What about the M2 Benelli?

[314159]

It seems the 1301 and the Benelli M4 are the hive-mind's choice for shotgun. I shoot both and completely agree these are pretty tough to beat. The M4 is a bit heavy, the 1301 quite a bit lighter, and both are softer to shoot than the old M2 of course.

However, if you want really light weight the M2 Benelli is kind of nice. Have I missed something where the M2 is no longer a first class choice?

My minimalist M2 (ComforTech/standard mag tube/no optics) runs low recoil loads reliably and is within my felt recoil tolerance levels. Within those limits what factor am I missing here? Maybe the M2 is just last decades news?

[rjohnson4405]

Owning neither but been a 1301 follower as I intend to own one.

1301 Tactical is listed at 6.4 pounds, M2 tactical is listed at 6.6 even with a 14" barrel.

Not that there is anything wrong with it but the 1301 seems to be lighter, softer shooting, similarly equipped as the tactical model and pretty much the same price.

I think also with Langdon and Aridus doing accessories, 1301 has some real room to grow beyond the basics if desired.

I would love to hear any advantages of the Benelli I'm not aware of though, I can admit to not knowing much about it.

[GJM]

I have a 1301, 14 inch M4, and 14 inch M2. Almost always, when I head out in bush Alaska, I grab a M2.

[cheby]

I have a 1301, 14 inch M4, and 14 inch M2. Almost always, when I head out in bush Alaska, I grab a M2.

Why do you choose M2 out of the other ones?

[GJM]

Why do you choose M2 out of the other ones?

My choice is based on picking the shotgun that I will carry for hours, shoot infrequently, but if I do need to shoot it, it is imperative that it will work.

The M4 is stout but feels like a club, between overall weight and the stock options.

The 1301 is awesome, but it feels fatter in the forend and is harder to select a slug/shot than the M2.

My M2 14 inch shotguns just feel handier, are very easy to go from floated to chambered to unchambered. I like the 14 inch barrels and awesome short LOP Comfortech stocks.

[Clusterfrack]

GJM, can you talk about inertial (M2) vs. gas (1301)? My understanding is that while inertial is simpler, malfunctions can be caused by shooting from unconventional positions that do not allow the gun to move sufficiently during recoil.

[GJM]

GJM, can you talk about inertial (M2) vs. gas (1301)? My understanding is that while inertial is simpler, malfunctions can be caused by shooting from unconventional positions that do not allow the gun to move sufficiently during recoil.

I have heard reference to that but not personally observed it. I am running 2.75 full power Brenneke slugs and don't aggressively push/pull, and as a result am not concerned for my defensive use of the M2.

[HitsOnTarget]

I have an M1 and M2 and in spite of minimal maintenance, I had great reliability with all sorts of ammo. I only complaint I have heard against the benelli inertia system is that the felt recoil is less with a gas system. I've also heard of M2 SBS's having reliability issues with cheap (low brass) bird shot used in training. Again a gas system should be more tolerant of lower powered shells.

[Rex G]

I went with the Benelli M1 Super 90, in the early Nineties, and then the M2, in 2016, quite simply because they were the only two auto-loading shotguns OK’-ed by my employer’s firearms policy. When I retired in 2018, I saw no reason to change systems, in the twilight of my shotgunnin’ days, and added another M2.

There was a huge gap, in-between, because the M1 Super 90 had such brutal recoil, I returned to the Remington 870, for a number of years. The old M1 stock beat me, without mercy, at a day-long Select-Slug course, and I sold the M1 Super 90 soon afterward. Actually, breaking a sight adjustment screw, during the class, side-lined the weapon, so I needed a quick substitute gun, for the street, anyway.

In 2016, when I finally got around to trying the Comfort-Tech stock, I kicked myself for not returning to Benelli, earlier.

I may add a Benelli M4, sooner or later. The controls are, IIRC, in the same places as the M2.

The Beretta 1301 “de-selected” itself, as a candidate, for my use, because the safety button is in the “wrong” place, for my long-conditioned reflexes. Many folks just ignore the safety button, but I most certainly DO NOT. The Beretta safety button may, arguably, be located in a superior location, for some folks, but I have never had a problem with the safety button being behind the trigger guard.

If I thought that the Beretta system, or any other system, would lessen the possibility of me being kilt in the streets, I would switch.

[Lon]

GJM, can you talk about inertial (M2) vs. gas (1301)? My understanding is that while inertial is simpler, malfunctions can be caused by shooting from unconventional positions that do not allow the gun to move sufficiently during recoil.

I had a M1S90 I used for 3 gun back in 07/08. The only time I ever had issues with cycling was at Ft Benning for a 3 gun match. They had cut a “pond” into one of the ranges and filled it with water. We shot from a moving boat. That movement of the boat was enough to rob inertia from the shotguns and most guys running unmodified Benellis had issues w jamming. Guys that had sent their Benellis for bolt lightening mods didn’t have many problems. I sent mine off after the match.

[Spartan1980]

GJM, can you talk about inertial (M2) vs. gas (1301)? My understanding is that while inertial is simpler, malfunctions can be caused by shooting from unconventional positions that do not allow the gun to move sufficiently during recoil.

The M2 that I had and the Vinci that I currently have would/will shoot 2.75", 1 1/8oz low recoil (1145fps) Win AA loads reliably. ETA: I think this is on the very edge of reliability but they've been good to date.

I used to shoot a fairly large local 3 gun match with both and saw a bunch of M2s in action. Some said they had issues running the LR stuff but I never actually saw it happen. If I were to guess that would be 20+ guys running M2s. We even had a stage once that we had to shoot from the hip. Don't recall any malfs in my squad or hearing of any on other squads and there would have been some bitching, I promise!

[GJM]

It is great to have options!

76352

My single favorite AK shotgun.

76353

[Elwin]

It is great to have options!

76352

My single favorite AK shotgun.

76353

Was your approach for the favorite to just buy a youth model and cut the barrel down? If I ever have a real budget for a defensive shotgun instead of gradually modding an 870 I’m tempted to go that route, cutting the barrel to 18” or so and adding an extension. Seems the straightest path to a short Comfortech stock on a home defense build.

[GJM]

Unfortunately, the spacing on the rib doesn't lend itself to cutting to 14 inches, and I needed to start with a 21 inch barrel. I forget how the spacing works on cutting to 18, best to look at some barrel lengths in person and measure for an 18 inch barrel cut.

[Elwin]

Unfortunately, the spacing on the rib doesn't lend itself to cutting to 14 inches, and I needed to start with a 21 inch barrel. I forget how the spacing works on cutting to 18, best to look at some barrel lengths in person and measure for an 18 inch barrel cut.

Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind. The gaps in the rib supports are big enough I can see why that’s an issue.

[Flamingo]

Was your approach for the favorite to just buy a youth model and cut the barrel down? If I ever have a real budget for a defensive shotgun instead of gradually modding an 870 I’m tempted to go that route, cutting the barrel to 18” or so and adding an extension. Seems the straightest path to a short Comfortech stock on a home defense build.

I don't know if they still make them, but I have a 18 inch M2 with ghost ring sights. I really like it. The only thing I did to it was to add a Nordic (I think) +2 mag extension and some pic rail to mount a flashlight on.

[Clusterfrack]

What I heard was that the problems happen when firing the gun with your back or shoulder supported by a solid object (e.g. wall, tree).

Shooting from moving boats is fun!


I have heard reference to that but not personally observed it. I am running 2.75 full power Brenneke slugs and don't aggressively push/pull, and as a result am not concerned for my defensive use of the M2.


I had a M1S90 I used for 3 gun back in 07/08. The only time I ever had issues with cycling was at Ft Benning for a 3 gun match. They had cut a “pond” into one of the ranges and filled it with water. We shot from a moving boat. That movement of the boat was enough to rob inertia from the shotguns and most guys running unmodified Benellis had issues w jamming. Guys that had sent their Benellis for bolt lightening mods didn’t have many problems. I sent mine off after the match.

[Lon]

What I heard was that the problems happen when firing the gun with your back or shoulder supported by a solid object (e.g. wall, tree).

Shooting from moving boats is fun!

I don’t recall ever having that issue w my M1S90.

[Elwin]

I don't know if they still make them, but I have a 18 inch M2 with ghost ring sights. I really like it. The only thing I did to it was to add a Nordic (I think) +2 mag extension and some pic rail to mount a flashlight on.

They do still make it, as far as I know. I just need a shorter stock (for wife compatibility in addition to my own preferences) and my understanding is that finding the youth Comfortech stock sold separately is both difficult and expensive.

[HCM]

It seems the 1301 and the Benelli M4 are the hive-mind's choice for shotgun. I shoot both and completely agree these are pretty tough to beat. The M4 is a bit heavy, the 1301 quite a bit lighter, and both are softer to shoot than the old M2 of course.

However, if you want really light weight the M2 Benelli is kind of nice. Have I missed something where the M2 is no longer a first class choice?

My minimalist M2 (ComforTech/standard mag tube/no optics) runs low recoil loads reliably and is within my felt recoil tolerance levels. Within those limits what factor am I missing here? Maybe the M2 is just last decades news?

Long time Benelli M1 user here (since 1988). Currently own an M1, M1 SBS and a 1301.

I think the posts so far cover most of the issues between the M2 /M4 and the 1301.

There are potential concerns about various things compromising the inertia action of the M1/M2 from low power ammo, to compromised positions, over aggressive push-pull, to hanging too much mass on the gun in the form of ammo and enablers.

The M4 and 1301 address those concerns but as GJM’s photos show, one of the added features of the 1301T is the standard 18” 1301T is nearly the same length as the 14” Benellis without the NFA tax or hassle.

[GJM]

Long time Benelli M1 user here (since 1988). Currently own an M1, M1 SBS and a 1301.

I think the posts so far cover most of the issues between the M2 /M4 and the 1301.

There are potential concerns about various things compromising the inertia action of the M1/M2 from low power ammo, to compromised positions, over aggressive push-pull, to hanging too much mass on the gun in the form of ammo and enablers.

The M4 and 1301 address those concerns but as GJM’s photos show, one of the added features of the 1301T is the standard 18” 1301T is nearly the same length as the 14” Benellis without the NFA tax or hassle.

The Beretta is about two inches shorter than a comparable Benelli, meaning the 18 inch 1301 is about a 16 inch Benelli in overall length. I like having a mag tube that extends beyond my 14 inch barrel because it provides an offset in case I end up in snow and mud, so the barrel stays clear.

[Exiledviking]

It is great to have options!

76352

My single favorite AK shotgun.

76353Are you able to use the iron sights on all of those, looking thru the red dot sights? Excluding the rib mounted sight.

[Hambo]

What I heard was that the problems happen when firing the gun with your back or shoulder supported by a solid object (e.g. wall, tree).


I've shot from some weird positions in 3 gun without problems, but I don't recall being sandwiched between a solid object and my M1S90. It seems like something that should be memorable. I have a Benelli marked mercury recoil reducer in mine.

[GJM]

Are you able to use the iron sights on all of those, looking thru the red dot sights? Excluding the rib mounted sight.

Yes.

[CWM11B]

FWIW, I have an older HK marked M1S90 w 18" bbl, a 14" M1S90 that was my issued SWAT gun for 11 years, and a 1301. I never experienced the relbility issue from positional shooting with the Benellis, but the 14 inch would absolutely choke on cheap training birdshot as well as federal low recoil buck and slugs. I've got the most time on the SBS, and I ran it exclusively with full power buck & slug and used high brass heavy field loads for birdshot. I loved that gun, and when we traded them in I bought it for sentimental reasons, however, I replaced them with 1301s. As mentioned above, the 1301 is only about two inches longer than the SBS. It is much softer shooting and will shoot anything I feed it. During evaluation, we were getting B27 X ring hits with slugs at 100 yards and loaded the tube with random light bird, high brass buck and slug along with low recoil stuff and ran it as fast as we could pull the trigger. It ran like a champ. The Benellis just sit in the safe now. I prefer the 1301. I probably ought to start culling the herd at this point in my life, just haven't been able to bring myself to it yet.