joshua79109 Posted July 18, 2009 Share Posted July 18, 2009 I'm just getting set up for 3gun. I have been trying to decide between the Benelli M2 and the FN SLP Mark 1. I believe I have decided on the FN. I have two other firearms from FN and I really like the company. I know there are more people out there that like the Benelli and I know it's proven to be a great shotgun. The one thing that worries me about the FN is that it dosen't have much for aftermarket support. So with all that said - for those that are running the FN do you have any suggestions? Any thing about the FN that might surprise me? Thanks for any help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
00bullitt Posted July 18, 2009 Share Posted July 18, 2009 The FN does not need much aftermarket support. Its GTG right out of the box. Maybe an extended bolt handle by Nordic. And maybe an extended bolt release. Some mill work or dremel action to the load port. Maybe weld the lifter. But it is pretty damn competitive right out of the box. And I am an Ex Benelli guy. I now recommend the SLP to anyone getting started in 3 gun. The SLP is as solid of a shotgun as the Benelli. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigCat88 Posted July 18, 2009 Share Posted July 18, 2009 (edited) I started the 3 gun deal this year and went with the FNH SLP MK1 and could not be happier. Like Tod said, just get a Nordic bolt handle, WELD THE LIFT GATE and a little dremel and polish. Go shoot a couple hundred rounds through it on a sporting clays course, clean it, shoot another 50 and wet it good the morning of competition. Oh, and always use the light piston. Only use the heavy for 3" loads. I shot with Tod at Kentucky whenhe had ole' Nelli before he sold her. Then at Fayette he had the new SX. I think the FN had "shown him the light". Tod, I hope I'm not speaking out of school here? If you needs some pictures of my mods let me know and I'll be glad to share. I've got a pretty nice BRA (bolt release assist) that my smith made. You'll need one of those too. Enjoy your FN! Edited July 18, 2009 by CATman33 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshua79109 Posted July 18, 2009 Author Share Posted July 18, 2009 I started the 3 gun deal this year and went with the FNH SLP MK1 and could not be happier. Like Tod said, just get a Nordic bolt handle, WELD THE LIFT GATE and a little dremel and polish. Go shoot a couple hundred rounds through it on a sporting clays course, clean it, shoot another 50 and wet it good the morning of competition. Oh, and always use the light piston. Only use the heavy for 3" loads. I shot with Tod at Kentucky whenhe had ole' Nelli before he sold her. Then at Fayette he had the new SX. I think the FN had "shown him the light". Tod, I hope I'm not speaking out of school here? If you needs some pictures of my mods let me know and I'll be glad to share. I've got a pretty nice BRA (bolt release assist) that my smith made. You'll need one of those too. Enjoy your FN! I would really appreciate some photos - I get through Topeka regularly and would be happy to drop off some of your favorite beverage. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
00bullitt Posted July 18, 2009 Share Posted July 18, 2009 (edited) Ed has some nice mods done to his SLP. His smith does a good workover on them. His has not failed since I have shot with him the last few big matches. I now run the Winchester SX3 which is basically the same as the SLP with some different styling. See my thread below for the pics. Way more costly than the SLP too. The SLP has to be the best deal in practical shotguns right now. The Blue Ridge match was the last time I shot my Benelli before I sold it. It was a great gun and I have absolutely nothing against them. It was just time for a change for me. I recently just put an FN 26" vent rib barrel on my SLP and boy did it make it balance better. It is now 10 ounces lighter too. I much prefer the vent rib barrel but that is all personal preference. The vent rib was the big reason I went with the SX3. Oh yeah......Ed......you were supposed to autograph my shotty since you're famous now. You forgot. Wassup wit dat? Edited July 18, 2009 by 00bullitt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigCat88 Posted July 18, 2009 Share Posted July 18, 2009 Ed has some nice mods done to his SLP. His smith does a good workover on them. His has not failed since I have shot with him the last few big matches. I now run the Winchester SX3 which is basically the same as the SLP with some different styling. See my thread below for the pics. Way more costly than the SLP too. The SLP has to be the best deal in practical shotguns right now.The Blue Ridge match was the last time I shot my Benelli before I sold it. It was a great gun and I have absolutely nothing against them. It was just time for a change for me. I recently just put an FN 26" vent rib barrel on my SLP and boy did it make it balance better. It is now 10 ounces lighter too. I much prefer the vent rib barrel but that is all personal preference. The vent rib was the big reason I went with the SX3. Oh yeah......Ed......you were supposed to autograph my shotty since you're famous now. You forgot. Wassup wit dat? Hi Tod. Man you don't want to ruin that nice SX by putting my chicken scratch on her. And I don't know about "famous"? I'll probably get cut in editing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigCat88 Posted July 18, 2009 Share Posted July 18, 2009 I started the 3 gun deal this year and went with the FNH SLP MK1 and could not be happier. Like Tod said, just get a Nordic bolt handle, WELD THE LIFT GATE and a little dremel and polish. Go shoot a couple hundred rounds through it on a sporting clays course, clean it, shoot another 50 and wet it good the morning of competition. Oh, and always use the light piston. Only use the heavy for 3" loads. I shot with Tod at Kentucky whenhe had ole' Nelli before he sold her. Then at Fayette he had the new SX. I think the FN had "shown him the light". Tod, I hope I'm not speaking out of school here? If you needs some pictures of my mods let me know and I'll be glad to share. I've got a pretty nice BRA (bolt release assist) that my smith made. You'll need one of those too. Enjoy your FN! I would really appreciate some photos - I get through Topeka regularly and would be happy to drop off some of your favorite beverage. Thanks Thanks for the beverage offer. But I hate to drink alone. Feel free to pull in for a pit stop sometime and we'll have a cold one. My pics are too big of file size to post here. I'll try to send them to you in a pm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigCat88 Posted July 18, 2009 Share Posted July 18, 2009 (edited) I started the 3 gun deal this year and went with the FNH SLP MK1 and could not be happier. Like Tod said, just get a Nordic bolt handle, WELD THE LIFT GATE and a little dremel and polish. Go shoot a couple hundred rounds through it on a sporting clays course, clean it, shoot another 50 and wet it good the morning of competition. Oh, and always use the light piston. Only use the heavy for 3" loads. I shot with Tod at Kentucky whenhe had ole' Nelli before he sold her. Then at Fayette he had the new SX. I think the FN had "shown him the light". Tod, I hope I'm not speaking out of school here? If you needs some pictures of my mods let me know and I'll be glad to share. I've got a pretty nice BRA (bolt release assist) that my smith made. You'll need one of those too. Enjoy your FN! I would really appreciate some photos - I get through Topeka regularly and would be happy to drop off some of your favorite beverage. Thanks I think I've got it now. Lets see if these work. In the last pic, note the little nub that as put on the back side of the lift gate. That is so the gate doesn't go to far down (or I guess it woul be up?) Anyhow your shell can kind of "bump" goign into the tube and raising the gate just a touch makes it smoooth as silk. enjoy Edited July 18, 2009 by CATman33 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigCat88 Posted July 18, 2009 Share Posted July 18, 2009 I started the 3 gun deal this year and went with the FNH SLP MK1 and could not be happier. Like Tod said, just get a Nordic bolt handle, WELD THE LIFT GATE and a little dremel and polish. Go shoot a couple hundred rounds through it on a sporting clays course, clean it, shoot another 50 and wet it good the morning of competition. Oh, and always use the light piston. Only use the heavy for 3" loads. I shot with Tod at Kentucky whenhe had ole' Nelli before he sold her. Then at Fayette he had the new SX. I think the FN had "shown him the light". Tod, I hope I'm not speaking out of school here? If you needs some pictures of my mods let me know and I'll be glad to share. I've got a pretty nice BRA (bolt release assist) that my smith made. You'll need one of those too. Enjoy your FN! I would really appreciate some photos - I get through Topeka regularly and would be happy to drop off some of your favorite beverage. Thanks I think I've got it now. Lets see if these work. In the last pic, note the little nub that as put on the back side of the lift gate. That is so the gate doesn't go to far down (or I guess it woul be up?) Anyhow your shell can kind of "bump" goign into the tube and raising the gate just a touch makes it smoooth as silk. enjoy That last pic didn't load here it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshua79109 Posted July 18, 2009 Author Share Posted July 18, 2009 Thanks for the info and pics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missouriatc Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 I would like to get those mods done myself. Does your guy work on other peoples stuff? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigCat88 Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 I would like to get those mods done myself. Does your guy work on other peoples stuff? Only on a very limited basis. But he's not taking on any others right now. I think he's very busy building pistols. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trickpony Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 I would like to get those mods done myself. Does your guy work on other peoples stuff? PM Sent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blaster Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 Does theSLP Mark I work like Browning Gold when slide locked back and shell inserted into mag it goes straight into barrel? Would SLP Mark 1 Pistol grip stock fit on Browning Gold? Thanks Blaster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
00bullitt Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 Browning Gold Autoload feature is exclusive to Browning. Yes the SLP pistol grip stock will work on the Browning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1bigshooter Posted August 13, 2009 Share Posted August 13, 2009 Have been shooting a REM 11-87 for years, and am looking at new shotguns.... What is the reason for welding on the lifter? Is it just to keep from pinching fingers? Thanks all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
00bullitt Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 Have been shooting a REM 11-87 for years, and am looking at new shotguns....What is the reason for welding on the lifter? Is it just to keep from pinching fingers? Thanks all! Yes.....it helps prevent getting a finger trapped by the load gate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Bond Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 Have been shooting a REM 11-87 for years, and am looking at new shotguns....What is the reason for welding on the lifter? Is it just to keep from pinching fingers? Thanks all! Yes.....it helps prevent getting a finger trapped by the load gate. Todd is there any reason that they come from the factory designed as they are? Why Benelli puts on a lifter which appears by design to be intended to screw up your finger or nail escapes me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
00bullitt Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 Have been shooting a REM 11-87 for years, and am looking at new shotguns....What is the reason for welding on the lifter? Is it just to keep from pinching fingers? Thanks all! Yes.....it helps prevent getting a finger trapped by the load gate. Todd is there any reason that they come from the factory designed as they are? Why Benelli puts on a lifter which appears by design to be intended to screw up your finger or nail escapes me. I've not yet had anyone give me the true reasoning behind the forked lifter. It definitely does not lend itself well to the art of high speed shotgun reloading. I'd be willing to bet that KirkM guy may know the reason of why it is done that way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Bond Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 (edited) Have been shooting a REM 11-87 for years, and am looking at new shotguns....What is the reason for welding on the lifter? Is it just to keep from pinching fingers? Thanks all! Yes.....it helps prevent getting a finger trapped by the load gate. Todd is there any reason that they come from the factory designed as they are? Why Benelli puts on a lifter which appears by design to be intended to screw up your finger or nail escapes me. I've not yet had anyone give me the true reasoning behind the forked lifter. It definitely does not lend itself well to the art of high speed shotgun reloading. I'd be willing to bet that KirkM guy may know the reason of why it is done that way. Forked Lifter? Now that is truly a great tem. I just can not wait to use it in the Benelli booth at SHOT. But because I like you I will not quote you! Edited August 14, 2009 by Charles Bond Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRUBL Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 The fork in both guns.....is to help guide the shell into the chamber, when the lifter is up. Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
00bullitt Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 The lifters are like that because they are all forked up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1bigshooter Posted August 16, 2009 Share Posted August 16, 2009 It looks like a safety thing for clearance around the primer, but maybe not, maybe I'm all forked up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Bond Posted August 16, 2009 Share Posted August 16, 2009 I am shooting a large sporting clays tournment this weekend and looked at the Vinci Benelli yesterday. The loading gate on that model is a huge improvement and there is no that gate should not fit the M2 or SBE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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