Thank you kindly for the input. Can you tell us in more detail the advantages and disadvantages of each that you owned from your personal experience?
Semi-auto B guns -- 391, Maxus, SBE
- Thread starter ss1980
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A lot of it is gonna come down to personal preference in looks, design and features, as well as fit. I used to shoot a Wingmaster, then Baikal, now a Maxus in 3 1/2. My hunting partner just picked up a Super Vinci, another shoots an 1187, another a Mossberg semi. When I was buying, it was between SX3 and Maxus for me, honestly I'm sure I would've been happy with either of them, as would you, but the extra features of the Maxus were appealing to me, Browning loyalty is in my family, and the local gunshop had a great price on it, within a couple hundred bucks of SX3's elsewhere. I'm happy to read reviews like 3macs, because I was deathly worried I'd have buyer's remorse.
As for comparisons, the Super Vinci is a very nice shooting shotgun, the new design is very comfortable to shoulder and point, recoil is comparable to my Maxus, the mid-bead is nice (I'm getting one put in my Maxus). But man are they ugly! Some people prefer the reliability aspect of an inertia action, personally i love the new design of browning's auto-adjusting gas valve (whatever their name for it is...), and when I was at the range with the guy, the SV did often fail to cycle cheap 7/8 oz loads, though it had only seen maybe a box of field loads up to date, I'm not sure if it has improved since "breaking in". That may or may not be relevant to anybody (some people use 1oz+ strictly), but I felt it was worth mentioning. My Maxus even brand new out of boc shot a couple cartons of cheap winchester target loads when I was ancy to get out and shoot it, with 1 load that failed to cycle, and to me it shoulders like no other shotgun has before, even with the sticky reflex pad.
As for comparisons, the Super Vinci is a very nice shooting shotgun, the new design is very comfortable to shoulder and point, recoil is comparable to my Maxus, the mid-bead is nice (I'm getting one put in my Maxus). But man are they ugly! Some people prefer the reliability aspect of an inertia action, personally i love the new design of browning's auto-adjusting gas valve (whatever their name for it is...), and when I was at the range with the guy, the SV did often fail to cycle cheap 7/8 oz loads, though it had only seen maybe a box of field loads up to date, I'm not sure if it has improved since "breaking in". That may or may not be relevant to anybody (some people use 1oz+ strictly), but I felt it was worth mentioning. My Maxus even brand new out of boc shot a couple cartons of cheap winchester target loads when I was ancy to get out and shoot it, with 1 load that failed to cycle, and to me it shoulders like no other shotgun has before, even with the sticky reflex pad.
Thank you for the comprehensive review. I narrowed it down to Maxus or SX3 now. Love Brownings too. Had a few from Beretta family but once I tasted Browning, I'm a fan for life 
well i`ll give u a brief review on the guns i own and have owned...benelli vinci/super vinci are my personal favs for a few reasons....light...comparable recoil...raised rib...mid bead...inertia...recoil dampening....although some think there ugly i have to disagree and it looks more mechanical rather than conventional which i happend to love...as far as not ejecting light loads, i`ve never experienced that with either of my vinci`s but i did do the proper break in period and i know how to shoulder an inertia gun so that theres no jumping between the buttstock and my shoulder....the a400 was very nice in wood and camo...i had it in the optifade and my wood one was with kick off...both manage recoil well...the xtreme slightly heavy...the wood...slighty too flashy...just cuz of the shine of the barrel....overall didnt pattern as well as the vinci line up....and was harder to break down and clean.....but still very nice guns....the maxus for me was a nice gun and cycled everything but i think browning cheaped out on the old fashion cue ball on the tip of the rib for a sight and no mid bead...for that price tag on a gun i feel they could have done better....but the speedload was nice and it handled recoil well and swung well... versamax....unstoppable!!! fantastic gun with the lightest recoil of the bunch but also the heaviest gun....dual gas system.... raised rib...mid bead...this gun truly had almost everything....imho it was a bit too heavy and sounded very clunky and was bulky...but hands down best value over any of the others....i still have my sx3 in slugger formation and it is very sweet...i do prefer it over the maxus i had dont ask why it just feels better...my maxus was modb and the sx3 is the composite with the grey permakote barrel and black duratouch furniture...thats all i got for u for now...let me know if i can help....but seriously...Benelli all the way....lol good luck
Much appreciated.
I mostly hunt geese but this year want to try ducks. Do you know an outfitter within 3-4 hour drive from the GTA?
I mostly hunt geese but this year want to try ducks. Do you know an outfitter within 3-4 hour drive from the GTA?
If you pay attention to the beads you aren't focusing on the target..if you aren't focusing on the target you aren't hitting the target! If you want a high hit/success rate forget about looks, gadgets and gizmos and buy the gun that fits you best. A gun that fits you will naturally point where you are looking...which is suppose to be the target!
Hoss83, do you shoot any significant ammount of 3 1/2ers? And if yes, have you ever had problems with the A400 cycling due to shell length like I've seen a few people post online?
VLT79, while I agree with what you're saying, I really liked the function of the midbead on the Super Vinci to help train you to line your sights up more consistently. I'm sure if all you did was shoot trap/skeet you could probably go without a bead altogether, since you're doing the same thing over and over again. But, when you're out in the field and shots are always different, it's a nice feature that's worth noting. Like I said, I'm getting a mid-bead installed on my maxus cause I liked it enough. Plus, as far as natural point of aim, shims and buttstock spacers do help somewhat, but the shotgun as is has to feel right.
VLT79, while I agree with what you're saying, I really liked the function of the midbead on the Super Vinci to help train you to line your sights up more consistently. I'm sure if all you did was shoot trap/skeet you could probably go without a bead altogether, since you're doing the same thing over and over again. But, when you're out in the field and shots are always different, it's a nice feature that's worth noting. Like I said, I'm getting a mid-bead installed on my maxus cause I liked it enough. Plus, as far as natural point of aim, shims and buttstock spacers do help somewhat, but the shotgun as is has to feel right.
That's the problem! You aren't suppose to try line anything up. When you shoulder a gun that actually fits you, everything lines up automatically. The best way to test that is to close your eyes and shoulder the gun as if you were going to shoot at something, then open your eyes and if everything lines up you are good to go. However, if you have to re-adjust your head on the stock to line it all up it is because the gun doesn't fit you...and it won't matter how many bead you have on your barrel because the second you start swinging that gun you are trying to keep the beads aligned at are no longer focusing on that target...and if you do focus on the target the gun will lose alignment and you'll miss again! There is no substitute for gun fit!
Once you start shooting 15 000-20 000rds a year you'll get it!
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A very good point. I recently got out Beretta o/u for skeet that didn't fit me quite well and got into the Browning o/u that is just perfect. The first time I shot it, I hit 23, the second was 24. The following day, the third time I shot it, I broke 25. So it must fit me, I guess
I'm only 33...long ways from retirement. I shoot twice a week and try make it to as many registered shots as I can...if work doesn't get in the way that is! Once retired it will be closer to 50 000rds a year for this shooter!
It's your gun, ammo, time and money so do as you please. The advice was free and you are not obligated to accept it...but others will!
Ahhh!! So you compete as well. Good. In what discipline? I'm a skeet shooter. Go to as many registered shoots as I can in Ontario. Same as you -- if work doesn't get in the way
That's the problem! You aren't suppose to try line anything up. When you shoulder a gun that actually fits you, everything lines up automatically. The best way to test that is to close your eyes and shoulder the gun as if you were going to shoot at something, then open your eyes and if everything lines up you are good to go. However, if you have to re-adjust your head on the stock to line it all up it is because the gun doesn't fit you...and it won't matter how many bead you have on your barrel because the second you start swinging that gun you are trying to keep the beads aligned at are no longer focusing on that target...and if you do focus on the target the gun will lose alignment and you'll miss again! There is no substitute for gun fit!
Once you start shooting 15 000-20 000rds a year you'll get it!
I am reading this laughing. Are you sure you are not 63 instead of 33. First buying up all the old super x-1's and now this. Well I am not a great shot by any means compared to some I have watched over the years but did run a 392/400 in the 4 gun once with 1100's after I switched over to my left dom eye and picked up probally 10 birds. That I may add took 4 years and an easy 50,000 rounds to become a lefty. On the beads I guess if the individual is not comfortable not having them and feels it makes them a better shot cool and to each their own. Me I was forced to be comfortable without them for the same reasons you say.
The old man shot in events and when I started out one day I mentioned the bead on the gun. That weekend when I got to shoot it was gone, dam I said so him being a smith part time I took another bead from his box and installed it, next weekend same thing gone. F'K I said must have used the wrong thread so tried again. This weekend there was solder in the hole so I caught on. That was the last bead I remember seeing. I don't know what other shooters see but when I am on I don't even see the barrel and the target looks like a garbage can lid HUGE. For me if I even try to look for the bead I start measuring and will stop the gun everytime and miss . take care old timer
Oh yes forgot to mention if you are going to shoot 50,000 a year when you retire better have some good investments or start to stash components now since fixed income sucks and for me 5000 -7000 unfortunately is what normally would happen...
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Ahhh!! So you compete as well. Good. In what discipline? I'm a skeet shooter. Go to as many registered shoots as I can in Ontario. Same as you -- if work doesn't get in the way
When I lived in Quebec I shot lots of Sporting Clays...IMHO it is the best game to hone your shooting skills and help you put more birds in the bag once you head to fields or the water. Since I've moved to Alberta I have been shooting mostly Trap (ATA). The club is 10-15 minutes from my door...depending on how fast I drive!
I am reading this laughing. Are you sure you are not 63 instead of 33. First buying up all the old super x-1's and now this. Well I am not a great shot by any means compared to some I have watched over the years but did run a 392/400 in the 4 gun once after I switched over to my left dom eye and picked up probally 10 birds. That I may add took 4 years and an easy 50,000 rounds. On the beads I guess if the individual is not comfortable not having them and feels it makes them a better shot cool. Me I was forced to be comfortable without them for the same reasons you say.
The old man shot in events and when I started out one day I mentioned the bead on the gun. That weekend when I got to shoot it was gone, dam I said so him being a smith part time I took another bead from his box and installed it, next wekend same thing gone. F'K I said must have used the wrong thread so tried again. This weekend there was solder in the hole so I caught on. That was the last bead I remember seeing. I don't know what other shooters see but when I am on I don't even see the barrel and the target looks like a garbage can lid HUGE. For me if I even try to look for the bead I start measuring and will stop the gun everytime and miss . take care old timer
Oh yes forgot to mention if you are going to shoot 50,000 a year when you retire better have some good investments or start to stash components now since fixed income sucks.
Bahaha! I learned at a very young age that if I kept my mouth shut, listened and paid attention to what experienced old timers (such as yourself! LOL!
) said and did, that I could learn at a much faster rate than if I was stubborn and ignored them! And it paid off in more ways than one...I now own my own pipeline and utility locating company (since March 2011), so I'm doing OK for a 33yr old with nothing more than a highschool diploma! 50 000rds a year will start by the time I'm 45...ok, maybe 46 if I keep buying every Super-X 1 come across! Someone actually beat me to that last one on the EE...but I did just buy #6 from a guy in B.C.! Now I need another safe! Haha!
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Bahaha! I learned at a very young age that if I kept my mouth shut, listened and paid attention to what experienced old timers (such as yourself! LOL! ) said and did, that I could learn at a much faster rate than if I was stubborn and ignored them! And it paid off in more ways than one...I now own my own pipeline and utility locating company (since March 2011), so I'm doing OK for a 33yr old with nothing more than a highschool diploma! 50 000rds a year will start by the time I'm 45...ok, maybe 46 if I keep buying every Super-X 1 come across! Haha! Someone beat me to that last one on the EE[/QUOTE]
That is so good to hear. I had no choice but to keep quiet back then if not the old man would give me a back hander which was legal in those days. Probally why I yack so much today. Like you had I some real good old farts around keeping me on track. Probally why I still have some x1's, love the 16 and 28ga and my favotite gun is a model 21 win. I was wondering if you got that last X1. Oh well there will be more. take care
) said and did, that I could learn at a much faster rate than if I was stubborn and ignored them! And it paid off in more ways than one...I now own my own pipeline and utility locating company (since March 2011), so I'm doing OK for a 33yr old with nothing more than a highschool diploma! 50 000rds a year will start by the time I'm 45...ok, maybe 46 if I keep buying every Super-X 1 come across! Haha! Someone beat me to that last one on the EE[/QUOTE]That is so good to hear. I had no choice but to keep quiet back then if not the old man would give me a back hander which was legal in those days.
Probally why I yack so much today. Like you had I some real good old farts around keeping me on track. Probally why I still have some x1's, love the 16 and 28ga and my favotite gun is a model 21 win. I was wondering if you got that last X1. Oh well there will be more. take care 
winchesterjones
Regular
- Location
- Sharon Ont
i've had over 1000 shots in 2 days through my al391.
1 1/8 oz. 2 3/4 rounds. no jams, no cleaning, no bs. took it like a champ!
i love that gun...
1 1/8 oz. 2 3/4 rounds. no jams, no cleaning, no bs. took it like a champ!
i love that gun...
