I think you should let the feel of the gun decide. I have been around both of those guns on a daily basis and have seen very little problems out of either one. They are both gas guns and require a little cleaning but the usually don't break. As far as the Maxus goes, I shoot about 8-10 cases of waterfowl loads a year through mine with ZERO problems. The gun has only been out for a little over 2 years, so only time will tell how it will hold up. As far as the SBE go, I love the feel of the gun and the way it handles, but I have worn out 2 SBEs. When you send them back to the company, they say it is excessive use and will do nothing for it. With the exception of the 1187, Benelli is the only brand of shotgun that I have ever worn out. To me, $1500 for 5 years of use just doesn't add up. I switched to the Browning Gold after the SBE and had very little issues with them. I broke a hammer spring, but only after 7 years of shooting it. The gun still works great, I just wanted a lighter gun and I love the Maxus. I only shoot it about 45 to 50 days of the year (teal/duck/spec/snow) as the days I am at Little Pecan we shoot Berretas. So not shooting it 80 to 85 days a year should make it last longer.
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