I’ve ran the hybrid hunter for years now and I like it more than my franchi affinity 3.5. I ran that same sx4 for 4 seasons without cleaning it and it never jammed or had any problems… only thing I’ve noticed is occasionally it will hang up if you load up only 3.5 inch shells. But overall I highly recommend the sx4👍🏻
@@cajunoutfitters5621having shot both no it would not obviously win on the value comparison. It would be exactly the same as this Maxus vs SX4. The Affinity has most of the same features as the SBE. I actually believe it’s the highest value semi auto on the market. For 1/2 the price of an SBE 3 all you really miss out on is the comfortech stock, mid bead, and 2 chokes. Maybe some refinement. They have the same bolt design, same reliability, similar ergonomics. Affinity has milled loading port, oversized controls, raised rib just like the SBE 3. It also has more drop spacers to customize a better fit. It is a ton of value for 1/2 the price. I bet using this videos metric it would smoke the SBE 3.
I have a Maxus II and really like it! (Although sometimes not reliable. Maybe once in 60 to 80 shots doesn't cycle) When I went searching for the perfect gun for me I found that it's impossible to find any real hunting/sporting shotguns in the store. Most have to be ordered outright. Which really stinks when trying to find what feels good, looks, and hands on comfort. I went to over a dozen places to look and only one had a hunting/sporting shotgun. Everything else was either having to order it or they had a ton of Military style shotguns. So your channel is super helpful for those that can't get hands on shopping. Thanks for getting this going.
I own both, maxus in 3.5 sx4 is a 3”, have had issues cycling and also with a bolt sticking, sx4 has been flawless wish I never bought the maxus. The grip is significantly larger on the maxus and the over molding is starting to peel off from going in and out of a case as well as the paint. One thing you did not mention which I personally think is super convenient is the shot plug system on the maxus 2, that I do love. Love the videos keep it up!
I'll comment before I even watch the video: I have two of each. A Maxus II slug gun with cantilever rail, and 26" vent rib model (both 12 gauge). And an SX4 Universal Hunter 12 gauge and a Waterfowl model in 20 gauge. Will say that of you can live without the speed load feature and magazine cutoff on the Maxus II, then the SX4 is the way to go. It's 90% of the gun for 3/5ths the price. ^^^ Edit: Now that I watched your video, I agree 100%.
I bought the maxus in 3in mag, I have not had that problem, me and my sons tried it, cycled perfect overhead and side waist shot with 2 3/4in number 7 shot, will be heading to the skeet range to try some again so far no problems,
Both shotguns are made in Belgium 🇧🇪 and assembled in Portugal 🇵🇹 (mostly the winchester) Are owned by FN Herstal group the government gunmaker of Belgium. FN was produced rifles for ΝATO.Great review Steve!
I've found a good way to test recoil is to slide the trigger hand forward so the finger next to trigger finger contacts the back of the trigger guard. When fired the trigger guard will contact the second finger giving a precise sensation. Also in all shotgun reviews I would enjoy showing the ease of manually unloading the shotgun. Many times when shotgun hunting it's necessary to manual unload.
Something you missed on the SX4 is that it has the speed load feature like the maxus. I have the 20ga SX4 the speed load feature is the only reason i bought it.
Love my vintage tan maxus 2, picked it up from scheels on sale for only 1100. For that deal and only a couple hundred dollars difference from what the sx4 cost I stand by my decision
@@OrangesmokeM7 they had my shotgun on the shelf for almost 6 months. I guess nobody liked the vintage camo so it was marked down a lot and had a percentage off on top
You absolutely dont stand by your decision and you are completely insecure about it. Thats why you even wrote this comment. Nobody asked you to explain yourself at all.
@@zachd830 never have. Mine is also a 3.5 inch chamber but it cycles 1 1/8 oz target loads no problem at all. The biggest reason people have problems is because they don’t follow brownings instructions for break in. Takes a couple boxes of high brass shells to properly break them in
I have owned alot of shotguns in my life time .browning auto 5s ,benelli's and remington 1100's .I have to say that my sx4 feels and shoots better than any of them for me .
tried to like the SX4 but it fit poorly and doesn't come with any adjustments, i really wanted to like it because i had 4 aftermarket invector + chokes from my pump at the time . same with my wife, she tried the compact SX4, ended up with a compact Affinity 3 because she's a left and we were able to get the cast right for her with the included shims and spacers. I ended up with an A400, which also comes with shims and spacers.
I know its an older video but it might be interesting to add a potential resale value to the test parameters. God forbid someone were to have to or want to sell a gun down the road brand name can certainly be a factor when looking to trade or sell something
Thanks Steve, I was hoping to see this showdown one day, and love that you used the SOSA test. I’m also really curious how the rubber over molding will hold up over time. And thanks for the laugh… “When I poured water in it and froze it… something may have happened”.
I have both the Sx4 and Maxus II, the over molding on the fore grip started to peel off after 2 seasons of hard use. Crazy glue fixed it though. Having said that, I found myself shooting the Maxus II more than the SX4 this past season. Just feels better in my hands.
It’s incredibly hard to beat the sx4 against any gun at this point. The price alone makes it a crazy value. I bought the huge flop known as the SBE3 and of course mine shot high and left. Then I bought a new beretta a400 xtreme plus in 20ga and it was defective out of the box. Had to be replaced as per beretta. I never have issues with the browning or Winchester products.
I'm a Browning guy, but I could not justify the extra $$$ for the Browning. Until I needed a 3/8th" thick pad on the comb to get the SX4 shooting close to where I'm looking. Haven't shot a Maxis II, but own two Browning Golds. They both shoot dead on out of the box. Would love some adjustment to raise the comb and eliminate the pad, which is a total pain.
Please,give us a review for the Beretta UltraLite vs Benelli Beccacia. Here,in Greece the majority of hunters hunt light upland game like quail,thrush,blackbirds,chukar,woodcook etc. Many hours of walking and light (very...) guns are preferable for these birds . You will be very helpful to us,if you review these guns.Beretta vs Benelli is the main matter for dispute between Greek hunters,lol!
That’s why I bought the WSX4 based on your usage of the gun & your reviews. Thankfully it’s still got the edge based on price & performance… great shotgun. Thanks Steve
I got a maxus 2 and brother in law has the sx4. We both love each gun,..granted his is just the blue lower end model and I have the wicked wing. I how ever was able to get a great deal on mine and was way cheeper then it should of been. I only have had the maxus 2 for a short time but soon as it came in we put 200 rounds through it of various sizes, light target to 31/2” bb. Have had issues aside one the Rubber inlays is slightly peeling how ever it is the far front and I’m so short I’ll never even reach that. Some of the features I love on the maxus but if it was full retail I’d of likely went with the sx4. My brother in law has had it for a year now and we put a lot of rounds through it. How ever now that water fowl is closed here we plan on patterning and shooting a lot so we’ll see then what we like more. That all being said I find the maxus 2 fits me better being shorter and he found his sx4 fit him better and he’s a lot taller then me. Guess end of the day both are nice guns and a joy to shoot.
My thought process is that the browning is more bang for your buck if you take care of it. In 20 years, that browning will at worst hold its value, and at best, its value will increase. That value , right or wrong, is in the name Browning.
Great reviews hombre! A interesting review would be the original Auto-5 V the A5. Always wondered what is the better gun since price wise they are similar-ish.
Get rid of the 3.5 inch for a 3 inch stalker or similar. Then apples for apples. I just bought Maxus 2 Max 5, only due to availability in Australia. I’ll probably trade for a 3 inch after a year or so.
It’s not really fair to compare the wicked wing maxus and a standard Sx4. Your cost handicap throws it too far off. The wicked wing features don’t offset the cost handicap.
I am a little late responding to this video. Both shotguns are pretty much the same. The only difference is the aesthetics. Both companies are owned by FN Herstal.
Noticed a couple things. You already gave points for the maxus rubber features yet you mention them as your giving points. Also, you talk about the self loading feature in the maxus but not the sx4. Newer models sx4 also close and load the chamber when you put a shell into the tube. I only mention these items because you mention them multiple times. It appears you gave points to the maxus for reliability. Ya, both guns were frozen and the sx4 was able to perform upside down and over head whereas the maxus required running the bolt 3 separate times. Shooting both guns the maxus didn’t cycle all three rounds during the quick shoot. I’m gonna say, maybe, maybe if I had a wad full of cash in my pocket I might consider the Browning Maxus. Or maybe, just maybe, I’d upscale my current Winchester SX4’s for Upland field versions with lots of nice engraving. And guess what? I can afford to buy both the 12 and 20 gauge for the price of the Browning. I have many buddies who own Brownings but in this instance - price point gets me 2 fer. Having shot at least a thousand rounds through my 12 it’s a workhorse. As to the 20 gauge, I have about 500 rounds though it and did experience a loose safety button (easily went from safe to fire position) this last fall in NODak hunting. The 20 is currently back at Winchester (not doing any happy dances as it’s been there since mid December) “WINCHESTER TAKE NOTE” I give the sx4 overall thumbs up. This is a great, well priced, easy all day carry, awesome ergonomics shotgun and I don’t think for the money you can find anything better on the market.
Same here. I couldn't wait, so I bought one earlier this year. I can say it's brilliant and perhaps answer any questions you might have. Check out Randy Wakeman's written review and youtube vid on it also. I like it so much I just sold my Maxus Ultimate to be replaced with a L4S Hunter.
I'm typically a tactical shotgun guy. I have the 1301, A300 Ultima Patrol, 940 Pro Tac, M3000, and a couple of the Turkish cheapo's to play with. I'm wanting to get started playing in the trap game or similar with a possible move to some hunting in the future. I was considering the A300/A400 series since I'm a bit of a Beretta fanboy, but I'm thinking I'll pick up the SX4 at the price i'm seeing them. My question is - I see such a HUGE selection of SX4 models that I'm a little lost on what I'd want. I don't think I really care about a factory camo style. I tend to just rattle can my stuff anyways. But what would you recommend for something like that? starting in trap and maybe hunting? I see SX4 standard, waterfowl, universal, hybrid...26"? 28"? I'm a little lost. I don't think I need a 3.5" chamber. Thanks man. Loving your videos!
