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Post by smokelessk on Jun 14, 2018 15:52:38 GMT -5
Picked up a 3.5" black synthetic SX4 a few weeks ago. It's to compliment my SX3 camouflage model. Besides the external asthetic differences I noticed the SX4 has a spring loaded ejector instead of the stationary ejector in the SX3. Anyone have an idea why they would use a spring loaded ejector? Seems to me more moving parts and more manufacturing expense? So there must be a legitimate reason they have made the change.
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Post by hillbill on Jun 17, 2018 17:27:33 GMT -5
I just picked up a used one myself, hope it works well. I have 2 original Super X model 1s, great guns for the last 40 yesrs.
from what I gather it's basically the same internals as the Brownings, mainly a different label with other slight differences.
I'm sure the spring ejector was done for good reason, from what I read they are pretty reliable guns, at least I hope so.
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Post by smokelessk on Jun 17, 2018 19:45:20 GMT -5
The SX4 is actually marked made in Portugal by Browning. It's essentially the same gun as the Browning Maxis other than the Maxus has Browning's "quick load" feature. And if I recall correctly the Maxus won't accept an extension on the magazine tube where the "Winchester" will.
My SX3, which I purchased used in 2010, is stamped made in Belgium by FN. I can't tell you how many thousands of rounds have been through it. (Mostly trap loads but some heavy 3.5's) I can't remember it malfunctioning but I'm not going to swear it never did.
Fired the SX4 for the first time just today. Put about 65 round though it shooting clays. The load I ran through it was a 1 and 1/8 ounce handload that runs between 1,100 and 1,200 FPS. Not a single issue feeding or ejecting. Didn't expect to have any issues with it. The SX3 ran those loads perfectly well. I definitely like the upgraded safety and bolt release. I did notice the pattern of ejection was not the same as the SX3. The SX3 would pelt the person next to me repeatedly where as the SX4 seems to throw the fired hulls more towards the 2 o'clock position. As compared to say the 3 or 4 o'clock that my SX3 ejected at. Spring loaded ejector might just be another good improvement on an already good gun.
Let me know how you like yours hillbill. Which version did you end up with?
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Post by hillbill on Jun 18, 2018 5:55:07 GMT -5
It's the Waterfowl version with the 28" tube.
the old model 1s have been great, I bought my original in 1976 when I was 15, I saved money for a good stretch for that one. I followed the development of that gun until it hit the market, Winchester spent a lot of money and time in R&D and used high speed photography during the process but at the time it was by far the most trouble free gas gun ever produced, mine have NEVER malfunctioned one time in all those years with many thousands of rounds fired. I used it in the dove field last season and it still does great.
Browning improved on the design and hopefully it will serve me as well as the old guns. I needed something for a do all gun that would do 3.5s for turkeys and ducks so we will see how it works out.
For 600 bucks i don't think I went wrong.
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Post by smokelessk on Jun 18, 2018 19:11:15 GMT -5
You certainly didn't go wrong on that deal. It'll be a solid workhorse for you.
Mine was a good bargain too. Had enough Cabela's points to walk out the door with a free shotgun. 😁
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Post by hillbill on Jun 18, 2018 21:33:19 GMT -5
A little history of the SX line
When I was a kid I would read everything I could get my hands on gun related, back then The American Rifleman was the main source of info and I would read every word.
In about 1973 I read where Winchester, Browning and Ithaca all had a new shotgun in development, I really really wanted that Browning 2000 but when they hit the market I read tests on all three guns and the Super-x was the only one that didn't malfunction at all during testing, Winchester said they spent 1 million dollars in R&D and tooling for that gun, there was only 2 stamped steel parts in the whole gun, it was built like a tank. back then that was a pile of cash for a new gun design. both the 2000 and Ithaca 51 had problems, common sense told me to buy the Super-x but I really wanted the 2000. I made the right decision as both the others flopped big time.
when I got enough cash by working for the local farmer in tomatoes all summer my step father and I made a trip down to the biggest gun store around and in 1975 the young 15 yr old lad laid down 194 hard earned bucks in to buy it, I was in hog heaven. the first night I slept with it, no lie!
I literally shot thousands of rounds through that gun, never ever a malfunction, not one to this day. I did replace the magazine tube with a SS model from NU Line Guns, Jerry Stephens bought all the Super-x parts from Winchester when they quit building it due to high costs and low sales.
I replaced the recoil buffer in both my guns as the originals deteriorated over time. NU Line still offers parts and for several years they would build race guns for competition, there was nothing out there better until the Benelli Super 90 came out. long after it was dead and gone the Super-x was touted as the best gas gun ever built, way ahead of it's time.
When FN acquired Winchester they saw the promise in the short stroke design and thus the Browning Gold was born, basically the same Super-x design, just improved.
Winchester came out with their own version of the new Super-x2, then the 3, now the 4. basically the same internals as the Brownings just different pants and shirt. still the basic short stroke design as the SX-1.
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Post by smokelessk on Jun 18, 2018 21:38:18 GMT -5
Thanks for the info! Wonder what made them switch from the SX3 being built in Belgium by FN to Browning in Portugal for the SX4. I know the price is lower than what I paid for my SX3 8 years ago.
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Post by hillbill on Jun 18, 2018 21:40:58 GMT -5
probably cheaper labor in Portugal
I looked today in a local gun store and the SX-4 waterfowl version was 899.00 with a 50.00 rebate from Winchester so I don't feel bad about the price.
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