Wilson combat Std model vs Benelli m3
Does anybody here own or know anything about Wilson Combat Scatterguns? I'm sure it's an excellent shotgun, but never heard anybody comment or say much about it.
I like the std model alot, well, i'm actually deciding between a wilson combat std model and a Benelli m3. Care to shed some light or share your opinions on it? Thanks alot.
BP
I like the std model alot, well, i'm actually deciding between a wilson combat std model and a Benelli m3. Care to shed some light or share your opinions on it? Thanks alot.
BP
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This is an easy one. Take the Wilson, hands down. Anything from Wilson is top-of-the-line. I have had bad experiences with several Benelli's, so I will never recommend one. I have an HK FP6 entry gun, and I like it, but I really want a Wilson entry gun. The nice thing about the Wilson is that is build on a 870 which is in itself a great gun. Pump guns always work, autos usually work. 0 -
It doesn't sound like Moose knows anything about the M3...
The Benelli M3 is a selective semi-auto/pump gun (very vaguely like the Franchi SPAS-12). So, with this design you can shoot normal shells as fast as you can pull the trigger, or you can switch to non-lethal ammunition such as beanbag rounds or even flares and fire them in pump mode just by turning the selector at the end of the forearm.
I owned a Benelli M3 with ghost ring sights and a pistol-grip stock (but I always wanted a folder) and magazine extention. It was stolen during a move some years back... [V]
I have owned a Benelli Super Black Eagle since probably '94 and although I have owned many shotguns over the years I have since sold all my 12 gauges except for this one. Even with many fine over/unders and other speciality guns the one that always did its job was the Benelli. I liked the fact that 1 gun could be used for everything from quail to geese.
Now, I realize that the M3 doesn't have the 3.5" chamber like the SBE does and that you're after more of a defense/entry gun. However, I felt compelled to mention my history and luck with Benelli products.
Now, back to the two guns at hand. There are a few things to consider though between these guns. From what I understand, if the M3 has a pistol grip stock and was made after the cut-off date then you can't add an extended magazine (supposedly this was BEFORE THE AWB and will not be affected if it expires). Mine had it and it was legal so I know they're out there. The Wilson gun shouldn't have any trouble with the extended mag.
In closing, I personally think that for police, the M3 is a MUCH more superior firearm to anything based on the 870 (and probably any other scattergun perhaps short of Benelli's own M4 or M1014). However, for a home defense situation you'd most likely be just as well served by either choosing a semi-auto or a pump. Unlike police, I can't see a person needing to switch between non-lethal and lethal rounds quickly as the situation would change (or anything else that would have large energy swings in the ammo). I don't know about you, but if I'm bring out my gun I fully intend to use it and it will be loaded with lethal ammo.0 -
My choice - 
Mateomasfeo
"I am what I am!" - Popeye0 -
Bambihunter,
You mentioned that if the m3 was made after the cut-off date, then it can't add an extended mag. Does that mean you cannot legally do so, or the gun is not configured to accept such installation?
Thanks!
BP0 -
Sorry Bambi, I was thinking of the M4. I didn't realize that the M3 was a pump/auto. It really doesn't matter though, my feeling about the reliabilty of Benelli is still the same. I have seen far too many of their Novas,and SBE's malfunction. 0 -
Legalities supernook... I don't believe it is affiliated with the AWB, but has similar terminology and refers only to imported shotguns. I believe the extended magazines can be added, or the gun can have a pistol gripped stock, but not both (sounds just like the AWB doesn't it?) I do know for a fact that the folding-stocked M3's cannot have a mag extention installed unless they were there from the factory (these run ~$2,500 for an excellent example now). We never got a definate answer from our 'resident legal expert' (that's a compliment to the person I'm referring to, not an insult by the way). However, here's a couple other topics brought up recently that mention whom I'm referring to. Also, it'll bring you up to the point of what I know (which when referring to the laws, isn't anything concrete). Here's the links:
http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=118323
http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=118542
I wouldn't let moose's opinion/experiences dampen your outlook on the Benelli. As with every manufacturer, they have made lemons. However, most of the people that have had problems with Benelli have either never shot one, or else they didn't follow the instructions about shooting 1 1/8 oz. dram loads out of the SBE. I shoot probably 5,000 rounds per year though my SBE (and have since '94) and I probably average 2 malfunctions a year. Most of the time these malfunctions are where the gun eject the empties, but doesn't quite have enough energy to cycle the bolt back far enough to release the next shell into the follower so it closes on an empty chamber. Benelli does make a "light-loads spring kit" which is very easy and quick to install, or I could just quit shooting the cheapest 1 1/8 oz loads I can buy. Almost always, my friends shooting thier autos with me have more trouble than I do shooting the exact lot of ammo. In fact, the Benelli's have a unique way to clear out the follower should the mag stop miss a shell. I've never seen another gun like it.
If you'd like to ask other people knowledgeable about Benelli's try their forum over there (I'm also a member over there). Here's the link: http://www.benelliusa.com/forums/ultimatebb.php/forum/1.html
My only gripe with Benelli at this time is that they don't make one in .410 so I can get rid of my only other shotgun (a Remington 1100 .410). [8D]
If you've got any further questions feel free to email me through gunbroker. Out of all my guns I own, my Super Black Eagle would honestly be the very last one I'd ever get rid of. Why? Because if needed, it could do it all, from small game to water fowl to big game to home defense. They are reliable and a snap to clean. I NEVER want to see another gas-operated gun again after owning the SBE! [8D]0 -
Your right Bambi, I have never owned or shot a Benelli, but 9 out of 10 people on my clays team do, and every week their are at least three failures. No it isn't always the same gun, everyone who has one has had trouble with them. The only two guns that hve never had failures are the guy who has a 391, and my SxS, otherwise everyone else's has failed. And no, they don't all use the same shells.
You can tell me all day long how good and reliable your Benelli is, but it doesn't matter because I have seen them with my own two eyes. With the failure rate that I have seen, I would NEVER recomend them for LE use or personal protection. If you want to use an unreliable gun for hunting then that is your business.
Jess0 -
Moose, I wouldn't want an unreliable gun either... I can't believe the members of your clays team would tolerate unreliable firearms either, that won't win 'em any events.
I have gotten rid of other shotguns that were just as reliable but not as versatile (such as my Ithaca, Ruger Red Label, Browning Citori, Rem. 870, etc).
My SBE isn't 100% reliable, but DARN close!!!! Maybe it's just because my Benelli is an older one (1994) before they made all the changes to it. They also released the new SBE2 this year which I think is ugly.
Anyway, Moose I'm not trying to convince you, it sounds like you're already conviced to the contrary so it'd be a lesson in futility anyway.0 -
mateomasfeo, I bet Billy the kid would have liked a six shooter like that.[;)]
supernook, I have had experience with many different shotguns,pumps autos,box fed,tube fed you name it. I can honestly say that Benelli makes some of the most versitile,reliable and fast cycling SG's in the market. But thats just my experience(but you can't trust that because I clean my guns after I shoot[:D]
I PICK THE M3!!!
"There are those who make things happen, those that watch things happen and those that say, what happend?"
AC Tactical0 -
While I don't know the Wilson combat std, I can see it would be a pumpgun -or what?
If it is indeed the Remington 870 it's built on - I've tried the original Remington and didn't like it. I liked the Mossberg 835Ultimag better, as it was more smooth and better built in my opinion. But I like the Benelli Nova even better than Remington and Mossberg.
Well the Benelli M3 is both semi and pump and I like it. Offcourse it needs some force to operate and as with all guns, you ought to shoot at least two packs (25shots ? pack) to see how it cycles and pattern it with the shells that operates without a flaw.
I would perhaps also include the Benelli Nova pumpgun in this.
I know Benelli's are reliable and what I hear from other hunters here, is that they admire them for just that as well as craftmanship and beauty (wooden models).
I also own a Benelli Super Black Eagle and it handles really well and have only failed when I absolutely had to try the weakest of loads. Keep in mind the SBE is built for heavy, high-Dram loads with a certain recoil - as it's built for the toughest of 3 1/2" shells.
It patterns great with just about anything I make it eat up. It doesn't like the "Tin"-shells - (a substitute for lead) - and I doesn't like the price of those shells anyways, so no harm done here.
Never heard about an M1, M3 or M4 to have malfunctioned or failed - when it's kept within the limits that it's built for.
The Benelli recoilsystems needs some force to make it cycle - and it can, as with other recoil-operated guns, fail if you try to shoot it from the hip - as it besides the recoil, needs to stem the recoil onto something to operate.
So one-handed-cramp-it-to-your-hip-hillbilly-shoots are not a good idea with the Benelli, that will eventually fail.
I am looking into buying my next Benelli - as I'd want one for sports also. The Benelli can be moderated, as Bambi mentioned, to hold a weaker set of springs - but as I like the Benelli and the various concepts and personalities they have - I guess another Benelli will be on it's way.
I've tried Remington, Mossberg, Winchester, Norinco, Beretta, SKB and other semi-auto brands - none function as the Benelli.
I like the idea when you have to unload the gun - you cycle the bolt, that will empty the chamber, but NOT put another cartridge in.
Then flip it over and empty the magazine.
I don't like meddling with a loaded gun with a cartridge in the chamber - so in a way, I think the Benelli's are safer.
They are certainly easier to take apart and clean - you can do it in a flash - and it doesn't care of you clean it often or never.
It always works.!
So - whatever gun you offer me instead of my Benelli - well, you're going to have to leave with that gun - I'm keeping my SBE.
(Unless I can trade it in for at least 2-3 new Benelli's)
I wouldn't trust any other gun than Benelli - if it has to be semi or pump that is.
I'd like to try other guns, but they won't stay with me, I'm certain.
So I don't mind what Mooseyard says - I've never seen this or know what kind of shooting his buddies do or what shells the use.
If you use a Benelli for hunting and use good reliable full-Dram shells - you will probably never have a problem. I always use 36 gram loads in my SBE and it has yet to fail on me.
If you like to use the cheaper loads - then you might have a malfunction once in a while. My SBE only failed with the lightest of skeet loads - but they were way under the limit of force needed to operate it.
Now - I wouldn't buy a Lamborghini and feed it fuel-oil either.
I'd buy premium fuel for it, feed it right. It gives so much more pleasure to know everything is Tip-Top - I want the only thing to be at blame.. to be me.
A gun must never fail. Get a Benelli - and it is certainly not the guns fault.
Don't do anything that I've allready done - That'd be just plain STOOOOOOPID.0 -
Happy, I'm sure all of my friends just happened to get a bad batch of Benellis (9 in total). My Beretta, and my buddies Beretta have yet to fail. 0 -
Or they just shoot whatever the gunclub hands them of ammo...
that's usually the El-Cheapo loads.
When I used my Winchester 1500XTR European semiauto 12 gauge, I had to bring my own shells that had a higher velocity/pressure than what the claytarget range had of shells.
That's a gas-operated shotgun, kept in pristine working order.
But if you say there are 9 bad Benelli's.. there must be 9 bad Benelli's. That's okay with me.
I just brought up, that I've not seen the same pattern here in Denmark or Greenland. Everyone have been head over heels with their Benelli's.
Only advice I can give, is that I haven't tried out the Wilson Combat shotgun - but I have shot it's predesessor, Remington 870.
That's all the experience I have with it or that comes close.
But from what I know of Benelli - I sure as heck would rather have a Benelli if my behind was on the line. Any day.
I still like Benelli more than any other gun I've ever shot with or tested out after having repaired them.
Don't do anything that I've allready done - That'd be just plain STOOOOOOPID.0 -
I don't know what all of them are using, but I know some use reloads (I have no idea what mixture), but most of them are using Remington STS. 0 -
Well, for what it's worth....I shoot competition with a Benelli M1 Super 90 21" barrel w/ a mag extension and have never ever had one single malfunction or problem with that gun. Between sport shooting, competition, and hunting I have three Benelli's and can say the same about each one. To each is on, but I'll take a Benelli over any other shotgun any day of the week. And that includes Wilson Combat. 0
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