My first look at a Benelli Vinci

[Leo]

A while ago I saw some pictures posted from another site of the Vinci. I said I know that store! I'm in Birmingham next couple days for Easter so I decided to take a look.

Yep it was them. They had the gun.

Shoulders nice and it a well balanced shotgun. It does have a monster reciever on it for a 3" gun. That's gotta be why there isn't a 3 1/2" model currently. Yep, it comes apart slick as can be. Modular and easy to clean for sure. The inline action spring will probably reduce muzzle jump, that will translate to a lesser perceived recoiled. I didn't get to shoot it so I don't know how significant this will be.

Essentially the same inertia system Benelli has always used. Just modified to be an inline action to facillitate the modular design concept.

The Modular concept is really the "revolution" with this gun. That's not a minor thing. Being able to quickly change stocks is pretty neat. I'm wondering how easy it will be to change barrels though. The barrel and receiver are one of the "units". Doesn't look like a magazine extension will be possible. Not a big deal to some and fairly the Browning Maxus won't allow that option either. But that will be an option not available with the Vinci.

It's an interesting gun. If the modular design floats your boat you'll really want one. If not you probably be plenty happy with your current Benelli.

They didn't have a Browning Maxus yet so I didn't get to compare. It does look very different but it feels good to shoulder and guns don't kill with looks. I think the Vinci will make some folks really happy.

[Strut10]

It does look very different but it feels good to shoulder and guns don't kill with looks. I think the Vinci will make some folks really happy.

Different......that's one way to put it...........yep.

That trigger guard, ala Moisin-Nagant, is reason enough I couldn't own one. I realize a gun's looks don't kill. But that's just plumb ugly as a mud fence.

I'm afraid to ask.............what's the pricetag??

[Leo]

The tag hanging says "not for sale". They want to keep one in the store for folks to look at. They'll order one. I didn't want to make them think I was considering buying by asking.

[Rem308]

I'd been looking at this gun online and on the commercials. Different to say the least. In the pic of the one you're holding Leo, it looks like the barrell is 1/2" from the receiver? Not really the barrel, but more of the beginning of the ventilated rib...is there that big of a gap? If so, I'm sure it's just a cosmetic thing, and this gun definitely has changed a few others.

Thanks for sharing.

[Leo]

I'd been looking at this gun online and on the commercials. Different to say the least. In the pic of the one you're holding Leo, it looks like the barrell is 1/2" from the receiver? Not really the barrel, but more of the beginning of the ventilated rib...is there that big of a gap? If so, I'm sure it's just a cosmetic thing, and this gun definitely has changed a few others.

Thanks for sharing.

You really don't notice that at all when you are looking down the rib. I'm thinking part of the reason it's that way was for the balance of the gun.

[Shaun_300]

I'm with Don on this one, I don't like the look of it at all.

Bet it shoots nice though!

[jesse8953]

Hope it shoot better than it looks:eek:

[EKYhunter]

Thanks for your review Leo. Benelli had sent out some e-mails regarding the Vinci and I checked it out on-line the day it was released. Personally, I don't think it's very attractive, and I think I'd rather have a Browning Silver or Maxxus. But that's just me.

[EricF]

I have one. My wife bought me the 28", black, for a birthday gift...without my even knowing. I got it on last Friday, shot it Wed and again today, Saturday.

The mag extension is not necessary, as there will be an extended magazine available...the magazine comes completely out the forearm, accomodating a different and longer magazine...a three second evolution. The trigger guard is quite different, but I feel it adds to the "new look altogether". It's very very light, coming in at a hair over six pounds. The typical Benelli accoutraments are in the case, shims/chokes/wrench/thread cleaner/oil/etc. I do think the bolt assembly is a trick to remove as compared to my SBEII...actually making it a slightly longer breakdown evolution. It feels good in the hands all the way around.

Function: I haven't 'patterned', etc. this gun yet. I've put about 100 rounds through it today, just loosening it up a bit. I fired twenty five as quickly as I could load it, getting it nice and hot. I fired three from the hip, as fast as humanly possible using 7/8oz loads...just to see what would happen...nothing happened, it ate em like candy. I did this four consecutive times, as quickly as I could load them. So I've qenched my 'nervousness' about it eating light loads...it did, and I'm pleased.

Overall, I was somewhat set aside by the looks, but it really grows on you. It has nice lines and feels good in the hands. I am a Benelli fan however, and might be somewhat biased. The price tag on this one was $1375 out the door.

I should also add...recoil. I shot my SBEII equally as much as the Vinci today...interchanging guns through the time period. The Vinci has recoil, don't think it doesn't, but for the loads I shot I really noticed only a slight difference in feel, not a remarkable difference between the two. My SBEII is walnut/black...NO comfortech. With 3" loads, maybe I will see a marked difference...I'll let you know.

Edited May 31, 2009 by EricF
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[Leo]

Thank you for letting us know how it shoots.

The extended magazine option is good to know about. I actually like to put an extended magazine on scoped shotguns. It helps the balance of scoped gun. Plus the ability to stuff a couple extra turkey loads in the gun when you're patterning at the range makes shooting from the bench more comfortable.