3gun: Benelli m2 vs Remington Versamax

xopher

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Finally have enough funds to upgrade my 3gun kit!

What kind of person are you? Light and Agile or Heavy and stable?

Over the last few months, my buddy taunted me with his Tac Ordnance Versa Max. I have become well accustomed to what works and doesn't work for me. Due to my smaller hands, the Versamax is a thick beast to wield but she is steady and shoots straight once on target. (yes, I'm also aware of the +1 round advantage)

The Benelli M2 on the other hand fit me like a glove and is extremely agile. Unfortunately for me, I've only handled this shotgun in store and have never shot it. As I've never felt the recoil, I'm hesistant to buy one and send it Casey for the Tac Ord treatment without chatting with someone who owns one.

Are there any shooters on here with experience on both platforms? Most of the shooters I've spoken with vouch for the Tac Ord Versamax,however, they have zero experience with the M2.

Thoughts?
 
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Sorry. I couldn't resist. That is my attempt at humour. There are hundreds if not thousands of forums on this exact issue. In the end it comes down to cost and preference. You say you have shot the VersaMax...now make some new friends and shoot the Benelli. See which one you prefer and then purchase it. There is no substitute for shooting it.
 

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M2 hands down! I've shot plenty of vets max and started with a 930. Both are bulky and heavy. If the m2 fits you like a glove then it's a no brainer. It's a lot light which will make target transitions quicker and easier. That being said, check out the stodgier m3k. More or less the same as the m2. It will need work done as the shell catch is extremely stiff and the trigger sucks. Just my .02
 
No experience with the M2, seen the Versamaxes in action and both seem to be highly rated.
Seen a M3K and M3500 in action as well, both performed very well.
Me, I bought a Beretta 1301 Comp and couldn't be happier.
Lots of good options today, choose well.
 
It seems that everyone keeps fixating on the 1 round capacity difference of a 3.5" gun as a huge advantage.
Unless every course of fire you will ever shoot is exactly 9 rounds, it makes very little (and in my opinion no) difference.
Your ability to load shells quickly and not miss targets is what wins matches.

The fact that people are not discussing the difference between the cyclic rate of a 3" stroke vs a 3.5" stroke, the recoil impulse of a gas vs inertia system, or the potential benefits of the size of the loading/ejection port of the two sizes just shows that shotgun has a long way to go in Canada.

Of the 3 types of guns we use in action shooting, shotgun is by far the most difficult to give a "one size fits all" answer to.

Weight, balance, overall fitment and ability to adjust the stock to fit you, recoil impulse of a gas vs inertia gun, these are all personal preference and everyone has their own opinion. You can't know for sure what you prefer until you shoot each and compare.

Durability of the platform and the quality of materials the manufacturer uses, reliability of the platform long term, proven track record in the sport, what do the guys that win everything use, these stats are factual and can be learned with a bit of research.


At the end of the day you have to ask yourself a question and be truthful.

What is your goal?
If you are going to put in the time and effort and expense to try and become the best, then you get one of each and experiment.
If this isn't your goal, then it doesn't matter what gun you chose. Pick the one that puts a smile on your face and has your buddies drooling over all the fancy cuts and colours, and have fun.
 
I thought the 3 1/2" had an advantage but in application I no longer believe it does.
You either load twins or quads.
A 3" gun can hold 6 in the mag tube, the 3 1/2" holds 7 (both in 2 3/4" shells).
Nobody loads an odd number that I have seen.
So the difference is one shell but only at the beep, if the stage has 9 rounds then it has a slight advantage but if you have any higher of a round count the advantage of that single round in the mag tube is moot.
 
Most 3 gunners avoid the pistol grip. It makes loading doubles and quads more difficult.

Ya unfortunately my normal gripped shotgun doesn't work well for me for tactical events. Looking to change to a pistol grip, I'll adapt my loading after but I could see how the grip could get in the way.
 
It seems that everyone keeps fixating on the 1 round capacity difference of a 3.5" gun as a huge advantage.
Unless every course of fire you will ever shoot is exactly 9 rounds, it makes very little (and in my opinion no) difference.
Your ability to load shells quickly and not miss targets is what wins matches.

The fact that people are not discussing the difference between the cyclic rate of a 3" stroke vs a 3.5" stroke, the recoil impulse of a gas vs inertia system, or the potential benefits of the size of the loading/ejection port of the two sizes just shows that shotgun has a long way to go in Canada.

Of the 3 types of guns we use in action shooting, shotgun is by far the most difficult to give a "one size fits all" answer to.

Weight, balance, overall fitment and ability to adjust the stock to fit you, recoil impulse of a gas vs inertia gun, these are all personal preference and everyone has their own opinion. You can't know for sure what you prefer until you shoot each and compare.

Durability of the platform and the quality of materials the manufacturer uses, reliability of the platform long term, proven track record in the sport, what do the guys that win everything use, these stats are factual and can be learned with a bit of research.


At the end of the day you have to ask yourself a question and be truthful.

What is your goal?
If you are going to put in the time and effort and expense to try and become the best, then you get one of each and experiment.
If this isn't your goal, then it doesn't matter what gun you chose. Pick the one that puts a smile on your face and has your buddies drooling over all the fancy cuts and colours, and have fun.




But people just won't listen...
 
Love my Benelli M2. I was in the same place a couple years ago trying to decide, haven't second guessed the M2 even once. As mentioned, the extra round does nothing for you if you can't load quick and shoot straight. I have won more matches in Canada than not shooting a 3" gun against an army of 3.5's.

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The stoegers and versamax are still decent shotguns and I'm confident I would do well with either of those as well, but they need a little more work, and just aren't quite as nice as the benelli.
 
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