Range report: Benelli M2 tactical

[sernv99]

got to shoot my Benelli M2 tactical today, for the first time. As someone who shot only gas-operated shotguns and a O/U, this was a different experience with a recoil operated shotgun. Pretty damn fast!!!! But also pretty damn punishing!!! Well with the 10 rounds of Remington 3" 1oz 12 guage rifled slugs....and just a t-shirt on...dang!!! That thing kicks way too hard and I had to put on my PAST recoil harness pad after 3 rounds. But the Fiochhi and Remington 2 3/4" 00 buckshot 9 pellet and the 2 3/4" #4 shot (1 1/4oz)birdshot were ok. I put 100 rounds of the buckshot, 10 rounds of the slugs and 37 rounds of the birdshot. I had two fail to feed with the slugs and two fail to feed with the birdshot. I assume this was due to operator error (me not holding it tight enough to let the recoil properly eject/load the next round).

Pretty fun gun to shoot up logs and poles and watch them get shredded. I have a 7 round mag tube on with a Nordic barrel/mag clamp. The clamp had loosened up and I had to retighten it. It did leave some marks on the barrel and mag tube (the matte black finish rubbed off a little bit). Is this anything to worry about?

anyway, sweet gun however if I were to shoot 3" magnum slugs for fun, I would get a gas-operated gun or at least a heavier gun like my 11-87 SP. But the recoil pad did help a lot.

 

[Robert Hairless]

if I were to shoot 3" magnum slugs for fun ...

I have a 7 round mag tube on with a Nordic barrel/mag clamp. The clamp had loosened up and I had to retighten it. It did leave some marks on the barrel and mag tube (the matte black finish rubbed off a little bit). Is this anything to worry about?

Nah. Whenever those scars to the finish of your shotgun gets to bothering you, go back to shooting 3" Magnum slugs for fun. Pretty soon you won't even notice the condition of your Benelli or much of anything else.

 

[Defensory]

Forget the 3" magnums. Completely unnecessary for self-defense situations.

2 3/4" inch #4 buckshot is all you really need. You'll have noticeably less recoil and barrel rise, which means better control for faster follow-up shots.

If you're going to use birdshot in a recoil operated shotgun, as a general rule it's best to stick with the heavier 2 3/4" loads. The lighter loads sometimes won't cycle the action properly.

 

[another okie]

I bought a Benelli M2 because I was tired of how picky my 1100 was. The day I bought it I put it in my Lead Sled and shot about 150 of every kind of load I could find, and it cycled everything from light target loads to slugs.

 

[Trifler]

I was told the Benelli M2 was designed to cycle with reduced-recoil shells too. Many semi-autos won't. Might be worth giving them a try.

 

[mons meg]

Does your M2 have the Comfortech stock? I've got one on my Supernova and it sure does take the edge off those big shells.

 

[sernv99]

I'm not sure if it has the comfortech. I assume so, I just bought this a few weeks ago, new. I assumed all of the synthetic models came with it.

Anyway, I used a PAST shooting pad and it took some of the bite out of the 3" magnum slug rounds but it still kicks like a mule. The gun is light, real light, compared to my 11-87SP.

 

[Trifler]

If I were you I would find out for sure whether you have the Comfortech stock or not (see if it says in the manual, compare pictures on the Benelli website, call Benelli if needbe.)

 

[Sergeant Sabre]

But the Fiochhi and Remington 2 3/4" 00 buckshot 9 pellet and the 2 3/4" #4 shot (1 1/4oz)birdshot were ok

Any info on how the Remington load patterned? I just picked up a bunch of it cheap, but it might be a while before I can pattern it. Any pics?

 

[sernv99]

I didnt pattern anything, I just had fun blasting away at a big ole stump and a heavy old wooden door, taking big chunks out of it standing from about 25 feet, I really did a number on my targets. Sorry for a lack of pattern info.

 

[1KPerDay]

I was told the Benelli M2 was designed to cycle with reduced-recoil shells too. Many semi-autos won't. Might be worth giving them a try.

Dunno about the M2, but the M3 I shot would NOT cycle with target/upland game birdshot. But I guess that's why they made the pump option.

Recoil was FIERCE. I prefer my Mossberg 590.

 

[SimpleIsGood229]

The ComforTech stock has little rubber chevrons down most of the length, along with a gel recoil pad. If I'm not mistaken, the ComforTech does come in pistolgrip/tactical configuration.

Don't worry about the finish under the mag clamp. It gives my Nova Tac some character!

 

[Defensory]

Posted by sernv99:
I'm not sure if it has the comfortech. I assume so, I just bought this a few weeks ago, new. I assumed all of the synthetic models came with it. Anyway, I used a PAST shooting pad and it took some of the bite out of the 3" magnum slug rounds but it still kicks like a mule. The gun is light, real light, compared to my 11-87SP.

No, all the synthetic models don't come with it. Like I posted earlier, ditch the 3" magnums and there'll be noticeably less recoil.

 

[mons meg]

I think Comfortech is inconsistent with pistol grip, and no, not all models come with it.

 

[Defensory]

ComforTech stock:

Tactical stock: