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Benelli M2 Practical and SuperNova

Benelli M2 Practical and SuperNova

Benelli semi-auto shotguns are unique, as they use the recoil energy of the cartridge in conjunction with a rotating bolt, inertia mechanism. Clean, elegant and simple, they are the only modern, recoil-type system that can hold its own against the plethora of gas/piston designs. They can also claim the fame of being the only company who have produced a modern pump-action – the Nova with its unusual, polymer receiver.

Though no shotgunner in the accepted English sense, as I neither use nor like double barrels, I consider myself an authority on Practical-type guns and also use a Section 1 Remington 870 pump-action for rabbits, close range foxing and pigeons. I also use it with rifled slug in Europe.

Comfort and Shootability

So I was pleased when Robert Frampton (GMK Ltd) sent me a pair of Benellis aimed more at the Practical shooter – the semi-auto M2 Practical and the pump-action SuperNova. In truth the pump is no longer the weapon of choice for those who compete in the discipline of Practical Shotgun (PSG) as the self-loader has all but taken over that role. However, as the ultimate field repeater it’s hard to beat.

In terms of controls and general features the M2 is near identical to the M1; however where it differs is in the forend design and the highly efficient Comfort Tec butt system that reduces felt recoil considerably. The SuperNova also makes use of this technology, which as I was to discover; gives a whole new meaning to comfort and shootability!

The M2 Practical is really a long barrelled tactical shotgun in that is has all the whistles and bells required – a full set of adjustable, LPA iron sights, a Picatinny rail on the receiver, sling swivels and a 9-shot mag extension.  The 3” chambered, 26” multi-choke barrel is plain (no vent rib) and shows six, small ports (three each side) 3 ½” from the muzzle. This is as the M1 version and acts to control recoil.

The furniture is black polymer and shows panels of aggressive ‘Air Touch’ texturing that really gives good grip in all conditions. The forend is perhaps a tad short, but with its generously scalloped finger boards and rounded/bellied shape it fills the hand nicely. The receiver is aluminium alloy and the controls consist of the usual – big-head cross bolt safety at the rear of the trigger guard, extended cocking handle, slotted shell lifter, bolt release button and the combo lever that gives cocked action indication, manual shell release and manual hold open.

Of particular note is the butt, as it offers their ComforTech recoil absorption system, combined with a most practical gel recoil pad. The former uses rubber chevrons set in the butt that actually compress under load so absorbing energy, this combined with the pad is said to reduce kick by 48% and muzzle climb by 15%.  We are also told it gets you back on target 69% faster… Also included are spacers to allow you to adjust drop and cast and there’s a rubber insert on the comb for more comfort with heavy loads.

Light But No Lightweight

The first impression of the M2 is its lack of weight and bulk, as it tips the scales loaded (10-rounds) at 8 lbs, empty its 6.9 lbs. As a confirmed Remington 1100/11-87 user, which are both, heavy, all-steel guns, I was expecting the M2 to kick some.

You do need to get used to the controls for loading, as the bolt will only lock open when the combo lever (front right) of the trigger guard is pushed up (red dot covered). When it protrudes (red dot exposed) it indicates the hammer is cocked and the bolt is free to cycle. With a loaded magazine, pressing the lever will release a cartridge onto the shell lifter. So if it suits you can fill the magazine and leave the chamber empty then trip the first round into the action. To chamber it just cycle the bolt. Typically the gun locks open after the last round has been fired/ejected and pressing in the bolt release (forward right) closes the action.

First Impressions

Wanting to do the M2 justice I fed it a real mix of ammo - light weight #6s & 7s, BBs, OO Buckshot, AAAs and rifled slug, as I said I was expecting some pain with the snottier loads and was pleasantly surprised. Control-wise the big head safety and bolt release button and extended bolt handle are a real boon for easy operation. Likewise the slotted shell lifter is a god-send should you get a round that gets partially released, which can happen, though the Practical fired over 250-rounds and never missed a beat!

The real revelation was with the some Express 50-gram BBs, which is what they call a heavy fox load. Fired through other autos and pumps it kicks like a mule and can draw blood at your end! Through the M2 with its ComforTech butt it’s still unpleasant, but far from the monster it is in other makes. Likewise with slug; I used Remington, 12-gauge Slugger, which is nasty but nice and some CBC to the tune of 50-rounds with no ill affects at all! It’s hard to believe that the chevrons and gel pad make such a difference to felt recoil and gun control; but they do. On that point the butt pad is not flat but angles out from the centre in an eccentric, V-shape, which fills your shoulder pocket near exactly, so gun mount is easy and secure.

I’m a sucker for combat/tactical shotguns and the M2 Practical does not disappoint as the iron sights allow point target work with slug and the Picatinny rail the use of optics if you want to push the range or prefer a red dot. However, for most PSG work they are little more than window dressing, as for clanging steel plates with bird shot; all you need is a standard pin up front! So here’s the rub, as you can buy a 7 + 1, 26” (3” chamber) standard barrelled M2 with ComforTech stock for £234.25 less. This format is much favoured by game keepers, as most I know have opted for this gun, or already own the earlier M1 version.

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Glock It!

Now the SuperNova, which is a 3 ½” Magnum, so very much an all-purpose field gun, as can also be seen from the vent rib barrel and sporting sights. The most unusual aspect of the build is the receiver, which uses a steel skeleton with a techno polymer cast onto it, rather like the frame of the Glock pistol. Though manually operated it uses the same, twin-lug bolt as the semi-auto, though the forend is quite distinctive with a hand-filling shape that allows a short or long hold to be used.

Grip is provided by ribbing on both butt and forend and the ComforTech system is used, though in this case the recoil pad is not a gel-type, just ventilated and flat in section. The SuperNova is not ugly as its Italian design shows through, but neither is it smooth looking like the M2, as it exudes a sort of techno/industrial feel. This is typified by the large and angular trigger guard.

With its big 3 ½” chamber capacity will vary from 3 – 7 given the cartridge length and whether you have a larger mag fitted. GMK supplied me with a 2-shot extension, which put the payload with 70mm shells up to 7 + 1, which is pretty good.  It would also be possible to use the 9-shot tube of the M2 Practical should you wish.

The barrel is a 28” multi-choke (tubes included) with a plain, ventilated rib. Sights consist of a silver pin in the middle with a red bead at the muzzle. Unlike the M2 there’s no purely practical barrel option with iron sights, though Benelli do offer a tactical model with a short barrel, mag extension and irons for the military/police market. It’s also possible to get a pistol grip butt, should you wish for more control.

Disconnect Me

As befits a pump, controls are simple – cross bolt safety at the front of the trigger guard and front right of this the bolt release catch, which allows you to open the action when it’s cocked and locked. Unusual and also practical for a slide-action is the magazine disconnecter, which is built into the underside of the forend. Should you want to change ammo from say bird to buckshot; pull back the slide about ¼”, press up the disconnector, then fully open the action to eject the round in the chamber. Here the cartridge stops are disabled so the next round is not fed; all you do is drop in the one you want and close the bolt. As soon as the gun locks up the disconnector re-sets until it’s needed again.

I love pumps for their sheer reliability and pure toughness and the SuperNova does not disappoint. I put the same ammo through it as I did the M2 and found the same superior recoil reduction and gun control; even with the big 50-gram Express loads. I have to say that I don’t use this one in my 870, not because the gun is not strong enough, but because it kicks the crap out of me to such an extent that I start flinching before I have pulled the trigger.

I’ve owned a Remington 870 for well over 20-years and rate is as possibly the best pump-action ever made, but I have to say that the Super Nova comes very close and its ComforTech butt is just the best thing for heavy loads. The only question in my mind is will the design be able to stand up to 20-years of serious use and abuse like my steel framed Remy has? Saying that I feel that if you are looking for a decent field or Practical pump-action with a bit of flair and style about it then the Nova or SuperNova are worth serious consideration.

End Game

Without doubt two exceptional shotguns; well made, reliable, highly shootable and recoil friendly! The M2 Practical is specialised and what you are paying for as extra – sights, full mag extension and scope bases is only of real interest to someone who shoots PSG and a lot of slug. The standard M2, as I have detailed, is equally as good in terms of what it offers, but cheaper and certainly more acceptable with the majority of the shooting community.

The Super Nova is a hard one to fathom. As a pump fan I love it and would be very happy with it as my field gun. However, the general concept is not a popular one in the UK, as most people prefer semis, due to the ease of their mechanism and lighter recoil. However, if you are looking for the ultimate in reliability in a Section 1 capacity shotgun, in the largest 12-gauge cartridge available, which might appeal to wildfowlers, then it’s has to be a top choice.

If I still shot PSG I’d seriously consider an M2 Practical, but I could certainly be persuaded to retire my old 870 and get the SuperNova, with maybe a slug barrel for Europe…

We Reckon:

• Superb recoil control
• Highly shootable
• Well worth consideration

PRICE: £1359.75 | Price £572.25 | Price £1123.50

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  • Benelli M2 Practical and SuperNova - image {image:count}

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  • Benelli M2 Practical and SuperNova - image {image:count}

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  • Benelli M2 Practical and SuperNova - image {image:count}

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  • Benelli M2 Practical and SuperNova - image {image:count}

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  • Benelli M2 Practical and SuperNova - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Benelli M2 Practical and SuperNova - image {image:count}

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  • Benelli M2 Practical and SuperNova - image {image:count}

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  • Benelli M2 Practical and SuperNova - image {image:count}

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gun
features

  • Name: M2 Practical | Super Nova | M2 high capacity
  • Calibre: 12-bore (3”) | 12-bore (3 ½”) | 12-bore (3 ½”)
  • Barrel: 26” M/C (ported) | 28” M/C | 24, 26 or 28” (M/C)
  • Iron sights: Y | Y | Y
  • Scope rail: Y | Y | Y
  • Capacity: 9+1 | 3 -5 (depending on cartridge) | 7+1 (fixed mag)
  • ComforTech stock: Y | Y | Y

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