Spike100

The Montefeltro is designed for Sporting Clays and hunting where less weight is an advantage when shooting sometimes fast moving and “erratic” targets. Hunters carrying a gun through the field all day prefer a lighter gun. Sporting Clays shooters often (but not always) prefer a lighter gun for its faster swing that allows quicker target acquisition. In fact some hunters may prefer the Benelli Ultra Light at just over 6 pounds for the 12 gauge. The Legacy is designed for shooting trap and skeet. A heavier gun is an advantage for targets that fly with consistent speed and trajectory. The Legacy is a “fancier,” and that is important for some trap and skeet shooters. Reliability and build are the same for both guns. It’s the weight difference that provides specific advantages for different sports. --Spike

3 ½” shell capability is useless when hunting upland game. Upland game hunters on foot for a day following a dog appreciate a light gun. I purchased my first Benelli (the Montefeltro) years ago primarily for its lightweight. I think it’s also worth mentioning the Benelli Ultra Light in this discussion (inside the Upland Game sub-forum). --Spike

That’s been my experience as well, on about the same time frame owning a few shotguns. I have personally witnessed two accidental discharges when the shooter was dropping his firing pins (to take pressure off the firing pin spring). In one instance the guy used an empty hull to cushion the pin; only he managed to mix his empty hull with a live round. The second accidental firing happened when the operator had a shell hang-up in the magazine, and inadvertently chambered the round and “dry fired.” BOOM! Firing an empty gun to release pressure on the spring always makes me nervous. People owning legacy two-barrel guns say it is necessary to do this. --Spike

So that means if you close the Vinci’s bolt and release the firing pin, you cannot put the gun on safe. If you then pull back the bolt, and load and chamber a round; you must then put the safety ON. I suppose that’s OK since you should always be aware of the safety’s position. Here is something interesting I notice after running some tests with my Montefeltro: If I close the bolt and release the firing pin, leave the safety OFF, and then open the bolt; the bolt slides open smoothly. If I close the bolt and release the firing pin, push the safety button ON, and then open the bolt; the bolt does NOT slide open smoothly. In fact there is a significant hitch about half way that feels like a part is interfering. It opens, but feels like I’m “wearing” against a part. That experiment makes me reconsider opening the bolt with a released firing pin while the safety is ON. Well crap… now I’m confused on how to set the safety on my Montefeltro since cocking the gun with a dropped firing pin appears not to be good for its mechanism. --Spike

Oops… I was running the test on my Montefeltro and assumed the Vinci works the same way. Apparently the Vinci is different, and I should not have made that assumption. I can engage the safety on my Montefeltro with the bolt open or closed; and if the bolt is closed, I can engage the safety if the firing pin is cocked or released. In other words with the Monty, I can engage the safety no matter what, and the safety remains engaged until I release it (push it to OFF). I think that is the way a safety on an autoloader should work. I would not like a gun if it cannot always be put ON safe. --Spike

A pistol grip is good for relatively stationary targets or moving targets on a flat/level/consistent plane. Wing shooting is different and requires a free swing on a many planes. A pistol grip is not what you want in this case. --Spike

I understand your question that I believe others here might have missed (with messages about spring tension). But, I think you might also have a misconception about the Benelli safety button. Here’s the deal: 1) You can manually toggle the safety button (on the trigger guard) no matter the position of the firing pin or its spring. In other words, you can always engage or disengage the safety. 2) If the safety is ON; it remains ON, no matter if the firing pin is down or if you cock the gun (pull back the bolt). If you load the gun and press the bolt release, the round loads but the safety is still ON if that was its original position 3) If the safety is OFF, it remains OFF (independent of the firing pin’s position). If you load a Benelli with the safety OFF, you can fire it immediately after pressing the bolt release to chamber a shell. 4) If the safety is either ON or OFF, and the firing pin is released, you will notice trigger slack (you can depress the trigger). Of course with the firing pin released, nothing happens. The Benelli has a great safety configuration. --Spike

I agree with the points in Msg. #13 on this thread (thank you remarkable for the detailed and accurate posting). Benelli’s challenge with the Vinci is exactly what remarkable describes in his message. When a company introduces a new gun, and it is a great gun but has a relatively high co$t; the gun’s success (i.e., its survival) is measured by its acceptance in the marketplace. I give kudos to Benelli for the fast redesign of the Vinci’s trigger guard and safety. The 3 ½” shell capability is made to satisfy a broader market. Most people will not notice any problem with the trigger guard or the safety in the “original” Vinci, making that a great buy (especially in the used gun market). --Spike

^^ An increase in SRP for the Super Vinci is probably a good reason for Benelli to replace the original Vinci. In fact, there are other Benelli models that fit a lower price point. I doubt Benelli wants to sell a cheaper version of a vastly improved gun. The posting from hattles (Msg. #7 on this thread) makes a lot of sense from a marketing position. --Spike

^^ I suppose you can consider the Super Vinci as the Vinci Version2. The Super Vinci corrects some initial problems in the first edition: 1) Improved trigger guard (less rear dimension that corrects a problem where the middle finger is bumped) 2) Redesigned safety (larger and more accessible button, and longer bolt for a more reliable safety SET/UNSET) 3) 3 ½” shell capability I didn’t experience the safety problem others describe here, but I assume this was significant since the safety is redesigned on the Super Vinci. My guess is that the safety on the Super Vinci is now very reliable and easily operated. Hopefully we get some feedback from our members on this issue, but the Super Vinci is so new it will take awhile to see if this is actually fixed. I wonder if we will see the original Vinci quickly become obsolete as it is replaced by the Super Vinci. --Spike

^^ I agree with you, but would like to offer one counterpoint. When shooting handicap trap (longer range), the majority of better competitors use a longer barrel. I believe that statistics (better results with 32” and 34” barrels when shooting handicap trap) confirm my statement. However and with that said, shooting clay target is different than shooting live birds. I am in complete agreement with your point that gun-fitment (regardless of barrel length) is the most important factor when shooting game birds. --Spike

^^ I agree. The Vinci “comes up” and mounts exceptionally well for an autoloader. I like my Montefeltro for the same reason, but give a slight edge to the Vinci for handling. The Super Vinci is even better for its improved trigger guard and safety-button configuration. I prefer a quality two barrel gun for handling, but the Vinci is pretty darn good in this category, and the Vinci provides an extra round and is certainly more easily handled (loading and keeping the muzzle pointed safely) in the tight confinement of a duck blind. If you want an autoloader that mounts effortlessly and points quickly, the Vinci is a great choice. --Spike

^^ Fixed! Benelli redesigned the trigger guard on the Super Vinci. The Super Vinci does not trap your middle finger as you experienced with the original Vinci. --Spike

Just read your posting, and I would like to offer the counterpoint. First I should mention that I love shooting two barrel guns (either O/U or S/S). In fact, inside the tight space of a duck blind, I find the S/S a slight advantage over an O/U when loading since the gun opens with less barrel drop. But, addressing your point about reloading: I believe the autoloader provides a significant advantage. Reloading my two barrel gun requires dropping the gun, breaking open the barrel, feeding the shells, closing the gun, and then realigning for the shot. I can reload my semi-auto or pump gun much faster by simply dropping a shell into the open bolt (if the gun is empty), or quickly shoving an additional shell into the magazine when I still have a round in the chamber. I find that to be especially the case when operating in the tight confines of a duck blind. Of course the best method is using two barrel guns when you are shooting with the assistance of a loader (someone passing you a loaded gun as is done on driven shoots in the UK). --Spike

Great video... I like the soundtrack. A nice enhancement is some shooting action. Just capture that at a later time under similar conditions, and the video is perfect. --Spike

Is it that you cannot push the safety-bar back to its safe position? If that’s the case (and now at least three members on this thread report a problem with the safety), it’s a huge problem that requires immediate attention and correction. A gun owner should expect the safety to operate flawlessly in the most adverse conditions. --Spike

DumbDuck and hognutz are correct. The stock shims adjust the stock’s drop and determine how high or low the gun shoots. If you want to change the length-of pull (LOP) as KB Fab mentions, you need to add or subtract at the stock’s butt plate. My following comments are specific to a right handed shooter. A left handed shooter simply reverses my statements. The shims determine how high or low your Vinci shoots. But, that also depends upon how you hold your head on the stock. The rear sight on a shotgun is your right eye (left eye for a left-handed shooter). Adding complexity to the discussion… the more drop you install using shims with the Vinci, the more you are likely to be “over the stock.” In other words, more drop can result in a more right position of your head on the stock, and the result is shooting farther to the left side (and again, I am describing a configuration for a right handed shooter). The opposite (a straight stock devised by using a shim with less drop) is potentially pushing your head more to the left (for a right handed shoote) when mounting the gun, and you will shoot more to the right. The trick is to use a shim that sets the drop, and then learn to position your head over the stock so that you shoot straight away (and not left or right). When you buy an expensive two-barrel gun, the fitter determines the correct drop and offset for your stock. The Vinci allows adjusting drop, but not “offset.” That means you must determine the best drop (using the Vinci’s shims) that fits where you place your head on the stock in relation to the barrel and its front sight. Two different shooters may have the same impact point using different shims, depending upon where they hold their head on the stock. I hope my comments are helpful and do not add confusion to this discussion, --Spike

It sounds as though you have decided to stay with the SBE 2, and that certainly is a reasonable choice, especially if you want to shoot 3 ½” shells. I really like the Vinci for its feel (the natural way the gun “comes up and points”). Some people report a problem with the trigger guard’s rear width and a “crowded feel” on their middle finger, but that’s related to how you grip the stock. The Vinci’s forward safety is apparently a problem for some shooters, but many Beretta owners consider this configuration an advantage. The Vinci’s simple and fast breakdown is definitely a plus. Autoloaders are more prone to stoppages and it’s an advantage when you can disassemble the gun quickly without worrying about a losing a spring, pin, etc. --Spike

^^ You are too modest. A pass shot on a Canvasback is never easy. Unless they are settling down inside your decoys, they are always a difficult shot. --Spike

^^ DDragon, thanks for providing specifics on your loads. That helps me decide what I should shoot. Just curious…. Was the Canvasback flying “full out,” or was the duck settling into your decoys? I ask because fast-flying Canvasbacks are easily missed when pass shooting. --Spike

Briley is my favorite. --Spike

Reading this good thread, I think we all agree that a longer barrel does not provide any advantage in load-speed (shot velocity). However, some shooters prefer the longer barrel for a better site-plane, especially on longer shots. From personal experience when shooting handicap trap, I know that a longer barrel provides an advantage. I have a Krieghoff O/U with two barrels (28” and 30”) and screw-in chokes, and I get a slight improvement in percentage-hits with the 30” barrel when shooting trap. I don’t register any measureable difference when shooting skeet (in fact, I have a very slight improvement with the 28” barrel and skeet shooting that is so small it may not be significant). I cannot say with any certainly if a longer barrel is better with wing shooting. Unlike the controlled environment when shooting trap and skeet (when you can absolutely count your hits), there are just too many variables when hunting live birds to be certain what provides the best result. --Spike

^^ I agree. If you go with a 16 gauge, you should consider purchasing loading equipment so you make exactly what you want. The selection and availability of 16 gauge shells is somewhat limited. You also need to be sure and pack an adequate supply of ammo. I would hate being on a hunting trip in SD or ND and running low on shells if my gun is a 16 gauge. Benelli/Stoeger is going with a 16 gauge for his side-by-side gun… …and I believe that is an excellent choice. A side-by-side 16 gauge will feel and handle similar to a 20 gauge S/S (if built on a 16 gauge frame), but the 16 gauge has close to the “wallop” of a 12 gauge on pheasants without the “wide-feel” of a 12 gauge S/S. I use both 20 gauge and 12 gauge side-by-sides for pheasants, and prefer the 20 gauge S/S for its handling and feel but realize that stuffing 1 ¼ oz. shot with a 20 gauge 3” shell is definitely a compromise. --Spike

^^ That's great shooting. Did you have a retriever to pickup/find the downed birds? I’ve been hunting for 50 years, and only have one triple. But, it wasn’t a pure triple. I was hunting pheasants when two jumped up and I got both, and about a second or two later a third bird flushed which I also shot. That was very exciting, but it probably only counts as a double followed by a single. --Spike

One picture is worth a thousand words. Your picture shows why so many people choose the Vinci. Nice shooting BTW. --Spike