Anyone got a SBE they want to part with?

[Dedduc]

Looking for a SBE, don't have to be a H&K..anyone?

[bambihunter]

There's always some for sale over on Gunbroker.com. If one watches for a bit, they can find one in really nice shape for the right money. The HK version does bring a bit more than the later ones, especially over the SBE2. HK ones are at least a 15% premium. Expect to pay over $2k for one in good condition and $2,500+ for great condition one. 

[remarkable]

8 hours ago, bambihunter said:

There's always some for sale over on Gunbroker.com. If one watches for a bit, they can find one in really nice shape for the right money. The HK version does bring a bit more than the later ones, especially over the SBE2. HK ones are at least a 15% premium. Expect to pay over $2k for one in good condition and $2,500+ for great condition one. 

I do not find this information to be accurate.  There are no differnces between a H&K version SBE vs a Benelli USA SBE, there were several improvement made in the later years of the SBE.  One of which includes the ejector.  When evaluating used Benelli's, no consideration is given time of importation.  This would be true in a retail channel not necessarily on Gun Broker which is truely a differnt channel to market guns. The Blue Book of Guns provides no additional value for a SBE year of importation. 

I love H&K vesrsions equally as Benelli USA versions.

[Dedduc]

23 hours ago, remarkable said:

I do not find this information to be accurate.  There are no differnces between a H&K version SBE vs a Benelli USA SBE, there were several improvement made in the later years of the SBE.  One of which includes the ejector.  When evaluating used Benelli's, no consideration is given time of importation.  This would be true in a retail channel not necessarily on Gun Broker which is truely a differnt channel to market guns. The Blue Book of Guns provides no additional value for a SBE year of importation. 

I love H&K vesrsions equally as Benelli USA versions.

You are 100% correct on everything you said!

[bambihunter]

No differences? Low rib, short recoil lug, and the ability to ghost load to name a few. Around the time Benelli USA became the importer, those all changed, although there are some interim examples out there that will exhibit a mix like a high rib but a short recoil lug for instance. They also changed the threading on the recoil tube, though I think that may have been well into the Benelli USA run and not early on. Another change made later in the original SBE run was to the tail on the bolt changing from a cast design to a riveted steel piece. 

I have watched Benelli inertia semi-auto shotguns since the early 90's when I first discovered them (ironically in a Gun Trader's Guide that mentioned a semi-auto shotgun that could shoot 2.75", 3", and 3.5" in any order, without adjustment which was the SBE). Along with my hunting ones, I also collect unusual and uncommon ones, mostly HK import era. I still have saved searches on Gunbroker for various models. Many people want the HK version, particularly for the ability to ghost load. If you watch eBay, the bolts alone that don't have the 2nd groove of the later model sell for more than those that do. I was just stating what I have observed during this time. I wish they weren't more expensive, but that is what I have found. But, thinking about it, it could be because I am only interested in ones in the best condition. Maybe the beaters sell for the same. I don't know. I am not interested in those. Unfortunately, there's not enough history under the advanced search / completed auctions / to be able to prove it. GB is by far where the most firearms are bought and sold so it is a good indicator of the true value, way better than a book which lags behind the market, sometimes by years. Of course things can be different regionally both higher and lower. 

To the OP, if you have an account on Gunbroker, you run the search below. Then, there's an option to save search and you can have it email you when one is found. You likely won't need to do that since you mentioned it not needing to be HK as the Benelli USA are almost always for sale, but you still might find it handy. You can also follow along for month(s) to get an idea on the price for yourself so you'll know when a good deal comes along. I found this exceptionally helpful on the more rare Benelli's I've wanted such as a cased Curator 12/20 set, m3 folders, an 11711 M4, or an unfired "Black Eagle" (non-super version) which often go years between listings, etc. 

Here's an advanced search on GB for H&K Benelli SBE:
https://www.gunbroker.com/semi-auto-shotguns/search?keywords=h%26k benelli sbe&condition=3&sort=13&pagesize=96

Here's the same search for Benelli SBE:
https://www.gunbroker.com/semi-auto-shotguns/search?keywords=benelli sbe&condition=3&sort=13&pagesize=96

[remarkable]

Retail channels are how businesses sell their products or services to end consumers. These include physical stores, online shops and marketplaces, mobile apps, social media platforms—all of which are means of connecting sellers with buyers.  There is different expectation as well as service differentiation in the channels in which products are sold. 

Two great examples of this are : Pricing – a 20 oz coke product the discount grocery store cost 1.49, the same product at a service gas station could cost 2.49 or higher, this same 20 oz coke could cost 5.00 at LAX airport.  Truly different pricing for different channels.  Service differentiation could be similar, most customer do not think they should have to wait in line at a grocery store for more than one person, the same customer is more comfortable waiting in line in their car at the coffee shop, 5 cars deep.  The same customer has no problem waiting in  line at the Ryder Cup 200 deep to buy a T Shirt.

Different channels different expectation. Your examples prove this to be true. Gun Broker customer has very different expectation not only in price but service.  The example of a H&K SBE selling for $2000,00, I have sold nicer ones for under $1,000.00.  You are correct as well about changes to the gun through the evolution of the product, most of these for the better. I do think however you prefer to bring these changes together because of timing of importation.

There have been changes to SBE throughout the years, some folks are willing to pay a premium for a H&K Benelli.  From your posts you are not one of these customers. 

I sell Benelli new and used, work on Benelli’s, closing in on 2 thousand of them, love the brand.  I do not price H&K Benelli higher than USA imported Benelli’s.  I get the nostalgia. There are customers who shop Gun Broker who will pay extra for these guns, as well as many others.

These customers are great example of differentiation – different expectations for different channels, not necessarily the product.

[bambihunter]

I highly respect you remarkable and those are valid points. I hadn't really thought about how things would sell differently on GB versus locally. I use it something as a canary in the coal mine for prices since they have such a huge audience. It is great for finding the rare items. 

I didn't mean to hijack the OP's thread when I referenced what I was seeing regarding prices on HK marked guns. But, I'll bow out after saying that I am not an HK fan, I own no other HK guns. I have tried later model Benelli's (SBE2 and Ultralight) and have simply prefer the previous ergonomics. I didn't like the taller rib and the change in the point of aim. The ComforTech stock didn't seem to do much and was a bit ugly. I have a pair of M4's. One the rare 11711 that is a safe queen, and one black one built like it. I rarely shoot it though as I like inertia guns. I'm in the market for a 28 gauge and I can't find that they made any in that era so it'll likely be a Legacy

Perhaps if I had started with the later models I would have loved it and disliked the earlier one. I normally like the latest and greatest thing in a lot of ways, but these, and I also like spinning reels. I never liked baitcasting reels. So, I guess I have my throw backs. 🙂