Steve Rose Posted February 14, 2023 Share Posted February 14, 2023 Is the top cover (over the barrel extension) on the SBE 3 20 gauge secure enough, and thick enough, to hold a small red dot sight if the top cover is drilled/tapped for a mount? Think Burris FastFire, RMR, Holosun size sight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCswamp13 Posted February 15, 2023 Share Posted February 15, 2023 I don't see why not, I have a scalarworks mount on my SBE 2 and it's no problem. I can't imagine the 20g is too thin to handle it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Rose Posted February 16, 2023 Author Share Posted February 16, 2023 The SBE 3 20ga differ from the 12ga model in that the receiver top cover that slips over the barrel extension is a removable aluminum part (see the picture above). The 12ga barrel extension is one piece and all steel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCswamp13 Posted February 16, 2023 Share Posted February 16, 2023 It's predrilled and tapped from benelli? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBry Posted February 16, 2023 Share Posted February 16, 2023 It is not - the 12 gauge SBE is factory drilled and tapped but the 20 is not. I bought a spare receiver from Midwest Gun Works and planned to have it drilled and tapped by a local gunsmith but it is aluminum and really light/thin so I am skeptical whether it will work. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCswamp13 Posted February 17, 2023 Share Posted February 17, 2023 May I ask what the intended purpose of the shotgun is? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Rose Posted February 17, 2023 Author Share Posted February 17, 2023 14 minutes ago, NCswamp13 said: May I ask what the intended purpose of the shotgun is? Turkey hunters (tight chokes, small patterns) are big fans of a dot sight on their shotgun. I should have a 20ga SBE in the shop soon to look over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunStuff Posted February 17, 2023 Share Posted February 17, 2023 It’s not exactly what you are looking for, but you could always go with a rib mount for your red dot. https://www.meadowcreekmounts.com I’ve never used one but I’ve read good things about them. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCswamp13 Posted February 17, 2023 Share Posted February 17, 2023 (edited) 20 hours ago, GunStuff said: It’s not exactly what you are looking for, but you could always go with a rib mount for your red dot. https://www.meadowcreekmounts.com I’ve never used one but I’ve read good things about them. I was gonna suggest the same thing! Meadow creek makes great stuff. https://youtu.be/p1n6f0HQJbE Edited February 17, 2023 by NCswamp13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
remarkable Posted February 18, 2023 Share Posted February 18, 2023 Steve, This would be a very risky mount. The material is very thin, you would not be able to get more than 2 threads taped into the metal thickness, secondly the metal is not ideal for such application. Finally the replacement cost for a new top cover is not cheap. The stability of the piece is questionable when assembled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Rose Posted February 18, 2023 Author Share Posted February 18, 2023 7 hours ago, remarkable said: Steve, This would be a very risky mount. The material is very thin, you would not be able to get more than 2 threads taped into the metal thickness, secondly the metal is not ideal for such application. Finally the replacement cost for a new top cover is not cheap. The stability of the piece is questionable when assembled. That is the conclusion I've come to also. I have found one example of a small dot sight being mounted back on the receiver itself, but not much real estate back there for a longer optic base. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCswamp13 Posted February 20, 2023 Share Posted February 20, 2023 So the SBE iii 12g isn't tapped from benelli? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
remarkable Posted February 21, 2023 Share Posted February 21, 2023 SBE 12 Gauge 3.5 are tapped from Benelli. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Rose Posted February 21, 2023 Author Share Posted February 21, 2023 10 hours ago, remarkable said: SBE 12 Gauge 3.5 are tapped from Benelli. Does the SBE 3 12ga use a similar (removable) top cover piece? Do the optic base tapped holes extend into the actual (steel) barrel extension? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
remarkable Posted February 21, 2023 Share Posted February 21, 2023 The 3" SBE 3 uses the removable "Top Cover" , the 3.5" SBE 3 has tapped holes..."tapped holes extend into the actual (steel) barrel extension". The 20 Gauge and 28 Gauge SBE 3 has the removable top plate: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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