I won't ever buy a Benelli unless it's used and I can see a test pattern. Here is why:
I'm offended by their response to the well documented design flaw of the Super Black Eagle.
In case you don't know, the way the barrel mounts MIGHT exert pressure on the barrel, bending it at the receiver. A very goodly number of them shoot about 20 inches high and 6 inches to the left at 40 yards. It's more than a 100/0 pattern.
Benelli's response to unsatisfied customers is "Oh! That's the European style! You need to learn to float your birds!" Which is BULLCRAP. Because.. MOST of the exact same gun DON'T shoot that way, they shoot a nice 60/40 centered pattern!"
It's a high-end semi-auto! Customers who are persistent and insist long enough send their gun in, and Benelli knows exactly how to fix it. But then they also put a really cheap , very tall, fiber optic front sight on the barrel. I would be furious! The proper fix involves the placement of the BARREL STOP RING.
https://forums.benelliusa.com/topic/25070-sbe3-point-of-impact-repair-possible-safety-issue/
Anyone who wishes to dispute that this is a problem, explain this one simple fact:
Some SBE's shoot very high, and OTHER SBE's shoot where aimed.
If they are SUPPOSED to shoot very high, why doesn't Benelli fix the ones that don't????
No, they charged over $2,000 for a very nice semi-auto and some fellows got lemons. If I spent that kind of money on a semi-auto, expecting the best... I can't imagine how disappointed I would be. Now, if the company says "Oh! Our fault! We are sending you a mailing label! Get that to us ASAP! We will fix it right and get it RIGHT BACK TO YOU! Before duck season has even started!" Well, I would be impressed. Saying "You don't know how to shoot, it's supposed to be like that" makes me want to spit!
Then putting a cheeseball front sight on a $2,000 gun? COME ON.
That marketing behavior has earned Benelli a boycott from me.
On top of it, it's only this year that Benelli has addressed the "Benelli Click", the well known problem of bumping the bolt lever and the gun going quietly out of battery, unseen. Then pulling the trigger... 'click!' As we say in Italian, "La Madonna! She no funcione!"
Retay, using the same rotary bolt design, modified the bolt so it is more immune to the Benelli Click, years ago. Now Benelli is finally on to the fix, too. So.. .a new Benelli is much less prone to that failure than an old one.
See the problem?
Yes, I really like the look of a Montefeldtro, but... the company has screwed over more than a few of my on-line friends. There are plenty of options at that price point. And I prefer soft shooting gas systems. If I hunted ducks and needed a gun for the mud and muck, there are plenty of good recoil operated semi-autos at less than half the price of a Benelli.
I'll support the companies that at least IGNORE their customers, rather than feed them a line of bullpucky.
