Benelli M2 Practical 9+1 or Bora BR99

[qws]

Help, I cannot decide which to go for!!

The Benelli has great write ups and is seen everywhere on the PSG circuit.

The BR99 New boy on the block magazine fed 5 or 10 rounds.

Benelli just over the £1000 the BR @ £499.00

Which would you buy and why.

I am not the greatest speed loader but with practice and correct technique will get faster. Mag fed BR99 easy but will need a number of mags at £39.50 each to run a full stand.

I like the idea of the mag fed BR but not many as of yet in the PSG area, and I understand it would fit in the open class ?

Comments and recomendations - please

[dodgyrog]

I've got an M1 I could bring down the club to show you. Two speed loaders and pouch as well.

[BamBam]

Standard class - semi-auto magtube fed shotguns is the largest class, more competitors and more chance of a decent placing. Standard manual is next in size for those pumpers, unless you run a supernova you're behind the curve.
Open class is the smallest group with mag and speed loaded shotguns, not as much competition, so it never appealed much to me.

I would get the Benelli you can start shooting almost straight away, load from a pocket even and develop your loading style and techniques from watching those around you.

[Geek]

I agree with BamBam.

I use a converted section 2 Fabarm (now 10+1), not a purpose built PSG shotgun and those at the top of the leaderboad do seem to be using Benelli.

At one of the clubs where I shoot PSG someone has a Bora99 and it always seems to be jamming.

[Grima]

Mmmm. the M2 is that the same gun the US forces tried & rejected.
But used the M4, same GAS system as the SPAS 15 that they pinched when they were bought them out.
Out of the box a M2 will run. If it's not tight in your shoulder it will not cycle.
Mag fed guns are a step forward, but as they are new to the market it's hard to convince the old farts.
I have a tuned Saiga 12 & a upgraded BR99 both would p*** on any tube fed gun.
You would have to have a BR99 seen to, to make it a comp gun.

[StangGT]

A chap I know has both. He only shoots the Bora. They are huge fun...

[qws]

Mmmm. the M2 is that the same gun the US forces tried & rejected.
But used the M4, same GAS system as the SPAS 15 that they pinched when they were bought them out.
Out of the box a M2 will run. If it's not tight in your shoulder it will not cycle.
Mag fed guns are a step forward, but as they are new to the market it's hard to convince the old farts.
I have a tuned Saiga 12 & a upgraded BR99 both would p*** on any tube fed gun.
You would have to have a BR99 seen to, to make it a comp gun.

What tuning or upgrades would you recommend to get it to comp standard.

I have seen the left hand front guard bolt cycle add on - looks good on you tube. I also know I will need a 3-4 10 round mags.

[Blackstuff]

There are a plethora of threads on both guns on this site alone, let alone the UKPSA, F4i, Saiga12 forums.

There is no easy answer as it will come down to your individual choice. Some people enjoy the challenge of loading the shotgun as well as shooting it and wouldn't dream of using a box mag gun as that makes it too easy*. Others still think semi-auto's are cheating as the gun does half the work for you and would only use a pump, but they are usually a bit

*I'd say its different, rather than easy.

The only thing you NEED to do to a BR99 to get it competition ready is file out the magazine well so that the 10rd mags insert and remove freely, and possibly do something about the length of pull if its too long for you. Everything else is superfluous, and a lot of it just window dressing.

Going to comps and watching how the two types of guns run is the best way to decide. Most people know instinctively whether they would prefer a tube or box mag gun.

Considerations;

BR99
£499 gun
£160-200 for mags
£30-50 belt/pouches
+Broken parts. If you are running a BR99 at competition level rather than just occasionally plinking you WILL break parts on it which can cost between £10-£60 a throw.

The gun is only really suitable for PSG/TSG, nothing else. I have taken mine clay shooting but it was like trying to go off-roading in a Fiesta, yeah you might do it and it would be fun, but its not the right tool for the job.

M2
£900-1300 gun
£50-200 mods to get it competition ready (welded lifter ESSENTIAL, mag extension (N.B. Do NOT buy a 'long-mag'/practical/tactical version!!!!!!!! Get the short-mag field version), reaming out of ejection port to help with loading etc)
£100-300 competition level loading belt

The gun is highly unlikely to break down or have component parts break or even wear out. My 8 year old M2 is still running its factory internals.
Will retain a decent resale price.
Can be used for clays/pest control etc

[Thorney]

What he said.

If you like to practice re-loading and see that as part of the discipline (which is a fair enough comment) the the benelli. If you just like to shoot things rather than reload things then get the Bora.

I ran with a standard semi for a while but lacked the time to train to get reloading right and hated competing as a result, swapped to the Bora and love it. I've not shot much this year as racing has been full on but I wouldnt change back.

[qws]

Hi Thorney, My gut feeling is to go for the Bora. I know Mag fed is new to the circuit, but I reckon more and more will go this route to the Mag fed systems. The sport is about shooting not re-loading ??? !!!!