I've had mine for 6 years, best shotgun I have, I have many. Just bought a sbe 28 gauge. You can't go wrong with the m2 20 gauge. Mine will cycle anything I put in it, comfort stock on mine. I put the c shim in and it's a 60/40 average pattern
I have been looking forward to this review. I have one of these and I also like the easier loading but I like the old triangle safety better, the new safety button is a bit smaller, I also like the way the new forend is shaped and I cant tell any difference in the recoil between my old M2 20ga and my latest and greatest model....Thanks Randy
Benelli claims 48% recoil reduction: www.benelliusa.com/resources/comfortech . While that may be wishful thinking, it does help a bit, most noticeable with 1-1/4 oz. loads. The easier loading and lighter, crisper trigger are clear improvements. The price of around $1200 vs. $1800 for a SBE3 20 gauge makes the M2 a strong value as well in my book.
Great info. as always, thanks Randy. Been waiting for your review on this one. Tempted, but I think I'll stick with my Wingmaster. 😀 EDIT: several months have gone by and I'm now thinking I could use an autoloading .20 gauge. 😄😄😄
I remember the SHOT show interview and also product info from Benelli stating that the new bolts in M2 and montefeltro would be the same as ethos. Did that not happen with their production guns, or is the new bolt still prone to coming out of battery?
Randy, very informative, thanks for posting. I have a Montefeltro on order, handled 26” in store, 24” coming (45.5” total length). I would appreciate your advice on barrel length. I want this gun to complement my cz upland ultralight 20 28” (44.5” total length), which I use for woodcock, bobs, Mearns, early-season pheasants/grouse, and replace (because of weight) my Vinci 12 28”, for longer shots on sharpies, Huns , late-season pheasants, Gamble’s, Scalies. Guessing I’d use Monte 24” with factory IC or skeet on close birds, and expensive Modified Extended choke on longer-range birds. I’m 70, very active. Any input helpful.
It is hard to say if it matters. A 60/40 is about 3 inches high at 40 yards. That would be a slight negative for sporting clays where you may well have as many drop shots as risers, a negative for turkey, a negative for ducks flying down into decoys with their wings set, etc. However, several brands of O/U's have barrel regulation off by 4 , 5 , or 9 inches at 35 meters that are deemed “within factory tolerances.” I don't think that 50/50, 55/45, or 60/40 is vital-- but higher than that is, much less the “100% high” problems.
Seems like there are definitely some improvements in the newer model. Glad to see it's shooting less high than the pre 2023 models. I honestly think the M2 model's issues with shooting too high wouldn't matter at all if Benelli sold different height front sights for the M2. It's confusing to think about why they would want their factory models shooting well above point of aim to be honest. Great review though I enjoyed it. Very informative.
@@RandyWakemanHi Randy. Can you tell me is it M2 significantly better than Franchi Affinity? I got my eye on nice Affinity German Pointer edition in wood grade 3. I appreciate your opinion.
No, for that pattern isn't that tight at 35 yards. If you are dove hunting, you have to consider the tiny kill zone of a dove. When using larger lead shot sizes, (i.e. pheasant) the pellet count drops way down.
I doubt Benelli will make a left hand version of this model. They will want you the get the $1800 SBE3. I like my left hand M2 20 gauge, and use for dove, small game, and waterfowl. Great for sporting clays too.
Imo they cut corners on this gun no comfort stock put a cheap plastic stock on it no more nice plastic carrying case they send it to you in a cardboard box just a cheaper over all made gun.
Bought a new M2 20 gauge yesterday. Took it straight to the dove field. I ran 2 boxes of shells through it with zero problems. This gun is a shooter.
The new M2 is a good, solid gun.
I have the same gun in Optifade. It’s been good on the dove field. I like it a lot.
I've had mine for 6 years, best shotgun I have, I have many. Just bought a sbe 28 gauge. You can't go wrong with the m2 20 gauge. Mine will cycle anything I put in it, comfort stock on mine. I put the c shim in and it's a 60/40 average pattern
I have been looking forward to this review. I have one of these and I also like the easier loading but I like the old triangle safety better, the new safety button is a bit smaller, I also like the way the new forend is shaped and I cant tell any difference in the recoil between my old M2 20ga and my latest and greatest model....Thanks Randy
Benelli claims 48% recoil reduction: www.benelliusa.com/resources/comfortech . While that may be wishful thinking, it does help a bit, most noticeable with 1-1/4 oz. loads. The easier loading and lighter, crisper trigger are clear improvements. The price of around $1200 vs. $1800 for a SBE3 20 gauge makes the M2 a strong value as well in my book.
Yes i agree the trigger is also a nice improvement and I think the New M2 is a great value for the $1171.00 i gave for my M2 20ga 24" camo
Great info. as always, thanks Randy. Been waiting for your review on this one. Tempted, but I think I'll stick with my Wingmaster. 😀 EDIT: several months have gone by and I'm now thinking I could use an autoloading .20 gauge. 😄😄😄
Thanks!
Welcome!
I remember the SHOT show interview and also product info from Benelli stating that the new bolts in M2 and montefeltro would be the same as ethos. Did that not happen with their production guns, or is the new bolt still prone to coming out of battery?
It did not happen. Benelli's announcement was a misfire. Here it is: czcams.com/video/4_6mZd8G64Y/video.html .
Randy, very informative, thanks for posting. I have a Montefeltro on order, handled 26” in store, 24” coming (45.5” total length). I would appreciate your advice on barrel length. I want this gun to complement my cz upland ultralight 20 28” (44.5” total length), which I use for woodcock, bobs, Mearns, early-season pheasants/grouse, and replace (because of weight) my Vinci 12 28”, for longer shots on sharpies, Huns , late-season pheasants, Gamble’s, Scalies. Guessing I’d use Monte 24” with factory IC or skeet on close birds, and expensive Modified Extended choke on longer-range birds. I’m 70, very active. Any input helpful.
I like shorter barrels on autos-- 24 inch is ideal (you have 4 in. or so of rec.). Extended choke is another inch.
Thanks!
@@RandyWakeman
I always want my shotgun to shoot about a 60/40 pattern. Seems to work best for clays and pheasants.
It is hard to say if it matters. A 60/40 is about 3 inches high at 40 yards. That would be a slight negative for sporting clays where you may well have as many drop shots as risers, a negative for turkey, a negative for ducks flying down into decoys with their wings set, etc. However, several brands of O/U's have barrel regulation off by 4 , 5 , or 9 inches at 35 meters that are deemed “within factory tolerances.” I don't think that 50/50, 55/45, or 60/40 is vital-- but higher than that is, much less the “100% high” problems.
Hello Randy! Thanks for the video! New Benelli m2 or The Fabarm L4S? Which one would you choose?
Both! If 12 gauge, the L4S.
Seems like there are definitely some improvements in the newer model. Glad to see it's shooting less high than the pre 2023 models. I honestly think the M2 model's issues with shooting too high wouldn't matter at all if Benelli sold different height front sights for the M2. It's confusing to think about why they would want their factory models shooting well above point of aim to be honest. Great review though I enjoyed it. Very informative.
It is actually the 2-piece receiver models (SBE3, Ethos) that have the severe high and to left problems.
@@RandyWakemanI certainly agree. My Montefeltros do not shoot high left. They are dead on.
@@RandyWakemanHi Randy. Can you tell me is it M2 significantly better than Franchi Affinity? I got my eye on nice Affinity German Pointer edition in wood grade 3. I appreciate your opinion.
Does it have a chrome lined barrel ?
Yes.
Why would you want the pattern that tight out of a M choke? Wouldn't the Benelli one be better for most bird hunting
No, for that pattern isn't that tight at 35 yards. If you are dove hunting, you have to consider the tiny kill zone of a dove. When using larger lead shot sizes, (i.e. pheasant) the pellet count drops way down.
Will they make a left hand version in the new model?
Only Benelli knows. The old M2 LH's are still available. www.gunbroker.com/item/1000461987
I doubt Benelli will make a left hand version of this model. They will want you the get the $1800 SBE3. I like my left hand M2 20 gauge, and use for dove, small game, and waterfowl. Great for sporting clays too.
Glad I bought a brand new old stock left handed 20 gauge. The new one seems nice too, but is it really an upgrade?
I've had 7 Benelli's over the years. 2 of them, M2 20's. Can't hold a candle to my Mossberg SA20. Would not spend another dime on a Benelli
Well, if you bought a Benelli and didn't like it, how could you buy *6 more* of them? 🙃
@@RandyWakemanyep, he's a troll. 😂😂
@@RandyWakeman haha well played. I wouldn't buy more than 1 if I wasn't a fan
😂
Imo they cut corners on this gun no comfort stock put a cheap plastic stock on it no more nice plastic carrying case they send it to you in a cardboard box just a cheaper over all made gun.
www.chuckhawks.com/Column152BenelliTemperTantrum.htm