I would like to buy a new duck gun and I have both Berettas and Brownings and both brands fit me well. I am interested in the Beretta Extrema II and the Browning Maxus. Being the are both roughly the same price which one do you guys think would be better? and what are your experiences possitive and negative with both. thanks.
Beretta Extrema 2 or Browning Maxus
- Thread starter pdt1793db
- Start date
...I bought the new Maxus a couple of weeks ago and have started dropping geese with it. I LOVE this gun and 3.5's are no recoil problem at all (even with it's lightweight), nor are my very light reloads. It's easy to take apart, has the speed loader and magazine cut-off, and the forearm comes off as easy as my O/U with out any twist cap to drop or lose. Good looking too! It's now my favorite waterfowl gun and I think it will be for many others as well!
LanceOregon
Moderator
The Maxus has only been on dealer shelves for only a few weeks, so it would be difficult to get much feedback on it.
My impression is that Browning developed the Maxus in order to better compete against the Extrema 2, as it was clearly superior to the older Browning Gold autoloaders.
My experience with my Extrema 2 and Browning Gold shotguns has been that the Brownings do tend to have slightly lighter recoil. If this new Maxus does have an even better gas system as Browning claims, then I imagine that it would win out over the Extrema recoil wise.
The Extrema 2 has a trigger that is far superior to the Browning Gold shotguns. But Browning claims that the new Maxus has a brand new trigger system that is top notch. How did the trigger pulls compare to you when you handled both shotguns? Did you have a preference?
I would say that you should buy the gun that feels most comfortable for you to swing.
I personally like a heavier gun. I think it makes your swing smoother, and provides more momentum so that you don't stop your swing, which is easily the biggest mistake that shotgunners tend to make when shooting.
But I've never held a Maxus, so I definitely cannot comment on how it feels. But it is 3/4 of a lb lighter than the Beretta Extrema 2. So I have got to believe that the guns are going to have a different feel to them when brought to the shoulder.
If you don't care about hunting geese, and plan to just shoot 3" Magnum loads when duck hunting, another option would be the Beretta 391 Urika II. It is almost as light as the Browning Maxus, being only 1/5 of a pound heavier.
The bottom line is that you should buy the shotgun that feels most comfortable for you to swing.
My impression is that Browning developed the Maxus in order to better compete against the Extrema 2, as it was clearly superior to the older Browning Gold autoloaders.
My experience with my Extrema 2 and Browning Gold shotguns has been that the Brownings do tend to have slightly lighter recoil. If this new Maxus does have an even better gas system as Browning claims, then I imagine that it would win out over the Extrema recoil wise.
The Extrema 2 has a trigger that is far superior to the Browning Gold shotguns. But Browning claims that the new Maxus has a brand new trigger system that is top notch. How did the trigger pulls compare to you when you handled both shotguns? Did you have a preference?
I would say that you should buy the gun that feels most comfortable for you to swing.
I personally like a heavier gun. I think it makes your swing smoother, and provides more momentum so that you don't stop your swing, which is easily the biggest mistake that shotgunners tend to make when shooting.
But I've never held a Maxus, so I definitely cannot comment on how it feels. But it is 3/4 of a lb lighter than the Beretta Extrema 2. So I have got to believe that the guns are going to have a different feel to them when brought to the shoulder.
If you don't care about hunting geese, and plan to just shoot 3" Magnum loads when duck hunting, another option would be the Beretta 391 Urika II. It is almost as light as the Browning Maxus, being only 1/5 of a pound heavier.
The bottom line is that you should buy the shotgun that feels most comfortable for you to swing.
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"Extrema 2, as it was clearly superior to the older Browning Gold autoloaders"
The ones I've handled felt/balanced/handled terribly. Love the Winchester/Browning guns, although the only one I own is an SX-2 3.5" Waterfowl. Who knows why companies do what they do. Makes for interesting advertising though.
John
The ones I've handled felt/balanced/handled terribly. Love the Winchester/Browning guns, although the only one I own is an SX-2 3.5" Waterfowl. Who knows why companies do what they do. Makes for interesting advertising though.
John
I do like that the safety on the Browning is in a more convenient place than the Beretta and that it is reversable. This being nice because I am left eye domiant and shoot off my left shoulder. From what I understand for the safety to push off from the left side I have to buy a new trigger group from Beretta. I have held both guns and was impressed with both of them. I have also read as many user comments on the Maxus as I can find and have heard nothing but good reviews. So right now I'm leaning more towards the maxus. But if anyone has information that I am not aware of or facts that I am missing please let me know.
Well I'm someone that likes both the Extrema II, and even the SBE II. Had someone offered me either at a great price...well knowing me I still probably would've decided on the Maxus! 
Once I've decided something is the best I tend to grab it unless it is so overpriced I think I am way past hitting the intersect of price/value. I've been primarily and O/U guy so I found the very light weight of the Maxus an advantage actually in swinging the gun around and I think I have been catching both clays and real birds I was formerly shooting behind. Keeping it swinging is something we all have to learn anyway. The trigger is just great. Browning apparently has the studies to prove it locks in 24% faster than it's competitors but I don't think the difference is THAT noticeable. I did do a google search to check on others impressions and the Maxus seems to be preferred but admittedly this is still a very small sample size so "not a scientific study" would apply here. They're both good guns, undeniably. We are not talking about a "star" and a "clunker" here by any means!
Once I've decided something is the best I tend to grab it unless it is so overpriced I think I am way past hitting the intersect of price/value. I've been primarily and O/U guy so I found the very light weight of the Maxus an advantage actually in swinging the gun around and I think I have been catching both clays and real birds I was formerly shooting behind. Keeping it swinging is something we all have to learn anyway. The trigger is just great. Browning apparently has the studies to prove it locks in 24% faster than it's competitors but I don't think the difference is THAT noticeable. I did do a google search to check on others impressions and the Maxus seems to be preferred but admittedly this is still a very small sample size so "not a scientific study" would apply here. They're both good guns, undeniably. We are not talking about a "star" and a "clunker" here by any means!LanceOregon
Moderator
Dude:
No competitive target shooters shoot lightweight guns. Shotgunners serious about their shooting shoot heavier guns with long barrels.
Heavier objects have more MOMENTUM. That has nothing to do with the person shooting the gun. It is a rule of physics, a pure scientific fact. It is not something that can be argued against. A heavier shotgun is harder to stop swinging: FACT.
Just look at Browning's own trap guns, skeet guns, and sporting clays shotguns.
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LanceOregon
Moderator
So you admit that you have never even shot one, yet you feel competent to judge which is better???
Amazing.
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I know that Lance. I was not taking about maintaining momentum but quickly swinging the gun around to get a fourth shot after reloading to drop another goose like I did yesterday. I should have specified what I meant in clays and given a recent example: I called for doubles at station 8 in skeet and nailed them both with my Maxus last week. I don't shoot skeet a lot but I usually call for singles with my Citori when I do. I did say that not stopping the gun is something we all need to learn. Learning that, I can see a decided advantage in a light gun for the field; "shotgunners serious about their shooting" notwithstanding.
I did say that not stopping the gun is something we all need to learn. Learning that, I can see a decided advantage in a light gun for the field; "shotgunners serious about their shooting" notwithstanding.
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"So you admit that you have never even shot one, yet you feel competent to judge which is better???"
It appears that you need reading lessons. I clearly stated what I knew about it, no more, no less. I never said which one was better. Read what I posted again and see for yourself. The Browning/Win guns fit me better and feel better and that's all I said.
I don't know what your problem is.
John
edited to add: Obviously clearly superior is in the eye of the beholder. You do know that the Golds and the SX-2's are all but identical don't you.
It appears that you need reading lessons. I clearly stated what I knew about it, no more, no less. I never said which one was better. Read what I posted again and see for yourself. The Browning/Win guns fit me better and feel better and that's all I said.
I don't know what your problem is.
John
edited to add: Obviously clearly superior is in the eye of the beholder. You do know that the Golds and the SX-2's are all but identical don't you.
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I held a maxus the other day at a gun store and i've never held a shotgun that fit so well. My cousin calls me and says he's coming down for duck hunting in a week, and his walmart has 2 extrema 2s for 1186$. Haha now he's got me thinking cause thats a hell of a deal for an extrema2 but at the cost of not knowing how the gun will fit. Where as the browning feels/fits/swings like no shotgun i've held.
sourdough44
New member
I have an M2 & 2 Golds, a 12 & 20. I think either would be fine. I've always had good luck with Browning.
Will Fennell
New member
Beretta is fit adjustable
To the OP,
I have 0 experience with the Browning you mentioned, but quite a bit with the Beretta. The Extrema 2 is an extremely light recoiling shotgun. I don't find I need the oprional kick off system, with the possible exception of shooting turkey loads and slugs from a seated, static position.
I even have a few students shooting them at clays, and they run on light target loads just fine.
Keep in mind, the Extrema, like the 391 Urika and Tykneys, have a user adjustable system that lets the end user adjust for cast and height of comb with supplied shim system included with the gun.
Heck, I shoot a regular 391 Urika at waterfowl most of the time, and have not found a duck I can't hammer with 2.75" heavyshot, or a goose that can't be folded with 3" heavyshot. Its the address, not so much the package.
Either way you go, have a good season, and get out and shoot some clays before you go!
Best Regards,
Will Fennell
www.willfennellsportingpursuits.blogspot.com
To the OP,
I have 0 experience with the Browning you mentioned, but quite a bit with the Beretta. The Extrema 2 is an extremely light recoiling shotgun. I don't find I need the oprional kick off system, with the possible exception of shooting turkey loads and slugs from a seated, static position.
I even have a few students shooting them at clays, and they run on light target loads just fine.
Keep in mind, the Extrema, like the 391 Urika and Tykneys, have a user adjustable system that lets the end user adjust for cast and height of comb with supplied shim system included with the gun.
Heck, I shoot a regular 391 Urika at waterfowl most of the time, and have not found a duck I can't hammer with 2.75" heavyshot, or a goose that can't be folded with 3" heavyshot. Its the address, not so much the package.
Either way you go, have a good season, and get out and shoot some clays before you go!
Best Regards,
Will Fennell
www.willfennellsportingpursuits.blogspot.com
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Ill be picking up my maxus monday. Ill let everyone know what i think of it since there are very view maxus reviews i've found. As far as shooting clays i did that today and feel like im back. I've had a lack of shooting a shotgun for 2 years now just because hell i just didn't hunt or shoot shotgun wise. Where back in the day even though i am still young me and my cousin shot regularly and i was pretty dang good. Now climbing that mountain all over again haha, it's slowly coming back. Going to hammer some ducks in the morning with the ole remington 870
impalacustom
New member
In case you missed your physics class, heavier objects are also harder to get moving. I'll take a light gun anyday over a heavy guy, you go tromping in a field that is snowy or muddy and walk a quarter section, I think you'll take the light gun too.