Ste Berriman Posted August 14, 2011 Report Share Posted August 14, 2011 I am off to buy a new semi for pigeon shooting tomorrow, torn between the benelli m2, browning maxus or a400 explor. All seem to have good reviews, has anybody used any of these and what would you recommend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markm Posted August 14, 2011 Report Share Posted August 14, 2011 I own none. But having owned browning and beretta semi's in the past. I will buy another beretta. (soon infact). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon123 Posted August 14, 2011 Report Share Posted August 14, 2011 Personally i'd go for a Winchester SX3, as their great guns, feel great, and hardly any recoil felt through them when using pigeon carts . In fact my local RDF told me the other day, that the best semi-auto on the market today (in his mind) is the Winchester SX3 especially for the money asked for them, by the time i said what about the Browning Maxus then, well he said yes their great guns but he's had a few back with problems. Even though he said that the Winchester is the best, you have to consider that the RDF is a dealer of Beretta, Browning, Franchi, Mossberg, Hatsan and Winchester, which show's how highly he recommends them But from your shortlist i would go for the Beretta A400 Xplor, as i handled one yesterday and it was beautiful, and even though it had the kick off system it was extremely light, but it's a shame as i would never pay the price asked for them unless i won the lottery :lol: , great guns though and one of the best looking auto's on the market today :yes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Kelly Posted August 14, 2011 Report Share Posted August 14, 2011 I'm sure you'd enjoy any of them and they'll all give you good service. Pick each one up and see which you prefer the feel of. I've got a Maxus and it's been great, but I'm sure any of the others would be equally good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ste Berriman Posted August 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2011 I will give the sx3 a wiggle when I am visiting the gun dealers tomorrow and see what they are like, I do like the a400 and my dealer has a good second hand one for just over a grand with the kick off system so will also have a good look at that to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markm Posted August 14, 2011 Report Share Posted August 14, 2011 Keep in mind a dealer (most) is going to recommend a product which gives him the most profit. That's his job. Any premium brand semi auto does what it's supposed to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfletch Posted August 14, 2011 Report Share Posted August 14, 2011 If you have no price limit its all down to fit and how they feel When I tried several guns out I found the Winchester SX3 was horrible but as soon as I picked up a Benelli super black eagle 2 it just felt right so that's what I went for, Each to there own but dont rush your decision and if you are buying new get 200 cartridges chucked in for free I got a £27 sling and 100 cartridges for free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ste Berriman Posted August 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2011 How does the sbe2 shoot, looked at one of these the other week and was considering one however most of my shooting is on pigeon and didn't feel the need for the 3.5" chamber, is there many other differences between the m2 and sbe2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfletch Posted August 14, 2011 Report Share Posted August 14, 2011 (edited) is there many other differences between the m2 and sbe2 No just the chamber both spot on guns. There is a difference in the strip down but most guns are different, The SBE2 is dead easy to strip down Edited August 14, 2011 by mfletch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rimfire4969 Posted August 14, 2011 Report Share Posted August 14, 2011 Personally i'd go for a Winchester SX3, as their great guns, feel great, and hardly any recoil felt through them when using pigeon carts . In fact my local RDF told me the other day, that the best semi-auto on the market today (in his mind) is the Winchester SX3 especially for the money asked for them, by the time i said what about the Browning Maxus then, well he said yes their great guns but he's had a few back with problems. Even though he said that the Winchester is the best, you have to consider that the RDF is a dealer of Beretta, Browning, Franchi, Mossberg, Hatsan and Winchester, which show's how highly he recommends them Or it could be the one with the biggest profit for him :yp: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retromlc Posted August 14, 2011 Report Share Posted August 14, 2011 mmm I thought the Maxus looked a bit plastic,Benelli reportedly have quite a kick,personally I've handled all before I bought,and it's an A400 everytime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrispti Posted August 14, 2011 Report Share Posted August 14, 2011 You will feel it if you have a good day on the pigeons using a benelli. SX3, Maxus or the A400 are all very good guns. You will do well with any of them, just pick the one that fits and feels right for you Having used all of the above mentioned guns, I will say the Maxus is the fastest cycling, softest recoiling and has the least muzzle jump A few others to throw into the mix; Beretta ES100 Remington Versamax Beretta Urika2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oscarsdad Posted August 14, 2011 Report Share Posted August 14, 2011 I love my maxus but have not tried the others so they could be just as good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LRXS Posted August 14, 2011 Report Share Posted August 14, 2011 I don't think there's a bad gun in your shortlist, but I can tell you that I'm chuffed to bits with my A400 unico, kickoff. I've only put about 2 slabs thro it so far. Last week, on clays, I got rid of a mixed bag of left over carts, 24 8s to 32 6s, Inc some shorter 65mm cases that it's not meant to like. I literally tipped them all in my pockets and loaded at random. What was astonishing was that each one cycled and felt the same - it was so consistent. I shot 95 ex 110 which is good for me! (it also taught me not to be precious about what carts I buy, it just doesn't seem to matter as much anymore!).. I tried benelli but didn't like (was disappointed as that's what I really wanted) and the browning was nice, liked the loading, but berretta just fit me better. Good luck with whatever you decide on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Breastman Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 (edited) Do you enjoy cleaning guns? Do you like using a gun as a weight training device? Do you have a medical problem or are just soft and don't like recoil? If the answer is No then get an M2 (But obviously try it to make make sure it fits you!) Seriously though, although interia operated guns (i.e. Benelli's) do kick slightly more than gas operated, the recoil is still milder than an O/U or SbS. I rattled off 300+ cartridges the weekend before last, mainly 32g #5's but also plenty of 36g SG's and 28g slugs, and didn't feel stiff/sore at all. I bought my M2 because it was light and far easier to clean than a gas gun ATB Mark Edited August 15, 2011 by Breastman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr D Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 bought a benelli montefeltro 26" last year. used it at pigeons contantly since then. best hide gun I have ever had. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrispti Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 Do you enjoy cleaning guns? Do you like using a gun as a weight training device? Do you have a medical problem or are just soft and don't like recoil? If the answer is No then get an M2 (But obviously try it to make make sure it fits you!) Cleaning, Irl give you that, gas are obviously a bit dirty er. Weight training, M2=7.5lbs, SX3=7lbs, Maxus=6.14lbs, A400=6.6lbs, so if you get strong, buy an M2 Softer recoiling guns mean less shooter fatigue, quicker 2nd or 3rd follow up shots, less muzzle jump Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Breastman Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 Cleaning, Irl give you that, gas are obviously a bit dirty er. Weight training, M2=7.5lbs, SX3=7lbs, Maxus=6.14lbs, A400=6.6lbs, so if you get strong, buy an M2 Softer recoiling guns mean less shooter fatigue, quicker 2nd or 3rd follow up shots, less muzzle jump A 'bit' dirty?? Thats like saying Christina Aguilara (spelling) is a BIT more dirty than Princess Diana Without bothering to check i'll give you it on weight, it would've been more accurate to use 'balanced' - gas guns are usually more nose heavy Like i said, i rattled off 300+ snappy/heavy loads the other weekend and did not suffer, sometimes 30-40rds in under 50 seconds (PSG competition), no fatigue, no stiffness, no soreness. Most of the best PSG guys use M2's and there aren't many people who shoot their guns faster (on a regular basis), so can't give you that one Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ste Berriman Posted August 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 Thanks for all your comments guys, went to the gun shop this morning and tried all on my shortlist for fit and the m2 felt right for me so went with the benelli. Went straight out for an hours play when I got back from the shop (like a big kid) and it is awesome really happy with every aspect of the gun, managed to knock down 4 pigeons which were pretty testing shots in the process. Think me and benelli are new best friends Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon123 Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 (edited) Congratulations on the purchase mate, hope you get on greatly with the gun ;) P.S. Let us know how you get on with it Edited August 15, 2011 by Simon123 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrispti Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 (edited) A 'bit' dirty?? Thats like saying Christina Aguilara (spelling) is a BIT more dirty than Princess Diana They are all well balanced too (less the Hatstand Escort) I wont include the likes of the Xtrema2 as that is around the 8lb mark, but on the flip side, you are less likely to stop the swing on a heavier gun The Benelli's are good guns, I just dont like them Edited August 15, 2011 by chrispti Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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