fitted might be a fun proposition but if you are looking for a serious clay gun the M4 is NOT it! The laser incorporated into the EOTech projects a holographic image onto the screen. It is claimed that there is no parallax error using this system so you just look with both eyes, place the illuminated reticle on target and fire. Naturally, you need to zero, just as you would with a conventional 'scope. Neither the EOTech or Benelli M4 are pretty. They are highly functional tools which do exactly what they were made to do. In a time of compromise and shortcomings they provide a package which is more reliable than most and one which has undergone testing far beyond anything that most 'civvies' will throw at it. Enjoy. AndyUK

David / Teufel Hunden, Response PM'd to you. Regards Andy

Caligvia, The EOTech holographic sights must rank amongst the best of the holographic sights. I have a 512.A65 fitted to my SuperNova. Unless Night Vision compatibility and a high level of ingress-protection are key issues (do you really intend using it with the SCUBA gear?) then, I think that your main concerns should be regarding battery type. Personally, the longer base housing (to accommodate AA batteries) was not a problem for me and the ready availability of AA type batteries confirmed that choice. Whichever model you decide upon, I am sure that you will be very satisfied. Regards AndyUK

Teufel-hunden, The reason for the different serial nos on receiver and barrel is that Benelli, like any other modern manufacturer, doesn't keep large stocks of guns in their inventory. Consequently, they manufacture a batch of receivers and a batch of barrels etc., etc. when they get an order for say, a 24" slug barrel or a 28" vent rib barrel they just take a receiver and marry it up with an appropriate barrel (already serial numbered). So, they have appropriate stock control and major part serial no. tracking. I presume that in the US your relevant authorities track, using the s/n from the receiver. Here in the UK the police use the s/n on the receiver and if you buy a spare barrel that would be tracked using its own serial no. Kind regards AndyUK

BruceW, Last weekend I spent some time with friends shooting several hundred 2.3/4" shells (mostly slug) in a target shotgun practice event. Myself and a colleague used our SuperNovas and my friend's SN jammed once. It has happened to me twice in a period of about a year. Shells were either 1 oz. slug or 1 oz. shot, 2. 3/4". As you observed, the breech bolt latch seems to become inoperative, thereby preventing the bolt from starting back and unlocking. Stripping the guns down for cleaning hasn't brought up any obvious evidence to identify the problem e.g. ingress of dirt, broken / twisted breech bolt latch spring or distorted breech bolt latch. A little 'jiggling' of the pump seems to sort the problem out - rather frustrating if you are shooting against the clock, or are watching the duck wave goodbye to you! I must say though, that I was surprised that you were able to remove the barrel, whilst the bolt was locked forward. The SN rotating bolt design locks up into the barrel, rather than the receiver. Evidently, there is sufficient 'play' to slightly rotate the barrel, once you have the mag. cap removed - I've not tried this myself. This issue does not seem to be dependent upon ammo type; maybe other members of the forum can shed some light on the matter? Kind regards AndyUK

Steelhead Welcome to the board and I hope that you've had a good Christmas/Holidays. I am not aware of anything yet from B square specifically for the SN. If you do not want to drill and tap the receiver of your SN, the only alternative that I can come up with is to obtain a Benelli barrel fitted with a cantilever mount, which extends back over the receiver. Any sighting system / scope that you then mount will stay attached on the cantiliver and not the receiver. The down side is that you may find it very difficult to obtain a cantilever barrel either from Benelli or secondhand. Also, it is likely to be expensive. Sorry that I cannot offer a cheaper solution! AndyUK