[New SBE Disappointment]

Were you once one of the Marketing Team Executives for Benelli and now a disgruntled employee?

 

no, i'm not a disgruntled ex-employee – just a new sbeII owner trying to live the benelli dream. as i started to hunt significantly more often, i decided to trade up from the low end of the market to the supposedly top of the line – with the decision also helped by ridicule from my hunting snob co-workers. so far, i’ve been disappointed – but hopefully that changes. surely many errors have been made or things could have been better explained – be it my operator error, an incomplete owner’s manual, no specific recommendation from benelli on the best/approved (and locally available) brands of oil & ammo, a bad retailer that didn’t suggest the best oil/ammo/break in methods, too high/narrow tolerance levels for oil/ammo, new owner expectations that are far too high, etc. or possibly, there are improvements to be made to the gun (aka sbeiii - surely w/ a msrp of $2k+).

 

speaking of the break-in – from the owner’s manual & this is the only mention of breaking in the gun: “If you experience any initial functioning problems, we recommended firing three or four boxes of standard hunting loads to allow for this break-in period”

 

i’ll make the changes w/ the solvent – already use one of “approved” oils – and report on my progress – though for me, it will have to be w/ sporting clays vs more typical ducks & doves. but just to make sure we cover all areas, mudhen, tucker and hogwild – what ammo do you recommend? again, for sporting clays, ducks & doves. thanks again

[New SBE Disappointment]

now we are getting somewhere - though i still do not understand how rem oil can cause such problems w/ this gun & not any of my other ones. i changed oil a while ago - never lied about it. i did not use solvent before switching. The manual says to use benelli oil, yet you get just one very small bottle of it & cannot buy it in the US – how stupid is that? the internet faq says do not use wd40, dry lube or 3-in-1 oil – though i hear many using break free clp, which is a 3-1, and loving the results.

 

what oil do you use? what ammo do you use? and it better not be the $3-4/shell stuff.

 

hopefully, this fixes the cycling issues & i can get over somewhat minor problems (which i consider design flaws) w/ the barrel coating & the comfortech system. other areas might include strick tolerances (which are not specified / given by the company) for oil & ammo. thanks for your help

[New SBE Disappointment]

i changed oils at the suggestion on this board & the gun still screwed up. i used many different types of ammo - all that meet the min requirements (3dr 1-1/8 oz. load for 12-ga) & got jams - though i do admin fewer jams w/ more expensive ammo - still jams on a brand new gun. even w/ 3.5" max dr loads & the bolt didn't fully close on cycle. now you are telling me that in order to get good results, i must use the most expensive ammo? is that another benelli "advantage." customer service told me the break in period could be 300 rounds. worm

[New SBE Disappointment]

help me understand why i have no similar problems with all of my other shotguns - which are all cleaned thoroughly. i don't use remoil - even though i works fine for all of my other "lower quality" guns - which brings up another subject altogether - one of the reasons i bought the SBEII was it is supposedly quick & easy to clean & requires relatively less maintenance - though maybe that's just another part of the folk lore. i've even had people tell me they clean theirs once per season (surely an exaggeration - but the point was they're supposed to be easy to clean & general require lower / less maintenance than others do). why must 99% of people on this forum believe it's always user error? has anyone ever had a problem w/ benelli? i've even heard the "great" tucker talk in another area of the forum of knowing people at customer support that have really helped him out with some problems - WAIT, a problem w/ a benelli - no, that can't be...must be user error. even he's sent one back...

[New SBE Disappointment]

I am doing something about this problem & like I said, I hope the gun becomes the best I've owned & lives up to the reputation I've heard about. So far there has been no resolution - and to me, the product is over-rated. My point is, I wish someone had told me the guns may possibly NOT be that great; newer models MAY have gone down in quality; they jam a lot; the black matte coating stinks, etc. To me, this forum is about customer education & if it's just about people loving their guns w/out any mention of people having problems - then it's BS.

 

I'm not trying to sound like a jerk,but I hate seing people spin their wheels with no hint of a resolution.

[New SBE Disappointment]

Matchshot & FIB, don't sweat comments by tucker & mudhen - they love beating up on people who have trouble w/ the most expensive field shotguns on the market that have a big (& possibly overblown) reputation for superior performance. I have had trouble w/ my new SBEII - mainly w/ cycling, but also I find the coating to be highly ineffective - ALL IN MY EXPERIENCE W/ THE GUN. I suspect the newer benelli's have gone down in quality - but again all I know is my experience and the stories I hear & read (both positive & negative). I went from using one of the cheapest semi's to the SBEII - and it's been a let down - hopefully it gets fixed & becomes the best gun I've ever owned. I suspect tucker & mudhen may work for the company. But clearly they do not understand that when people hear great stories about the gun, make sacrifices to buy the most expensive field shotgun on the market, think it will be flawless, but then have some problems with it - it's a big let down. To me, there is nothing worse than having a flock of birds come in & you're wondering if your brand new, supposedly top of the line, most expensive gun will jam. I suspect even many of the most loyal benelli fans have had trouble w/ their guns, have had to get them repaired & hate or refuse to admit it. In my experience, the gun is over-rated.

[Rust on my benelli]

i must have a lemon & it's going back to them shortly. after a long-time benelli enthusiast heard me griping about mine, he cleaned it & reassembled it. subsequently, it jammed after the first shot w/ kent's 3" fast steel - bolt did not fully closed on 2nd round. later that day, it jammed more w/ some 3 1/2 shells. the next day, it didnot jam, but only shot 1/2 box. overall, what a let down on a new gun.

[Rust on my benelli]

I know about the minimum load, have met or exceeded them on my dove loads & more importantly, even on damn 3 1/2" duck loads & still get way too jams.

[Rust on my benelli]

My preference is to have the gun work as designed / as I've heard people speak about their (obviously) older models - so my current plan is to send it in after huning season & have them look at it. The gun is less than 1 year old & has had about 3 cases go through her with roughly 20 jams - mainly on dove loads - but it's been a consistent 1 jam per hunt / per box most recently. I'd like $1200, but who's gonna give me that? I'm not going to be destoyed on it.

[Rust on my benelli]

...Do you think Benelli will replace????

 

When I spoke with customer service, they said if there's a problem & it's their fault, they'd re-blue it - probably taking 6-8 weeks. To me, that's BS because I didn't buy a $1,400, top of the line field grade gun to have to get it re-blued. Their bluing / coating / finishing techniques are rotten / highly ineffective in my opinion / in my experience / in my conversations with others / in my hunting area. Add that to the frequent jamming problems I'm having, and my conclusion is the gun is highly over-rated & over-priced. What a let down.

[Rust on my benelli]

i'd also point out (as in other posts) i think it's possible they have changed manufacturing techniques, including coatings, finishes, grades of steel, etc - especially given the gun costs roughly the same over at least 4 years. I've heard others say their 6+ yr old SBE cost them about the same as today. consider the inflation we've seen in everything over this time.

[Rust on my benelli]

i bought a new black sbe2 & have been completely disappointed w/ the finish. it's clearly the worst of all my guns & i care for them all meticulously. i switched from rem oil to breakfree clp, but have decided it's a very poor, low quality coating - as far as i'm concerned / from my experience. but also, i've asked around w/ those that have or know of others w/ the black matte finish - you'll find complaints. i knowi have & i've heard others w/ camo coatings brag about this fact as well. mmy own retailer where i bought the gun suggested i get the gun "re-coated/re-finished" - when he knows it's g-damn brand new. i did speak w/ cust service & they said send it in if you'd like.

 

i've also had some cycline issues, but think it's mainly the damn "break in" period. to me, in my opinion, the gun is highly over-rated, over-priced - NOT simply perfect.

 

check out these thread "VERY UNHAPPY WITH BENELLI" &"Newbie wants to buy a SBEII"

[Newbie wants to buy a SBEII]

Do you think it's possible they have changed manufacturing techniques, including coatings, finishes, grades of steel? - especially given the gun costs roughly the same over at least 4 years. I've heard others say their 6+ yr old SBE cost them about the same as today. Consider the inflation we've seen in everything over this time. Ask around w/ those that have or know of others w/ the black matte finish - you'll find complaints. I know I have & I've heard others w/ camo coatings brag about this fact as well. Are you surprised my own retailer where I bought the gun suggested I get the gun "re-coated/re-finished" - when he knows it's g-damn brand new? I know you've drank the cool-aide, but also wonder if you work for the company.

 

My 4 year old $1400 black synthetic comfortech SBEII has no rust and shows only normal signs of wear in other places.

 

Cared for properly, the black finish is fine.

Ignore it, or any other finish, and it will begin to show the signs of neglect.

 

The camo finishes will eventually get their bumps, nicks, and bruises, but it can be a more carefree finish, because there are fewer exposed metal parts.

 

I don't think the camo guns are finished before dipping.

The dipping process clads the metal surfaces in a vinyl material, making them impervious to moisture.

 

When the finish chips, simply touch it up with camo paint.

 

Solvents used in cleaning supplies and insect repellents can harm the camo finish, bleaching them out and making them brittle.

 

Use a damp cloth and wipe down the exterior finishes.

Clean the barrel and interior components as you would any other firearm.

 

50-60 3.5" per outing?

Are you shooting snow geese, or are you skybusting?

 

Anyway, like the man says, if that kind of abuse doesn't bother you with the Nova, then the SBEII sure isn't going to hurt anymore.

 

I'm not convinced about all of the marketing claims on recoil reduction on the comfotech system, but I've never had a problem mine either, so who cares?

 

As far as pricing goes, you'll simply need to shop around.

 

I bought mine at Gander Mountain and got a good deal.

 

Reeds in MN sells online and will ship to an FFL dealer for transfer to you.

Shipping and transfer will run you about $50 - $60 additional, so keep that in mind.

 

Gunbroker, GunsAmerica, AuctionArms, etc. can produce some good deals from time to time.

 

I'll continue to use mine as is until the finish gets fugly.

Then I'll send it to Bridsong or another reputable smith and have quality coating applied to it.

[Newbie wants to buy a SBEII]

I recently bought a black matte SBEII & have seen significant surface rust. Many I have spoken with & read about have the same problem. CS said send it in if you'd like. Retailer suggested I get it parkerized or dipped - but to me for a $1400 gun, that's BS. I previously used Rem Oil & am now trying Breakfree CLP - but to me, that's a crock as well & I think their finish / rust protection is flawed. I have no similar problems w/ any of my other guns & have found rust just wiping the gun down inside my house - let alone in the field. I'd get the camo model. Also, the cheek pad has come loose many times - another "great" feature.

Thank you guys.

 

Now there is another thing I do not know is: should I choose a black stock or camo one?

 

The camo looks cool, but I am afraid it may not fit any enviorment for different season or different hunting areas. For a black stock, I can also use some camo wrap to cover it.

 

And I do not know if the camo coating is strong or not. Is it more stronger than the black finish, or the same? I do not know how they made the camo coating. Did they put the camo coating on the black or they just put the camo on the metal surface? And will the camo last for a long time?

 

Could it protect the gun from corrosion? When I used my Nova to hunt duck, each time it got wet and rust, although it was not hard to remove the rust. I just spray some break free on the barrel and wipe off the rust. What would it do to a camo barrel?

 

And I wonder if I use powder solvent or breakfree CLP or Rem Oil or such things to clean the gun, would they destory the camo coating?

 

If you have a camo one, and have a long time experience on that, your experience will be highly appreicated.

 

I used to want to look for a black one, but first it is about $100 more, and second, sometimes for some specific version (say SBEII 24"bbl) I could not find a black one in the local store, only the camo one. I wonder if the camo really worth of that $100.

 

Thanks.

[VERY UNHAPPY WITH BENELLI]

whatever - you guys are worms. these guns are the most expensive field semis on the market - that's a FACT. i spoke with customer service & they said send it in if you'd like. look under FAQ & troubleshooting - there are some known issues, especially breaking in the gun; more importantly, enough people are calling to ask about these issues or to send in their guns for repair, that the company had to respond.

 

Can't really compare pricing because of all the Xtrema II versions.

 

Beretta reduced their prices for 2007. Benelli raised again.

 

Also, don't confuse MSRP with MAP with in-store pricing.

 

I can get a black Xtrema II w/o Kick-Off for $949 almost anywhere. I can get an SBE II non-CT for $1199 almost anywhere.

 

I can get a black Xtrema II with Kick-Off for $1299 almost anywhere. I can get a black SBE II with CT for $1399 almost anywhere.

 

Camo Xtrema II's with KO run around $1399. Camo SBE II's with CT run around $1449.

 

When you get to the guns that most folks want, they are very similar in price.

 

I really like the Xtrema II, but I've seen so many broken transfer bars that I simply can't risk owning one

 

The Franchi 912 also has the breaking transfer bar problem. Guess who makes that part for Beretta

 

But to be fair, the guys that break these guns shoot mostly 3.5" steel. Some go through 8-10 cases a season.

[VERY UNHAPPY WITH BENELLI]

wrongo mr know-it-all. the new benelli pricing at the hi end is $1545 - 1665 vs extrema II at $1500-1600. check out the company web sites. you would think at these prices, most gun oils - especially synthetic gun oil - would work. more importantly, you'd think you'd get better damn rust protection & possibly defect-free coatings. i'll try some breakfree. that militec works out to ~$5/oz.

 

btw - i believe beretta owns both companies/brands/benelli too.

[VERY UNHAPPY WITH BENELLI]

The black matte is not blued - come on? There is absolutely no rust protection on the exterior other than some apparently worthless paint that is not doing the job for me & others. Why don't any of my other guns have this problem? I use the same Rem Oil on them & store in the same place. I'll try another oil - what do you recommend? Breakfree, Hoppe's, etc? I'd prefer a 3-in-1 product. I can get over it / make changes, but have been let down - more so on the cycling / break-in issues. I'd sell it, but know I'd loose tons of $. When it cycles properly, I love - I'd say mainly for the fit/feel, weight & simple design/few parts - but considering the costs, I didn't expect any problems. To me w/ the problems I've had so far, the gun is highly over-rated.

 

The gun isn't blued.

Small claims court will laugh at you.

Remoil sucks.

The Beretta Extrema II costs more.

 

Either learn to care for the weapon or sell it to someone who'll appreciate it.

[VERY UNHAPPY WITH BENELLI]

I too have a brand new black finish SBEII & every time I wipe it down, I get rust on my rag. I use Rem Oil, keep my guns very clean & have no similar problems w/ any of my other guns. While rust is not covered, if there is indeed a bluing problem, that should be covered. I'd send it back. If they refuse coverage/to fix it, file complaints with the BBB and anyone else who will listen. Consider filing complaints against your retailer or use of small claims court - but I suspect they will re-blue your gun. One problem here is - who wants to buy a damn brand new gun only to have to get it re-blued. I plan to wait until the end of duck season to send mine in.

 

I've also had some cycling problems, but have seen some improvement with the damn "break in" period & use of premium $1/shell ammo. They should really imform people of the fact there is a long (~300 shot) breakin period & to initially expect some jams. Overall, I too am highly disappointed in my first Benelli - in what has to be the most expensive field semi on the market. I think part of it is the unreal expectations people have, the Benelli motto of Simply Perfect, the stories people tell you, the cost, etc.

 

I purchased my brand new in the box Benelli less than 1 year ago (just before last bird season) I havecleaned every time that it was fired. It has been stored in our bedroom along with my other firearms all of my firearms are cared for in the same manner (ex Marine you care for your weapon and it will take care of you) after not touching it for about 2 months I wentto bust some clays (bird season opens in 2 weeks) and what do I discover my barrel is COVERED IN RUST I inspect the other 7 firearms I own and what do I discover no rust on any os them just on my brand new Benelli. Check out the warrenty info and what does it say RUST IS NOT COVERED so what do I say NEVER WILL I BUY ANOTHER BENELLI AND IRECOMMEND THAT NO ONE ELSE BUY ONE :confused: