What makes a Benelli worth it?

[SanDiego619]

I have an 870 Express. I see very expensive shotguns like Benelli and wonder what really makes them better. My 870 has never malfunctioned, but I don't shoot clay competitively or shoot it a lot so I don't know.

What makes those expensive guns worth buying? Do they have less recoil? Are they more accurate? More comfortable? Is it something you would only notice if you shot a lot?

Thank you.

[leadstorm]

"Accuracy" in a shotgun doesn't mean much to me - even sheap shotgun you get to understand the pattern and then use it accordingly.

Past that, I have both Benellis and Remington 870s. Both are good guns. In my experience:

-The Benellis are much lighter weight than *any* Remington.
-My semi-atuo Benellis are more reliable than a Remington 870 pump. Yep.
-My Benellis fit me better and happen to be more adjustable from the factory (stock shims, etc.)
-My Benellis don't corrode at all. Modern 870 Express are rust buckets.
-Benellis are extremely easy to clean. 870s aren't terrible, but are relatively harder to clean.

[SanDiego619]

"Accuracy" in a shotgun doesn't mean much to me - even sheap shotgun you get to understand the pattern and then use it accordingly.

Past that, I have both Benellis and Remington 870s. Both are good guns. In my experience:

-The Benellis are much lighter weight than *any* Remington.
-My semi-atuo Benellis are more reliable than a Remington 870 pump. Yep.
-My Benellis fit me better and happen to be more adjustable from the factory (stock shims, etc.)
-My Benellis don't corrode at all. Modern 870 Express are rust buckets.
-Benellis are extremely easy to clean. 870s aren't terrible, but are relatively harder to clean.

I never even considered the semi-auto factor. Actually have not given much thought to semi-auto shotguns to be honest. As for rust, I can attest... my 870 is covered in rust. It was my first gun, I knew nothing and kept it in a soft case for months. It's all rusty, looks funny. The weight is a major benefit. That makes sense.

In competitive trap shooting, are you allowed to use semi-auto? It seems like trap shooters love Benelli.

[SkyHawk]

Not sure if you are talking sporting guns or combat guns.

I can get off 8 rounds from my Benelli in the same time it takes me to get off 2 shots from the 870, and no worry about me doing my part exactly correct other than pulling the trigger.

Other than that... both great guns.

Why did the US Marines choose the Benelli?

[PaperTarget]

perhaps a chrome lined barrel to start?

[tsmithson]

[leadstorm]

You can absolutely shoot trap with a semi-auto - the only thing to watch for is other trap shooters. They can be crotchety and prefer social distancing (so just get a shell catcher and youre good).

For what it's worth Benelli does also make pumps (like the Nova). I've never personally shot one.

[meno377]

I never even considered the semi-auto factor. Actually have not given much thought to semi-auto shotguns to be honest. As for rust, I can attest... my 870 is covered in rust. It was my first gun, I knew nothing and kept it in a soft case for months. It's all rusty, looks funny. The weight is a major benefit. That makes sense.

In a competitive trap, are you allowed to use semi-auto? It seems like trap shooters love Benelli.

In double trap you would benefit from a semi auto over a pump. However the best choice is an O/U.

Regarding in general however, you can benefit from light weight, more balance if you are shooting birds (clay or real).

The big advantage of a benelli is its simple design and low maintenance. You hardly ever need to clean the gun where a gas gun you need to clean more often. If you're shooting competition with a pump you will notice the difference in your stamina after shooting 800+ rounds over a 4 day event. Pumps are not the best choice for competition in sporting clays, skeet, or trap.

My reply is strictly addressing sporting arms, not home defense. Completely different class of shotguns.

[therealnickb]

[SanDiego619]

Not sure if you are talking sporting guns or combat guns.

I can get off 8 rounds from my Benelli in the same time it takes me to get off 2 shots from the 870, and no worry about me doing my part exactly correct other than pulling the trigger.

Other than that... both great guns.

Why did the US Marines choose the Benelli?

I didn't know Marines used shotguns! I thought it was just a rifle and sidearm. Thanks for that info. Excuse my ignorance, but when would a shotgun be used and who carries it? Don't most Marines carry a rifle? Do all Marines also train on shotguns too?

After reading your post and the others, I see why Benelli is better. For someone like me who shoots 100 rounds a year, my pump 870 is fine. For someone who shoots a lot, I see the benefit.

Thank you for all the information everyone.

[sirgrumps]

Benelli’s have the following features that explain to choice by the USMC.

1.) Extremely reliable, in over 25 years, mine has only mis-cycled on a few bad reloads. You can alternately load the softest target loaded and then the nastiest magnum load and it will cycle every time.
2.) the inertia recoil system and trigger mechanism is very fast and easy to clean and lube.
3.) for 3 gun - it’s like a Glock, open the box, clean and lube, go compete. It needs no tuning, adjustments, it just runs.
4.) it’s claimed to have the fastest cycling time of any semi-auto. Fully loaded, 9 rds, Tom Knapp (sp?) was able to hand toss 9 clay targets into the air and shoot all 9 of them before the 1st ejected rd hits the ground. there are many YouTube videos of this feat.

Now the bad:
1.) the recoil, you get hit hard
2.) chokes and barrels, very difficult to find and expensive.
3.) they are expensive.

[SanDiego619]

Benelli’s have the following features that explain to choice by the USMC.

1.) Extremely reliable, in over 25 years, mine has only mis-cycled on a few bad reloads. You can alternately load the softest target loaded and then the nastiest magnum load and it will cycle every time.
2.) the inertia recoil system and trigger mechanism is very fast and easy to clean and lube.
3.) for 3 gun - it’s like a Glock, open the box, clean and lube, go compete. It needs no tuning, adjustments, it just runs.
4.) it’s claimed to have the fastest cycling time of any semi-auto. Fully loaded, 9 rds, Tom Knapp (sp?) was able to hand toss 9 clay targets into the air and shoot all 9 of them before the 1st ejected rd hits the ground. there are many YouTube videos of this feat.

Now the bad:
1.) the recoil, you get hit hard
2.) chokes and barrels, very difficult to find and expensive.
3.) they are expensive.

As for the bad... generally, you get what you pay for! Even if you pay with your shoulder.

Thanks for the information. Now I want one...

Edit: I am still curious about how shotguns are used in the military, I figured rifles and pistols were used but I am guessing shotguns are for QCB maybe?

[fecalguns]

Now the bad:
1.) the recoil, you get hit hard
2.) chokes and barrels, very difficult to find and expensive.
3.) they are expensive.

I won't say I disagree, but as an owner of a couple of M2s, Supersport, Sport 2, Montefeltro, and 20gauge ultralight, I don't have an issue with recoil. Admittedly I shoot over 3000 shells a month so maybe I am used to recoil, but I do compare to an A400 Beretta which is a gas gun and the difference to me is negligible.

The other two points I agree with. They are expensive.

[SkyHawk]

As for the bad... generally, you get what you pay for! Even if you pay with your shoulder.

Thanks for the information. Now I want one...

Edit: I am still curious about how shotguns are used in the military, I figured rifles and pistols were used but I am guessing shotguns are for QCB maybe?

They are used for breeching, tear gas deployment, and force protection in facilities and onboard ships. I am sure they are used for other things, those are the common ones.

The first time I ever went duck hunting was a cold, miserable, windy and rainy weekend. I had a Benelli Extrema. It (and I) was exposed to some ugly conditions in the submerged tank blind in the middle of the pond for 2 long days, sun rise to sun down. It ran without complaint or failure in spite of the drowning it took and I knew then I was a Benelli man.

My M1 Combat is the get-to HD gun in my house.

[SanDiego619]

I won't say I disagree, but as an owner of a couple of M2s, Supersport, Sport 2, Montefeltro, and 20gauge ultralight, I don't have an issue with recoil. Admittedly I shoot over 3000 shells a month so maybe I am used to recoil, but I do compare to an A400 Beretta which is a gas gun and the difference to me is negligible.

The other two points I agree with. They are expensive.

3000 a month? Hot dang. Do you do shooting competitions every day? Or do shooting competitions require a huge amount of shots in a single day? Now I understand why my friend had to get shoulder surgery three times and retire from shooting... I had no idea people shot that much!