Benelli M2-G1

By
Guy Coursey
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Benelli M2-G1

By: Guy Coursey

Does the all-new R.P.O. gas system represent a significant upgrade to the inertia-driven M2 Tactical? You betcha.

While the AR-15 is and will remain a popular and effective weapon system for the foreseeable future, the shotgun remains the undisputed champion when it comes to raw stopping power at typical engagement distances (under 100 yards).   In addition to pump and gas-operated shotguns, Benelli has been making high-quality inertia-operated shotguns for nearly 60 years. Its mid-range-priced M2 series includes models for bird hunting, 3-gun, and tactical use. The latest in line is the gas-operated, 12-gauge Benelli M2-G1, a significantly enhanced version of their M2 Tactical model.

 

 

While there are updates/enhancements aplenty, the big news with the M2-G1 is Benelli’s all-new Rear Piston Operated (R.P.O.) gas system, which focuses on clean operation, weapon controllability, reduced maintenance, and long-term durability. The R.P.O. system incorporates dual short-stroke pistons mounted near the chamber and a recoil spring assembly that’s fully isolated from fouling and debris.
Controls are all about speed and efficiency, including the enlarged bolt handle, bolt release, and safety selector, as well as a beveled loading port for quicker reloads. All operating components are parkerized.
The M2-G1 features an 18.50-inch barrel with an equal-length 7-round magazine tube. Its textured/ribbed polymer forend provides great grip traction, as well as M-LOK and QD sling attachment capability. Additional M-LOK attachment points are located on either side of the polymer barrel clamp; Streamlight’s (www.streamlight.com) compact, 850-lumen ProTac Rail Mount 1L-X weapon light is shown attached.

While not quite as well known as the gas-operated and significantly more expensive Benelli M1014 M4/M4 EXT system, the inertia-driven Benelli M2 Tactical is the successor to the once popular M1 Super 90.   Coincidentally, my earliest flirtation with semi-auto tactical shotguns included a short stint owning a M1 Super 90. It was short because I found out that the combination of a pointed comb on the pistol-grip-style stock and its very robust inertia-operating system would punish me to the point where it looked like I had lost a fistfight.   However, I had no problem selling it to another victim because it looked very cool and had recently been in the movie Heat. The Benelli M2-G1 shares many of the same attributes as the M1 and M2 Tactical, but with its much-improved Rear Piston Operated (R.P.O.) gas system, and happily, without the tendency to put a beat down on you when fired. The R.P.O. system incorporates dual short-stroke pistons located near the chamber to reduce exposure to fouling and create a cleaner environment for reliable operation. The recoil spring itself is isolated from combustion gases, protecting it from fouling and debris. After a few hundred rounds of testing, the M2-G1’s operating components remained amazingly clean, lending credence to one of its main engineering goals.

Multiple variations of the M2-G1 are available as of writing this, including matte-blued and flat-dark earth and black camo (tested) Cerakote finishes, fixed and adjustable stock variations, and 7+1 and 5+1 magazine capacities.

The available pistol-grip adjustable stock is the same 5-position expandable version found on the latest M4 EXT, with a rounded comb for a much more comfortable shooting experience. The receiver is topped with a Picatinny rail and a white-dot-flanked aperture rear sight that’s easily adjustable for windage and elevation, similar to the M4 EXT. The 18.5-inch barrel is threaded for removable chokes (tool included) and topped with a protected A-frame-style front sight post. It also comes with a 7-round magazine tube, held to the barrel with an M-LOK-equipped barrel clamp, and a unique ribbed and textured forend that tapers to an octagonal configuration with M-LOK rail points at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock. The M2-G1 action features an oversize charging handle and bolt release, as well as the safety and carrier release in the same location as the M2 and M1014. My Benelli M2-G1 came finished in an attractive dark-black Cerakote camo and topped with a Trijicon RCR in an ADM mount.

The M2-G1 uses the same five-position-adjustable polymer buttstock as the also new (but less so) Benelli M4 EXT, yet with a slightly revised rubber-overmolded pistol grip. The stock features a left-side push-button adjustment and multiple QD sling attachment points.
A fully adjustable, winged white-dot rear sight is paired with a winged and windage-adjustable white-dot front sight. The M2-G1 ships from the factory wearing a Picatinny optic rail, to which we mounted a Trijicon RCR (www.trijicon.com) red dot riding on an American Defense Mfg. (www.admmfg.com) QD mount.
The M4-G1 was tested at 5, 10, 15, and 20 yards with Winchester and Federal 00 buckshot, with the Federal tending to hold a more precise group at the longer ranges with the gun’s IC choke installed. Using slugs, 50-yard hits on an 8-inch steel plate proved an easy day using the Trijicon RCR.

            Range time with the Benelli M2-G1 proved much as expected. In general, Benelli has a rock-solid reputation with its gas-operated shotguns being quite reliable. But like any gun, they require a break-in period. Most semi-autos are finicky about what they will eat, so it was with my brand new, zero-round M2-G1. Low-brass Fiocchi #8 birdshot and buckshot would not reliably eject, nor would some Rio or Remington loads. Once I tried using heavier high-brass dove and quail loads, it cycled fine, as did full-power Federal and Winchester Super-X buckshot, as well as all slugs. The IC choke kept groups with the Winchester Super X within the C-zone of an IPSC target at 15 yards, while Federal 9-pellet LE flight control was good to 20 yards and even 25 yards. Slugs were simple to keep on 8-inch targets out to 50 and beyond.   Recoil was very manageable.

Even firing full-power 3-inch buckshot, the M2-G1 remained highly controllable — a fact that we have to believe is thanks to the new R.P.O. gas system. Reliability with full-power 2-3/4- and 3-inch shells was 100 percent. Low-brass target and hunting loads were slightly less predictable, but with additional break-in time, we’re guessing they, too, will cycle without a hiccup.

 

 

All in all, I was impressed with the Benelli M2-G1, and even with my acknowledged 1301 bias, would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for a capable, reliable, and, last but not least, absolutely bad-ass-looking tactical shotgun. Pricing ranges from $1,829 for the standard-buttstock-equipped version to $2,149 for the FDE and Camo collapsible-stock variants. See them in person at your nearest dealer, or for more information, contact Benelli USA; Tel.: (301) 283-6981; Web: www.benelliusa.com

Specifications:

Action:                        Semi-Auto

Caliber:                      12 Gauge (3” chamber)

Barrel Length:            18.50 Inches

Overall Length:           38.5 to 39.5 Inches

Weight:                      7.40 to 8.0 Pounds

MSRP:                       $1,829 to $2,149

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