hattles

You asked the question, I gave you my experienced opinion. I've been shooting them for many, many years and can't recall one bad experience. Buy a box and try them out, you'll get a better idea and be able to decide for yourself. We all have our preferences. I've been "told" that Benellis are pieces of junk too, but mine have been nothing but sheer pleasure and as reliable as nite and day. If you can afford "better" ammo, then by all means buy them. The Winchester Xpert does the job for me, that's all that matters anyway.

My experiences tell me to use a standard(lead)modified choke and BBB or T shot in 3", 1-1/4 oz. steel. As for the types of shotshells, I can't afford the heavy non-toxic loads like Bismuth or Tungsten and the Black Cloud so I buy the 1400fps Winchester Xpert 1-1/4oz x 3". Last case cost me $109 delivered to California through Mack's Prairie Wings. I do understand that there are some very good "waterfowl" chokes available also. I kill my geese with BB's over decoys, feet down and out to roughly 40yds.

Excellant! I also found through a search: CORSON'S BARRELS DON CORSON 2124 PAWNEE DR. KINGMAN, AZ 86401 928-718-4282 Benelli barrels, an M2 barrel is the same barrel as the M1...only difference would be that the M2 had a crio barrel so the chokes would be different from the standard M1 non-crio barrels. click on the "misc Shotgun Barrels" link on the left side of the webpage. http://corsonsbarrels.com/index.html

I believe it is not a matter of which one is best, that is like argueing politics because everybody has an opinion, but which aftermarket choke do "YOU" like best. I use Carlson's extended chokes because they're reasonably priced and easy to change. I also feel the factory chokes are excellant. That is my experience and my preferances. I will say stay away from the "poly choke". I have used Kick's chokes before(HK-SBE) but didn't really care for the sound and felt they didn't make any difference over the factory chokes. I gave them away, but I also got a great deal on them.

Benelli M1 Super 90 26" Barrel - on Gunbroker current bid is $330 http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=187311715

Your Nova comes with a "limiter plug" installed in the magazine tube. It can be removed by simply unscrewing the end cap and pulling it out. "A limiter plug limits firearm capacity to two shells in the magazine tube and one in the chamber to comply with various game laws that limit shotgun capacity. Always check local game and hunting regulations before heading into the field."

mudhen, I do most of my shooting in Suisun Bay and Grizzly Bay now. I'm retired and live in Fresno so I don't get out as much anymore. I did shoot a nice drake Old Squaw across from the mothball fleet in Benecia 2 years ago. My first.

Nice! I hope you guys made the hen shooter pay dearly...I shoot mine in the Napa river and San Pablo Bay in N California, Where are you shooting them?

Is there any reason you're retiring the M1? Unless you just want a newer used or new Benelli or your gun doesn't function reliably, why would you buy another?

I agree, shoot nothing less than a 1oz(28gr.)shotshell. My Vinci cycles reliably with the 1oz. loads.

A Crio choke is a Crio choke, the only differences are if they are flush with the barrel or extended past the barrel. That said, I buy my extended chokes through Carlson's Chokes and have for years. They work great and are as reasonably priced as anything available. http://www.choketube.com/crio-plus.html If the threads are at the very end of the choke, I would say it is a standard choke, not a Crio, even though it is considered an early crio barrel. Have you called customer service?

They still have them listed on their website. http://www.benelliusa.com/shotguns/benelli_american_series.php

Wood? Synthetic? I had the stock shortened on my 1996 black synthetic SBE by the gunsmith where I bought it.

I've yet to find one.

I shoot a HK/Benelli SBE and now have a new Vinci and have been shooting 3" #2's for 18 years. Find they work the best for me. I don't often shoot past 35 yards so I prefer Winchester Xpert 1-1/4oz, it's fairly cheap @ $109 delivered from Mack's PW. I just don't care for the 1-1/8oz fast steel or the expensive heavy non-toxics. I haven't lost any cripples in years.

Able Ammo has Super Nova rifled barrels in stock. http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=104171 $440 Benelli 81070 SuperNova/Nova Rifled Slug Barrel (12 Gauge, 24")

I know that my HK SBE has a solid sound to it's bolt rattle while the bolt sound of my Vinci is very solid and a rattle sound is non-existance.

They, 12ga 7/8oz loads, do make great quail loads...Slim Pickens in Blazing Saddles...

The M1 barrel will fit the M2, difference is that the M2 barrle is a crio with different chokes. Benelli M1S90 Rifled Barrel and Stock set - at $375 no bids yet. http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=186241094

I ordered mine thru Brownells and it cost me $116 + shipping-$122...

FA brand, Final Approach...original and the first layout. I had the good fortune to shoot out of a prototype with the founder up in SE Washington around 1989-90, Ron Latschaw. He was a guide in Alaska and would spend the waterfowl season guiding in Washington.

My HK SBE has never eaten 1oz loads, even after 17 years of use. Benelli put new springs in it last year and no diff. The SBEII isn't the gun for light loads even though some can cycle them. My new Vinci does handle the 1oz loads without failure, but the 7/8 oz are a no no. I would suggest, no matter what you read here, choose a SS, Montefeltro, Vinci or another Benelli if you want to shoot 1oz loads. Even then, use the recommended minimum loads as a guidline for a decision. Otherwise, like someone else recommended, get a stack barrel or another brand (Beretta) that can handle the lighter loads. Good luck!

All great guns...how much are you willing to spend on what you like? Cordoba's aren't the least expensive but a great gun just as the M2 is. Have you considered the SBEII or the Vinci? Wood or synthetic? Such a tough decision to have to make? Yeah right! Good luck!

Congrats! Great price and I think it'll be a great shotgun in true Benelli tradition. I love mine too. Enjoy!

Use the short pad, it really isn't that bad. I have a 14" LOP and had to p/u the short pad so my Vinci would fit me. Worked out great. Talk to Benelli CS about which pad will work for you. The Vinci's Comfort Tech stock is slightly longer than the other CT stocks, otherwise I could have used the mid length pad.