Browning claims the Browning Maxus 2 is the most reliable, softest-shooting, best-handling gas-operated semi-auto ever made. Those are big claims, and we weren’t huge fans of the original Maxus. So we put the Maxus 2 (the Wicked Wing version in Mossy Oak Shadow Grass Habitat) through a full review, then ran it head-to-head against three of its biggest rivals.
In this article
Quick take
Verdict: A soft-shooting 3.5-inch gas semi-auto with some of the best ergonomics we have tested. It won two of our three showdowns.
Best for: Waterfowl hunters who shoot a lot of heavy loads and want a gun that feels premium in the hands.
Skip it if: You are shopping on value. The Winchester SX4 shares many of the same internal parts for about half the price.
What stood out
Ergonomics and controls
This is where the Maxus 2 really shines. It feels great in the hands and is well balanced, and the rubber over-molding gives you a solid grip. The charging handle and bolt release are oversized, the trigger guard has plenty of room for gloves, and there is a loading ramp on the front of the trigger guard.
Our favorite detail is the bored-out loading port. There is nothing worse than beating up your fingers loading your gun, and loading the Maxus 2 is a breeze. It also has a quick load feature, and the forearm cap gives you the option to add an extended magazine tube.
A crisp trigger
The trigger broke at an average of 5 lb 9 oz on our gauge. It is crisp with very little travel, and it feels great.
Build quality and finish
We always judge build quality relative to price, and everything on the Maxus 2 comes together tight, the way it should at this price point. The bolt, bolt slide, shell carrier, bolt release, and bolt handle have a nickel Teflon coating that protects them, adds lubricity, and makes cleaning easier. The Burnt Bronze Cerakote on the receiver and barrel looks great and should hold up for a long time.
How the Maxus 2 shot
Recoil
Recoil is very light, from target loads all the way up to 3.5-inch shells. Against the Benelli SBE3, the Benelli handled target loads from the shoulder a little better, but the Maxus 2 took 3.5-inch Black Clouds the best and had the edge on overall recoil.
Reliability
Out of the box, it did not cycle consistently when we shot it over the head, which is fair for a brand-new gun. After a few hundred rounds from the shoulder, we believe this shotgun is very reliable and will run for a long time. We did have a few minor cycling issues along the way, and in our freezing shotgun test the Maxus 2 did not handle the ice as well as the Winchester SX4.
Speed shooting
We love to shoot fast, and this gun does that well. We broke three hand-thrown clays in 1.17 seconds against the Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus and 1.23 seconds against the SBE3, and it kept putting up fast times consistently. We would like to try a 3-inch model to see if it runs even faster.
Breakdown and cleaning
For a gas gun, it is simple to break down for a full cleaning. We timed it at 29.18 seconds, compared to 13.8 seconds for the inertia-driven SBE3. A new gun is tighter, so expect it to come apart easier once it breaks in.
Browning Maxus 2 vs the competition
We have put the Maxus 2 head to head against three of the most popular waterfowl semi-autos. Here is how it did:
- Won against the Benelli Super Black Eagle 3, mostly on speed shooting. See the Benelli SBE3 vs Browning Maxus 2 showdown.
- Won against the Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus. See the Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus vs Browning Maxus 2 showdown.
- Lost to the Winchester SX4 on value. The two share many internal parts, and the SX4 costs about half as much. See the Browning Maxus 2 vs Winchester SX4 showdown.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Excellent ergonomics, grip, and oversized controls
- Very light recoil, even with 3.5-inch loads
- Crisp trigger with little travel
- Bored-out loading port and room for gloves
- Durable coatings and Cerakote finish
Cons
- Nearly double the price of the Winchester SX4, which shares many internals
- Did not handle our freezing test as well as the SX4
- A few minor cycling issues while new
- Slower to break down than an inertia gun
Who should buy it
The Maxus 2 fits the waterfowl hunter who shoots a lot of heavy loads, wants soft recoil, and cares about how a gun feels in the hands and in the blind. If you want the most performance per dollar, the Winchester SX4 gets you much of the same gun for far less. If you want an inertia gun that is faster to clean, look at the Benelli SBE3. Shopping around? See our Best Waterfowl Semi-Auto Shotguns.
Common questions
Is the Browning Maxus 2 good for waterfowl?
Yes. It is a 3.5-inch 12 gauge gas semi-auto with light recoil, oversized controls, and a trigger guard big enough for gloves. After a few hundred rounds, it ran reliably for us from the shoulder.
Browning Maxus 2 or Winchester SX4: which is better?
The SX4 shares many of the same internal parts, costs about half as much, and won our showdown on value. The Maxus 2 wins on ergonomics and feel. If those matter most to you, it is worth the extra money.
Is the Browning Maxus 2 worth it?
All around, the Browning Maxus 2 is a great gun and one we would love to have in the blind. It lives up to the soft-shooting claim, and the ergonomics justify a good part of the price. Are you running a Maxus 2 this season, or did you go with something else? Tell us in the discussion.
