scootercsu

Thanks for the replies to you all. I spoke with Benelli Customer Service last week and she told me much of the same thing plus some extras...the short version - don't buy the LH version. I bought the right handed version of an M2 after learning the following: The Safety can be swapped from Right to Left...call Benelli CS and they'll email you word docs on how to do it...not really difficult if you're semi-savy with gunsmithing tools. M2 barrels are not swappable between RH and LH models because of the piece that extends into the chamber and over the bolt...trying to swap RH and LH barrels it appears would block an emptie from being ejected. So for the RH gun, you have a 28, 26, 24 Slug and 18" HD barrel...for the LH, you have a 28, 26 and 24 slug....sucks being a lefty. The Hammer release and the bolt release both remain on the right side of the reciever regardless of the LH or RH version...which to me is pointless. Why make a lefthanded version at all if you're not going to re-engineer the reciever to adapt the controls to a left-handed person? Aside from the safety, this was my biggest "want" in the LH version...it sucks to come up under the reciever to release the bolt or drop the trigger when aftermarket companies make an extention so you can snag it with your trigger finger if you're right handed... the silly comfortec butt pads are interchangable, so if you're a lefty using a RH M2, you can at least get the butt pad to conform to your shoulder...and the shims allow you to adjust the weapon to a LH carry too. All that said, I ditched the SBE2 and purchased a RH M2... Took it completely apart and moved the safety over to the left side...it looks like there's plenty of space in the reciever side-walls to drill and tap...does anyone know if someone has made an aftermarket adaptor to the bolt release button for lefties? it'd be sweet to make a lever that swings under the reciever and extends over to the left trigger finger... So, thanks for the inputs...I appreciate it...just need to put a nordic +8 on the front end before next summer and I'll be shooting 3-gun in style. -Scott

Can the M2 Tactical barrel be removed and adapted to an M2 Field?

Good Morning Folks. Forgive my "newbie-ness" to your forum, but I'm looking to purchase a new shotgun and I've been struggling with the decision for the last week and a half...so I wanted to look to you folks for an opinion. Up until now, I've only shot a little upland bird and then some local/regional 3-gun competitions and a monthly defensive pistol leauge that regularly includes a tactical shotgun stage or two durring the spring/summer months. Many of the stage setups in the competitions shoot target loads and slugs in the same stage. My current shotgun is an inhereted 1960's JC-Higgans Pump action 2.75" 12GA...it's a pretty cool gun and has done me well on the skeet range and in the pheasant fields and suprisingly even took slugs without a blink...but now I'm nervous to put steel down the barrel for waterfowl hunting. My Uncle is a member of a local LE swat team and shoots a M1 Super90 with the 19" barrel to mimick his occupational entry tool which is another M1 Super90 with the LEO barrel. Many of the other gentlemen I shoot with are also LE or military and are using M2 fields in a tactical setup or M4's to get through doorways and around walls and such...All of them have suggested getting Benelli's and so I'm pretty convinced on the need for a Benelli auto-loading shotgun. Also, I'm a lefty...so having the safety on the left side of the weapon would be nice for a change...until someone finally decides to make an AR/HK styled safety someday. So I'd like to get a semi-auto loading shotgun with the ability to shoot 3.5" shells for geese, but I cannot find a shorty 'defensive' barrel for the SBE2. Is there one out there that anyone knows of? Is the cost of cutting one down pretty expensive? Is 3.5" for geese really a big deal or could I be shooting BB or BBB in 3" just fine? I keep going between the M2 Field and the SBE2 because I can get the mag extensions and tactical grips for both and use the gun for competition, but the 3" vs 3.5" for Large Bird hunting and the lack of barrels in the SBE2 are the only things that keep me from pulling the trigger, no pun intended. Any thoughts or help would be appreciated...I'm looking to buy before the goose season opens on Saturday. Thanks. -Scott