[texastea02]

I'm on the fence, and I have no idea which gun to buy. A few days ago I was 100% on the Urika 2, now the M2 is beginning to catch my eye. I have called all over the Houston area to try to find a place to shoot these guns side by side, but nobody does that anymore.

So, I'm going to have to go by word of mouth. Who has shot these guns and which gun would you go with? I'd like whoever is responding to site specific reasons, not just one is better than the other. Why is better.

 

[JimLittleDevil]

I have never used the M2 , but one of my many guns is the urika 2.

This gun is one of the best guns money can buy ... im my opinion !

It never jams , never seems to miss , and is so comfortable when firing that you can use it all day without a problem.

Just keep it clean and you wont go far wrong.

It is dead easy to dissasemble and put back together.

A total joy to use

 

[RWH24]

I concur with the above statement :wink:

+2

 

[bel_dad]

This is the classic, win/win. Both are very fine guns, and I don't think you can make a mistake here. Pick the one that feels best to you.

bd

 

[Mokeman3]

I'm on the fence, and I have no idea which gun to buy. A few days ago I was 100% on the Urika 2, now the M2 is beginning to catch my eye. I have called all over the Houston area to try to find a place to shoot these guns side by side, but nobody does that anymore.

So, I'm going to have to go by word of mouth. Who has shot these guns and which gun would you go with? I'd like whoever is responding to site specific reasons, not just one is better than the other. Why is better.

First off, there is no real comparison in my mind - the U2 is a gas job, and the M2 is the infamous Inertia system.

I'm real-real close to closing a deal on either a new SBE II, or the M2, and for reasons that are really really important to me. I owned the Benelli SuperSport (same basic platform as the M2), and like a fool, I sold it. Although I've never shot or dismantaled a U2, I do have a gas job (Franchi Raptor 712).

The issue for me was cleaning, really. Gas jobs are Ok for economy, and situations where you don't shoot a lot, but once I tore down my Inertia driven Benelli SuperSport for the first time (when I still had it), I was totally sold. Bada-bing!.

Over and above the cleaning issue, I didn't like the idea of hot powder gases being trapped under the forearm piece. It looks like the U2 might have a vent at the tip of the forearm, but still, gas operated guns in my opinion are a "compromise design", period. They can't be equated to the totally clean, and inovative design idea of "inertia". Gas ports and parts will get dirty, carbon up, and quit working. Newton's law on the other hand will never fail.

In my mind, if you are even so much as "remotely" comparing a gas job against an M2 (with ComforTech!), you've already made your decision - get the M2. I am of the belief (maybe incorrectly), that the only reason someone would not choose a Benelli Inertia driven gun when there is a "choice" to be made would be money. But, as you said, the very fact that you are considering it means that you can afford it.

So the specific reasons for the M2 (or any of the Inertia Driven systems w/ ComforTech) are as follows:

1) Reliability, reliability, reliability. There are only like 12 moving parts in the entire gun!

2) Clean!. Shoot that gun (even in the rain) till the cows come home, and the cleanup (if any) is next to nil.

3) Complete tear-down in "stupid" easy to do.

4) Choice of 3 different gel-filled recoil pads, and comb pads available.

5) The ComforTech stuff really works.

I'm missing my SuperSport big time (thus why considering the M2). I was really really down on the whole marketing hype of the ConforTech deal, but after my 19-round Estate fume-fest experiment, I quickly gained a new respect that that system.

MM3

 

[Mokeman3]

Just keep it clean and you wont go far wrong.

Ah!, but you see!, - therein lies the issue ...
With the Benelli Operating System, you do not HAVE to keep it clean - you can run it in the rain, sleet, snow, dust, dirt until the COWS come home, and the cleanup is going to be the same each time, - basically "optional". And nothing to rust means you can ride her hard, and put her away wet. And besides, there is only one gun capable of that very distinct, and pleasant inertia system sound which is something that you never really forget once you hear it, and feel it.

MM3

 

[JimLittleDevil]

Call me old fashioned but ...... I was taught by one of the best regiments in the british army and if i ever suggested putting a gun away dirty they would rtu me ! ... or shoot me.

Im am not even going to bother replying to your statement about " putting it away wet "

Anyone who knows and respects firearm knows .. " Keep it clean and it will kill for you "

Weather does not come much worse than it does in the uk. I have used my Urika 2 "to death" in all weathers , never had a jam yet.

 

[Mokeman3]

Weather does not come much worse than it does in the uk.

I don't know what the annual precipitation is where you live, but in my little town, it's 57.1 inches (Maple Valley Washington), with a Seattle Washington average of about 39 inches, so there are lots of times guns are getting wet and put away either wet, or damp. And that's not even addressing hunting or waterfowling which the SBE/M2 seems to cater to. Having essentially a water proof gun like any of the Benelli synthetics has high value (in my opinion).

Just curious, if price were not an issue, what are the main selling points that would put the U2 as the better choice than the M2 ?

MM3

 

[JimLittleDevil]

Just a quick apology if i came across a bit rude in my last posting , no offence was intended.

In my original post i said i have never used an M2 but i have used the Urika 2 extensivly.

My Main concern with all firearms is Safety , Security and reliability.

The Urika 2 has never ever let me down. Never a jam , never any other problem to mention, and i have fired a shot or two.

Selling points,

Gun looks the part.

Is light and comfortable to carry and fire .... all day.

I can sometimes cover 10 mile in a day.

I cant get the gun to jam with any load or type of cartridge , even after Three days non stop in the field.

I have put this gun through every type of undesiriable condition i can find... still work every time.

I have even fired it after it has been totally submerged in water for 20 minutes. .... faultless !

Is a dodle to strip down , clean and reasemble. Only a few moving parts , nothing small and/or easy to loose.

I am a great fan of gas operated weapons , L1A1 SLR , L7A2 GPMG , etc etc. With the exception of the L42 Snipers rifle ... gas is best.

Very low recoil , even using 50 gram BB shells.

Synthetic stock easy to hold in Very icy cold wet conditions, Impact plastic trigger guard no problem in sub zero temp.

Extra wide trigger guard enables you to wear the thickest of gloves , should you wish to do so ?.

I could go on and on.

Its as good as they come.

 

[bel_dad]

See what I mean Tex... both are very, very fine guns. :lol:

bd

 

[GearJammer]

My vote goes for the Beretta

 

[Worc]

Like some have already said they are both very good guns that are well made and reliable designs. They both are good choices for all around use. I don't think that either design is better than the other. Each has it pro's and con's. Both designs need to be cleaned as the both get powder in their actions and trigger groups. Gas model just have a little more to clean with their gas systems. Leaving a gun wet is asking for future issues regardless of the operation type.

The M2 is Inertia operated and the AL391 is Gas operated. Both will go a long time between cleanings with the M2 having the edge. The M2 is easy to tear down and the AL391 is one of the more complicated models although it's not that hard to do. They weigh about the same and both have a stock heavy balance point like most Italian semi auto models. The M2 has a larger triangle safety buton at the back of the trigger gaurd and the AL391's is a smaller round on at the front. The M2 has the soft comb that can be changed which is the only good part of the ComforTech stock. The M2 has a mid height rid to the AL391's lower one. They both come with shims to aadjust their stocks for a better fit. They both come in several finishes and the AL391's camo and B/S models come with rubber inserts in the grip areas. The AL391 has a much thinner fore arm. They both have automatic magazine cutoff's and the AL391 has the additional bolt lock lever on the left side of the receiver. The AL391 has a top locking lug and the M2 has a rotary bolt face. This makes the M2 longer in overall length than the AL391 with the same barrel lengths. The AL391 will cycle lighter loads better than the M2. They both hold four rounds total but, the M2 can take an extension and the AL391 can't. The AL391 has a larger bore which tends to pattern hard non toxic loads better.

Hold both and pick the one you like the best.

 

[BKTJ]

I own 4 Beretta 391s and 2 Benelli M2s. The Berettas are: 1 30" sporting, 1 30" trap, 1 26" field (all 12ga) and 1 26" field (20ga). The Benellis are : 1 28" walnut M2 and 1 26" Comfortech M2 (both 12ga). If I am going to shoot clays I take the Berettas, as I find them better suited to that game and lighter on recoil. If I am going into the field I take the Benellis, as they are lighter to carry and easier to clean grit, dirt or mud out of (fewer moving parts). However, if I had to get rid of all but 1, I would keep the Beretta. Both the M2 and the 391 are extremely reliable and of very good quality, but I feel the Beretta is of a little higher quality and finish. My opinions are based on my real world use and ownership of both shotguns. My suggestion is to buy both, as you will probably love them equally.

On a side note, I recently purchased the M2 Comfortech from user DCx2 on this site. I think he replaced the M2 with a 391(you might pm him and ask why). I bought the M2 Comfortech to compare with the recoil of my M2 walnut. Today I ran 500+ rds thru both Benellis and my sholder is a bit tender. I can honestly say the recoil is slightly, probably, maybe a little less with the Comfortech stock.

TJ

 

[SS]

I shot both and bought the Beretta. For me it was the right decision. You didn't say what you intend to use the gun for. If it's for hunting, either will do. If it's for clays, the Beretta is clearly better, as it shoots softer, is offered in more configurations and has lots of good aftermarket stuff available. It is far and away the autoloader of choice today for Trap and Sporting.

 

[Mokeman3]

Hold both and pick the one you like the best.

I took your advice tonight.
I spent an inordinate amount of time in G.I. Joes tonight shouldering both, the U2 and an SBE II in 28-inch (they didn't have an M2). Both camo's.

The choice was clear for me - SBE-II all the way. The U2 felt very front heavy to me (good for recoil absorbsion I guess).

One odd thing that I just I just can't believe is, neither I, or 2 of the G.I. Joe kids behind the counter could find on the U2 cammo what size the chamber was - no where was it marked on the gun (that the 3 of us could find) whether or not it could take 3, or 3-1/2 inch shells. Probably not a big deal, but I get anal about details like that.

I'm hooked on the SBE-II in Max-4 camo, and gonna liberate one this week.

MM3