Sidearms & Scatterguns Benelli M1 Super 90 entry gun for use in 3 Gun???

[Stevo3556]

I have a Benelli super 90 in a 14" entry gun.

I'm thinking of shooting 3 gun and was considering finding a barrel and mag extension for my entry gun.

Questions,
Has anyone used the M1 Super 90 in this event?
Does it serve you well?
Would a M4 be significantly better?

What length bbls are best for 3 gun?

Would you happen to know what bbl length you would need to clear an extension to hold 9 shells?

I am in the process of google searches but thought I would see if anyone actually had real experience with the M1 90.

Any suggestions would be helpful.

Thank you,
Steve

 

[SporterII]

I have a Benelli super 90 in a 14" entry gun.

I'm thinking of shooting 3 gun and was considering finding a barrel and mag extension for my entry gun.

Questions,
Has anyone used the M1 Super 90 in this event?
Does it serve you well?
Would a M4 be significantly better?

What length bbls are best for 3 gun?

Would you happen to know what bbl length you would need to clear an extension to hold 9 shells?

I am in the process of google searches but thought I would see if anyone actually had real experience with the M1 90.

Any suggestions would be helpful.

Thank you,
Steve

I had two M1 s90"s when I was shooting multi gun /3gun.
The best. Period.
9 rds in the gun.
Rifle sights. The cats ass.
Green hull 7.5 Remington handicap and Federal LE slugs.
My strength was my 20" colt. The Benelli was its own magic.

 

[Stevo3556]

Sportier,

Thank you for the reply.

What was your bbl length?
Would you have rather had a different bbl length?

How would you compare the M1 to the M4?

Still have an M1 shotgun? Wanna sell it???

I know it is great as an entry gun. Bought it new in 1990 when I was a class III dealer and carried it at work. Started long for a bbl and mag extension and they were more than I thought, so am considering just buying a new M4.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[Hoser]

Your Benelli will be fine. A long mag tube will get dirty, but the gunk wipes off.

Most guys now days use 24 or 26 inch barrels.

I am using a 21 inch M2 with a Nordic tube. It holds 10+1+1.

I shot a match with my Form 2 Entry Gun once. The noise and muzzle flash was impressive at times.

 

[Stevo3556]

Thank you Hoser.

So I will continue the search for the M1 bbl in 24 or 26. Will the 24" bbl be longer than the Nordic tube that has a 10 shot cap?

I was actually surprised how tight the pattern was with the 14" bbl.

Steve

 

[Stevo3556]

SporterII,
Thanks for the follow up.
I have the standard stock that came with the shotgun, pistol grip. I like it easy to hold in a ready to fire position and load. I have never had the collapsable stock, but I would think it would only be good for making it shorter for storage and transportation. I also like th rifle sights, used to them, so will be my first choice on th new bbl.
Sorry you sold it all, glad you have recovered!
Thank you for the advise and time.
Steve

 

[Unknown]

I found that the pistol grip M1-Super 90 slowed my reloading down a wee bit..just enough that I stayed with the "traditional" stock.

 

[TonyTheTiger]

M1's are great, I know a few guys running them and even though they're almost antiques now they're easily competitive with anything out there.

But what's your desired competitiveness level? If you want to have fun just use what you have. If you want to place well you need to learn how to quad load, which necessitates ditching the pistol grip. And once you're loading 4 at a time you'll want the option to throw a quad at the beep. Since you'll probably be starting with 8 in the tube (division dependant) that means you need a 12 round tube or more. And don't worry about tube length relative to the barrel, it means nothing.

Make sure any barrel purchased uses interchangeable chokes. And honestly, if you're using rifle sights to shoot clays and steel plates up close you're going way too slow. A rib with a big bright FO on top is most popular for a reason.

 

[stwcattle]

I ran a Benny Hill built M2. 18'' barrel. 8 round extension tube. The shotgun flat out runs. Can't go wrong with a Benelli.

I would part with it since I no longer shoot 3 gun.

 

[Stevo3556]

I found that the pistol grip M1-Super 90 slowed my reloading down a wee bit..just enough that I stayed with the "traditional" stock.

Great to know. I have practiced reloading with the pistol grip and I liked it because I could still point the shotgun in the direction of the threat and shoot it with one hand accurately. I was NOT using the fancy speed loaders and it had a 14" bbl on it, so different situation for sure.

I think this sat I am going to shoot "three gun" instead of LR shooting in the sand pit I have available to get a better idea of what I really need. It certainly won't be like a match but should give me a better idea.

If I do find the same issue with loading, I might as well just buy another Benelli. By the time I buy a new bbl, mag ext, and stock I will have more in it than another full shotgun and I won't have the tactical 14" bbl if I need it.

Thank you,
Steve

 

[Stevo3556]

M1's are great, I know a few guys running them and even though they're almost antiques now they're easily competitive with anything out there.

But what's your desired competitiveness level? If you want to have fun just use what you have. If you want to place well you need to learn how to quad load, which necessitates ditching the pistol grip. And once you're loading 4 at a time you'll want the option to throw a quad at the beep. Since you'll probably be starting with 8 in the tube (division dependant) that means you need a 12 round tube or more. And don't worry about tube length relative to the barrel, it means nothing.

Make sure any barrel purchased uses interchangeable chokes. And honestly, if you're using rifle sights to shoot clays and steel plates up close you're going way too slow. A rib with a big bright FO on top is most popular for a reason.

Thank you Tony,

Great info for me.

Don't know how much I will compete. Will have my own three gun range so I will enjoy the heck out of it with my friends. Improve my tactics and then at some point might compete.

Just got my third STI in today, DVC Onmi, so I want to have good equipment and do the best I can. Sometimes competing for me isn't fun, I take it too serious, so one doesn't go with the other.

I have not even started learning the proper way to speed loads shotgun for 3 gun. Hope to have a friend that is shooting three gun and has already learned what equipment to have take me under his wing. No need for me to wander around and learn on my own.

I trust I will find the same problem with the pistol grip that others have found. Looks like a different Benelli is in my future!

Thank everyone for the great advise and your time.

Steve

 

[TonyTheTiger]

?

 

[Stevo3556]

I ran a Benny Hill built M2. 18'' barrel. 8 round extension tube. The shotgun flat out runs. Can't go wrong with a Benelli.

I would part with it since I no longer shoot 3 gun.

Sent you a pm yesterday...

 

[stwcattle]

Sent you a pm yesterday...

Try again, not seeing a message

 

[Gooldylocks]

The M2 is probably the single most popular gun in the game, and the M1 is very much the same deal so it would certainly work. But like you said, by the time you buy all the crap to make it worthwhile to shoot a match with, you would have been better off buying a new gun.

My buddy has a Benny Hill 24" M2 with a 12 round tube. It is filthy sick. Highly recommend.

 

[Stevo3556]

Thanks Gooldylocks,

I have been shopping and I have been finding that it is just a little less to buy the parts......

Thanks for the info on the M2, never shot one. I will consider it as well.

What do you think about the Remington Versa Max????

Does your buddy want to sell his M2?

Steve

 

[TonyTheTiger]

What do you think about the Remington Versa Max????

Stay away. Especially if you enjoy the Benelli reliability. They definitely shoot softer than most guns but part of that is because they're unusually heavy.

 

[Stevo3556]

Thank you Tony

 

[stwcattle]

Agree with above, if going to play the game, play with a Benelli M2!

I ran mine at least 1500 rounds without a cleaning. Never a hickup with the shotgun but decided to clean it before my first trip to Ft. Benning years ago. The shotgun has never been cleaned since and has never failed to load the next round or fire.

Other brands out there, you be lucky to make it through a match or practice session without a failure.

 

[Stevo3556]

Agree with above, if going to play the game, play with a Benelli M2!

I ran mine at least 1500 rounds without a cleaning. Never a hickup with the shotgun but decided to clean it before my first trip to Ft. Benning years ago. The shotgun has never been cleaned since and has never failed to load the next round or fire.

Other brands out there, you be lucky to make it through a match or practice session without a failure.

Thanks STWCattle,

The hunt for the Benelli is on.

 

[mattc51]

Good luck. I built my m1 into a 3 gun rig as I had the 18" stock barrel with sights and pistol grip stock. Was hard to find a barrel that did not cost a fortune. Got a standard stock and a 21" duck camoed barrel. Little miss matched but works. Also use the nodic mag extension for 10 rounds in the mag.

 

[Stevo3556]

Thank you Mattc51,

I have shopped for a couple weeks for parts for the M1 as well as a "deal" on a used Benelli. Really did see a deal and talked with a couple friends of mine that shoot 3 gun. They also liked the Versa Max. I found a great deal on a Versa Max Green Zombie edition yesterday in my area. Actually met face to face and bought it. So I think I will give it a try. If I don't like it or I try someone's Benelli and like it a bunch, I will work on getting switching.

Thanks to you and all who have taken the time to give me advice!

Steve

 

[kRcu]

Used to shoot 3-Gun with my M4 and it wasn’t ideal. It was heavy and very picky on ammo. Always ran perfect with full power loads, but I had to get quick with manually cycling at times with birdshot.

That said, I also used a G26 for my pistol quite often. I had more interest in being a better shot with what I carried or used the most. Didn’t care to buy game-specific stuff that I would never use outside of that arena.

 

[Gooldylocks]

Thanks STWCattle,

The hunt for the Benelli is on.

Sent you a message.

 

[Stevo3556]

Used to shoot 3-Gun with my M4 and it wasn’t ideal. It was heavy and very picky on ammo. Always ran perfect with full power loads, but I had to get quick with manually cycling at times with birdshot.

That said, I also used a G26 for my pistol quite often. I had more interest in being a better shot with what I carried or used the most. Didn’t care to buy game-specific stuff that I would never use outside of that arena.

I shot my M1 entry gun Saturday and used dove loads for the first time in over 10 years. I had forgotten that it didn't like light loads either... I always carried and trained wi th slugs and #4 buckshot mainly 3" shells and it ran fine.

Shot the Versa Max Sunday with everything and had no issues. I really like the entry gun for its intended purpose and am glad it is still handy and working well.

Bought a case each of the minishells, birdshot, buckshot, and slugs. Worked great in my Shockwave with the miniclip but double feeds in both the Benelli and Remington. Anyone have any experience with them?

Thanks
Steve

 

[stwcattle]

Sent you a message.

We still having messaging problems. Try again.

 

[stwcattle]

I shot my M1 entry gun Saturday and used dove loads for the first time in over 10 years. I had forgotten that it didn't like light loads either... I always carried and trained wi th slugs and #4 buckshot mainly 3" shells and it ran fine.

Shot the Versa Max Sunday with everything and had no issues. I really like the entry gun for its intended purpose and am glad it is still handy and working well.

Bought a case each of the minishells, birdshot, buckshot, and slugs. Worked great in my Shockwave with the miniclip but double feeds in both the Benelli and Remington. Anyone have any experience with them?

Thanks
Steve

I only ran #6 high brass 1 1/8oz in my M2 and never a failure in 4000 plus rounds.

 

[tschiemer]

Let me ask a question for those observing Benellis in these competitions: are they using sidesaddles on the receiver side? I have considered adding one but hesitate because of concerns it will adversely affect cycling with its inertia system. I once read it is not recommended.

I have a M2 entry model which is for home protection (14” bbl with rifle sights too) with 5 in the tube; with great effort, I obtained a surefire integral forearm from a member here. Surefire stopped making the Benelli lightva decade ago.

Robert

 

[Stevo3556]

Robert,

I have a super 90 M1 entry gun, pistol grip and the sure fire forearm light.

I bought this shotgun new when I was a classIII dealer around 1990 I believe. Quickly added all the goodies and found it didn't function reliably. I took it to work one day, Houston police academy, to shoot at the range and ask anyone if they had issues with the Benellis. Just so happens that Benelli was giving a class that day and the instructor just had a big grin. Told me to unload the sidesaddle and go try it. I didn't believe him, but he was right. He even told me how many it would could be in the sidesaddle to work. I would have never believed it had I not seen it.

I carried it at work so most of the time I'm carrying very heavy loads and it functions great. It doesn't like light dove loads. Works most of the time, but but not reliably. I was told that could be fixed, but then the heavy loads might be too much. Left it alone.

Steve

 

[TonyTheTiger]

Let me ask a question for those observing Benellis in these competitions: are they using sidesaddles on the receiver side?

Nope, not on any make/model of shotgun. They're simply not used anymore.

 

[Stevo3556]

If you are looking for a way to carry more ammo maybe consider a sling with loops. I can grab the shotgun quickly and I have a light and more and diverse selection of ammo.

Down side is if you are taking a second aimed shot from the shoulder the weight of the sling swinging can pull you off target. I like the idea of grabbing one weapon with lots of ammo and a light in the middle of the night.

 

[tschiemer]

A bandolier is a very good idea and another is adding them to a vest, keeping it off the Benelli. Thanks!

 

[MosesTheTank]

Thanks Gooldylocks,

I have been shopping and I have been finding that it is just a little less to buy the parts......

Thanks for the info on the M2, never shot one. I will consider it as well.

What do you think about the Remington Versa Max????

Does your buddy want to sell his M2?

Steve

I shoot both the M2 and the Versamax in 3G. No doubt the M2 is a superior gun. However, price is going to be a decision for a lot of folks. If going the Remington route AVOID the factory Versamax 3G model. I know people that were very unhappy with them. Just get a Versamax Tactical (for the 22" bbl), a Nordic extension tube, and send it to Benny Hill to have him to everything he does.

If going the M2 route you will still want to do some work to it even if you get the 3G model. At a minimum get the bolt lightened and the ejection port opened up. Do you send it to Benny Hill for a few mods or to Salient for a complete makeover ($$$)? All depends on your wallet.

BTW, I sometimes compete with an M4 just to stay sharp with it.

 

[Stevo3556]

Thank you MTT,

Just came home from my first 3 gun match. I used my friends spare Versa Max as he had a longer magazine and the reloading port was opened more than mine.
My Versa Max is the Zombie edition. It appears to have the tactical options, do you know if it does off hand? If I continue with 3 Gun not sure if I would spend a few dollars on fixing it or just buying an other Benelli. I have enough handicaps that I don't want my equipment holding me back....

Going back to LR shooting for the next couple weeks.

Steve

 

[jamescj]

You could look at Breda. They use the same action as Benelli. They make a comp ready gun. It comes with an over sized safety, tube, bolt, fiber optics, milled mag well, ect. I have shot Sean Burrows scatter gun and it was sweet.

 

[Stevo3556]

Thanks James,

I had not heard of the Breda. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

Well I just bought a Benelli M2 that has been moded for 3 gun. I will try it and see which one I like better, M2 or my Zombie edition Versa Max. I actually bought out this 3 gunner so I also should have a new home for a JP AR and his belt, and reloading systems for the shotgun, as well as mag holders for the AR and double stack pistol mags.

Hope to have it in about a week. I will see for myself which shotgun I like and should have one for sale...

Steve

 

[jamescj]

Thanks James,

I had not heard of the Breda. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

Well I just bought a Benelli M2 that has been moded for 3 gun. I will try it and see which one I like better, M2 or my Zombie edition Versa Max. I actually bought out this 3 gunner so I also should have a new home for a JP AR and his belt, and reloading systems for the shotgun, as well as mag holders for the AR and double stack pistol mags.

Hope to have it in about a week. I will see for myself which shotgun I like and should have one for sale...

Steve

Let me know which shotgun you like better! I’m curious as I debated getting a versa max

 

[Stevo3556]

Yes Sir I'll do it.