Benelli built its reputation on the inertia-driven M2, a platform that’s been around since 2004. The new Benelli M2 G1 changes that. It’s the first gas-operated M2 in the company’s history, and it’s splitting opinion across the firearms community. So what is it, why does it exist, and is it worth buying? Read on!
What Exactly Is the Benelli M2 G1?
Let’s get the obvious question out of the way: no, this isn’t just an updated M2.
The original Benelli M2 (introduced around 2004 as a development of the Super 90 line) ran on Benelli’s signature Inertia system, which was clean, adjustment-free, and generally reliable. However, inertia has a couple of weaknesses: it’s picky about ammunition (doesn’t like light target loads very much) and it’s weight sensitive (which is something one should seriously consider if intending to mount attachments).
Gas-operated systems, by contrast, cycle a much wider variety of loads more reliably, absorb felt recoil more effectively, and hold up better under high-volume sustained fire.
The M4 already proved Benelli could engineer an exceptional gas gun with its Auto-Regulating Gas-Operated system (ARGO). The platform was so reliable it actually saw service with the U.S. military in Iraq.
So the M2-G1 borrows the core philosophy of the M4 but introduces something new: Rear Piston Operated system (RPO).
Traditional forward-mounted gas systems push fouling deeper into operating components. RPO uses dual short-stroke pistons positioned close to the chamber, capturing gas at the source before it can migrate inward. Thus you get a cleaner-running action, less internal fouling, and (according to Benelli) lower maintenance demands over extended use.
Benelli is so confident in it they’ve backed both the ARGO and RPO systems with a 10-year warranty.
Does the M2-G1 have the self-regulating valves or self-cleaning pistons of the M4’s ARGO? No, it doesn’t. However, this semi-auto shotgun isn’t meant to replace the M4. It’s a different product with a different market position, delivering cleaner operation and lower maintenance demands compared to traditional forward-piston gas guns. And it’s offered at a lower price than the M4.
Specs and Variants
Available Models:
- 11610 — Gray, Fixed Stock, 5+1 | MSRP $1,829
- 11611 — Gray, Fixed Stock, 7+1 | MSRP $1,949
- 11612 — Gray, 5-Position Collapsible Stock, 7+1 | MSRP $2,049
- 11617 — FDE, 5-Position Collapsible Stock, 7+1 | MSRP $2,149
- 11622 — MultiCam Black, 5-Position Collapsible Stock, 7+1 | Coming later in 2026
Shared Specs:
- Gauge: 12 Gauge
- Chambered for: 2¾” and 3″
- Barrel Length: 18.5″
- Sights: Ghost-ring
- Action: Semi-automatic
- Stock Finish: Black Synthetic
- Hand: Right
Adjustable Stock Variants:
- Grip: Pistol Grip
- Stock: Telescoping 5-Position stock
- Length of pull: 9¼” – 14″
- Drop at Heel: 2¼”
- Drop at Comb: 1⅜”
- Overall length: 39.5″
- Capacity: 7+1
- Weight: 8 lbs
Standard Stock Variants:
- Grip: Standard
- Stock: Standard
- Length of pull: 13″
- Drop at Heel: 2½”
- Drop at Comb: 1¾”
- Overall length: 38.5″
- Capacity: 7+1
- Weight: 7.6 lbs (7.4 lbs for 5+1 cap version)
Features
The five-position collapsible stock adjusts length of pull from 9.25 to 14 inches with a single push-button on the left side. Reviewers across the board found it surprisingly comfortable in use, even those who were skeptical of its appearance out of the box.
The upgraded pistol grip offers a high beavertail design and a noticeably more secure hold under recoil than legacy Benelli furniture. Some reviewers noted it handles recoil well even during rapid one-handed manipulation drills.
The beveled loading port is also a great feature. It funnels shotgun shells more efficiently into the magazine tube. Combined with the enlarged bolt release and safety controls, the M2-G1 is clearly designed to be run hard and fast.
Up front, the M-LOK compatible forend offers three slots at 6 o’clock and two each at 3 and 9 o’clock. A 4.5-inch Picatinny rail sits atop the receiver, and the sighting package (ghost-ring rear, protected white-dot front post) is solid for a stock setup, though most serious users will want to run a red dot.
The Parkerized operating components add corrosion resistance and long-term durability. QD sling cups are integrated throughout. The magazine tube comes with a barrel clamp to keep it aligned under sustained use.
Interestingly, the M2-G1 supports ghost loading, allowing a shooter to feed rounds into a partially loaded tube without cycling the bolt. This feature was present in the original M1 line before disappearing in later inertia models. It’s back now, and it’s a meaningful edge that won’t go unnoticed by shooters who understand its value in a high-stakes environment. With ghost loading, the gun can effectively carry up to 9 rounds – a meaningful edge for competition and duty use alike.
On the Range
Multiple independent reviewers have tested the Benelli M2-G1 and the feedback is consistent – this gun runs great.
Guns.com logged over 500 shells through their FDE variant and 300+ through their Grey model, across birdshot, buckshot, and high-power Bismuth hunting loads. The Firearm Blog ran approximately 300 rounds of defense loads. Hook & Barrel fired nearly 100 shells (birdshot through 3-inch Sluggers). Zero malfunctions across their tests.
Outdoor Life ran its FDE M2-G1 in hot, dusty conditions and reported that, even after several hundred rounds in a single day, the action showed very little fouling and no sign of slowing down. John B. Snow also ran a couple of 100-round rapid-fire strings, loading the gun to full capacity and shooting as quickly as possible; the M2-G1 continued to cycle without a single hitch.
Field Ethos pushed the M2-G1 through everything from low-brass sporting clay loads to 325-grain slugs, and reported only minor malfunctions with light loads that could plausibly be attributed to limp-wristing.
That said, like most gas-operated semi-autos out there, the M2-G1 is officially rated for loads pushing at least 1,200 fps to cycle reliably. Reduced-recoil buckshot running as well as light target loads around 1,100-1,150 fps did not cycle reliably in some tests.
Accuracy impressed across the board. Brian McCombie from Hook & Barrel produced a 1.65-inch group at 20 yards with Remington Slugger 3-inch Mags fired offhand. Federal Force X2 buckshot placed 23 of 27 pellets on a 3×5-inch notecard at 15 yards, unsupported.
John B. Snow from Outdoor Life used a tripod and sandbag support to fire slugs at reduced-size IPSC targets from 30, 40, and 50 yards, reporting that all three shots stacked in the same area. He also also found multiple buckshot loads patterned tightly to 25 yards through the included modified choke. TFB reported consistent hits on steel from 5 to 40 yards with Federal Action Shotgun buckshot, using both the ghost-ring sights and a mounted red dot.
Recoil? Reduced, meaningfully so. The RPO system delivers a softer, more gradual push compared to inertia-driven alternatives. Multiple testers noted they could transition between targets faster than expected for an 8-pound 12-gauge.
Benelli recommends a 50-round break-in with high-brass field loads before pushing the gun hard.
Video by Benelli USA
FAQs about Benelli M2-G1
The M2-G1 carries the M2 name because it shares the M2 receiver profile, meaning existing M2 stocks, grips, and handguards transfer directly.
At first glance, the comparison is tempting; both the M2-G1 and the M4 utilize short-stroke gas pistons with ports positioned near the chamber. However, the M2-G1 is essentially a gas-operated evolution built specifically on the M2 receiver platform, not M4. This means it maintains native compatibility with existing M2 furniture and accessories without needing specialized adapters. In short, the M2-G1 delivers a softer-shooting, gas-operated alternative to the inertia-driven M2 while preserving the M2 accessory footprint and coming in below the M4’s price point.
The 1301 is a legitimately excellent shotgun, and yes, it costs less. But the M2-G1 comes out of the box with an M-LOK handguard, QD points, extended controls, a five-position collapsible stock and beveled port. Adding equivalent aftermarket upgrades to a base 1301 closes that price gap. Also, the M2-G1’s RPO 10-year warranty period is in a completely different league.
At $2,049 versus the M4’s $2,499+ entry point (for an adjustable stock version), the M2-G1 provides a slight financial advantage. The M4 remains the more battle-hardened design. But for competitive shooters, law enforcement agencies, and dedicated home defenders seeking M4-level performance with an adjustable stock and higher-capacity tube at a lower price point, the M2-G1 offers a compelling argument.
Benelli M2-G1 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Reliable gas-operated RPO system with genuine engineering merit
- Cleaner-running action with reduced felt recoil versus inertia platforms
- 7+1 capacity with ghost loading potential (up to 9 rounds total)
- M-LOK forend, Picatinny rail, QD mounts – all standard
- Beveled loading port and enlarged controls are meaningful improvements
- Five-position collapsible stock is well-executed
- 10-year warranty on the gas system
- M2 receiver compatibility preserves accessory investments
Cons
- Base weight of 8 lbs before optics, sling, or ammunition
- Sub-1,200 fps loads may not cycle reliably
- Price sits uncomfortably close to the M4 for some buyers
Final Thoughts
The M2-G1 is not a reinvention of the M2. It’s not a budget M4 either. It’s Benelli building something new under a familiar nameplate – and whether you forgive the branding or not, the gun itself is hard to argue with. It runs clean, it runs reliably, it’s packed with practical features, and it’s backed by a 10-year warranty.
If you’re coming in with an M4 and wondering whether to swap, the answer is probably no. The ARGO system remains the more proven, more sophisticated platform. But if you’re shopping for your first high-end tactical shotgun, or looking to upgrade from an older M2 or a budget gas gun, the M2-G1 makes a compelling case.
It’s not cheap. It shouldn’t be. But the juice is worth the squeeze.
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