Benelli SBE 2 vs Versamax

mechanik

mechanik

Regular
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
3   0   0
I'm in the market for a new shotgun for 3Gun. My requirements are essentially the following: semi auto, 3.5" chamber (and marked as such), decent selection of upgrades available (Nordic Components mag extension, side saddle, charging handle, etc.)

Right now I'm waffling between a Benelli Super Black Eagle 2, and a Remington Versamax.

I hear that a lot of Benelli parts/accessories will fit the Versamax. Which ones? The mag extensions are apparently different as Nordic Components has a different model for the Versamax.

If money is no object, which of these two guns would you pick for 3Gun, and why? (And yes, I know half of you want to say "neither... get the M2!" but I want the added capacity a 3.5" gun provides as well as extra mass to absorb recoil, and a larger loading port.)
 
I think you have the the wrong choices.....

The 2 choices should be Super Black Eagle and the Super Vinci, if cost is no object!

Gas guns like the VersaMax, although I have no direct experience with it, have to be kept pretty clean due to the nature of their actions.
Benelli's Inertia System is a much better 3 Gun friendly action, IMHO!
 
Last edited:
I have never seen in a SBE2 shot in a local match yet. I've only shot with one fellow with a Versamax sportsman. Obviously the large majority shoot the M2 and the 930 and both are excellent platforms in the standard division (IPSC). One feature I will have to admire about the Versamax is its massive loading port which in turn will make reloading a whole faster and fumble-free (in my experience anyways). The added price premium for a SBE2 is a bit of a jump as well, otherwise a most fine semi shotgun.
 
I just got the Versamax Tactical (Auto loader) from Wanstalls and couldn't be happier with the purchase. The recoil isn't noticeable, shoots well. These are the first 5 shots of its career, starting with the lower right and then working up, left, and 2 in the nut. And I plan on getting into 3gun with it (starting next spring).





 
Will the Nordic extensions fit the Super Vinci? I don't see it listed on their site. I didn't list it as an alternative as it doesn't seem like there are many upgrades available for it, but perhaps I'm not looking in the right places.

Some guys are moving to the Versamax over the M2 so I'm curious why they feel it's the better choice.
 
From what I hear the Versamax Tactical is stupidly marked as having a 3" chamber even though it is physically a 3.5" chamber, so it's out of the running as it can't legally be extended to 5.x rounds of 3.5" shells.
 
mechanik said:
Will the Nordic extensions fit the Super Vinci? I don't see it listed on their site. I didn't list it as an alternative as it doesn't seem like there are many upgrades available for it, but perhaps I'm not looking in the right places.

Some guys are moving to the Versamax over the M2 so I'm curious why they feel it's the better choice.
Click to expand...
my understanind is that the recoil is softer

I've read that the m2 is the worst for recoil
 
If it's not legal for 3gun I'll be disappointed but not crushed. Looking forward to discovering Trap shooting. The recoil is definitely very nice on the Versa.
 
orthoboy said:
If it's not legal for 3gun I'll be disappointed but not crushed. Looking forward to discovering Trap shooting. The recoil is definitely very nice on the Versa.
Click to expand...

You can use it for 3gun, you just have to worry about Canadian law with respect to maximum capacities for centrefire, semi-auto firearms. I.e. in the case of shotguns, max of 5 shells of the largest shell for which the gun is designed. If the gun is marked as a 3" gun, that means you can have up to 5 x 3" shells. With a 3.5" gun, you can have max 5 x 3.5" shells. Since we tend to compete using 2 3/4" shells, there is a capacity advantage of the 3.5" gun because it will fit more 2 3/4" shells in the tube than a 3" gun, whilst still staying legal.
 
I really don't understand why Remington took the position they did with the tactical model and marking it as 3". That's extra work, and creates a separate production step. They should have simply let the lawyers at the user manual, and in bold lettering state that it's not recommend to put more than 3 3.5" shells into the extended magazines. Problem solved, and they'd have introduced a shotgun that would take the Canadian marketplace by storm, without creating any confusion.

Stupid.
 
snipersyn said:
One feature I will have to admire about the Versamax is its massive loading port which in turn will make reloading a whole faster and fumble-free (in my experience anyways).
Click to expand...

Both Versamax and SBE2 are 3.5" guns (even so Versamax tactical is stamped as 3" one). So, the loading port is the same, more over, shell lifter from Versamax fits SBE2...

snipersyn said:
The added price premium for a SBE2 is a bit of a jump as well, otherwise a most fine semi shotgun.
Click to expand...

What added price? Mine cost like $50 or $100 more than M2. It is like one case of ammo...
 
euxx said:
Both Versamax and SBE2 are 3.5" guns (even so Versamax tactical is stamped as 3" one). So, the loading port is the same, more over, shell lifter from Versamax fits SBE2...



What added price? Mine cost like $50 or $100 more than M2. It is like one case of ammo...
Click to expand...

I was referring to a direct price comparison to the Versamax and NOT the M2 as per the OP's original thread title "Benelli SBE 2 vs Versamax".

The Versamax sportsman 28" was going for less than $1000 at some retailers earlier this month. SBE2 @ $1700 - Versamax @ $1000 = $700 premium.
 
Interesting. I haven't dabbled in 3Gun, but I would have thought a pump (looking at a SuperNova myself) would be more popular choice in Canada, since you could hold more shells in the mag compared to a typical 6 x 2 3/4 for a semi. Or does the speed of firing a semi counters the time it takes for reloads? Just curious.
 
dquick said:
Interesting. I haven't dabbled in 3Gun, but I would have thought a pump (looking at a SuperNova myself) would be more popular choice in Canada, since you could hold more shells in the mag compared to a typical 6 x 2 3/4 for a semi. Or does the speed of firing a semi counters the time it takes for reloads? Just curious.
Click to expand...

Depends on the course of fire, divisions, etc. In IPSC shotgun, semi-autos are in their own division, but in 3Gun matches they typically aren't.

I have already been running a 10-round Remington 870, but my experience is that unless the given course of fire is such that you can avoid a reload if you have a pump, semis will generally do better, if the magazine sizes are close. I'm sure those competitors at the top end of the pump action shotgun game can give a semi-auto shooter a run for their money, but I am nowhere near that proficient. If your semi only holds 5 in the tube then you are likely giving up an advantage.

FYI a SBE 2 with a +4 extension will hold 7 rounds of 2 3/4" in the tube, ghost load one, and another one in the pipe, for 9 rounds at the beep on a loaded start. It's only a disadvantage if at some point in the COF you would do a load 8 if you had enough room in the tube, which most of the time doesn't happen.

That all being said I'm planning on getting a Supernova for those times when I want to shoot Standard Manual.
 
How did few of you get a versamax tactical ? Isn't it prohib here due to it's 8+1 designation ?

Also want to know if Vinci or super vinci can have extended tubes for them ?
 
this is direct from Benelli catalog.

"The Super Vinci and Vinci models share the same self-contained magazine tube assembly which can be
easily replaced with higher capacity magazines with the push of a button"

didn't see same statement in the SBE page... but maybe it's assumed, or can still have aftermarket added to it... Supervinci is 3.5" too.
 
I don't have any experience with the Benelli's but here's an example of what you can do with a versamax.

IMG_27571.JPG


IMG_27582.JPG


This is the 26" synthetic model with following mods:

Nordic component +6 extension pinned to hold 7, 2 3/4 shells. With ghost load and one in the pipe it'll hold 9 rounds.
Nordic component clamp
Nordic components extended bolt handle (I believe this one is for the benelli m2)
Nordic component follower
As seen in the second picture I picked up a CRUMS lifter, just haven't had a chance to install it yet

I was hesitant to buy a Remington but the concept won me over and I'm happy to say that so far I've been nothing but happy with it.
As for the setup I had 3 gun in mind when I put it together and so far I am really happy with how it's performed. I probably would have bought the 22" version if it wasn't labelled 3" but after getting the 26" I'm glad that I did as this can double as a sporting clays or skeet gun.
 
I don't do 3gun yet... But I've shot both for Skeet and Geese and then bought the Benelli. Like Focal says, get the SBE2 and be done with it. There's a reason the premium is there.

I've also shot the Vinci.... It ain't no SBE2 either.... It just has that gimmicky takedown ability. But my Black Eagle takes down as well, and after you do it a few times, its just as fast.

The best advice is to shoulder the guns and pick. Then get the SBE2. :)
 
CreamySmooth said:
I don't do 3gun yet... But I've shot both for Skeet and Geese and then bought the Benelli. Like Focal says, get the SBE2 and be done with it. There's a reason the premium is there.

I've also shot the Vinci.... It ain't no SBE2 either.... It just has that gimmicky takedown ability. But my Black Eagle takes down as well, and after you do it a few times, its just as fast.

The best advice is to shoulder the guns and pick. Then get the SBE2. :)
Click to expand...

I agree. Have a SBE II and a Vinci and the SBE II is has way more Pros. The vinci is nicer/faster to load though.

My SBE II mag tube is 9 3/8 long externally. I use the original follower and a little longer spring.

I emailed Benelli for an extended vinci mag and they said no in Canada.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom