SBE barrel problems

[rlandry]

Has this happened to any one. While duck hunting, my barrel flew right off of my gun when I fired it. The ring that holds the barrel on (the ring that slides over the mag tube) disconnected from the barrel, the solder joint failed. I called Benelli USA (I got through right away) they were freindly and gave me a return authorization number to send it in. They gave me a 4 week turn around, it has only been a few days so far. I have had the fire arm about 4 years, I have fired about 1500 rounds of Fast Steel 3 1/2 1 3/8 oz of #3 shot, 1550 fps. Up until this I have had no problems with the gun. When I started searching the net to see if any one else has encountered this problem, I'm discovering that the SBE (which is what I have), not the SBEII was plaqued with problems. This is my favorite hunting gun and do not plan on getting rid of it. I just wanted some feed back both pos and neg. Thnx in advance.

[mudhen]

I had a 1991 SBE barrel ring crack in 2002 after maybe 20,000 rounds. Benelli fixed, re-blued, upgraded a few parts, all in 27 days total time and at no charge.

 

Must have been an oddball problem because you don't hear much about it.

[10Gauge]

i have a couple of SBE's and this is the first I've heard of this problem....i don't shoot as much 3-1/2" with my guns as you seem to but i would expect the gun to shoot hundreds of thousands of rounds without a "weld" failure! The barrel lugs should be welded not soldered..........do you have any idea what year this gun was produced??? You say you had it about 4 years, did you buy it new?

[J J Mac]

Saw it happen to our guide's barrel in North Dakota two years ago when hunting there. If I remember right, the barrel came off the gun during the recoil after a shot.

[goose2]

I have had a friend that the same thing happened to his last year. His gun is the SBE I. It was fixed and returned promptly.

[10Gauge]

that's amazing.....

[rlandry]

I purchased this gun new 4 years ago. It wasn't used.

Thanks for all the replys. Benelli USA has it now and will repair it. Not sure if it will cost me anything yet. I'll keep you posted as things develope.

[OldFlick]

The SBE II has a new magazine ring. The brazing area is about twice as long. A SBE II forearm will fit a SBE, but the SBE will not fit the SBE II because of the upgade. The forearm can be upgraded(cut plastic). I wonder if they upgrade any problem SBE's when returned seperated? Also I assume they braze as any other method would damage barrel.