At SHOT Show Media Day, I got some hands-on time with the new Benelli ETHOS 12 ga shotgun.
That’s not me, but rather, a Benelli marketing guy.
As the owner of a Benelli Vinci shotgun, I’m well acquainted with how well the Benelli platform works, but I’m also acquainted with its shortcomings. One of them is that the Vinci and its Inertia-Driven recoil system cannot handle light 7/8oz loads very well, often resulting in jams.
However, with the new ETHOS line, the bolt has been modified and Benelli has a new “Progressive Comfort” buttstock which has some unique innards to help manage lighter 7/8oz loads, and the recoil.
The ETHOS shot 7/8oz loads great, and it seems like Benelli made some useful modifications. The walnut is a really nice touch, and the gun shoots well. The ETHOS line is not breaking any new ground, but these enhancements may be appreciated by both new shooters and veteran shotgunners.
The ETHOS marketing campaign at SHOT Show was quite interesting and eye-catching. They had a large display with a motorcycle, the shotguns, and then two female violinists. When the video started playing on TV, the violinists would play the soundtrack in realtime and so it was like getting a free concert.
Marketing fluff aside, I was impressed with my first interaction with the Benelli ETHOS shotgun, and I look forward to the next time I get to shoot it. Hopefully it’ll be for a hunt!
