Founded by the Italian Giovanni Benelli in 1967, Benelli Armi SpA has become synonym with top notch firearms for the past 50 years.
Its sense of innovation in addition to its high quality requirements have gained the Benelli company worldwide fame and success.
The brand has built a reputation for great reliability and world-class quality, not to mention ease of use, low maintenance, and light guns.
After the hit that was the M1 Super 90, the M2 manages to bring some major improvements to the table. The M2 shines with its versatility. Suited for all situations, it’s ideal for hunting in rough environments.
Thanks to this, the M2 series enjoys a great popularity among Benelli aficionados.
The M2 comes in a wide variety of models with either 20 or 12 gauge calibers, and a host of different finishes. The M2 Tactical model has three possible configurations: the standard version with a pistol grip, with a straight stock, and the Comfortech with a stock designed to reduce recoil. Additionally, you have a choice of open rifle sights or ghost ring sights.
The matte black anodized Ergal receiver gives the M2 a streamlined, elegant style. The polymer forend and stock allows the M2 to be the lightest of the Benelli shotguns at a mere 6.7 pounds. The ever so reliable Benelli Inertia Driven system using a rotary head bolt makes up the repeater mechanism. Quite advantageously, it makes the M2 easy to clean. With the M2’s mechanism being Inertia Driven, you won’t have any gas port, gas ring, gas seal, or fouled mechanism to clean. This also contributes in making the M2 much lighter than other shotguns, with a comfortable foregrip.
The trigger guard is very large, meaning the trigger remains accessible even while wearing gloves. Furthermore, thanks to the state of the art AirTouch checkering, the M2 offers a strong, pleasant grip and can be grabbed confidently under any circumstances. The AirTouch checkering benefits from being made out of polymer, which guarantees a clever design that allows ventilation of the gripping hand while allowing a powerful and precise clasp.
The M2’s barrel is sturdily anchored to the receiver with a rear extension of the connecting point. This gives the shooter great stability and accuracy while using the shotgun. The barrel is chrome lined and cryo-treated, which keeps it cleaner.
The recoil-reducing Comfortech system in the stock effectively dampens recoil and muzzle rise. While it doesn’t suppress it entirely, it significantly lessens the recoil and is a great improvement over the M1. This integrated system involves the stock, butt, and comb. It works by absorbing a portion of the energy unleashed while shooting that translates as recoil.
The butt plate system comprises 12 chevron slots on each side which increase the flexibility of the butt and act as a barrier against recoil. The M2’s general design was created to dampen the kick that occurs when firing before it hits your shoulder. As a result, shooting in sequence is quicker and easier. The Comfortech really helps counterbalance the light weight and sharp recoil that comes with it, which can be a turnoff for some people.
As mentioned previously, the Benelli M2 comes in a host of custom configurations. Whatever your purpose is, the M2 can do it. Get a short barrel and high tech sights for target shooting, or favor longer barrels and the Comfortech stocks with the drop adjustment kit for hunting.
What’s more, all M2 models come with plates to fine-tune the drop and centerline of the stock. The ergonomic design, possibility of adjusting the drop, and choice of three different sized butts guarantee that you’ll feel at home with M2. Comfort, familiarity, precision, and power make the M2 a formidable weapon.
With the M2, flexibility is at the forefront. It offers a wide range of barrels, allowing you to make the shotgun highly specialized depending on your intended purpose.
The Benelli Varichoke barrels provide an array of lengths and spread distribution thanks to a kit of five different chokes. The M2 is ideal if you like using your weapon in various environments and conditions, from short to medium and long ranges. The chokes are rather long and cryo-treated, which decrease axial tailing of the shotgun pattern.
Lefties aren’t left behind as Benelli has produced a left-handed version of the M2. The main difference compared to a regular unit is that the left-handed M2’s cartridges are ejected from the left. This is a great feature for left-handed hunters, allowing for a smoother experience with better focus and speed. No more having to watch the cartridge distractingly fly across your face. There are three models of left-handed M2, two 12-gauges and one 20-gauge, in contrast with the eight right handed models, including eight 12-gauge and two 20-gauge models.
The M2 comes in a variety of different versions.
In addition to the slick modern black polymer version, the M2 is available in a Camo version for all the hunters who like maximum discretion in natural environments. But if you prefer a more classical design, Benelli also issues a version that has a walnut stock and forend.
The M2 is available in a compact, short Length of Pull version. The Compact is excellent if you favor rapidity of execution with instant aiming and firing. It can be especially practical for smaller hunters or women who don’t want to be overburdened with a heavy weapon, though the M2 tends to be very light in general.
As for the M2 Tactical version, it has a ghost side ring system with elevation and windage adjustable rear and front sights, along with a scope rail receiver.
In a nutshell, the M2 is a top of the notch shotgun. Versatile, reliable, practical and powerful, it’ll rejoice any shotgun amateur.
Its main strengths are how light weight it is, with great customizable ergonomics and the recoil-reducing technology to shoot for a while without fatigue. What’s more, it’s very easy to clean and maintain. All in all, it just feels great to hold, handle, and shoot the M2.