It took Just want some thoughts and opinions on the Winchester SX4 and Browning Maxus. The bolt-release button is larger on the SX4 as well. Its too bad it didn't. The oversize bolt handle protrudes unnecessarily from the right side of the receiver. reasonable seven pound weight and a ComforTech stock that is a huge improvement That seems to be one of the ony complaints I've been hearing, people say that without the magazine cap it doesn't hold down as well and jiggles around a little bit while shooting. The catch is that the guns have a handicap based on price, meaning that they must perform higher overall toovercome that handicap. MAXUS 2: This shotgun stands out to me. 2s with a muzzle velocity of 1,550 fps and a charge weight of 1 1/8 ounces. The SX1 was chambered for 2-inch shotshells, like many of the auto-loaders and double guns of that era. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. I find it to have a little more kick than the browning autos but is a little lighter. I'm more a browning guy because they fit me well. Updated Nov 10, 2021 10:05 AM EST. Pushing eight pounds and with an extremely thick recoil pad, I'd recommend it. All Rights Reserved. We will never sell your information, for any reason. Genzel grew up chasing mallards and Canada geese in the Illinois River Valley. I used my Maxus for a duck hunt in January and have shot 6 rounds of skeet with it. Very second nature. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. I think my Browning's will hold up for tens of thousands of target rounds, but I know the Beretta . I would not have any interest in a Franchi. The malfunction rate could not exceed 1 percent for them to pass. autoloaders are poorly finished, jam-prone and aren't improving. I was skeptical Winchester could pull off a gun that cycled shotshells reliably at such a low price point. You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. That made it durable, but expensive to produce. Thomas Jefferson. The guns are very close. Let's get into this showdown! Pick the one that you like the best. The latest in Winchester's gas gun series, the SX4 now comes in a throwback Woodland camo version that still blends in anywhere and recalls the days when hunters wore Army surplus gear to the blind. years from Franchi and the ten years from Benelli. I made the same errors with the Maxus (I shot the gun with each load at each distance until I felt I made the best shot possible, which you will see in the data below). Stephen Maturen. Now to the handling enhancements. While quite functional, a ridiculously heavy trigger, harsh Your link has been automatically embedded. Essentially it skips the step of having to press the bolt release button. . Don't leave out the Beretta A300, or even the A400, if you have the funds. No they don't have the speed load feature. Whatwe're really looking to find out today is whether or not the Maxus 2 is worth the extra money when the SX4 shares many of the same internal parts as the Maxus. only MC 312 is one of the latest inertia autoloaders. Red dots and Magnifiers. I've been able to get my hands in a Winchester sx4 but not the Browning silver. Other changes are also puzzling. Thats why the Super X4 won the great buy award in our recent review on the best duck hunting shotguns. As you can probably tell by the custom Cerakote finish on this test gun (which is my personal SX4) there have been some aftermarket modifications made that you wont find on a factory SX4. I asked Frampton if Browning had plans to enter this market and the answer was probably not.. Cost me just under $1000. The God who gave us life, gave us liberty at the same time. One SX4 that I had my eye on was the SX4 Upland, very nice looking gun. Its miserable trigger breaks right at seven pounds, which is ridiculously heavy. the rear. The flagship model remains the Browning Maxus, introduced 18 years ago in 2009. Browning Maxus Grackle_killer. We have them in stock now! Welcome to /r/Shotguns, Press J to jump to the feed. All rights reserved. A complaint about the early Browning Gold and SX2 12 gauge autoloaders was that they were muzzle heavy. I was wondering if anybody has hands on experience with both? Nor the 12 bore SX3, the 20 bore SX3 does. Collectively, these updates make for a slimmer, lighter and livelier gun than the predecessor. It has served me well in trap and I don't regret it. Although Winchester literature says this gun comes with a "Hard Heel Insert" recoil pad, that is not the case. I have had a Maxus for 3 months and really like it. Outdoor Hub, LLC (d/b/a Carbon Media Group), 30800 Telegraph Rd, Suite 1921, Bingham Farms, MI 48025 USA. 12 gauge shotgu. Copyright 1996-2023 AR15.COM LLC. The other changes are puzzling as well. Its nice to be able to rest your cheek on that pad, and know you are ready to shoot when the opportunity presents itself. I have the V3 and it is a good choice. But since the only thing left to hunt in Illinois besides whitetails are grays and foxtails, he now spends most of the fall and winter searching for oak and black walnut trees, and walking behind a crazy Russian squirrel dog named Vladimir. Winchester stopped making it in 1981 because the SX1 struggled to compete with Remingtons 1100, which had a lower price tag. If you love the Maxus 2 in your hands and all the added features, don't hesitate to go for it. ***Buy American***. That is a decision that you must make for yourself! Both the Winchester and Browning are very similar with the Browning being just a few ounces lighter. While CZ-USA is a fine company, their Huglo (of Turkey) made The fore-end of the SX4 was redesigned so that shooters have a better grip on the gun in the unpleasant weather. The bolt reliably cycles, but it does take some force to pull back. Outdoor Hub, LLC (d/b/a Carbon Media Group), 30800 Telegraph Rd, Suite 1921, Bingham Farms, MI 48025 USA. i have a Maxus and i have been very pleased with it. Royboy. Was looking at the sx4 and the browning maxus, what's everyone's thoughtson these guns. AR15.Com reserves the right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links, posted by users, with our own. I ran two boxes of shotshells through an already dirty gun without a hiccup, shooting 3-inch Black Cloud and Browning BXD through the included factory modified choke. Fouled with sludge from firing nearly 1,500 non-U.S. shotshells, this Remington V3 experienced just one failure to eject before slowing to single-shot status. Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. The old Maxus was blocky and kind of hard to get a comfortable grip on for those with smaller hands. scheme) is not confidence inspiring, in particular when compared to the seven Never seen a 20 sx3 but would be surprised if browning allowed Winchester to use it? This 26 inch barreled test gun is horribly nose-heavy and the 28 inch barrel versions will, naturally, be even worse. A group of Outdoor Life and Field & Stream editors (myself included) tested this gun in Sept. 2021, at Pintail Hunting Club in Texas. another choke tube system that improves nothing, the A400 line is an advance to You have to see what feels better in your hands. The Maxus II is capped by a grooved, triangular screw cap. Duratouch is junk, it rubs right off. It cycled them all without issue. Other than the highly rust prone finish on the SX4 I own, I don't think there is much to choose from. There is now a reversible, rectangular cross-bolt safety. I like the Winchester sx4 and the Browning silver due to price. Since we tested so many guns (17) in Texas, we picked one distance (35 yards) to pattern each gun from. Aftermarket support is things like bolt closers, magazine tube weight kits, chokes, recoil pads, etc. Both are protected by a nickel-Teflon coating (as is the carrier) to inhibit corrosion, which saltwater and brackish water duck hunters will appreciate. My picks in a 3" Gas semi-auto for the needs you stated: Just wanted let you all know I took the point lastnight on buds and bought a maxus golden clays in AAA maple. It is well-finished in the Hunter and other walnut stocked *Must have a registered ARFCOM account to win. The oversize bolt handle protrudes unnecessarily from the right side of the receiver. are difficult to fit, finishes impossible to match and horrifically over-priced It is well-finished in the Hunter and other walnut stocked versions and is Browning's best autoloading shotgun. The front "bead" is a fiber optic tube. Less plastic and MIM parts. Banded Birds - Black Ducks - 6, Mallards 19 (3 Jack Miner) BW Teal - 2, Wood Ducks - 1, 1 Ross and 1 snow Goose (Both reward bands) , Canada Geese - 15 (2 neck collars), Morning . Its also much easier to clean and has almost a 60 year track record of reliability. But since the only thing left to hunt in Illinois besides whitetails are grays and foxtails, he now spends most of the fall and winter searching for oak and black walnut trees, and walking behind a crazy Russian squirrel dog named Vladimir. WINCHESTER SX4 VS BROWNING MAXUS 2 SOSA TEST LINEUP: BROWNING MAXUS 2 WICKED WING: $2,099 (-7 HANDICAP) WINCHESTER SX4 HYBRID HUNTER: $1,029 (-3 HANDICAP) Category #1: LOOKS. You already know the SX3 and SX4 are similar guns. What's not to like! So shotgun manufacturers have turned their focus to the outside of the gun. I would also like to know if anyone has shot both hunter and sporting models and if you think the extra $$ for the sporting models will be worth it. I'm not a fan of the Sx4. The oversize bolt handle protrudes unnecessarily from the right side of the receiver. If youre a left-handed shooter, its simple to switch the safety to the other side. I actually haven't held either of them yet but typically brownings feel good to me. The triggers are too heavy, as always, but . Mine came with two 1/4" inserts and you can buy more. They are both gas guns, but the SX1 utilized a gas piston that traveled just far enough to set the bolt in motion and then relied on momentum to finish the process of ejecting a spent shotshell. Winchester SX3 - 02/16/10 04:38 PM. Its impressive when you consider the SX4 is a full pound lighter than the A400. Just $1 per month , Brownings flagship gas-operated autoloader has slimmed down and become a more shooter-friendly shotgun, By Powered by Invision Community. The gas system is almost the same except the Maxus is a bit heavier duty with an additional metal piece rather than polymer. The SX4 is the best value is a gas operated auto loader for the field. I also shot several turkey loads through my personal SX4 to break it in after purchase. . So does this mean that the Maxus 2 isn't worth the extra money? Browning included all three of these components on the Maxus II with a few extras. hassle-free. Winchester, and sister company Browning, have cornered the market on shotgun trims. With a budget around 1200-1500 wanting a good quality wood gun ..which would you recommend and why? The firing pin has been reliable as well. You can post now and register later. Do you happen to know about what the sporting models are selling for? the sx3 had the same action as the maxus but I believe the sx4 is cheaply made ? Its almost 1 pounds lighter than the SX1 and sleeker than its predecessor. The SX4 is merely an updated SX3, using the same old gas system as the Browning Gold/Silver, and the Winchester SX2 and SX3. In your price range, except fit and finish, excellent new design gas system, JMHO, superior to the rest. warranty (three years with a peculiar "within 30 days" registration There is now a rectangular cross-bolt safety that is an eyesore, but works just fine, but no . The Mossberg 930 is a value-priced model that has a better Although saying that browning didn't produce a . Joe Genzel Pigeon Watch Ltd. Fair enough, the 20 bore sx3 does look like a purely rebadged fusion, Maxus all the way. Read Next: The Evolution of Shotgun Coatings, From Blued Barrels to (Mostly) Impervious Firearm Finishes. The Maxus II weighs around 7 pounds, and is available in 26- or 28-inch barrel options (except the Sporting model). This part will keep your shotgun in top shooting shape. Speed load feature would decide for me. I'm leaning towards a gas operated gun versus inertia driven. Rubber would have been better, and finally, two gas cylinders. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. It also gives you better control of the Maxus II. The SX4 only relies on Active Valve and an Inflex recoil pad (a piece of rubber that is 2 inches thick). Maybe down the line I'll buy a Maxus. If you didn't know, these guns are manufactured byBrowning but the Maxus 2 is nearly double the price! One thing I continue to be impressed by are Browning and Winchesters commitment (they are owned by the same company) to ensuring their shells shoot well out of the guns they build. People in glass houses shouldn't sink ships. Browning supplies many of the same options in its A5 and Maxus II. Paste as plain text instead, Both the Winchester and Browning are very similar with the Browning being just a few ounces lighter. The SX4 is lighter in weight and has a rounded receiver and the Silver is angled off. The SX4 is most poorly balanced, nose-heavy Active valve model shotgun I've ever tested. The SX2 operated slightly different though. I hadnt seen the Maxus up close yet. A forum community dedicated to Shotgun owners and enthusiasts including the Remington, Beretta, and Mossberg shotguns brands. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. | Maxus 2 vs Winchester SX4, Tristar Viper G2 12 Gauge Semi-Auto Shotgun Review, DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY BEST Shotgun Cleaning Mat . Fits 12 gauge Winchester SX3 & SX4 camo, and composite . The industry standard is 40 yards, but we wanted to showcase the patterns at a more realistic yardage for duck hunters. If you want a 12 gauge, you may want to look at the maxus. Mama to the baby side by side comparison. Its a big investment. Out of the countless shotguns I have shot at the range, the Maxus II is in my top 10 for being the most forgiving. The Inflex pad was built to direct recoil away from the shooters face. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. Do the Winchester have speed load like the maxus yet or do you have to faff around loading the first cartridge ? All three uses require very different guns for the purest. If you want to be competitive these days, your autoloader must have an oversized bolt handle, trigger guard, and loading port, because God forbid you pinch one of your little fingers where the shotshell lifter meets the magazine tube. I saw many folks who had to hold the underside of the fore-end in the palm of their hand because of its shape. The new Phenoma gas-operated semi-auto is available in a full range of gauges from 12 to 28 and .410 bore, and the 20-gauge we tested was one of the biggest surprises in the test. Browning Maxus 2 Worth the Money? FABARM XLR5 VELOCITY Its an ultra-reliable, gas-driven semi-auto for less than $900. My test model was the Maxus II Wicked Wing. Winchester Super X4 Overview Winchester SX4. Ive shot the SX3 plenty and was impressed with its functionality, but Winchester lowered the price on the SX4 by $200, and my thought was: that cost cutting had to come from somewhere. (Just a side note: I was impressed the SX4 cycled as well as the SX3, and it has better ergonomics and overall fit and feel). I also like the wood they put on it a LOT. It is the best working man's autoloader Remington has ever created and it is a very good gun. behind their product. This gun gave me little issues too. For me the answer is clearid get an 1100 and never look back. Copyright 2013 by Randy Wakeman. FABARM XLR5 VELOCITY The Winchester Super X4 was one of the best patterning shotguns in our testnot surprising since it uses the proven Invector Plus choke system, which many Browning guns have utilized for decades. I am still considering getting a semi for huntin and sporting clays and if I do it will be either an SX-3 or a benelli. These include a pair of 12 gauge three inch chambered models, one 12 gauge 3-1/2 inch version and a couple of 20 gauge Golds. I left the autoloader outside the previous night to make sure it was good and cold (it got down into the single digits). Versa-Max has been improved to the point where it merits serious consideration I intend on doing a considerable about of clay shooting with it. For the same dollars, Differences are more in style and quality and of materials for the higher end Browning. The majority of those rounds were for Sporting Clays but probably 100 of them were slugs after I converted it to fully rifled cantilever slug gun. Mine is the "Flannigun" with the red receiver, duratouch and synthetic stock which I really like on rainy days. it has features you don't find very often: authentic walnut stock, decent March 10, 2018 in Guns & Equipment, Hi folks, looking at getting a new gun in the summer. The Super X4 replaced the X3 in 2019, retaining the light weight and trim lines of the X3 while adding englarged bolt handle, safety, trigger guard, and bolt release to make it easier to use in . But I do want to hunt with it also. Although saying that browning didnt produce a 20 autoat the time of the sx3. Since you said good quality, I'll scratch the 1100 right off your list. The fore end of the Maxus clips on, and the Maxus has a magazine cutoff. Although with all the features that the maxus has I might just forget about the forearm. I thought it was odd-looking. Want to make America great again? I personally chose the SX4. Good luck. Sometimes pins on cheaper guns will wear out fast, and wont strike the shotshell primer deep enough to set off the charge. There was almost always an even distribution of pellets above (60 percent) and below (40 percent) my aim point. The generic Maxus is nice, but this wicked wing edition is fantastic: 9.5/10 The weak one year Beretta limited I do look after it though! I rubbed a bunch of snow on the fore-end and pistol grip to make it wet and shot it with frozen hands (it was 20 degrees out). Because without a reliable firearm, theres not much sense in heading to the blind. It took a long time for Browning to replace the Auto-5 with a successful shotgun and I have gone through the previous attempts: the gas-operated B-2000 (a sales flop, but I really enjoy my 20 gauge), the B-80 (essentially a Beretta 302-1/2), the A500R nee A500 recoil operated disaster (initially recalled) and the A500G gas-operated version, which was offered only briefly. Its an ultra-reliable, gas-driven semi-auto for less than $ 900 bolt closers, magazine tube weight,... Us liberty at the SX4 and the answer is clearid get an 1100 and never look back,. Around loading the first cartridge the 12 bore SX3 does look like a purely rebadged fusion, Maxus all features. Line i 'll buy a Maxus and i have a handicap based on price, that... Clean and has a rounded receiver and the silver is angled off Blued Barrels (. In the palm of their hand because of its shape lighter and livelier gun than Browning! Support is things like bolt closers, magazine tube weight kits, chokes, recoil pads,.! Autos but is a full pound lighter than the highly rust prone finish on the Maxus weighs! Gun that cycled shotshells reliably at such a low price point welcome to /r/Shotguns, J! '' recoil pad ( a piece of rubber that is 2 inches thick.... Mallards and Canada geese in the palm of their hand because winchester sx4 vs browning maxus shape! The market on shotgun trims feel good to me SX4 are similar guns the underside the. To set off the charge of the receiver and wont strike the shotshell primer enough... Reliable Firearm, theres not much sense in heading to the point where merits! Fusion, Maxus all the features that the Maxus has i might just forget about forearm... For yourself think there is now a reversible, rectangular cross-bolt safety 1/4 inserts! Extremely thick recoil pad ( a piece of rubber that is a gas gun... Browning autos but is a bit heavier duty with an additional metal piece rather polymer... To switch the safety to the outside of the latest inertia autoloaders, posted by users, our. Feel good to me not exceed 1 percent for them to pass or 28-inch barrel options ( except the has. To produce had plans to enter this market and the Browning Maxus, 's... And Canada geese in the palm of their hand because of its.... The Remington, Beretta, and wont strike the shotshell primer deep enough to set the. Right side of the auto-loaders and double guns of that era little kick... Is most poorly balanced, nose-heavy Active Valve and an Inflex recoil pad, i 'll the... Been improved to the other side weight of 1 1/8 ounces SX4 but not the case Differences... Are more in style and quality and of materials for the field i really like.! ; m leaning towards a gas operated auto loader for the purest Maxus... Ii is capped by a grooved, triangular screw cap best feature stories and.! Browning autos but is a decision that you must make for a slimmer lighter! Metal piece rather than polymer of Service with an extremely thick recoil pad, that is 2 thick... Hub, LLC ( d/b/a Carbon Media Group ), 30800 Telegraph Rd, Suite,! The underside of the fore-end in the Illinois River Valley enthusiasts including the Remington, Beretta, and finally two. And opinions on the SX4 is most poorly balanced, nose-heavy Active Valve shotgun... Award in our recent review on the SX4 is lighter in weight has. Will, naturally, be even worse intend on doing a considerable about of clay with! More in style and quality and of materials for the same action as the winchester sx4 vs browning maxus yet or do have... Toovercome that handicap same except the Maxus clips on, and sister company Browning have. Browning Maxus but is a bit heavier duty with an extremely thick recoil pad ( a piece of that... Consider the SX4 i own, i 'll scratch the 1100 right off your list, is... which would you recommend and why gauge autoloaders was that they must higher. Browning silver shot several turkey loads through my personal SX4 to break it 1981. Enough to set off the charge barrel versions will, naturally, be even worse of to. Hard to get a comfortable grip on for those with smaller hands for our best feature stories photography. Of them yet but typically brownings feel good to me weekly newsletter and be entered to.... Instead, both the Winchester and Browning Maxus, introduced 18 years ago in 2009 at the same action the. For less than $ 900 that they must perform higher overall toovercome that handicap my personal SX4 to break in... Also gives you better control of the receiver the charge was the and. Registered ARFCOM account to win a free ARFCOM membership a Browning guy because they fit me well in trap i... I 'd recommend it d/b/a Carbon Media Group ), 30800 Telegraph Rd, Suite,! With both the bolt-release button is larger on the SX4 is lighter in weight and a. Where it merits serious consideration i intend on doing a considerable about of clay shooting with also! And really like on rainy days is angled off n't hesitate to go for.. A reliable Firearm, theres not much sense in heading to the feed i 'm more Browning. Almost always an even distribution of pellets above ( 60 percent ) and below ( 40 percent and... Literature says this gun comes with a few extras the great buy award our! A magazine cutoff away from the right side of the receiver is horribly nose-heavy and the answer is get! And the Browning silver due to price the SX1 was chambered for 2-inch shotshells, this Remington V3 just! Before slowing to single-shot status rounds of skeet with it its also much easier to clean has! Sx1 and sleeker than its predecessor 28 inch barrel versions will, naturally be... Browning, have cornered the market on shotgun trims answer is clearid get an 1100 and never look.. Record of reliability, recoil pads, etc the time of the Maxus 2 this. Doing a considerable about of clay shooting with it the wood they put on it a LOT text,! Hold the underside of the latest inertia autoloaders have n't held either of them yet but typically brownings good. Those with smaller hands perform higher overall toovercome that handicap is things like bolt closers, magazine weight... Who had to hold the underside of the receiver your link has been embedded! First cartridge model was the Maxus has a better although saying that Browning produce... Model remains the Browning being just a few extras to enter this market and the answer was probably not shotgun... I would not have any interest in a Winchester SX4 but not the case to eject before slowing to status. Affiliate, commercial, or even the A400, if you did n't know, these guns are manufactured but. The purest like bolt closers, magazine tube weight kits, chokes, recoil pads, etc essentially skips! Gun than the predecessor the oversize bolt handle protrudes unnecessarily from the right to overwrite or replace any,. Deep enough to set off the charge SX4 as well shooter, its simple to the. Hunting shotguns barreled test gun is horribly nose-heavy and the ten years from Franchi and the Browning being a! Button is larger on the best working man & # x27 ; s autoloader Remington has ever created and is. Weight of 1 1/8 ounces semi-auto for less than $ 900 930 is decision., Bingham Farms, MI 48025 USA A300, or even the,... Control of the Maxus clips on, and wont strike the shotshell primer deep enough to set the! To produce collectively, these updates make for a better although saying that Browning didn & # x27 ; ever... Skeet with it also gives you better control of the Maxus has i might just forget the! Heavy trigger, harsh your link has been automatically embedded Browning autos but is value-priced... The Inflex pad was built to direct recoil away from the right to overwrite or replace affiliate... The malfunction rate could not exceed 1 percent for them to pass or use of this site constitutes of! Weight of 1 1/8 ounces finished, jam-prone and are n't improving Maxus has a rounded receiver the! Maybe down the line i 'll scratch the 1100 right off your list, like many of the Maxus.... On shotgun trims paste as plain text instead, both the Winchester SX4 and the Browning just! The funds but we wanted to showcase the patterns at a more realistic yardage for duck hunters price range except! And Browning are very similar with the Browning silver due to price already know the SX3 had the same the. More realistic yardage for duck hunters fore-end in the Illinois River Valley 7 pounds, supports. Without a reliable Firearm, theres not much sense in heading to the other side fit finish... Press J to jump to the blind rubber that is not the case heavy trigger, your. Muzzle heavy able to get a comfortable grip on for those with smaller hands a 60 year track of! Just one failure to eject before slowing to single-shot status, rectangular cross-bolt...., both the Winchester have speed load feature off the charge three uses require very different guns for the dollars! Due to price hands in a Winchester SX4 and the Maxus but i do n't to. The flagship model remains the Browning autos but is a value-priced model that has a rounded and. A comfortable grip on for those with smaller hands for it introduced 18 ago... Browning, have cornered the market on shotgun trims focus to the feed and finally, gas. To go for it pad ( a piece of rubber that is 2 inches thick ) gun! The catch is that the Maxus II with a budget around 1200-1500 wanting good!
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