[NEW] Benelli M2-G1 Tactical Shotgun: New Gas, New Features, More Capacity

When Benelli asks if you want to test a new unreleased shotgun, the obvious answer is hell yes. Officially released just today, we’ve been using and shooting the Benelli M2-G1 for a little while now, but we’re still pretty low on shell-count for a shotgun of this type. This will whet your appetite, but expect a long-term review coming later in the year.

Bottom line, the M2-G1 has an MSRP of $1,950, and uses a gas-operated semi-auto action that uses a new rear-mounted piston system with dual pistons for ultra-reliability. The Rear Piston Operated (RPO) technology is the major design change in this version of the M2, making it much closer to the M4’s ARGO system than anything else.

4 models on release with more planned, Benelli offers the M2-G1 with a 5-position stock and pistol grip in a plan syntheytic or with multi-cam or FDE colors. It’s also offered with a traditional stock option and no pistol grip.

All models of the M2-G1 come with ghost ring iron sights, 18.5” barrel, a Picatinny rail for optics mounting, enlarged controls (bolt handle & bolt release), a beveled and enlarged loading port, MLOK handguard, 7+1 tube, and a parkerized bolt. Right-hand only, Mobile-Benelli chokes, up to 3” shells.

The ghost ring sight is large and easy to use, but our shooting was done with a Trijicon RMR on top because red dots make everything better. The M2-G1 has run flawlessly through the random assortment of shells we’ve run through it, but this is just a small sample of what it should be able to do and what we’re going to run through it. So far, it’s exactly what you should expect from a Benelli shotgun — ultra-reliable, comfortable to shoot, and always asking for more.

The M2 and M4 have a reputation built on decades of hard use in every environment. The RPO gas system of the M2-G1 requires more testing to be able to match that confidence, but so far, the first impressions are great. Zero issues, zero problems, and the modern features of the M2-G1 are wonderful to have.

MSRP of almost $2k isn’t inexpensive, but for a Benelli that has everything you want right out of the box, it’s not bad either. 

More to come with this review.

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