Benelli M2 20 Gauge Shotgun: The Ultimate Lightweight Performer for Serious Hunters

For avid hunters who demand unparalleled reliability, swift performance, and effortless handling in the field, the Benelli M2 20 Gauge semi-automatic shotgun stands as a paramount choice. Whether you're navigating dense timber in pursuit of elusive turkeys, flushing upland birds from thick cover, or enduring harsh conditions in a duck blind, the M2 is engineered to excel. It’s more than just a firearm; it’s a commitment to superior Italian craftsmanship and innovative design, ready to tackle the most challenging hunting scenarios.

Why Choose the Benelli M2 20 Gauge for Your Next Hunt?

Many hunters often ask, "What is the most reliable semi-automatic shotgun for diverse hunting conditions?" or "Which lightweight shotgun offers consistent performance without compromise?" The answer frequently points to the Benelli M2. This model, particularly in its 20-gauge configuration, is celebrated globally for its exceptional balance of power, portability, and unwavering functionality.

This shotgun solves critical problems for hunters:

• Uncompromising Reliability: Forget about cycling issues, even with varied loads. The M2's Inertia Driven system is renowned for its steadfast performance, making it the go-to shotgun when a second shot cannot be missed.
• Effortless Maneuverability: At a mere 5.9 pounds, this 20-gauge M2 feels like an extension of your arm, allowing for rapid target acquisition and smooth swings, critical for fast-paced action in the field.
• Versatility Across Game: From light target loads to potent 3-inch magnum shells, the M2 handles a wide spectrum of ammunition, making it adaptable for everything from doves to ducks and even wild turkey.
• Stealth in Any Environment: Equipped with the advanced GORE OPTIFADE Timber camouflage, this shotgun is designed to blend seamlessly into forested and marshy landscapes, offering superior concealment.

The Heart of Reliability: Benelli's Inertia Driven System

At the core of every Benelli M2, including this specific 20-gauge model, lies the legendary Inertia Driven system. This patented operating system is a testament to Benelli's commitment to innovation and reliability. Unlike gas-operated shotguns that can become fouled with powder residue and require frequent cleaning, the Inertia Driven system harnesses the kinetic energy of recoil for flawless operation.

How does Benelli's Inertia Driven system work?
When the gun is fired, the entire bolt assembly moves rearward under recoil. This movement compresses an inertia spring located within the bolt body. As the spring expands, it pushes the bolt rearward, unlocking it and ejecting the spent shell. A large, strong recoil spring then returns the bolt forward, picking up a fresh round from the magazine and chambering it. This elegantly simple design consists of only three main parts: the bolt body, the inertia spring, and the rotating bolt head.

Benefits of the Inertia Driven System:

• Unmatched Reliability: Fewer moving parts mean less to go wrong, even in extreme temperatures or dirty conditions. This system cycles reliably with a wide range of loads, from light target loads to heavy 3-inch magnums, a common challenge for many semi-automatics.
• Superior Cleanliness: Because exhaust gases are not routed back into the receiver, the action remains remarkably clean. This significantly reduces maintenance time and ensures consistent performance shot after shot.
• Faster Cycling: The straightforward design allows for incredibly fast follow-up shots, a crucial advantage in situations requiring quick doubles or triples on game.
• Optimized Balance: The lack of heavy gas cylinders or pistons beneath the barrel contributes to the M2's exceptional balance and trim fore-end, enhancing handling.

The 20 Gauge Advantage: Power Meets Nimbleness

"Is a 20 gauge shotgun effective for waterfowl or turkey hunting?" This is a common question, and for the Benelli M2 20 Gauge (UPC 650350110791), the answer is a resounding yes. While the 12 gauge remains popular, the 20 gauge has seen a resurgence due to advancements in ammunition technology and a growing appreciation for its inherent advantages.

Key benefits of the 20-gauge platform in the M2:

• Reduced Weight: At 5.9 lbs, this M2 is significantly lighter than most 12-gauge semi-automatics. This translates to less fatigue during long hunts, easier carrying over challenging terrain, and quicker shouldering when game appears suddenly.
• Lower Recoil: While the Inertia Driven system inherently manages recoil well, the lighter 20-gauge loads contribute to an even more comfortable shooting experience. This is especially beneficial for younger hunters, those sensitive to recoil, or anyone engaging in high-volume shooting like sporting clays or dove hunting.
• Enhanced Maneuverability: The M2 20-gauge boasts a trimmer receiver and fore-end, making it incredibly agile in tight spaces like duck blinds, thick brush, or dense timber. Its overall length of 49.3 inches with a 28-inch barrel provides an ideal balance for both reach and swift movement.
• Ample Power with Modern Loads: With the advent of high-performance ammunition, including heavy tungsten or bismuth shotshells, the 20 gauge is more than capable of cleanly taking ducks, geese, and even turkeys at ethical ranges, rivaling older 12-gauge loads.

Concealment Perfected: GORE OPTIFADE Timber Camouflage

For hunters who rely on superior concealment, the Benelli M2 20 Gauge in GORE OPTIFADE Timber is an unparalleled choice. "What camouflage patterns are best for timber or marsh hunting?" GORE OPTIFADE is not a traditional stick-and-leaf pattern; it’s a scientific breakthrough in concealment technology designed by GORE, a leader in performance fabrics.

Features and benefits of GORE OPTIFADE Timber:

• Macro and Micro Patterns: The pattern uses both large, abstract shapes that confuse animal vision at long distances (macro pattern) and smaller, detailed elements that break up the hunter's outline at close ranges (micro pattern).
• Disruptive Geometry: Instead of mimicking specific elements, OPTIFADE focuses on how ungulates and waterfowl perceive their environment. It uses an innovative "angle of attack" design that prevents animals from recognizing the hunter as a threat by disrupting the recognizable shape of a human.
• Optimized for Timber and Marsh: The "Timber" variant specifically features colors and contrasts optimized for dense forested environments, flooded timber, and marshy landscapes, where hunters are often positioned against dark backgrounds or within shadows.
• Enhanced Stealth: By effectively blurring the human form into the surrounding environment, GORE OPTIFADE Timber significantly increases your chances of remaining undetected by wary game, whether you're turkey hunting, deer hunting from the ground, or concealed in a duck blind.

Precision Engineering: Barrel, Chokes, and Sights

The Benelli M2 20 Gauge doesn't just rely on its operating system and camouflage; every component is meticulously designed for performance.

Cryogenically Treated Barrel: The 28-inch barrel on this M2 is cryogenically treated. "What is cryogenic treatment in shotgun barrels, and how does it help?" This process involves freezing the steel to extremely low temperatures, which relieves internal stresses and enhances the molecular structure. The result is a more uniform, slicker bore that reduces shot deformation, leading to tighter, more consistent patterns, and easier cleaning.

Crio Chokes for Optimal Patterns: This M2 comes with a comprehensive set of Crio Chokes: Crio C (Cylinder), Crio IC (Improved Cylinder), Crio M (Modified), Crio IM (Improved Modified), and Crio F (Full). These chokes are also cryogenically treated, ensuring they maintain their internal dimensions precisely.

• Crio C & IC: Ideal for close-range shots, dense patterns for fast-flying birds or large patterns for turkey hunting at close quarters.
• Crio M & IM: Excellent all-around chokes, perfect for most upland bird hunting, ducks over decoys, or sporting clays.
• Crio F: Provides the tightest patterns, best for long-range shots on ducks, geese, or turkey hunting where precision is paramount.

Red-Bar Front Sight: The intuitive Red-Bar Front Sight provides a highly visible aiming point, especially in low-light conditions or against busy backgrounds, allowing for quick and accurate target acquisition.

Ergonomics and Handling: Designed for the Hunter

Every aspect of the Benelli M2 20 Gauge is built with the hunter in mind.

• Length of Pull (LOP): A standard 14-3/8 inches LOP offers a comfortable fit for most shooters, contributing to natural pointing and reduced felt recoil.
• Drop at Comb and Heel: With a 1-1/2 inch drop at comb and 2-1/4 inch drop at heel, the M2's stock dimensions are designed to provide an ideal sight picture and consistent cheek weld.
• Magazine Capacity: A 3+1 magazine capacity (three in the magazine tube, one in the chamber) is standard for semi-automatic hunting shotguns in many jurisdictions, offering sufficient firepower for most hunting scenarios without being overly cumbersome.
• Lightweight Chassis: The 5.9-pound weight ensures that even after a full day in the field, you're not burdened by your equipment, allowing you to stay focused on the hunt.

A Legacy of Excellence and Unwavering Support

Benelli's reputation for crafting high-quality, reliable firearms is unparalleled. The M2 series is a cornerstone of this legacy, embodying decades of Italian engineering prowess and meticulous attention to detail. Every Benelli shotgun is a product of superior technology and craftsmanship, designed not just to meet but to exceed the expectations of the most discerning hunters.

When you invest in a Benelli M2 20 Gauge, you're not just purchasing a shotgun; you're acquiring a precision instrument backed by total confidence. Benelli stands behind every gun with an impressive 10-year warranty, a testament to the durability and longevity built into their products. This extensive warranty offers peace of mind, knowing that your investment is protected and that you have a reliable partner in the field for years to come.

For all your shotgun needs, from protective cases to cleaning supplies, DEGuns has you covered. As a trusted retailer of Benelli firearms, DEGuns offers a comprehensive selection of accessories and expert advice to ensure your Benelli M2 performs at its peak. This Benelli M2 20 Gauge, UPC 650350110791, represents the pinnacle of semi-automatic shotgun design for the modern hunter. Its combination of the legendary Inertia Driven system, lightweight 20-gauge efficiency, GORE OPTIFADE Timber camouflage, and Benelli's unwavering quality makes it the definitive choice for anyone seeking the ultimate hunting companion.

Benelli M2 20 Gauge Specifications

Feature	Detail
Action Type	Semi-Automatic
Gauge	20 Gauge
Max Shell Length	3-1/2"
Magazine Capacity	3+1
Barrel Length	28"
Overall Length	49.3"
Weight	5.9 lbs
Length of Pull	14-3/8"
Drop at Comb	1-1/2"
Drop at Heel	2-1/4"
Type of Sights	Red-Bar Front
Stock Finish	GORE OPTIFADE Timber
Chokes Included	Crio C, IC, M, IM, F
UPC	650350110791