The Benelli M2

Readers of this magazine will well know that I have a soft spot for a good semi-automatic. I campaign with one (indeed, as I write this, I have just returned from a successful sortie with my venerable, 32” barrelled, Beretta 303). Few semi-automatics have a better reputation than those made by Beretta and Benelli (who are now part of the same group). Our test gun is a Benelli M2 model. To use the vernacular of the US gun trade, it’s a ‘black gun’ – meaning its black actioned with a synthetic polymer stock. It certainly looks businesslike.
Frankly, I don’t much care what a gun looks like, if it works well – deep, dark and dangerous, or purple spots… it does not matter much to me as long as I can win competitions or shoot birds successfully with it.

Test Bench

The Benelli, meantime, is notable for its especially rapid cycling. The mechanical design is inertia rather than gas operated (like a Beretta or most modern semi-automatics). Because no gasses are bled off from the barrel in a Benelli, it does not crud up as fast as most modern semis. I won’t be giving too much away if I note my belief that the Benelli is the finest field semi-automatic yet conceived, but the Beretta still floats my boat for clays.

The test gun has a one piece alloy action design - some Benellis have a sliding top cover like an old SLR or AK. The hammer-forged, 3” chambered, 28” barrel is stress relieved, most unusually, by cryogenic freezing. The chokes, five of which come with the gun, are treated in the same manner (they are of long pattern and have a more gradual constriction than the norm as well). Benelli believe their high tech sub 300F freezing process reduces metal stress and enhances surface finish. They further claim this reduces friction and the build up of lead and plastic residue. It makes sense, but I doubt if the difference is that significant, although there is no doubt that plastic residue can be a real problem in some guns.
The rib of the test Benelli is slightly raised and made of conventional steel (some model have carbon fibre ribs). My preference is for a flat rib – I like my eye to be led to the target without any distraction – just as if I am pointing a finger. The forend of the M2 is unusually short as well. My preference is for something longer, but this design does keep the weight down. The M2 which hits the scales around the 7 pound mark feels quite lively for a semi-automatic. All Benellis score in this department because their unusual operating system does not require too many parts forward of the receiver block.
This interesting gun also has an unusual ‘ComforTech’ stock. This includes a variety of anti-recoil features. The butt is fitted with a soft polymer pad (impressively, these are available not only in different lengths but in right and left handed versions as well!). Another feature of the ComforTech stock is an interchangeable polymer comb, and, there are shims for the adjustment of drop and cast (as also seen in Beretta guns).
The most unusual feature of the stock, however, are the dozen or so recoil-absorbing chevrons let into the butt diagonally. The whole assembly – stock and chevrons – is designed to flex on firing. The idea of this should be plain enough from the pictures. It’s an intriguing, innovative, package. It seems to work, moreover, which is more than can be said of some ‘anti-recoil’ gizmos on offer.

Inertia operation
The M2 has a rotating bolt-head attached to a breach-block by means of a short, stiff, spring. When the gun is fired, this compresses, the bolt-head unlocks and the working parts move to the rear ejecting the cartridge case and loading a fresh round. Forward impulsion is created by a rat’s tail - a rod hinged to the rear of the breech block as seen in many semi-automatic long arms - which acts against a spring to the rear. As the bolt head and block accelerate rearward, the cartridge case is pulled out of the chamber and ejected. The assembly of bolt head and bolt are also re-energized. The working parts return forward under spring pressure, loading another cartridge into the chamber, completing the cycle. Pull the trigger and it all begins again.

Shooting Impressions

The Benelli M2 is a fast handling gun with its 28” barrel (sadly, there isn’t a 30” option - this would be a great gun with a 30” tube - but there are 24 and 26” models available). It is faster handling than many other semis. There is not much weight forward, because there is no gas collar, nor piston. Nor are any cocking rods required in this clever design.

Benellis in my experience are livelier than other semi-automatic guns. They are just the ticket in a pigeon hide, or in other situations when serious hunting with a shotgun is the order of the day (they also make excellent vermin control guns). If I was stalking pigs with a shotgun, the Benelli is the gun that I would pick up first. It is perhaps not surprising that it is also considered one of the best combat shotguns.

The M2 Benelli Black Synthetic has a retail price of RRP £1,290 in ComforTech form as tested here (it would set you back £1,225 with a simple synthetic stock, and £1,250 in good ‘ol wood). There is also a 7+1 shot FAC version available. Other Benelli models include the Montefeltro from £1,210 and the Super Black Eagle II 3.5” at £1,630, not to mention the Nova and Supernova pump guns from about £600.

PRICE:
£1,290 RRP