Benelli Super Vinci
"Super Cristie," Benelli's Cristie Gates, introduces the Super Vinci at the 2011 SHOT Show.
New for 2011 is the Benelli Super Vinci, the 3-1/2 inch version of the innovative Vinci that has been the high water-mark of the newest autoloading shotgun offerings. A detailed discussion of the Vinci appears here, with the original observations still holding true in the original model.
The Super Vinci is very similar the original Vinci itself, with just a few minor changes. The tested model is Benelli #10555 Black Synthetic, 28 in. barrel, 50.5 in. overall length with an MSRP of $1649.
Magazine Capacity: 3+1.
Crio® Chokes: C,IC,M,IM,F.
Length of Pull: 14-3/8 in.
Drop at Heel: 2".
Drop at Comb: 1-3/8".
Type of Sights: Red bar front sight and metal bead mid-sight.
Minimum recommended load: 3-dram, 1-1/8 oz.
Receiver drilled and tapped for scope mounting.
Claimed Weight: 7.0 lbs.Compared to the standard Vinci with a 28 inch barrel, the Super Vinci is just slightly longer (three quarters of an inch) and weighs just one tenth of one pound more. The retail price of the std. Vinci is $1379, making the Super Vinci $270 more at retail, but there is less of a difference in street price.
Aside from the slightly changed trigger guard and larger safety button, the Super Vinci is very close to the three inch Vinci model-- in shouldering, handling, swing, and shooting comfort. This, as far as I'm concerned, is a very good thing.
Directly comparing this 28 in. Super Vinci to my 26 in. camo Vinci, it doesn't weigh more, it is actually about 2 oz. lighter at 6 lbs. 14 oz. vs. about 7 lbs. for the standard Vinci. The trigger on the Super Vinci is outstanding right out of the box, breaking at 3-3/4 to 4 lbs. The trigger guard of the Super Vinci has a slightly larger hole in it, the safety is a larger, oversized button, but the differences in actual shooting are imperceptible to me.
This 6 lb. 14 oz. Super Vinci was shot right alongside the 7-3/4 lb. Stoeger M3500 all day. With no question, the substantially lighter Super Vinci was softer shooting both to me any to the whole group that tried them side by side. The ComforTech of the Super Vinci not only works but works supremely well was the unanimous opinion.
The Super Vinci handled 1 oz. lead and 1 oz. steel target loads with no hiccups as well, right out of the box with no break in or even pre-range cleaning. The choice between the Vinci and the Super Vinci is a very simple, if not obvious one. If you want 3-1/2 in. shell capability, you want the Super Vinci. If you don't, save a few pesos and get the standard Vinci. There is no significant difference in handling, shouldering, or function between the two other than the super magnum shell ability of the Super Vinci that we could discern.
Of all the new autoloading hunting shotguns introduced over the last several years, the Vinci has proved to be the most maintenance-free, hassle-free, and totally satisfying of them all: and easily the most innovative. The Super Vinci just extends that to the 3-1/2 inch platform.
Copyright 2011 by Randy Wakeman. All Rights Reserved.
