Benelli Supersport or Beretta 391 Sporting
- Thread starter LFM
- Start date
There are both excellent guns and regardless which one you choose you'll have a great gun.
I chose the 391 Sporting because it has a somewhat better trigger pull, longer stock, less felt recoil and no porting. The absence of porting is important to me because the 391 serves as my waterfowler and I won't take a ported gun into a duck blind.
But the Supersport is a very appealing gun. I seriously considered buying a Benelli Cordoba which is the same gun as the Supersport except with a matte finish. The Benelli guns have more recoil, are less accomodating to very light loads but are much easier to clean than the Beretta. A full tear down of the 391 doesn't need to happen often but when it does it's more of a chore than cleaning a Benelli.
The Beretta is a little less expensive than the Benelli. But if the Benelli rocks your world and the Beretta doesn't it's worth the extra money. Try both guns if you can and pick the one that fits and feels better.
Last edited:
Either or! I tried both. The Benelli was easier to strip and clean but I got more X's on the score sheet with the 391. The X's won. If you are leaning towards the Benelli, you should start there. If you don't, you might always wonder.
beretta boy
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Orillia, Ontario
I chose the 391 Parallel Target, mostly because of how it fitted, felt & balanced. Of all the gas guns I've owned, ( Rem 58, 1100 and 11-87, Win SX-1 ) it's performed the best, day-in, day-out, with zero problems whatsoever ... so-far. About 7500 rounds through it and have only cleaned it thoroughly twice. ( And I'm not so sure it needed it either time !) Not a single malfunction or fail to feed with either factory rounds or reloads.
And the take-down/cleaning is not as onerous as some would suggest. Certainly simpler to me than a Model 12 or a Browning A-5 for instance.
I've shot both the Supersport & the Cordoba, and of the two, prefer the Cordoba. I'm not a fan of porting either. (Had porting on a Classic Doubles and a Browning 425 ... never again than ks ! ) The flat finish of the Cordoba suggests to me it might be of advantage over the polished finish of the Supersport for field use... but if it's your primary Sporter, by all means, go with what pleases you.
Either make is well regarded ... but for me it's fit, feel & balance first. Manufacturer and model second.
And the take-down/cleaning is not as onerous as some would suggest. Certainly simpler to me than a Model 12 or a Browning A-5 for instance.
I've shot both the Supersport & the Cordoba, and of the two, prefer the Cordoba. I'm not a fan of porting either. (Had porting on a Classic Doubles and a Browning 425 ... never again than ks ! ) The flat finish of the Cordoba suggests to me it might be of advantage over the polished finish of the Supersport for field use... but if it's your primary Sporter, by all means, go with what pleases you.
Either make is well regarded ... but for me it's fit, feel & balance first. Manufacturer and model second.
I bought the Bennelli s/s for sporting clays after trying another shooters. The above mentioned statements about cleaning and recoil are true, but I
wouldnt buy based on ease of cleaning.
As far as recoil goes, using a shooting lacket, with a small built in pad, I could shoot all day.
The main reason I chose Bennelli over Berreta was fit. The Bennelli is much slimmer and I have shorter fingers. I am happy with mine, the only downside would be cost, Bennelli is much more.
If you are going to shoot primarily sporting clay get ported, as you know follow up shots are fast. Most guns used are ported, whether u/o or auto.
Another advantage of the auto, over the o/u, for this sport is, sometimes you shoot more than two consecutive shoots. Both brands Berreta and Bennelli are widly used.
wouldnt buy based on ease of cleaning.
As far as recoil goes, using a shooting lacket, with a small built in pad, I could shoot all day.
The main reason I chose Bennelli over Berreta was fit. The Bennelli is much slimmer and I have shorter fingers. I am happy with mine, the only downside would be cost, Bennelli is much more.
If you are going to shoot primarily sporting clay get ported, as you know follow up shots are fast. Most guns used are ported, whether u/o or auto.
Another advantage of the auto, over the o/u, for this sport is, sometimes you shoot more than two consecutive shoots. Both brands Berreta and Bennelli are widly used.
I bought a new Beretta 391 Sporting with a 30" barrel several years back and while I liked the gun I didn't shoot it that well and found myself always fiddling with the shims. Sold that and bought another 391 sporting with a 28" barrel and Optima chokes and still battled. Nothing bad to say about the Beretta just that it's not the gun for me - not from lack of trying.
Still own a 391 20 gauge sporting .
Bought the Benelli SuperSport a couple years ago and while they are pricey have no regrets. Totally different gun than the Beretta with less weight and slimmer. I find it quite simmilar to the 20 gauge 391.
As to recoil between the Beretta and Benelli I feel no difference likely attributed to the 6'3", 240 lb. frame behind the gun. Don't let the porting be a deciding factor as there is little difference other than the stated to keep muzzle flip reduced.
Hands down the Benelli is easier to clean. Never found the Beretta bad to clean just took a little longer with the gas pistion. Generally clean my guns after every range session but each to there own.
The Benelli works for me but lots of nice semis out there so if at all possible try before you buy.
Still own a 391 20 gauge sporting .
Bought the Benelli SuperSport a couple years ago and while they are pricey have no regrets. Totally different gun than the Beretta with less weight and slimmer. I find it quite simmilar to the 20 gauge 391.
As to recoil between the Beretta and Benelli I feel no difference likely attributed to the 6'3", 240 lb. frame behind the gun. Don't let the porting be a deciding factor as there is little difference other than the stated to keep muzzle flip reduced.
Hands down the Benelli is easier to clean. Never found the Beretta bad to clean just took a little longer with the gas pistion. Generally clean my guns after every range session but each to there own.
The Benelli works for me but lots of nice semis out there so if at all possible try before you buy.
I do not know any rule in sporting clay competition that allows for more than two loaded rounds.
I have a Super sport and a 391Teknys Gold Sporting they are both excellent. I myself did not notice more recoil on the Benelli but a friend who tried it did say he thought it kicked. I love both guns, my problem is which one to shoot when I am at trap or skeet practice.
I dont know about official rules but i have shoot matches at Vancouver Gun club where we shot three tiimes in a row.
I ended up getting the Benelli Supersport. I've put about 350 rounds through so far and all I can say is WOW. With the shim kit that it comes with I have this gun like an extension of my body and it cycles faster than anything I have shot. I recommend this shotgun HIGHLY!
