Benelli M3

[wiganbear]

Been looking at getting a Benelli M3 but can't find a load of info on them apart from trade comments.

Are they the jack of all trades and master of none or are they the dogs dangly's. I'm looking at action shooting with the odd clay shoot with mates.

Don't seem to get the M4 in the UK but plenty of M2 and M1 are available.

Cheers

 

[ORD]

Re: Benelli M3

This is an odd place to put this post...you might ask a mod to move it for you.

As for the M3...they are good shotguns, but unless you are shooting a particular discipline where semi or pump is specifically required, my guess is that you'll end up putting it in semi and leaving it there.

I will second Hattori Hanzo's comments on the M2. Buy either an 18.5" tactical or a 21" barreled field model for "action" shooting (3-gun, practical, etc....not sure that the European equivalent would be) and outfit it with mag tube extension, etc. so that you are competitive with other hi-cap guns, then get yourself a 26" or 28" barrel for use on the skeet/sporting clays range. I have yet to find an M2 that wasn't able to reliably cycle target loads for skeet/SC, right along with the heavy HD/SD loads and slugs. The M3 really only shines when it comes to switching between lethal ammo (buck shot/slugs/full power loads) to certain specialty loads that produce almost no recoil/inertia for the Benelli action to cycle on (like beanbag rounds, gas rounds, etc.). In those rare instances for civilian shooters, then you can switch over to pump action and still maintain the functionality of the shotgun. Otherwise...its just for show!

 

[RBell24]

Re: Benelli M3

x2 on what ORD wrote.

I was looking at an m3, and decided to get an m2 tactical with crio choked 18.5" barrel so that I can use it for predator hunting. I'm going to look for a good deal on a 28" barrel and use it for wingshooting as well.

 

[Shakeber]

Re: Benelli M3

I agree, get the M2.

 

[wiganbear]

Re: Benelli M3

Thanks for your replies, looks like the M2 or a S/H M1 will be my next gun.

I did a search and couldn't find a shotgun section and other people had posted in this one.

 

[2ndamendfan]

Re: Benelli M3

well, I love mine. have the older model with pistol grip. also at one time Benelli made a longer barrel and choke tubes for it. I bought that also. You can switch to pump and keep going. It is like BUIS on a AR-15. nice to have.

Not a life threating moment but. On a trip once I planned to go to a skeet range and when i got there I had forgot my ammo. middle of no where, 80 miles from nearest real town. I had to buy the range ammo. Well it was weak as they normally use over/unders. I was the crazy guy with the "police" shotgun. Anyway it would not cycle the M3, switch to pump and had a ball. Pump is not the smoothest but works well.

 

[wiganbear]

Re: Benelli M3

Sorry just noticed I've posted this in Scopes rather than bolt action!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[samnev]

Re: Benelli M3

Get the M2 and save your self a few hundred $$$ unless you have a specific need for the M3 dual mode.