28" Barrel Okay For Limited?

[syme71]

Want to get into 3-gun this year and have pretty much settled on Benelli M2. Most people I have spoken with strongly recommend a 21" barrel. Local shop has a Benelli M2 field with a 28" barrel. No one stocks 21" barrel and is apparently difficult to get from Benelli - (had three local NJ dealers tell me this). Can I go with the 28" or hold out for a 21". I do plan to shoot trap occasionally so I figure the 28" won't hurt.

Edited January 28, 2006 by syme71

[richardschennberg]

For Trap, you will need the 28" barrel. Go ahead and get a tube extension that will allow 10 shells in the tube and 1 in the chamber. Loading it full would bump you to Open, but many local side matches don't split Divisions, or have pumps as a seperate category. Most matches with a Limited, Standard, or Tactical Division would allow you to simply load 8 in the tube at start; otherwised, you can put a -2 plug (usually included with a new shotgun) behind the spring to physically limit it to 8 shells.

I have a Remington 870 with a 10-shell tube and a 28" barrel. I find that the extra weight of the 28" barrel might slow me down only slightly, but it can be really annoying if a stage designer combines rear fault lines with barricades. So if you are planning to win HOA, a 21" or 22" barrel is better. Otherwise, just have fun with your 28" Open/Limited/Trap shotgun.

[sargenv]

Under USPSA rules, there is no rule stating barrel length for Limited, Tactical, Open, etc. However, if you shoot The Mystery Mountain 3 gun match, Rocky Mountain 3 gun, or other 3-gun match that does not adhere to the USPSA rules, you will be bumped to open for having a barrel in excess of I believe 22". When I shot the SSMM3G match, I shot Open with my Gold but when I went to the 3G nationals, I shot in Tactical class with it. It really depends on which game you want to shoot that will determine barrel length.

Vince

[mike.45]

In IPSC or USPSA your 28" barrel is fine for limited and whilst it may not be the perfect length it is unlikely so slow you down to a degree that you find quantifiable at this stage. I know a lot of people who shoot Limited with 28" barreled guns and they do just fine.

With regards big outlaw 3 gun matches like SMM the rules are starting to evolve, like in IPSC, where the barrel length no longer matters but the initial load is restricted - at SMM this year the initial load cannot be more than 9 in the gun. This is making it easier for people who have guns like yours to come and play in those kind of matches and is a sensible rule.

Your 28" barrel is good to go - now just go shoot and have fun !

[MCFooter]

If you want a 21" barrel they can be found. You may still want to way out the multi-purpose decision but used longer barrels are eaiser to find.

I just purchased a NIB 21" M2 from Marc at http://www.murphyshotguns.com/ . He had the best price I could find and it was in stock. His Gun Broker name is A50Caliber and normally has a few Benelli's listed.

Good Luck Shopping