Beretta is a gas gun / shoots dirtier than an inertia gun / but they've performed well over the years.
Benelli is an inertia gun / shoots a lot cleaner / if the one you are looking at has the ComfortTech system in it, it will probably give you about the same recoil as a gas gun.
That is definitely a false statement by you. I've shot a number of models of both gun brands, and I can definitely say that both Beretta 391 and Browning Gold gas operated shotguns shoot softer and have less recoil, all other factors being equal. A Benelli will definitely have more recoil.
The downside to gas operated guns, though, is the fact that they do take more work to clean. So that is a valid criticism of them. The extra cleaning effort causes you to get much more exposure to lead, both through skin absorption or particles in the air.
And significant lead exposure can lead to cancer and/or brain damage over a long period of time. One should always use gloves when cleaning your gun to eliminate skin exposure, and always clean your gun in a well ventilated area.
Slip 2000 makes a fantastic product called Gas Piston Parts and Choke Tube Cleaner. I highly recommend it to shotgun shooters, especially those who shoot gas operated guns. Makes cleaning the gas piston so very easy.
Shooter's Choice Shotgun and Choke Tube Cleaner is also another must have for any shotgun owner. It removes carbon buildup so very easily. Makes cleaning the rest of your shotgun far easier and much faster.
Don't waste a lot of your time scrubbing away with traditional gun cleaning solvents. Use the above products, and maintaining your shotgun will become a lot easier and quicker to do.
The 391 seems to cycle everything / and while its hard to prove, I think the Benelli system cycles a little faster - whether you will notice it or not, hard to tell / but to me there is a difference. Beretta is cheaper / but I think you get a lot of gun for the money from Benelli .... My vote is for the Benelli.
This opinion of yours is nothing that is based at all in actual reality.
See:
Tim Bradley ( Beretta ):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8p-xIs76RA
Patrick Flanigan ( Browning & Winchester ):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qY0ufo8W8DU
Scott Robertson ( Beretta ):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXWoW3fw0IY
Average Joe Beretta owner:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkWvsg_98hQ
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