Benelli vs. Beretta … ?
Benelli and Beretta seem to be competing with each other to produce the lightest shotgun autoloading shotgun. Earlier this year Benelli introduced the Vinci, which they claimed was one of the lighest autoloading shotguns available. Beretta recently responded with the Beretta Xplor, which is even lighter than the Vinci.
Benelli now claim they have designed the lightest autoloader in the world and will unveil it at SHOT Show.
This competition would make sense if they were separate companies but since 2000 Benelli has been owned by Beretta.
I’ve seen this artificial competition before. It generates buzz as the 2 struggle and people buy up the latest models and gets them press as they are each reviewed by blogs and mags. A ton of people have no idea who owns who and Beretta corporate wins all around.
Beretta owned a partial stake in Benelli long before they bought them out completely. Over the years, Beretta has owned large stakes in several gunmakers, including FN. GIAT bought out Beretta’s stake in FN prior to selling FN back to the Belgians. Following this, Beretta set out a big buying spree, which included Benelli, Franchi, Uberti, and Sako.
I am wondering if this is really a competitor for the Xplor at all. I am assuming that the “28″ on the side is 28 guage. So I am thinking the Xplor will be goose killer but this will be an ultra-lite niche gun geared for people who can’t have or don’t want something heavy for the field?
Light is good, but I wish Beretta and Benelli would get into a race to make the most *affordable* autoloader.
Daniel, interesting. I did not know that they once owned much of FN.
Bill, well spotted. I missed that 28.
Benelli Vs. Beretta? Isn’t that like Ford vs. Mercury?This whole thing is silly, though. Who want’s a lighter shotgun? Those things kick! That’s why everyone is carrying AR-15s now!
I doubt any of these Beretta-corporation offerings will be lighter than an Armalite AR-9. That thing had an Aluminum barrel!
So, at what point does the recoil get too violent when you are constantly making the guns lighter?
Also, won’t a lighter gun decrease the muzzle velocity?
Both guns have recoil reducing systems.
Doesn’t really sound all that different from the internal horsepower wars GM had back in the ’60s between Chevy, Olds, and Pontiac. Why shouldn’t divisions of the same company try to top each other? Competition improves the breed, after all.
I agree with Dave. I like the Beretta xplor but he walk out price is almost $1700. Be nice to get one around $1000.
What’s the best autoloader for the price? Not sure I could afford a beretta or benelli at this time but something in the price range of 600-800 dollars if possible.