dai_ceyl Posted February 24, 2011 Report Share Posted February 24, 2011 New to this forum so hello first of all. I was directed here from Guntrader, and have a specific question i'd like to open up to a wider audience, that the thread kind of gives away... I have an O/U for anything really, but as right now i'm finding myself firing steel shot a lot, and am shooting clays more and more as well as wanting to take up Pigeon shooting and wildfowling i've decided that I need a semi automatic to go with the Ultralight O/U. I've looked around, and narrowed it down to either a Beretta AL391 or a Winchester X2 either with a 30" barrel, probably with wooden furniture. They both come second hand within my price range (£650 ish) and seem like good choices. I've shot the Beretta, and I shot very well with it, but the 3.5" capable chamber of the Winchester is stopping me from just going out and getting the Beretta. So, could anyone with experience of either gun, or both care to give me any pointers? Reliability is key, as well as if they handle all that differently? Many thanks in advance Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Burpster Posted February 24, 2011 Report Share Posted February 24, 2011 I have owned far too many Beretta semis. If you need 3.5" then wait a bit or dig a bit deeper and get a 391 Extrema or just buy semi-mag 3" shells for the 391. The X2 is not in the same league as the Beretta (although they do have a devoted following who will no doubt poo poo my statement) for build quality, reliability or fiscal depreciation. I so wanted to love the Winchester X2 when they came out as I had a 101XTR at the time, but I'm afraid they just don't hold a light to the Beretta. The X3 is a much better gun than the X2 (and is essentially the same as the Browning Fusion) but IMO still not a patch on the 2 market leaders Beretta and Benelli. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon123 Posted February 24, 2011 Report Share Posted February 24, 2011 (edited) Why a X2 may i ask, why not a SX3 as you may pick one up for about £650 on guntrader. Because as said above by 'The Birpster' that the SX3 is a much better gun than the X2 and because it's in you're budget. Now as it satnds with the poll as the al391 vs X2 i would go for the beretta any day of the week but if you changed it to the SX3 instead of the X2, it would be the total opposite for me personally as i'd go for the SX3. There is a absolute stunner on guntrader now, if i had the money i would buy it myself but right now i cant so :/ . Heres a link. and heres another, both very tidy and for the same amount of money Edited February 24, 2011 by Simon123 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dai_ceyl Posted February 24, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2011 Simon - thanks - whats the difference if I may ask between the X2 and X3? And what is the reliability compared to the Beretta? I've shot the AL391 and it fits me well, I was on 80/90% in my first two two rounds with it right off the bat. If the Winchester is similar handling i'd be interested? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweedledee Posted February 24, 2011 Report Share Posted February 24, 2011 my sx2 was totally bombproof. that said it was a hell of a lot cheaper than a beretta.would have another anytime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Born Hunter Posted February 24, 2011 Report Share Posted February 24, 2011 Have the best BERETTA.I wish had not sold mine. :shoot: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon123 Posted February 24, 2011 Report Share Posted February 24, 2011 The SX3 is the same gun as the browning fusion which is a good gun itself but they say that the SX3 hasn't got the best build quality compared to the browning which has a brilliant build quality, but the build quality in the SX3 is still very well built. The SX3 is one of the fastest semi-auto's on the market. The Sx3 is also a newer gun than what the beretta is. But you rather the fit of the beretta get the beretta as i am only informing you. If it was my money though and that both guns fitted me tidily i would definitely go for the SX3 :good: The thing is that it isnt my choice but it's you'rs, I only wanted to inform you of the better gun you could get for you'r money ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekers Posted February 24, 2011 Report Share Posted February 24, 2011 Personally I think the Winchester is a fine tool, but it just isn't a 391! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Burpster Posted February 24, 2011 Report Share Posted February 24, 2011 The SX3 is the same gun as the browning fusion which is a good gun itself but they say that the SX3 hasn't got the best build quality compared to the browning which has a brilliant build quality, but the build quality in the SX3 is still very well built. The SX3 is one of the fastest semi-auto's on the market. The Sx3 is also a newer gun than what the beretta is. But you rather the fit of the beretta get the beretta as i am only informing you. If it was my money though and that both guns fitted me tidily i would definitely go for the SX3 :good: The thing is that it isnt my choice but it's you'rs, I only wanted to inform you of the better gun you could get for you'r money ;) Good point well made about the X3 being a better gun than the X2 - it is. Although your comparison of X3 against the 391 is like comparing the X2 to the 391. The 391 is a 12 year old design (The X3/Fusion only came out late 08) and the A400 is development of the 391, it is faster and lighter with less felt recoil than the 391, and again better than the X3 and Fusion but is more expensive than the X3 and Fusion. Whilst the X3 in the hands of Patrick Flannigan is the fastest recorded 12 shot semi auto, in the real world any Beretta or Benelli will cycle as fast as you can pull the trigger. In fact whilst roost shooting 2 weeks ago a fellow shot asked if I had a full auto (using my M2 9 shot) as he couldn't believe it was possible to shoot that many shots that quick with a semi, and I'm not that quick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dai_ceyl Posted February 27, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2011 For what its worth, and for all those around i've thought long and hard and stretched the budget a bit and gone for a Beretta A400 Xplor. Arriving saturday, cannot WAIT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon123 Posted February 28, 2011 Report Share Posted February 28, 2011 Well done mate, but you must of stretched your budget a long way. From what i've read about them thy seem to be great guns. :good: :good: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitsinhedges Posted February 28, 2011 Report Share Posted February 28, 2011 A few 1000s thru my 391 without incident or jam so it gets my vote Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dai_ceyl Posted February 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2011 "stretched" isn't really adequate, "burst wide open" is more accurate, however its a lovely gun and I figure that it'll last me years. Happy days! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Burpster Posted February 28, 2011 Report Share Posted February 28, 2011 Very wise choice, if you are dissapointed I'd eat the case it comes in. Pleased you are happy with your choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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