Benelli SBE, worth the $$$?

JimT

JimT

New member
Hey guys,
I'm considering dumping the 1187 and the SBE seems like a viable option. I know of at least one guy here with one, can you tell me a little about it? Does it use an o-ring like the 1187? Will it cycle everything? I was wanting to get an extra slug barrel for it, but with the extra barrel prices, I think I'd be better off getting a bolt action slugger.

I guess I should give a bit more background info, huh? Right now my 1187 is my do all shottie. I have a 23" smoothbore, twin bead barrel and a rifled cantilever barrel. All full camo. I use the smoothbore for everything from wingshooting to turkeys to coyotes. Obviously the rifled barrel is for deer. Why am I considering dumping the 1187? I'm on my 3rd o-ring in about 3 years. I'm tired of the gun sorta kinda breaking yearly. So...the SBE looks like it has some cool, innovative stuff but it's darned expensive! Is the price justified, will it make a solid everything-but-deer gun? Would it be wise to switch from an 1187 to a SBE and a bolt action slugger (Savage 210 for instance)?
Any input?
Jim
 
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I've had my SBE for 9 years. It's my turkey gun. It has no "O" ring and no gas port. It'll shoot anything, with the possible exception of the lowest power field load. I've never tried them in mine, but I know people who use theirs for sporting clays and they say that once the action is broken in good it'll shoot any shell.

Lots of waterfowl hunters in my area and they swear by the Benellis, say they're impervious to fouling and virtually never jam, even on trips to Canada, Argentina etc, where they sometimes shoot hundreds of rounds per day.

I priced a slug barrel several years ago and at $380 I opted for an 870 express, but other than that the SBE is the only shotgun you'll ever need. Actually, I should have bought the Benelli slug barrel too, because I bought the express then promptly turned around and put a synthetic camo stock and foregrip on it, running the investment up to about what the benelli barrel cost.
 
Thanks for the reply bacova!
I probably would go the slug barrel route, except they don't offer a cantilever option! I'd either have to go with iron sights or I'd have to remount the scope every deer season.
No gas port? So is it blowback operated then?
Thanks!
Jim
 
tried my buddies SBE on a waterfowl trip, on day 3 or 4 i had a jam in my 1187,after we shot hundreds of rounds. he fiddled with it since my hands were frozen and i took a shot with his SBE fine handeling gun, but it darn near broke my nose! but all in all i like them, thinking of getting one myself befor duck season rolls around again, but ill stick to 3 inch! lol
 
Well, I feel like a dolt now. I read their manual and realized that the top of the receiver goes with the barrel. So I could mount a scope and have it switch off with the barrel. Uh oh, that means there's nothing stopping me now...
 
Jim:

The Benelli's are inertia operated - their website probably explains it better than I could. The force from the shot fired moves the bolt rearward a bit, which is turning on a groove as it moves. When the lugs turn to full open, the entire bolt moves rearward against the resistance of the recoil spring, which eventually forces it forward again and completes the cycle. Happens really fast, supposedly the fastest shotgun action on Earth. Check out Tom Knapp's website if you've never heard of him, he shows what they can do. They sell lighter recoil springs for real light loads if needed; breaking-in may allow all shells to shoot out of it reliably. Remember, this gun is geared for heavier shells, but usually will handle all. They handle dirt and mud real well if needed - had an old friend that just abused his and they just kept on ticking - never cleaned them at all! Every winter I'd go thru them and blow out the rust and crud and they'd just go bang again! I like mine (2 SBE's and a Montefeltro - in fact, I'd part with a nice black SBE if you wanted one - PM me). Good guns, big up front price, but good resale later too, and great functioning. Good Hunting!

Mike B
 
I have never owned any 12 guage 3 1/2" chambered shotgun,
for poor patterning, and long shot string reasons. My
brother had a pretty SBE in some camo pattern, that he
just traded in on a Browning Gold 10 guage. Now he has
something that has better patterns, short shot strings, and
it is softer to shoot than the recoil operated Benelli(without
recoil reducer). His is the Lightweight model, coming in
at 9 lbs. Mine is the old steel receiver, with a 26" barrel,
that weighs in at 10.25 lbs. If you want more thump,
than a 3" 12 guage, I would recommend looking at the
Browning Gold 10 guage.

I have 3 waterfowling friends, my son, my brother, my
nephew and myself all with Remington 11-87s for 3" 12
guage waterfowl guns, and not one of us has replaced an "O"
ring maybe once in 5 to 10 years of shooting. One of my
friend's son took an 11-87 all the way to the college national
clays shoot, and had no problems with the gun. You might
want to take the 11-87, to a gunsmith. I would suspect a
sharp edge, or a burr, either on the barrel gas sleeve, or
on the metal gas seals, that ride on the magazine tube,
if you are having this kind of a problem with "O" ring
seals. My 1965 vintage 1100, gets a new "O" ring about
every 20 years!

A number of these 11-87's see some tough conditions,
and have made trips to dusty places like North Dakota,
and have never failed to cycle. But with that said, we
are fussy about gun maintenance. If the gun gets
wet, or goes through a lot of rounds, it gets totally
stripped, and most importantly, the recoil spring in
the butt stock is removed, and the tube, spring, and
spring follower, are cleaned, and just lightly wiped with
a cold weather gun oil. This is probably the biggest
tip to keeping the Remington semi-auto shotguns working
flawlessly. As with most semi-autos, cleaning is very
important. The Benelli, being recoil operated, was the
first semi-auto shotgun, that could be cleaned like a
pump shotgun. My belief that pump owners, and now
Benelli owners, like their guns,because they will
still shoot, with little to no maintenance. I had a carpenter,
working on my shop, ask me to take a look at a Winchester
1300, that wasn't cycling well. When I disassembled it,
it looked like there was 20 years of crud, built up in it.
I cleaned, and properly lubed it, and it ran like a new
gun. I asked the carpenter, when it was cleaned last.
His reply was, "Maybe 5 years ago". I almost choked.
I suggested that they maybe clean it once every year,
and then it should be fine /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif This kind of attention
to gun maintenance is what makes Benelli a popular
shotgun. So, if you don't mind getting thumped hard
by a gun, and you aren't big on spending a lot of time
maintaining shotguns, and you have the cash, then
the Benelli is probably a good choice. If you don't
like recoil, and you have the time to do some gun
maintenance, then do your shoulder a favor, and get
a gas operated shotgun. If you don't like the Remington,
then Benelli, Beretta, Browning, and Winchester all
make good gas operated semi-auto shotguns. The Franchi
is suppose to be a good one, too. But since they were
purchased by Beretta, which also owns Benelli, I am
not sure if the new Franchi's are as good as the old ones.

Squeeze
 
I've had 3 /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowingsmilie.gifSBE's all have been great, I keep replacing them w/ newer one's not because of problems. The newest is the SBE 2 great gun lot less recoil! I use it for turkey, waterfowl, crows, and never ever have any problems. Have used 2 of the 3 for actual boat paddles because the paddle broke, not the gun. During duck season rarely clean only when time permits. No oring have had a 11-87 also sold that to get the benelli, since I have also bought the ugly nova! Also like that gun. I was looking at the browing auto 8yrs ago when I bought my 1st SBE, any other gun is just too heavy!! Can't beat 7 moving parts in the SBE!! I shoot it with a magizine extension for crow tourneys and snow geese, it shoots just about anything, except 1oz and lighter loads. Benelli only claims 1 1/8th. If you do buy the best auto ever, make sure you break it in w/ heavy loads for the first 50 or so shots. I was told it helps break the recoil spring in better for the lighter loads.
 
If you shoot 3 1/2" look @ the SBE, if you can live with 3" shells then look @ the Super 90.

If you know anyone that has ever been on the South America Dove shoots. They throw a few thousand rounds through Benelli's & Beretta's in a few days with very few malfunctions. That a good true test of a shotguns durability in short order.

The Browning Gold & Super X 3 (changed from the Super X2) the X 3 is lighter version. Now these Models gas system based on the original Super X 1 built in the 70/80's by Winchester, the most over engieered gas auto ever. The gas system is very dependable and worth looking at too. Now the X 2 is discontinued model so dealers/wholesalers selling remaining stock at a savings.
 
Another one of those; "I do not have the exact gun you are asking about, but" posts.

I do not have the exact gun you are asking about, but I do have the Benelli M2 field, an SBE II that only shoots 3" inchers cuz I do not do waterfowl. I shoots GREAT, and I am a clean freak, you will not believe how easy it is to clean!

They just work! I know that on the SBE's (have friends with them) that some break in is required to shoot the lighter loads.
 
Yes the SBE is heads above the 11-87 in my opinion. I have owned both and use nothing but the Benelli SBE for my semi-auto shotgun. I wouldn't swap my SBE for two 11-87's. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
M2 eh? Same as SBE but only 3"....hmmm. I wonder if there is a price difference. I must admit, I don't know what I'd use 3.5 for. 3 is enough recoil for me any day. Much to think about...I wish they'd list out all the available spare barrels on their web page. They don't make it clear if a Timber HD camo barrel is available for the M2.
 
It used to be called the M-1 Super 90, I guess it's now the M-2, but whatever it's called, the 3" gun is every bit as good as the SBE, same operating system and just as reliable. You can figure it'll cost about $300 less, give or take.
 
I had one, it was absolute garbage, it still wouldnt cycle properly after 500 rounds.Recoil operated auto,s , suck. I sold it and bought a beretta al391, this gun has NEVER jammed or failed to cycle, anything.
 
From the Benelli web site, for 12ga, MSRP's shown below

SBD II, 26", Timber HD camo, MSRP $1585

M2, 26", Timber HD, MSRP $1255

M2 is slightly more than $300 less, LOVE MINE!
 
I got the SBE three years ago and LOVE it. I put a limb saver recoil pad on it before I even shot it and then a mercery recoil reducer in the stock. I think it cost somewhere around $35.00 at Brownell's it shoots 31/2" really light! I reload a light 1oz load for my wife and dove hunting and never have a problem with its cycling.
To be honest the only thing that will stop it from cycling is getting something behind the trigger like a peppble or pea or not slaming the bolt forward, other than that it really is a clean shooting gun.
Mike
 
I cant say anything as far as the SBE goes.I have never owned nor have I shot one. Ive heard good things about them though. I love my M2. Ive only had it for the 2 seasons course they had just came out with them last year. I can feel next to nothing for recoil though. Its super light and easy to clean. Its definatly an all day carrier. That was what sold me on the gun. I wanted something really light as I was having some shoulder issues. Good luck with your decision. It would be awsome if they made a cantilever barrel that came from the side and then up so you could have a drop down open site for the quick brush shots.
 
Hi i have had 4 Benelli 's over the yrs my last new one was last spring. It was a M1 Super 90 21 inch camo 12ga new in the box. I got it home to shoot it to see where the point of impact was at 30 yards it was 10 inchs to the right of the dot. I shot it a few more times to make shure and i was at a gunsmith range shooting it. I had him to shoot it it done the same thing. So i let aonther gunsmith look at it and both said box it up and send it back to Benelli. I did they keep it over 3 months when i got it back it look like it had never been taken out of the box. Still look like the way i put it in there. Got a letter saying it was ok. Benelli wouldnt stand behinde there warr. I took it that day i got it back and tradeed in on a New Win S X 2 3 1/3 NWTF shotgun. I have one Benelli left a SBE my dad gave me. My Win S x2 with out pattern it bad!!!! I had BOUGHT MY last Benelli of any kind....I have a Rem Sp 10ga and the Benelli SBE kicks alot harder than the 10ga . Plus the Rem SP 10ga will out pattern it. VM
PS look up www.patrickflanigan.com He USED to shoot a BENELLi Now he shoots a Win Super X 2 and broke the world r. with it.
 
JimT, I owned a SBE and it was a awesome shot gun but it recoiled pretty hard. It just didn't seem to fit me very good. I sold it & bought a Benelli M2. The M2 is a dream to shoot. the 2 series benellis M2 & SBE2 have what they call the comfort tech recoil reduction technology on them. With this you get a row of absorbing rubber inserts in the butt stock & a piece of this same material where your cheek rides on the butt stock. (The material is kinda like limb saver material by sims labratories) They also put a different butt pad on the 2 series that is kinda wedge cut where it doesn't catch on your clothing & seems to make the gun slide into position better. Benneli advertised that this made a %40 reduction of recoil over the 1 series shotguns & I have owned both & I believe them. I went with the M2 because I have owned a 3 1/2" shotgun for probably 5 years & just never really shot 3 1/2" shells. I hunt turkeys with #6 hevi-shot & have not had one live to gobble again yet. I highly reccomend the M2 or SBE2. I also own a 11-87 but it is a 20 guage. I don't think there is any question which one I would buy again & it would be the M2. Hope this helps. Dean-o
 
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