Bird hunting can take many different forms, from covering many miles in search of chukars to sitting over a field for doves. While there is no perfect shotgun for all of these pursuits, a reliable semi-auto 12 gauge with a flexible barrel length can come close. Benelli offers their interpretation of a do-all hunting shotgun with their Benelli M2 Field.
Design
The Benelli M2 Field is built using the same basic inertia action as all Benelli autoloading shotguns apart from the M4. For those interested in the specifics, there is a video of how the action works in my review of the Super Black Eagle 3. The inertia style action offers several benefits over it’s gas driven counterparts. These include lighter weight, more rounds between cleaning, and simpler dissassembly. The M2 takes advantage of all of these features.
Specifications
Firstly, the M2 field comes in a myriad of different configurations. Weights vary by barrel length, but 12 gauge models will weigh around 7.1 lbs while 20 gauges closer to 5.9 lbs. Our particular review model was a 12 gauge standard field with a 26 inch barrel and the Comfortech stock. The guns have a 3 round magazine and a crossbolt safety at the rear of the trigger guard. To my knowledge, all M2’s come with a 3 inch chamber. Finally, the M2 features a raised rib with a fiber optic front bead.
Additionally, lefties will appreciate that Benelli offers the M2 Field in a left handed configuration. Suprisingly, many manufacturers do not make left handed guns. I was pleasantly surprised to see Benelli buck the trend. In fact, the M2 ships with plenty of options from the factory, with a compact hard case, 5 choke tubes, a quality choke wrench, and a shim kit for fine tuning fit.
Strengths
The Benelli M2 has been in continuous production since it’s introduction in 2004. Presumably, the M2’s impecable reliability plays no small part in its commercial success. The manufacturer recommends 1 1/8 oz loads or higher to impart enough recoil to operate the inertia mechanism. In spite of this, the test shotgun cycled even 7/8oz target loads flawlessly.
Additionally, because inertia actions require something to recoil into to cycle the action, I decided to test its limits. Unfairly, I fired the shotgun with target loads both from the hip and over the head. This leaves the buttstock unsupported and can choke up many otherwise flawless inertia actions. Surprisingly, the M2 continued to chew through shells without a hiccup.
Also, the M2 is very light weight. The rearward balance of the action makes the gun feel even lighter in the hand. This can make a big difference during long days in the field, where unlike rifles most shotguns will be in the hand the entire day. The Comfortech stock does seem to dampen the recoil, despite the guns trim figure.
Finally, the Benelli M2 Field is low maintenance. The inertia action runs extremely cleanly and can go hundreds if not thousands of shells between cleanings without issue. My M2 spent a week grouse hunting on the front of a quad covered in wet snow but cycled without fail every time. Furthermore, when it is time to clean, the M2 is incredibly easy to break down. This makes the M2 a good option for owners who treat their equipment with a ridden hard and put away wet mentality.
Weaknesses
Despite the many high points, the M2 does have a few aspects that could use some improvement. Perhaps the most annoying aspect of the shotgun is the shell lifter. The lifter is just short enough that my thumb could become stuck between it and the magazine when loading shells. This is avoidable but using the off hand to push the lifter up. However, I still found myself occasionally pinching myself when I tried to load the gun in a hurry.
Next, the Benelli M2 is a fairly basic shotgun. The bolt release is not oversized, the loading port is moderately beveled, and the charging handle is normal-sized. Personally, I enjoy the smaller controls as I find the gun carries better in the hand that way. However, I recognize that for most people those features are worth the added bulk on the side of the firearm.
Thirdly, the shell release/bolt hold open lever that Benelli uses makes unloading the shotgun slow. Also, it is not a common manual of arms and can be confusing to newer shooters. In situations where one is loading and unloading a lot hitting a button to release each shell before charging the bolt becomes tiresome.
Finally, there is no such thing as a free lunch and the M2 comes with a price tag. After taxes a new M2 is going to be right around the $2000 CAD mark. As discussed in my article on popular hunting shotgun actions, this can be over four times the cost of a quality pump gun. Whether or not it is worth the extra money is a personal decision.
Competitive Options
There are many competitive options in a similar price range to the M2. Benelli’s Montefeltro is similarly priced with the same inertia action. The Franchi Affinity 3 is another solid inertia gun that comes in around 500 dollars cheaper than the M2. Compared to competitive gas guns M2 is priced directly between Beretta’s mid-tier A300 and their flagship A400 models. The Winchester SX4 is another popular gas gun, however the SX4 is $600-$800 cheaper than a Benelli M2 Field.
Closing Thoughts
In summary, the Benelli M2 Field is an ultra reliable autoloader that has everything you need and nothing you don’t. For oversized controls and milled out loading ports the SBE3 or Browning or Beretta offerings are a better option. As a lightweight inertia driven shotgun the M2 isn’t ideal for a designated clays gun, although it is certainly adequate for recreational clay sport shooting.
In my mind the M2 really excels as a low maintenance do everything hunting shotgun. The M2 is a shotgun for those who want a shotgun that carries well, doesn’t need to be babied, and goes bang every time. For those who can stomach the price the M2 is a workhorse shotgun that will keep on ticking for a very long time.