Benelli M2-G1
The Benelli M2-G1 is an all-new tactical shotgun for 2026, and it breaks from Benelli tradition in one major way: it runs on gas, not inertia. Its new Rear Piston Operated (RPO) system uses dual pistons to cycle 12-gauge loads from 2 3/4-inch target rounds through 3-inch magnums. Built with an 18.5-inch barrel, ghost-ring sights, and an M-LOK forend, the M2-G1 launches in five configurations across fixed and 5-position stocks. Impact Guns carries the full M2-G1 lineup and ships nationwide to your local FFL dealer.
Read our full Benelli M2-G1 Buying Guide ↓
What Is the Benelli M2-G1, and How Is It Different From the M2?
Despite the name, the M2-G1 shares its operating system with nothing else in the M2 line. The standard M2 runs on Benelli’s inertia system — the M2-G1 is gas-operated. Benelli built the M2-G1 as a purpose-designed tactical platform for defensive professionals, law enforcement, and serious tactical shooters, using the M2’s handling characteristics as a starting point but a completely different action underneath. If you’re shopping by name alone, don’t assume M2-G1 is just another M2 Tactical configuration — it isn’t.
How Does the RPO (Rear Piston Operated) Gas System Work?
The M2-G1’s Rear Piston Operated system uses dual pistons mounted toward the rear of the action rather than near the magazine tube, and it’s designed to self-regulate across a wide range of 12-gauge loads without adjustment. It’s a new design for Benelli, distinct from the ARGO system used in the M4, though both accomplish the same goal: cycling whatever 12-gauge ammunition is on hand rather than relying on recoil momentum the way inertia guns do.
Which M2-G1 Configuration Should You Buy?
The M2-G1 launches in five configurations. Two run a fixed stock with a 13-inch length of pull — one in 5+1 capacity, one in 7+1 — both finished in Carbon Grey. The other three step up to a 5-position adjustable stock in 7+1 capacity, offered in Carbon Grey, FDE Cerakote, and MultiCam Black. Buyers who know their preferred length of pull and want the simplest gun can run the fixed stock; buyers who share the gun, wear body armor, or want to dial in fit should get the adjustable stock.
M2-G1 vs. M4: Which Benelli Gas Shotgun Fits Your Mission?
The M4 is Benelli’s military-proven platform, adopted by the USMC as the M1014 and built around the ARGO gas system. The M2-G1 is the newer, more affordable gas gun, built for civilian defensive use and law enforcement rather than military specification. Both are gas-operated and both handle the full range of 12-gauge loads without adjustment. If you want the documented military pedigree, the M4 is still the standard. If you want a lighter-weight, more accessibly priced gas gun with modern features like M-LOK and ghost-ring sights, the M2-G1 is the newer option built specifically for that role.
Ghost Ring Sights, M-LOK Forend, and Other Tactical Features
Every M2-G1 configuration ships with ghost-ring iron sights for fast target acquisition, a Picatinny rail for mounting a red dot, and an M-LOK compatible forend for lights, slings, or other accessories. Other features carried across the lineup include a beveled loading port for faster reloads under stress, enlarged controls sized for gloved hands, and Benelli’s Mobile choke system.
Is the M2-G1 Good for Home Defense, or Just Duty Use?
Either. The M2-G1 was engineered for defensive professionals and law enforcement, but nothing about it is duty-restricted — the same reliability and features that make it suited to LE work make it a strong home-defense shotgun. The 5+1 fixed-stock configuration is the most compact option for close-quarters home defense; the 7+1 configurations trade a slightly longer receiver for two extra rounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the M2-G1 replace the Benelli M2? No. The standard M2 (inertia-driven, available in Field and Tactical configurations) remains in Benelli’s lineup. The M2-G1 is a separate, gas-operated tactical platform sold alongside it, not a replacement.
What's the difference between the M2-G1 and M4 gas systems? The M4 uses Benelli’s established ARGO dual-piston system. The M2-G1 uses a new Rear Piston Operated (RPO) dual-piston design. Both are self-regulating gas systems built to cycle a wide range of 12-gauge loads without adjustment.
What gauge and chamber does the M2-G1 accept? 12 gauge, chambered for both 2 3/4-inch and 3-inch shells.
How many rounds does the M2-G1 hold? Depending on configuration, either 5+1 or 7+1.
Is the M2-G1 available with a collapsible stock? Yes. Three of the five launch configurations use a 5-position adjustable stock with a 13-inch fixed-stock length of pull on the other two.
See Also: Benelli M2 • Benelli M4 • Benelli Tactical Shotguns • Tactical Shotguns • 12 Gauge Shotguns