I just bought a SBE II about 2 weeks ago went out and shot it last weekend. I couldn't wait to shoot it. I have never shot a SBE I so I can't compare the two. The SBE II that I bought performed flawlessly even with the old el cheapo Walmart special value pack shells. I even through some steel shot shells that had been out with me in the salt water a month ago and were really starting to rust pretty bad even with the rust on the brass they cycled without hesitation. I tell you what thats the best 1400 bucks i think i've ever spent. I just got a patternmaster for it and I can't wait to go try it out on snows next weekend.