New Benelli M2 Tactical questions

[Gottahaveone]

Good afternoon,
I decided to retire the 870 for a softer shooting semi-auto. I had to drive 150 miles round trip, but I brought home a new Benelli M2 Tactical. I wanted the 11054 (18.5", Ghost ring sights, Comfortech stock) but all the warehouse had available was the 11052 (18.5", Ghost ring sights, Pistol grip stock). And I got the last one of those that they'll have until march/april. I guess if I can't learn to live with the pistol grip I can always change the stock later. After putting 50 rounds thru it this afternoon, I might be changing that butt stock sooner rather than later. Danged thing kicks as bad as my 870

Now I have a couple of questions for the Benelli guru's out there. Are there any spare parts that you would recommend that I keep on hand, or does it just run forever? I would assume that at some point I will need to change the magazine spring, but what about the bolt recoil spring and firing pin spring? And do you run it wet or dry? I stripped and cleaned it last night and lightly oiled the parts that common sense suggested but I would appreciate some input.

With the IC choke tube and the 15 round bulk pack Remington 00 buck from wally world, I'm patterning about 6" at 25 feet. I know the rule of thumb is about an inch per yard, so I'm happy with that for now. If the current ammo craze ever ends, I think I'm gonna give the Federal Flight Control a try....

 

[esheato]

I have the same gun. It does recoil abnormally hard.

I run mine fairly dry. I've had it a few years, strictly for home defense. I've put maybe 500 rounds through it. Haven't had to replace anything yet.

I did change out the ghost ring and front post for a tritium version and added a Surefire integrated forend/light setup.

Can't say I really enjoy shooting it, but it works every time.

I've had great luck with the Flite Control loads too. I did a review a few years ago, it's posted here.

 

[rcmodel]

Benelli's kick like a stud mule on PCP!

I bought a new M2 Field for a Turkey gun to replace my old Browning A5 a few years ago.

That Benelli kicked so hard it made me see cross-eyed with Mag turkey loads!

I sold it and went back to the A5.

If you want noticeably less recoil then your 870, you should have bought a gas-operated shotgun.

rc

 

[Gottahaveone]

Hi RC,
I thought about a gas gun but I really liked what I have read about the dependability of the Benelli platform. After I verify the reliability of this particular one, I don't plan on shooting the snot out of it. It'll spend most of it's life like the 870 does, sitting in the closet with a full mag tube and with a sincere hope that it will never need to come out....

 

[XTrooper]

All recoil-operated shotguns kick. It's the "nature of the beast" and isn't limited to the Benellis.

 

[browningguy]

I have the same model, just purchased a few weeks ago and I'm very happy with it. I have to say shooting standard Remington and the Winchester Ranger 00 buck loads I thought the recoil was very easy to control, the pistol grip stock seems to really help. I've added the GG&G bolt handle and a +4 Nordic extension now.



As far as spares I've been shooting my 20ga. Benelli for quite a while and never had anything fail or wear out, so for now I'm not carrying any spares at all (except magazine springs of course).

 

[rcmodel]

All recoil-operated shotguns kick. It's the "nature of the beast" and isn't limited to the Benellis.

This is true of inertia operated actions.
Without the sharp kick, they won't work.

But a long-recoil operated action like a Browning Auto-5 on its worst day kicks noticably less then a Benelli.

rc

 

[VA27]

I shot a friend's PG stock Benelli. Kicked the crap out of me, so I passed on buying one. A coupla years ago I shot one with a regular stock and it was like shooting a totally different gun. So I bought one. It doesn't seem to me to kick any harder than my 870 even with 3" shells. I like it.

 

[oneounceload]

Your owner's manual will tell you whether or not to run it wet or dry.
Be nellies are basically a form of blowback operated gun, thus the recoil, especially with heavy loads, will be harsh. You might want to look at a Bumpbuster or Gracoil

 

[Gottahaveone]

Your owner's manual will tell you whether or not to run it wet or dry.

Nope. I don't know much, but I know enough to RTFM

Closest it comes to mentioning oiling is "To keep the gun in good order, oiling of parts subject to atmospheric corrosion is recommended".

I take this to mean external surfaces. I'll keep it clean with a light touch of oil on the parts that seem to need it and see what happens....

As for recoil, it's not unbearable, it's about on par with my 870. Problem is that I can run it MUCH faster than the 870. I'll admit I was playing, but I could get the 5th hull out before the first hit the ground. My shoulder say's I gotta stop doing that. This is a totally new platform for me and I'm still learning what it will and won't do. So far, I have to say it is the best firearm purchase I've made in a long time.......

 

[BigJimP]

I have a pair of Inertia operated Benelli's ...Super Sport models...but both of them have well over 50,000 shells thru them with no issues on parts ( recoil spring, etc ).....and I wouldn't expect any issues until well over 250,000 shells.../ recoil on my guns is not bad - but they both have the comfort tech system in them.

But the gun you might want to consider ...is the gas operated Benelli M-4 ...since you couldn't get the M-2 with the comfort tech system in it. The M-2 with the comfort Tech in it...isn't soft shooting ...but its way better than without it ..../ but the M-4 is significantly softer shooting than the M-2 with comfort tech. Keep your eyes open for a used M-4 maybe...but I don't see too many of them around..

I like the Benelli's a lot ...I've had one Super Sport now since they first came out ( maybe 10 yrs now ) ...and its been a very good gun / shoots clean, cycles quickly, ..../ I'm not surprised to hear you like it already --- congratulations on a nice gun!

 

[Loc n Load]

Super 90's

I have been shooting, training and instructing Benelli tactical shotguns since the early 90's....I own an M1 and for 20 years had six of them in my inventory on my spec op's group, I was the designated armorer and maintained these guns along with a bunch of Rem.870's & 11-87's in addition to a bunch of M-16's, M14's, Mp-5's and Sig Hgns. Been thru the HK school for the Benneli's and over a period of twenty some years we ran over 500,000 rds thru those six M1's, all 1 oz slug & #4 buck mag loads.....the M-1's were still being used when I retired.....I kept them clean, and very little lube was needed.....they r great guns, run good with the right loads and are not "high maint." items..... U have a great gun, and yep they have recoil, but they are 12 ga., and they launch a pretty impressive payload. I have an extensive background with a lot of SGN's and regardless of whether they were inertia or gas operated, after firing a couple boxes of rounds thru them, I knew it. As far as running an auto loader vs. pump gun fast, you only have to look at the 3 gun matches to see what the competitors are running, and they are not pump guns.