Looking to get a new waterfowl gun

[ArizonaNative]

Hey guys,

Last season, my first as a waterfowler, I used my old Mossberg 835 when in the marsh and the blind. It worked pretty good and killed birds but I can't help but think there is some room for improvement. Most noticeably, the 835 is quite heavy compared to newer guns which makes swinging on birds less natural than it should be in my opinion.

I've been thinking about going with an autoloader, whether it's a Benelli SBE II or a Mossberg 935 (the newer guns are much lighter than mine!) but would not object to a pump gun either. I'm shooting 3.5" shells, by the way.

I've been looking at Benellis, and although the price is a bit steep, I can't find a better purpose-built gun. Mossberg has come out with some nice features on their new 935 models but I don't know how durable they are. Everybody I hunt with shoots a Benelli!! (except Phil and his old Rem.)

What do you guys think? 3.5" gun, autoload or pump, synthetic stock. Bonus question: Where to get a bargain on your recommendation?

[Tmjohnson21]

Benelli Super Black Eagle!!!

[bowonly]

That is the only thing me and tmj agree on! black eagle all the way!

[goose h8r]

If your going with a auto dont even think about anything but SBE or Extrema.

[stickemdeep15]

Can't go wrong with the SBE2!

[NEHONKERS]

I also shoot and suggest the SBE. But after shouldering the SX3 and hearing nothing but good stuff I think I might need one for next season.

[DeerSlayer]

another for the SBEII. take good care of it and clean it regularly and you won't jam shells. The SX3 shoulders nice but it is a gas gun and when it comes time to clean it it is much more of a job. I've used my SBEII as an oar retrieving dead ducks, its been through hell and I don't see it breaking down anytime soon. kicks a little harder than most waterfowl guns but its not as bad late season when you have a lot of clothes on to take some of the recoil.

[ArizonaNative]

Okay... SBEII it is. Next question: Where can I find a deal on one?

[HeadHunter]

No, get the Vinci.... That way someone can tell me first hand how it shoots before I go out and dump a bunch of money on an auto that doesn't shoot 3.5's.

[WaterfowlJunky]

wow someone took Phil Robertsons words to heart....a 1500 paddle?....did you beat cottonmouths off of ya with it too?

[DeerSlayer]

you bet.

[platteriverretrievers]

Okay... SBEII it is. Next question: Where can I find a deal on one?

Could be bs but someone said Dick's had black synthetic 2's for around $1,100which is a STEAL compared to what they were.

[wackdux]

SX3's are awesome !!!!!!!!!

[Bigfowler]

I own a Beretta Extrema 2... great gun.....you can pick one up at Cabelas, Scheels for about 1,000 for the plain blued version.

[wyfarrell]

My original HK SBE (shouldn't have sold the HK 3" gun) will die with me. Never been impressed with the SBE2s at all. For my $$$, it would be an Extrema II w/ko or a Urika II/ko. Such an AWESOME system, I dont even really feel muzzle flip with the system (I do not ever shoot 3.5s, if I feel like big shells I grab my Gold 10). Yup, they are gas guns, but mine work and I hunt pretty hard. Also loved my SX3, but a friend of mine wanted one in Mossy Oak Brush pretty bad, so I took the cash. Very nice gun though, would own one again if it werent for Beretta guns.

IMHO, the SBE 2s are really overpriced. In a dream world Beretta would release an Extrema II/ko in a 3" package. The ease of cleaning an extrema in un-paralleled in the market today, just wish it had the weight and snap of a 3" only gun. I think the 3.5" 12 gauge guns are a marketers tool, and dont really offer much to a sportsman.