I have a buddy just bought a new stoeger shotgun and loves it, he says it's the same as a benelli. Now I know there is some difference because the stoeger costs less than half that of a benelli. Does anybody know what the major difference are? Thanks

Really can't speak to this as I have never even seen one of the Stoeger guns but have a look at this:
"The Stoeger Model 2000 is licensed to use Benelli’s Inertia Driven operating system — the heart of the world’s most prestigious and expensive autoloaders. Unlike common gas-operated guns whose fore-ends conceal pistons, O-rings, valves and other moving parts, the inertia-recoil system is entirely contained inside the receiver. The results? A trimmer fore-end, better balance, more reliable operation and the ability to fire everything from light target ammunition to the heaviest waterfowl loads without adjustments. And because propellant gas isn’t vented from the barrel, Inertia Driven guns like the M-2000 stay cleaner, even after hundreds of shots. Even in the toughest conditions, your new M-2000 will keep on firing."
And just out of curiousity, what sort of money are we speaking of for the Stoeger? I see they have a MSRP of $400 to $475 - and that is indeed less than half the price of the SBE - actually more like a third!