shotgun advice

[Rangerman]

Guys, I know this has been discussed before but I want some more opions since the SX3 has had some real time in the field by now. I am going to buy either a SX3 or a SBE2 in the next month or so. Of course I have heard all the great things about the SBE2 but have not heard much either way on the SX3. I really have no preference but I would really like to talk to some people that have had some experince with both.

[jimbosan]

Get an 1187

[Bennington Bandit]

had 2 1187 supermags, they were the best boat anchors I ever had

have a SBEII now, most dependable semi-auto all weather shotgun I have ever owned

just my $0.02

[esoxjunkie]

Been through SBE's and 11-87's, and a Browning Gold.

Had my SX3 for 2 seasons now and it will be the last 12ga I ever buy. It has never failed to fire (wish I could say the same for the 2 SBE's I had), it doesn't beat the snot outta me with heavy duck loads (gas operated..see above comment), and it points as if it was custom built for my body!

There are 3 SX3's in our blind on any given day, and all of us are pretty crazy about them.

My .02 cents.

Jamie

[jimbosan]

Originally Posted by Bennington Bandit

had 2 1187 supermags, they were the best boat anchors I ever had

have a SBEII now, most dependable semi-auto all weather shotgun I have ever owned

just my $0.02

What problem did you have with them?

[Patrick Olson]

Every single semi auto will jam under hunting conditions. If you have a semi-auto that has yet to jam you probably have not hunted with it enough under adverse enough conditions

I have shot an SBE for years now. They are very dependable, as long as you keep it clean. Same goes for SBE2. One of the most important things to do with both is keep the springs fresh!! These are the most important piece in the inertia systems. So many people complain about SBE's beginning to fail more often with lighter loads, etc, as they age. It is a simple problem to solve for 5 bucks in springs every few years. My SBE hasn't failed me yet this season, outside of a shell with a swollen case and once during early teal when I hadn't cleaned for a few weeks with light loads.

My opinion is pretty blunt. The SBE 1 and 2 is a simplified machine that is fail-proof if you know what to do with it. Gas op systems are complicated, less maintanence free if you shoot and hunt like I do, and in my experience tend to fail under the conditions I hunt it. Gas ops may be great for a hunting a heated pit all season, but that is not how I approach the game. I need something that can be buddies with the mud, soak up the rain, get recovered from the bottom of a marsh, and eat dust all snow goose season. I just don't know if the gas ops can be boat paddles one minute and the tool for a limit of ducks ten minutes later like the SBE systems can.

I have dunked my gun once this season. Dunked it once last spring and twice last fall. All times, I picked it back up cold turkey and finished shooting ducks or snows. Then took 15 minutes to break it down, oil, and put back together. SBE is a tool made for the niche I need. It revolutionized the waterfowling semi-auto world. Consequently, the SBE2 follows those same lines with some simple modifications. SX1, 2, and 3 don't warrant either.

PO

[brademan76]

PAT-
You always sound so sophisticated on the forums. Definitely not the same kid I remember from Chemistry class.

[mtgreenheads]

I shot an old HK SBE (which I will always have) for a LOOONG time, and loved it. Couple years ago, picked up a SX2, shot it awhile and then swapped it on a SX3 last year. SUPER shotguns, no problems and I do spend quite a bit of time in the field. I think the leftover SX2s available right now are a steal at that $550 to $650 price range. Also, I think gas operated guns have an unfair bad rap for being fussy. 1187s and Gold 12s unfairly represented the awesome gas guns, such as the SX2/SX3 and anything that says Beretta on it.

Not sure if you are looking for 3.5 inch capabilities, if not, there are some other terrific autoloaders for about half what the SBE2 sells for. (Beretta 3901 or 391 Urika)

Take em both for a test drive, seems like lots of folks have em. Then, buy that one! (I know my SBE is a backup anymore)

PS-I'm a real shotgun ***** and shoot my Extrema 2 most of the time I want a 12 gauge now, and I am not a real heated pit blind kind of hunter. HAVE FUN!

[jimbosan]

What is so complicated about an 1187? I can take one apart blindfolded and have it back together in 10 minutes.. They are as simple as it gets, about the only thing they don't have going for them is a multimillion dollar advertising campaign with a trick shooter (Tom Knapp) as a spokesperson.

[huskerbowhunter]

Originally Posted by Patrick Olson

Every single semi auto will jam under hunting conditions. If you have a semi-auto that has yet to jam you probably have not hunted with it enough under adverse enough conditions

I have shot an SBE for years now. They are very dependable, as long as you keep it clean. Same goes for SBE2. One of the most important things to do with both is keep the springs fresh!! These are the most important piece in the inertia systems. So many people complain about SBE's beginning to fail more often with lighter loads, etc, as they age. It is a simple problem to solve for 5 bucks in springs every few years. My SBE hasn't failed me yet this season, outside of a shell with a swollen case and once during early teal when I hadn't cleaned for a few weeks with light loads.

My opinion is pretty blunt. The SBE 1 and 2 is a simplified machine that is fail-proof if you know what to do with it. Gas op systems are complicated, less maintanence free if you shoot and hunt like I do, and in my experience tend to fail under the conditions I hunt it. Gas ops may be great for a hunting a heated pit all season, but that is not how I approach the game. I need something that can be buddies with the mud, soak up the rain, get recovered from the bottom of a marsh, and eat dust all snow goose season. I just don't know if the gas ops can be boat paddles one minute and the tool for a limit of ducks ten minutes later like the SBE systems can.

I have dunked my gun once this season. Dunked it once last spring and twice last fall. All times, I picked it back up cold turkey and finished shooting ducks or snows. Then took 15 minutes to break it down, oil, and put back together. SBE is a tool made for the niche I need. It revolutionized the waterfowling semi-auto world. Consequently, the SBE2 follows those same lines with some simple modifications. SX1, 2, and 3 don't warrant either.

PO

I agree with Pat on this one. The only thing you got to watch out for is the "benelli curse". The action of the SBEII won't always close enough and the shell won't fire. With that being said I shoot the SBEII, and thats the only problem I ever have with it. It just becomes habit though to check it, and I'm not even sure if this is true for all Benellis? I guess I didn't check it last week though, because the curse was upon me and caused me to miss a goose or two Anyone else have this problem?

[BPbowhunter]

If your worried about jamming then get a good reliable pump. Never have to worry about jamming and they are alot cheaper.

[218Bee]

Can't help but agree with jim on the 1187. For the $ spent and the time spent cleaning one (which should be done with any gun) they are as reliable as anything else.. Don't take care of them and it won't take care of you.. Kinda like changing oil in your car!! mine has never yet let me down.. not to say that it can't happen,, or maybe i've just been lucky!!!
Shoot straight and be safe!!

[NEHONKERS]

I have been shooting a SBE since 97. Great gun that is reliable and proven. Lots of shells gone through with minor problems but nothing major. Ease of cleaning and tear down is very appealing. Would love to find another NIB SBE 1.

[jimbosan]

Originally Posted by BPbowhunter

If your worried about jamming then get a good reliable pump. Never have to worry about jamming and they are alot cheaper.

Bp for such a young guy you are definately wise beyond your years. Very good point.

[Bennington Bandit]

Originally Posted by jimbosan

What problem did you have with them?

First one I had went back to the factory 5 times before Remington sent me a brand new gun. I could only shoot 1 - 3.5" shell before the action would lock up solid. It would shoot 3" shells all day but was a one shot wonder with 3.5". Second gun had firing pin issues and would actually stamp the outside of the primer (not consistently though). Remington corrected this problem also. By this time I had enough of disappointments in the field to start gun shopping again.

I still own an 1187 premier that shoots 2.75" and 3" shells. This gun never missed a beat and will go to my son in a couple years. I loved the way the 1187's fit and that's why I bought the supermag originally. This was my own personal experience and I'm not bashing the gun in any way.

[smackerquacker]

NEHONKERS, I am in the exact same boat, bought my SBE in 98 and apparently I got lucky because that thing will eat any ammo I put in it. I have shot doubles on the sporting clays course with it and not miss a beat. I have used it for everything from dove to geese. Seems to fit me better than the SBE2, kinda wish I had my original HK M1 back as well. I had a used very nice one found for reasonable about 3yrs ago and the guy decided to sell to his buddy instead. I was a little heartbroken. Cleaning this machine could not be easier, no o rings, no bushings and when the whole receiver top comes off it sure makes cleaning easy.

[esoxjunkie]

Both of my Benellis had problems with the rotating bolt-face not turning all the way when it closed. On the 2nd gun I had a gunsmith polish and rework various parts to get it to close all the way, but it almost never did. Mostly, I never got used to the recoil of the enertia driven Benelli's.

Before the SBE's came out I went through several Remingtons that again were fussy and spent more time at the gunsmith than in the field. "Gas port" issues they would tell me. Both are only capable of shooting heavy pheasant loads now, and not very reliably at that.

I've heard all the SBE reliability stuff, and that's what sold me my first 2. I was reluctant to go the SX route because of the gas operation, but knew there were trade-offs. As it turns out, the SX is more reliable than any Benelli I've owned, and with half the felt recoil. I'm hard on my equipment, and hunt considerably more than the average guy, and I don't own a heated pit. I cleaned my SX once last season after a wet, windy week in NoDak hunting ducks.

Buy the SX, and spend the extra couple hundred $$ that you would've spent on the Benelli on a flat of shells and a nice Boyt case for the gun!

Jamie

[Rangerman]

Thanks for all the info guys, now I am really scratching my head. I think I will spend some serious time at some gun stores and see which one really feels better to me. I have been shooting a Browning 10 ga Stalker for the last 6 years and have really been happy with the performance, but it is getting harder and harder to get shells around Columbus. I do want to be able to shoot 3 1/2" so I guess the Remington's are out. Thanks again fro all the input

[TMFLDEM]

My 11-87 shoots 2.75 just as nice as 3.5's. Yea she will jam, so will all semis! The only thing mine has ever jammed is a 2.75. And i guarantee that my new 11-87 is no less tolerable to adverse conditions than anyother shottie. Almost all shotties jam once the spent shell has been ejected and the next is headed for the chamber.. This being said it doesnt matter if you have an 11-87 or a SBE2, if the spring in the butt stock is dirty and gummed up the action will jam.

The most fail proof design that i have saw is that which has NO spring in the buttstock to dirty up. Just like the one is a m2000 stoeger,. This system uses inertia but has no spring in the buttstock. instead its around the magazine tube.

So in my opinion all shoties are gonna jam, and they are gonna jam more often it people dont care for them like they should be cared for. Ohh and just for the record i have seen more benneli's not fire due to huskerbowhunters "curse of the benneli" than i can count. If you set if down too hard the action will open up just enough so the gun will not go off, or if it just gets bumped on the way to the shoulder or whatever.. Im just glad others have noticed as well.

[Greyelk81]

Originally Posted by BPbowhunter

If your worried about jamming then get a good reliable pump. Never have to worry about jamming and they are alot cheaper.

I have an Ithca Featherlight I bought after college (Yep they had those things way way back then!) and a Winchester Model 12 my dad gave to me. I have never been out shot by a semi automatic hunting ducks, pheasants, crows, quail or doves with either gun. My dad used to love to shoot clay with the model 12 and I never saw anyone beat him. Glad some of you boys can afford those fancy high $$$ guns, however, a good hunter doesn't need them. I have an old Winchester 95 that that belonged to my great-uncle and will shoot with anything out there. It's not the gun (only a tool), it the shooter! Just had to give ya my $0.02 worth.