Benelli vs Beretta

[Trident]

Considering a semi for clays. I know Hicaliber will say 'Beretta - hands down"

Beretta AL391 or Benelli SuperBlackEagle II (Super-Sport)

Which is the better shotgun?






To be honest, I thought the two Benelli's were the same, but with carbon fiber on the latter.

 

[hr]

have you considered the Benelli SuperSport? (if you don't need the the 3.5" chamber)... i use one for clay and it rocks

 

[Claybuster]

It's not quite even to compare the AL391 with the SBE because the Benelli is a 3-1/2" gun meant for waterfowling and the Beretta is 3" only. As hr noted a better comparison is the Benelli Super Sport.

Between the AL391 and the Super Sport it's a tough call and both have their strong points. My nod goes to the 391 but largely because that's what I have.

Both guns have the adjustable stock shim system which permits the owner to adjust the gun to fit. This is a very valuable feature. Both guns come with two recoil pads to adjust length although the Benelli is a little short for me at 14" and 14-3/8" the Beretta meanwhile is 14-1/2" and 14-3/4".

The 391's gas handling system is more tolerant of light loads but is more complicated to take apart and clean. The Benelli's recoil action is about as simple as a semi-auto can get. It's much easier to maintain and clean.

The 391 has less felt recoil but not much less than the Super Sport comfort-tech stock. It's notably stouter with the wood stock and Benelli recommends nothing less than 1-1/8 ounce 3 dram loads for this gun so not only does it recoil more but requires heavier recoiling loads to work consistently.

Finally, the Beretta is less expensive. Even the fully tarted out 391 Gold Teknys is less than the Super Sport and the plain model 391 Sporting like mine is around $500-$600 less .

Both these guns are best of the breed. I own a Beretta but I wouldn't be surprised if a Benelli Cordoba (the matte finish version of the Super Sport) followed me home when they show up in Canada.

 

[hr]

just wanted to add,
-the Benelli SuperSport is only shipped /w 1 recoil pad(installed), a bag of shims, a btl of oil, and 5 chokes ... you don't get 2 pads
-because there is no gas system, yes it is stupidly simple to take apart and clean
-i shoot 1oz 2.75 drams and i'm pretty sure i've been through a few boxes of 1oz 2.5 drams too, no cycling problems what so ever

*the SuperSport also comes isntalled /w a red optic (lite pipe) sight, i don't think the SBE has this
*the carbon fibre of the SS is i LIE!, its actually a carbon finish applied to the synthetic stock, like camo paint, but it is a VERY DURABLE finish

*a few CGNers have mentioned it's probably not a great gun to go hunting either, because of the silver reciever (maybe wait for the Cordoba)

but i've been really happy /w mines (SS)

 

[gth]

Any Clay's specific semi would have a hard time competing with the 391. I dont own one, but I shoot one every time someone offers.

The only semi I would say that has a chance in the clays performance department is the browning gold sporting. But it is only 2 3/4" so the days a field go to the Beretta. I like the x2, gold SC,11-87 preimier, 1100 but the beretta would be a good buy for $1000 on a used one.

 

[Claybuster]

-the Benelli SuperSport is only shipped /w 1 recoil pad(installed), a bag of shims, a btl of oil, and 5 chokes ... you don't get 2 pads

Yes, you're right. Two recoil pads however are standard issue with the Beretta AL 391.

 

[DT10Sam]

Some like Beretta's some like Bennelli's. Beretta does make a 3 1/2 it is the Extrema 3.5 and it is also a 391. Beretta's are gas operated and the Bennelli's are spring operated. Both have their own qualities and those that own either one will say that they are better over the others. I sell an equal amount of Beretta Extrema's and Benelli's. My opinion does not really help you in this case, and I am sure as this thread continues to run you will probably see an equal amount voting in favour of one or the other depending on what they own.

Best regards,
Sam

 

[REM3200]

Had a Benelli Super 90 field and have nothing bad to say about it but replaced it with a Beretta 391 Sporting 12 gauge. The Beretta is noteable in the ability to customize fit and is a clays specific gun as I use it for both skeet and sporting clays. That was followed shotly after by a 20 gauge Gold Sporting 391 that I picked up from Albayo from the board. Both great guns.

I'm sure the Benelli Sporting is a good gun but the price is prohibitive as I'm into both of the Berettas for less than the Benelli would cost.

Regards,

REM3200

 

[hicaliber]

Beretta - hands down

 

[jacky]

There are quite a few people at my club that shoot the Beretta at my club. There is a fella that brings them in puts a recoil "shock absorber" on it with an adjustable comb and shell catcher and sells them for around $1300 I think.
He might do more to the gun too but that is all I know of. They are quite popular.

Jacky

 

[TReX300]

My son shoots 12ga 391 and it has been an excellent gun. It will cycle everything down to our 3/4oz reloads wiht on problems. there are a few Benelli's at our club aswell. They are good guns. If I was getting a Waterfowl gun it would most likely be one of them. For Clays though the Beretta I think would be a better choice. Thing that bothers me with the Benelli's is that one gun will cycle the 1oz loads we like to mainly shoot and the next wont even eject them. Both the same gun. Out of the 7 at our club only 2 will cycle lighter loads. Out of that 7 only one is a 3 1/2" gun.

Tim

 

[beretta boy]

Get out to a really busy Club and see what all the guys are shooting.
My auto-loader survey says Beretta 391 by a huge margin.
( and no, I don't own one, but definitely would if an auto-loader was called for - most likely the Standard length Parallel Target in 28" )

 

[osborne]

I picked up a beretta teknys gold sporting a month or so ago now and am very happy. I can't see going worng with one. I have never shot a benelli though.