Benelli design issues

Posted by Greybeard on Dec 4th, 2010 in Shootist | Comments Off

Today I fully dissassembled the Benelli and studied the way it functions.  (As a 30 year veteran of machine design and troubleshooting)  this is what I came up with:   I believe Benelli has taken a long proven design (the pump shotgun) and may a few minor alterations in the attempt to improve it,  BUT,   in reality,  they have opened up a huge can of worms.   As I watch the movement of the shell from the magazine and into the chamber,  I can see the problems it has.   I can see how the slightest variation in tolerances could cause a problem.   I could easily  fix the feed issue by disabling one of their design changes, but Benelli has a clause in their warrantee,  that voids it if any modifications are made.

After studying the problem,  I discovered that I can also work around it,  by a specific pattern of manipulating the slide.   Basically snapping the slide rearward and forward with very crisp action.  Also,  after loading the magazine,  the slide stop must be released and the slide pulled back about 1/2 in and snapped forward.   If I remember these two actions,  the gun works fine.

Unfortunately that’s a lot to try to cover in a tactical or even a hunting application.   Now I have to decide,  do I send it away for a couple of months and -maybe- get it fixed by the Benelli shop,  or just try to remember the loading dance that actually works?

My photography skills are limited but I’ve included these two photos. (click for larger)  The left photo shows the wrongly positioned carrier, stopping the shell from sliding back into the lift position. (in this case the magazine plunger).   The right photo shows the shell after the carrier lifts and allows the shell to move rearward, on the wrong side of the carrier,  and drop out of the gun.   This wrong,  funtion is all part of the minor design changes, Benelli tried to make.   If  the magazine is loaded,  and the slide slide forward and locked,  with the shell still retained by the magazine catch,   I release the slide, pulled it back 1/2 inch and snap it forward,   the vibration free’s the carrier so it drops into the correct full down postion,  ready to lift the shell when it’s released by the magaine catch.

Do I sent it away for months to let Benelli try to fix it,  or fix it myself, voiding any further warrantee.   I’ll try calling Benelli again on Monday and see what they have to say.   One thing is certain though,  this Benelli WILL NEVER be my “go to” gun in an emergency situation!

Bad News ammended 1.5

Posted by Greybeard on Dec 3rd, 2010 in News and weather, Shootist | Comments Off

I called GM’s benefits line,  and they were very anxious for me to flat out cancel my eye and dental benefits.    The agent was very clear,  I could cancel and save my self $1324 a year,  but I could never reapply for the benefits again.  Seems kind of fishy to me.   Why are they so anxious for me to opt out of the benefits?   I told them I was going to wait a bit before I made a decision.  While waiting I think I’ll call the Insurance Commisioner and see if they have any suggestions.  I’ll also have my dentist take care of any outstanding issues,  while I’m still covered.

As for the Benelli,  It still doesn’t feed and I still have to mail it back to Benelli to get it fixed,  but,   Frank’s Great Outdoors,  where I bought the gun has offered to pay for the packing and shipping.   Thanks to Frank’s.   Before shipping it though, I intend to call Benelli back and ask them why they can’t pay a local gunsmith to fix it?  I really don’t want to have it gone for 4 to 6 weeks!

Bad news 2x

Posted by Greybeard on Dec 2nd, 2010 in News and weather, Shootist | 3 comments

So,   I called Benelli today about my “BRAND NEW” Benelli Nova not feeding shells from the magazine to the chamber.  Response:  ” I guess you’ll have to mail it to us so we can fix it”.   This is a gun I’ve just paid $390 for,  new in the box,  from a brick and morter dealer (Frank’s Great Outdoors).    The cost for me to mail the gun back,  $60.   Ain’t gonna happen guys.   If it comes down to that,  I’ll pay a local gunsmith to fix it,   Benelli’s warrantee SUCKS!

Then to top off my day,  I get a letter from GM Benefits Center notifying me that the cost of my self provided dental and eye coverage is going up from $864.12 to $1326.24 .    (As a reference the first Dental coverage insurer I found online had a plan that cost  $420 a year.)       Doesn’t really sound like GM is offering me much of a plan now does it?    Then’s there’s the other shoe,   Health Care.  I’ve been waiting and expecting for news that it’s going away too.

I have but one question:   If Benelli doesn’t have to honor their contracts,  General Motors doesn’t have to honor their contracts,  and the UAW doesn’t have to honor their contracts,  WHO DOES?   Why do I have to honor any contracts that I hold??????

Benelli Nova

Posted by Greybeard on Nov 29th, 2010 in Shootist | Comments Off

As promised here’s a picture of the new Benelli.   I took it out to the range today and fired my initial rounds through it.   Twenty five Winchester #8 target loads,  at variously thrown clay targets.                                       

I shot it fairly well considering it was my first time with it.  Unfortunately I forgot to change out the improved cylinder screw in choke,  and it didn’t pattern out real will at 25 yards.  It was pretty scattered,  with plenty of holes big enough for a clay pigeon to slip through.  Even though,  I broke the about 17 of the twenty clays I shot at.  (It was COLD!)   I’ve since swapped out the improved cylinder choke for the Modified choke,  and next trip,  I’ll pattern it again,   and hopefully powder a few more clays ( rather than just breaking them). 

I’m a little more excited about takng possesion of the Fox.  Hopefully it will shoot as good as it feels.   The Benelli,  has a bad habit of slapping my cheekbone every time I fire it and failing to feed. (and that’s with the light target loads).  As it seems right now, I’d be more comfortable shooting Dad’s 16 gauge or even one of my 12’s ,  if I was planning on shooting a lot of rounds.

I can’t give it a grade yet,  since it wasn’t choked correctly,   but here’s a preview.   I’d give it a (C+) for comfort,  the action is tight and it bruises my cheek.   For functionality,  a ( D ) ,   it just doesn’t feed ammo very well,  every few times it’s racked the shell drops out of the bottom of the gun.  Hopefully this will smooth out after it loosens up a bit.   For now,  I’ll stick with the 16 for my light shotgun.    P.S.  I’ve contacted Benelli support about the failing to feed issue,  but haven’t heard back from them yet.

My new upland game bird gun was preggies

Posted by Greybeard on Nov 28th, 2010 in Shootist | Comments Off

Yep,  last week I bought a nice little Benelli Nova 20 gauge pump,  (pictures soon).   For a long time I had wanted a nice light 2o gauge double barrell,  but had finally decided I wasn’t going to be able t afford one.   To make a long story short,  the day after I bought the Benelli,  I ran across a trade I couldn’t refuse.  My Remington 700 BDL  .300 SAUM,   for a sweet little Fox 20 gauge double.  Close to exactly the gun I orginally wanted.   So,  I picked up a couple hundred rounds of 2o gauge target ammo,  and am now waiting for a somewhat warm day to get out and shoot BOTH of my new upland game bird guns.