A Big Time Slug Gun-3

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A few weeks ago, Benelli introduced their newest shotgun, the Vinci, following a much-hyped teaser campaign in which all anybody knew about the gun was that it came in a strange shaped case and that a movie trailer-like commercial featuring a running hottie in a tank top and her James Bond-looking associate promised it would hit the market March 31. The promo, first played at SHOT Show in January where most companies opt to actually unveil their new guns instead of the “idea” of a new firearm, actually made some writers mad because they wanted to know what Benelli had in mind.

On the day the gun hit the market, demand and interest were so high, the hits on the company’s Web site were so numerous it overloaded their servers and temporarily shut the site down. It was the day after the launch madness that I got the privilege to hold one of these new gems in my very own hand. I was in Florida with Benelli Brand Manger Joe Coogan and company Marketing Director Stephen McKelvain for a turkey hunt.

We would be only the second group (the first after the launch) to hunt with the shotguns and put them through their paces. Another group of Benelli staffers and writers (including OL’s Editor-in-Chief Todd Smith) got to travel down to Argentina with the first prototypes of the Vinci to put it to the ultimate torture test in the South American dove fields. Our mission was to put it through the paces in more of a one-shot-counts experience.

The collective assessment of all in attendance was that this gun met the hype Benelli was selling. Light-handling, comfortable to swing and aim and recoil resistant, this shotgun was everything a hunter shooting hard-kicking shells such as a 3-inch Federal Mag-Shok turkey load would want. With it’s ComfortTech buttstock design and In-Line Inertia Driven action, the Vinci reportedly reduces felt recoil by a whopping 72 percent over its competitors. The gun did indeed handle the heavy loads nicely. Even better and unique to the Vinci is it’s modular design. The entire gun breaks down in seconds into three basic parts: a barrel/receiver module, the buttstock and a single trigger group/forearm module. 

The receiver and barrel are all one forged unit. That combined with the reduced recoil automatically got me to thinking, “how soon before you guys have a slug gun for this thing?” While buying a receiver/barrel (the serial number is on this part of the gun as this is what the ATF currently considers as the “firearm”) will no doubt be more expensive than say, just purchasing a slug barrel, there’s no denying that mounting a scope to a slug barrel/receiver combo and swapping it back and forth with the scattergun barrel will keep your scope more reliably on zero. It will also reduce the effects of shock due to the reduced recoil, as well as minimize any misalignments caused by shifting between a separate receiver and barrel.

Benelli officials would say for sure when a slug barrel would be available, but you can bet it is already on the drawing board. My hunch is you can expect to see one by fall—next SHOT Show in January at the latest. The challenge will be getting it at a price point that a guy will be willing to spring for the additional barrel. The gun’s design certainly lends itself to such changes.

Right now, the Realtree APG version of the Vinci is retailing for just over $1,400. For the dude that has no issues with that price, it’s unlikely an additional $400 to $600 dollar receiver/barrel module would be much to balk at as well. One thing is for sure though, when that baby hits the market, it will be one wicked slugger with few peers. Until then, I’m betting the Vinci can sling some buckshot as well as it did the heavy turkey loads—at least where such hunting is practiced and legal.—Doug Howlett

Let Kids Hunt!-16

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By the time I could walk, my father already had me in the mountains of Kentucky chasing bushytails with a single-shot .22 rifle. These fall trips ignited a fascination and passion for the outdoors that still burns deep inside of me today. At an early age, I could easily identify the different types of trees and various animal tracks in the woods. Hunting and the outdoors served as a classroom that taught me about the inner workings of nature and the cycle of life. It also allowed me to have a close relationship with my father and grandfather that has lasted a lifetime. In fact, hunting has enabled me to form a strong bond with my own son that has kept us extremely close over the years. However, some states are currently robbing today’s youth of this opportunity by passing laws that unfairly place age limits on young hunters.

For example, the beautiful state of Montana currently requires children to be at least 12 before they can start legally hunting. Sadly, a lot of potential hunters will be lost by the time they reach this age and many will never develop a true love for the outdoors. At around six years old, my son was already squirrel hunting and developing into an accomplished hunter. A few years later, he was able to tag his first deer and longbeard turkey at the tender age of nine. The time we’ve spent together in the woods is priceless and has had an overwhelming impact on both of our lives. My boy is a straight A student and basketball player who lives to hunt and fish. I even reward him with hunting trips for his all "A" average and other accomplishments. Without question, hunting has been an invaluable parenting tool and is directly responsible for keeping my child far away from negative influences.

In my opinion, states should not be allowed to place inappropriate age limits on hunting. This is a decision that should be made at home by parents and not some outsider with a personal agenda. In today’s crazy world, 11 years of video games, internet and television can ruin a child’s chances of developing a genuine interest for hunting and the outdoors. These age limits are detrimental to both hunting and the American family. What would your life be like right now without hunting and those wonderful childhood memories with your family? I would like to know how many other states have issued such ridiculous age requirement laws. Don’t you think it’s about time for hunters to band together and demand an immediate change in these states?