Estimated reading time: 12 minutes
The Benelli M2-G1 brings a new rear piston-operated gas system to a hard-use tactical shotgun. I fed it cheap birdshot, rusty water-damaged shells, suppressed strings, and rapid fire, and several hundred rounds later it still had not malfunctioned.
Table of contents
- Benelli M2-G1 Out of the Box: Ready for Serious Use
- Benelli’s R.P.O. Gas System Moves the Pistons Rearward
- M2-G1 Handguard: Grip, M-LOK, and Steel QD Sockets
- Oversized M2-G1 Controls Make Fast Work Easier
- Collapsible Stock and Ghost Rings Demand Some Experimenting
- The Included Modified Choke Is My Biggest Factory Complaint
- M2-G1 Ammunition Test: From Cheap Birdshot to Defensive Loads
- Benelli M2-G1 Reliability: Rusty Ammo, Zero Malfunctions
- Benelli M2-G1 Range Test: 0.10 Splits and Flat Recoil
- Benelli M2-G1 Verdict: More Than Another Tactical Shotgun
Benelli M2-G1 Review: A New Gas Shotgun Built to Run
The Benelli M2-G1 pairs an innovative Rear Piston Operated gas system with tactical features for one of the most reliable shotguns I’ve tested.
Benelli has built its reputation on ultra-reliable inertia-driven shotguns, but the new M2-G1 takes a different approach. Instead of trying to replace the M4, Benelli developed an entirely new Rear Piston Operated (R.P.O.) gas system that promises cleaner operation, less maintenance, and excellent reliability. After spending several hundred rounds behind the gun, including suppressed shooting, rapid-fire strings, and everything from bargain birdshot to water-damaged shells, I came away impressed with what Benelli has accomplished.
Benelli M2-G1 Specs and Test Setup
| Model | Benelli M2-G1 |
|---|---|
| Gauge | 12-gauge |
| Operating System | Rear Piston Operated (R.P.O.) gas system |
| Included Choke | Single flush-fit modified Mobil choke tube |
| Recommended Break-In | 50 rounds using high-brass field loads |
| Recommended Field Load | 1-1/8 oz. or heavier |
| Minimum Muzzle Velocity | 1,200 fps |
| Optic Tested | Vortex Crossfire II Solar red dot |
| Suppressor Tested | JK Armament 195 SGX |
Benelli M2-G1 Out of the Box: Ready for Serious Use
The Benelli M2-G1 arrives ready for serious use. Inside the box you’ll find the shotgun, owner’s manual, a single flush-fit modified Mobil choke tube, and the standard choke removal tool.
Benelli recommends “a 50-round break-in using high-brass field loads for optimal performance.” They also told me that “all Benelli semi-automatic 12-gauge shotguns be used with field loads of 1-1/8 oz. or heavier and a minimum muzzle velocity of 1,200 fps.” While I ignored the break-in period and went straight to shooting the 1-1/8 oz birdshot, I never had any reliability issues.
🛒 Check Current Price for Benelli M2-G1 on GunsAmericaBenelli’s R.P.O. Gas System Moves the Pistons Rearward
The headline feature of the M2-G1 is its new Rear Piston Operated gas system. Instead of placing the pistons near the front of the gun like many traditional gas-operated shotguns, Benelli moved dual short-stroke pistons much closer to the chamber.
That change isn’t just marketing. Because the gas is captured closer to its source, less fouling travels throughout the operating system. Likewise, the recoil spring assembly is isolated in the stock, protecting it from much of the carbon and debris that normally accumulates over extended shooting sessions.
The goal is simple: keep the gun cleaner while reducing maintenance without sacrificing reliability. After my testing, I came away convinced Benelli succeeded.
M2-G1 Handguard: Grip, M-LOK, and Steel QD Sockets
The M2-G1 immediately stands out thanks to its distinctive handguard. The front taper naturally gives my support-hand thumb a comfortable resting place, while the aggressive ribs and texturing provided plenty of grip without becoming abrasive. Better yet, the M-LOK slots are integrated cleanly into the design instead of looking like an afterthought. The handguard also locks up tightly with no noticeable movement.
The barrel clamp includes an additional M-LOK slot on both sides, giving shooters another mounting option for lights or other accessories.
Benelli also deserves credit for including steel QD sling sockets. Too many manufacturers rely on polymer or aluminum inserts that eventually wear under heavy use. These steel inserts inspired confidence, and I had no concerns running a two-point sling throughout testing. Rubber plugs cover the unused sockets, but they pull out quickly whenever you want to relocate a sling.
Oversized M2-G1 Controls Make Fast Work Easier
The oversized charging handle and bolt release are exactly what I want on a tactical shotgun. Both are easy to find under stress, even with gloves.
Another subtle feature I appreciated was the tan lifter. Besides looking sharp, it never pinched or caught my thumb during reloads. The swooped trigger guard also acts like a small loading ramp that guides shells into the magazine. It’s a minor detail, but one that noticeably smooths reloads.
The oversized safety on the right side also worked well. It let me disengage the safety quickly by slightly rolling the shotgun. However, I still needed to shift my firing hand to re-engage it with the pistol-grip model. That isn’t a major complaint, but it’s worth noting.
Collapsible Stock and Ghost Rings Demand Some Experimenting
The rubber pistol grip offers excellent texture, although its angle is steeper than I personally prefer. More importantly, the stock geometry requires some experimentation. Because the collapsible stock moves downward as it extends, your preferred cheek weld changes with each position.
Fully extended provided the best alignment for the factory ghost-ring sights. My mounted Vortex Crossfire II Solar red dot, however, sat slightly high. Fully collapsing the stock made using the iron sights nearly impossible while leaving only a partial sight picture through the optic. Most shooters will likely settle on one preferred stock position in the middle and leave it there.
The Included Modified Choke Is My Biggest Factory Complaint
I also wish Benelli shipped the shotgun with a cylinder or improved cylinder choke instead of the included modified choke. While the modified tube handles birdshot and buckshot just fine, Benelli recommends using only cylinder or improved cylinder chokes with slugs. Since many buyers will use this as a defensive shotgun, I think it should be slug-ready straight from the factory.
M2-G1 Ammunition Test: From Cheap Birdshot to Defensive Loads
Ammunition for this review was generously provided by AmmunitionToGo.com. Their broad inventory made it easy to test the M2-G1 with everything from inexpensive Rio target loads to heavier field ammunition. Whether you’re stocking up for training or searching for defensive loads, they’re worth checking out. Quick shipping and solid prices!
Benelli M2-G1 Reliability: Rusty Ammo, Zero Malfunctions
Reliability is where this shotgun really impressed me. I intentionally fed it some truly ugly ammunition, including rusty birdshot that had been water damaged. The M2-G1 simply didn’t care. It cycled everything I loaded without a single malfunction over several hundred rounds.
I also spent considerable time shooting suppressed with a JK Armament 195 SGX suppressor. Even then, the shotgun remained remarkably pleasant. While some gas naturally escaped through the chamber, I never experienced enough blowback to irritate my eyes.
Benelli M2-G1 Range Test: 0.10 Splits and Flat Recoil
Heat management also proved better than expected. After dumping roughly 100 rounds almost as fast as I could reload, the handguard became hot but never too hot to hold barehanded.
The recoil impulse deserves praise as well. The shotgun shoots quite flat, and the generous rubber buttpad spreads recoil comfortably across the shoulder. Even after several hundred rounds fired in short order, I never felt like I needed to slow down because of punishment from all the 12-gauge rounds.
Speed is another strength. Using a shot timer, I recorded split times as low as 0.10 seconds while averaging around 0.13 seconds. My fastest timed eight-round string emptied the shotgun in just 1.02 seconds while remaining controllable. I also posted a YouTube video demonstrating the M2-G1 in action. See below for a 60-second video of me running this shotgun.
The only ergonomic touchpoint I found was that because I naturally grip the handguard very far forward, my support hand contacts the QD sling swivel attached near the front. Recoil eventually bruised my finger enough that I shifted my grip slightly rearward. While this is an obvious outcome when a sling is attached, taller shooters with long arms may notice the same thing.
Benelli M2-G1 Pros and Cons After Several Hundred Rounds
- Pros: Zero malfunctions over several hundred rounds, reliable with bargain and water-damaged ammunition, clean-running R.P.O. gas system, flat recoil impulse, excellent heat management, fast oversized controls, useful M-LOK mounting space, steel QD sockets, smooth loading geometry, and comfortable suppressed shooting.
- Cons: Pistol grip angle is steeper than I prefer, collapsible stock geometry changes cheek weld between positions, the supplied modified choke is not my first choice for a defensive shotgun expected to fire slugs, and a forward sling position can punish the support hand depending on grip placement.
Benelli M2-G1 Verdict: More Than Another Tactical Shotgun
The Benelli M2-G1 isn’t simply another tactical shotgun wearing a famous logo. Instead, it introduces a genuinely different operating system that accomplishes exactly what Benelli set out to achieve. Throughout my testing, it ran cleaner, stayed comfortable, cycled everything I fed it, and never experienced a single malfunction.
I still have a few wishes. I’d prefer a less aggressive pistol grip angle, different stock geometry, and a cylinder choke included from the factory. Fortunately, none of those complaints overshadow the overall package. Benelli also offers multiple configurations of the M2-G1 to choose from, including a fixed stock and various color schemes.
If you’re looking for a premium tactical shotgun that blends innovative engineering with outstanding reliability, the Benelli M2-G1 deserves a serious look. Benelli’s new R.P.O. operating system doesn’t reinvent the tactical shotgun; it meaningfully moves its evolution forward.
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Mitchell Graf is a dedicated hunter, competitive shooter, and firearms enthusiast. As a former instructor and president of Oklahoma State’s Practical Shooting Team, he has a strong foundation in marksmanship and competition shooting. These days, he spends as much time as possible chasing pigs and coyotes with night vision and thermal optics.
When he’s not in the field or on the range, Mitchell works as a full-time Mechanical Engineer in the Aerospace and Defense industry and manages a part-time farming operation. Whether he’s behind a rifle, designing parts, or working the land, his drive for precision and performance remains the same.
Experience:– Mechanical Engineer – Full-time professional in the Aerospace/Defense industry.– Competitive Shooter & Instructor – Former President and Instructor of Oklahoma State’s Practical Shooting Team.– Night Vision & Thermal Hunter – Passionate about night time predator and hog hunting.– Part-Time Farmer – Working to provide for my family, and raise food for this great nation.