HISTORY
With the Benelli M1 Super 90, Benelli succeeded in making a better semi-automatic shotgun intended for civilian, law enforcement, and military use. Instead of the gas-operated system of older designs by its competitors, the gun uses Benelli's completely different “Inertia Driven” operating system. This groundbreaking design, introduced in 1967, is simple, reliable, and clean. Fewer parts make it reliable, and the lack of a gas port means no powder fouling reaches the action.
Each time I pull the trigger, the round is fired, and the action remains locked for a moment. As the shot leaves the barrel, pressure drops, and the bolt turns a bit to unlock and allow the carrier assembly to retract rewards. This ejects the empty shell and reloads a new one from the under-barrel magazine.
This process happens in microseconds, as fast as I can pull the trigger. Sounds simple – and that is the secret to its success in beating the old-school gas-operated guns.
MY IMPRESSIONS
I have owned this M1 for over 20 years, and it has been on many wild fowl hunts. Pass shooting on Arizona doves, Kansas pheasants, to three species of Arizona quail, my Super 90 has never let me down. I do not always hit my mark on flying birds on the first shot. Therefore, a second and third shot are crucial to bagging a game bird.
My trusty Benelli simply does not jam! Any machine can fail, but this gun handles a lot of rough use and keeps on shooting. The heat of the Arizona desert to the freezing Kansas prairie, light dove loads to 3-inch magnums – the Super 90 does not disappoint.
It is noticeably lightweight. The aluminum alloy receiver, synthetic stock, and simple mechanism keep the gun light. The gun balances well and has few controls. This is an important feature for a hunting shotgun. Simply drop a shell in the open ejection port, push the bolt release on the right side of the receiver, push the safety off, and it is ready to fire.
Add a few rounds to the magazine tube, and I have immense firepower at my disposal. Pointing is intuitive and kick is minimal thanks to the Inertia Driven recoil spring in the buttstock. It absorbs the push, which allows me quick follow-up shots. I like that!
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SPECIFICATIONS
- Overall length: 46 inches
- Barrel length: 26 inches
- Length of pull: 14 inches
- Receiver: Aluminum alloy
- Stocks: Polymer, camo pattern
- Safety: Reversible
- Sights: Raised rib with red muzzle bead
- Capacity: 3+1 rounds
- Weight: 7 pounds
- Sling compatible: Attachment points included
- Choke tubes: Threaded for various sizes
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MSRP: $1,449 for M2 version
RANGE TIME
Today in Area 51, I will put the Benelli through some fast shooting with different types of shells and an improved cylinder choke. Although not a custom gun, my Super 90 fits well. I notice the raised rib presents the front red bead well on target as I anticipate the kick of the first shot on paper.
What kick? The Inertia Driven buttstock spring soaks up recoil. I am a medium-framed guy and have no problem taking the light kick shot to shot. This builds confidence. Also note that I am shooting a 24-inch M2 barrel today. Benelli designed the new M2 gun to use the same barrel as my older M1.
Although buckshot is not normal for a bird gun, it sure is fun to shoot. Two-liter soda jugs are easy to hit and explode nicely. How about that heavy 50-pound steel target? Even I was surprised to see it go over as if hit by a big 12-gauge hammer. This gun is smooth! The action feels like it is greased on rails as I rapid-fire four-shot strings of 12-gauge buckshot.
The final test is four rounds of Federal Bismuth Heavy Shot. These are 3-inch magnum shells intended for waterfowl where lead is not allowed. Not having fired these rounds through the gun before, I figured that these might cause a jam. I need not have been concerned. They cycled perfectly and did not hurt my shoulder at all.
Although not tested today, Winchester AA grade light target shells are just as reliable. The simple design shoots anything it is fed without any need for special adjustment. Pre-season trap or skeet tune-up shooting is so convenient using the same gun I’ll take hunting.
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Pros & Cons
