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It’s been a while (just over a year!) since we’ve done a Field Strip here on TFB, and I figured, why not start back up with a highly coveted firearm, the Benelli M2 Tactical semi-auto shotgun. The M2 model is an extension of the Benelli Super 90 series introduced in 1986, and utilizes the Inertia Recoil system developed in the late 1960’s. Josh at Black Sheep Armory II in Panama City Beach was kind enough to let us field strip one of the Benelli M2 shotguns he had on hand. The famous shotgun exhibitionist, Tom Knapp, used Benelli shotguns, including the Super 90 series to set world records. The following video is a tribute to Tom Knapp from the Benelli Firearms YouTube channel.
TFB FIELD STRIP: BENELLI M2 TACTICAL
BEFORE YOU FIELD STRIP ANY WEAPON, REMEMBER the four rules of gun safety:
- All guns are always loaded.
- Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy.
- Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on the target.
- Be sure of your target and what is beyond it
STEP 1: As always, make sure the magazine and chamber are empty. If it is, the Benelli M2’s bolt should lock to the rear. However, the manual says that if it doesn’t lock open, press the bolt locking tab on the bottom right side (yellow circle) of the receiver to assist that function.
STEP 2: Unscrew the magazine extension or nut, but use caution as the magazine spring is under tension. Once you’ve carefully removed the magazine extension, the magazine spring, plug and spring collar can be pulled out of the magazine tube.
STEP 3: To remove the barrel, the forearm will need to be moved forward either slightly, or as one with the barrel.
STEP 4: If your bolt is still locked to the rear, hold the charging handle in one hand and press the bolt release, letting the bolt come forward slowly. Then give a “firm tug” on the charging handle to pull it out of the right side of the bolt. The bolt face has some spring-loaded play to it, so I depressed the bolt to the rear a bit while tugging on the charging handle. Once the charging handle is out, the bolt can slide forward and out of the receiver.
This ends the Benelli M2 field strip process, reassemble in reverse order. The Benelli M2 Manual does go further with bolt disassembly if you’d desire to do it.
Reassembly Notes: When you put the barrel back on, mate it with the forearm and slide them back over the magazine together, it’s a bit tricky but just take your time. The photo below shows the correct orientation of the magazine’s internal collar from the factory.
The author’s son really enjoyed the feel of the Benelli M2.
TFB TV’s James Reeves reviewed a Benelli M2 as configured by Taran Tactical Innovations, which you can view below if you want to see more of the M2 in action.
Many thanks to Black Sheep Armory’s helpfulness in bringing this TFB Field Strip to our readers!
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