Benelli M2 for HD

[Koyote]

Purchased a Benelli M2 Tactical/Sporter 12 ga. Shotgun for HD. It is a semi-auto as I do not believe that racking a slice is going to scare away any intruders and will just give away your position! The Benelli is reliable and to fire the first round all that one needs to do is push the safety button and pull the trigger. It has an 18.5" barrel that is easy enuff to maneuver in a hallway. It has a ComforTech system in stock for less recoil and Ghost ring sights which helped me to hit my target when shooting. It has a capacity of 5+1 and a "ghost round" capability for a total of 7 rds.
I upgraded to an NC "BFB" Big Fat Benelli Bolt Operating Handle
I mounted a Picatinny rail for future need and installed a Tru Lock Crio Plus Tactical Breeching Choke, not that I am going to be breeching any doors or impaling any zombies, it just looks bad ass.

[Hatchdog]

That’s a good looking shotgun, I like that it has sights. Wish my 870 did.

What is a ghost round?

[JEBar]

if ever needed, it should serve you well .... I've never owned one but Benelli is known to be a good outfit .... what size shot do you plan to keep it loaded with .. .. what choke do you plan to use ..

[Koyote]

A ghost round is on on the lifter. There are a couple of videos on youtube...
I bought a small box of bird shot and never tried it out because whenever I went out shooting, I used 00 Buckshot and even some Zombie Max which my son wanted, so I gave it all to him, so now I am left with the bird shot but haven't gone out with it yet.

[John E Davies]

Those are really nice guns. I suggest that you find a way to mount a light on the forearm. Ghost ring sights are fine when there is plenty of light. Most home encounters occur in low or zero light conditions. Unlike a handgun, you can’t carry a tactical light in your other hand. A good weapon light with a bright center spot inside of a dimmer circle makes for a great aiming point. Just place the center of the spot on the bad guy’s center of mass and shoot, no sights needed at all.

Be very cautious about adding stuff to any inertia gun, it might affect how it cycles. Keep this in mind when you decide to add stuff like a 6 oz choke tube....“When a gun relies on recoil to operate, you have to be careful about weighing it down with optics and accessories. Your average red dot and side-saddle aren’t going to mess it up, but I’m sure if you kept adding weight, you’d find the spot eventually.“

https://www.pewpewtactical.com/best-be ... -m2-m3-m4/

Do you live alone? If so, keeping a round chambered in a shotgun is OK if you are very very careful, but if there is anybody else with you, it is not prudent.

John Davies
Spokane WA

[GunnyGene]

Ok, I'm just a little envious now. My HD shottie is an old Mossberg 590 Mariner. Carries 8+1. Std. bead, no tactical stuff at all, unless you count a heat shield. But I do keep it loaded with a mix of 00 and Brenneke slugs.

[JEBar]

so now I am left with the bird shot but haven't gone out with it yet.

I've been all over the place with it but bird shot makes sense to me for HD .... using ammo that can penetrate multiple walls or while in our camper can actually pass through its walls and well into campers parked near us is a concern for me

[Hatchdog]

My 870 (7+1) wears a light at the muzzle as John suggested. I use a simple double clamp that clamps on the mag tube and the lite. I tried a pressure switch on the slide forend but I couldn’t get it to stick. Too much radius and texture for good adhesion. No kids here so it’s loaded with 00BK low recoil and since I live rural I’m not concerned about penetration. BUT, JEBar brings up a good point, I do bring it when I travel in my trailer and will have to give that a thought when in a campground. I’ll bring some bird shot next time.

[GunnyGene]

My 870 (7+1) wears a light at the muzzle as John suggested. I use a simple double clamp that clamps on the mag tube and the lite. I tried a pressure switch on the slide forend but I couldn’t get it to stick. Too much radius and texture for good adhesion. No kids here so it’s loaded with 00BK low recoil and since I live rural I’m not concerned about penetration. BUT, JEBar brings up a good point, I do bring it when I travel in my trailer and will have to give that a thought when in a campground. I’ll bring some bird shot next time.

Just a reminder; campgrounds and rest stops are notoriously dangerous places after dark. I hope that you and others also carry a suitable handgun ( in addition to a long gun ) when traveling or camping.

[John E Davies]

Just a reminder; campgrounds and rest stops are notoriously dangerous places after dark. I hope that you and others also carry a suitable handgun ( in addition to a long gun ) when traveling or camping.

I am curious about why you say campgrounds are dangerous. Would you mind elaborating?

In my decades of camping, I have found them to generally be very safe, except for those run down city RV parks and Walmart parking lots. Rest stops are indeed stupidly dangerous at night. In the woods, you definitely need to be aware of bears and moose, depending on the location, not so much of two legged predators. It is highly unlikely that you will be bothered at a State Park or Federal campground.

John Davies
Spokane WA

[GunnyGene]

Just a reminder; campgrounds and rest stops are notoriously dangerous places after dark. I hope that you and others also carry a suitable handgun ( in addition to a long gun ) when traveling or camping.

I am curious about why you say campgrounds are dangerous. Would you mind elaborating?

In my decades of camping, I have found them to generally be very safe, except for those run down city RV parks and Walmart parking lots. Rest stops are indeed stupidly dangerous at night. In the woods, you definitely need to be aware of bears and moose, depending on the location, not so much of two legged predators. It is highly unlikely that you will be bothered at a State Park or Federal campground.

John Davies
Spokane WA

A few personal experiences. Theft, druggies, boozed up guys shooting up the woods. That said, I haven't been out in the woods since the mid '90s. Used to hike in to some fishing spots in the Olympics and Cascades when I lived up there and camp out for 3 or 4 days. Always went armed.

[JEBar]

just as with most every location, some campgrounds are better than others .... over the years our travels have taken us though all of the lower 48 states .... from ocean to ocean and border to border .... we have heard stories of problems in various campgrounds .... while we've visited bunches and I do mean bunches the worst we've seen has been some local teenagers slip into a state park campground and steal coolers looking for beer .... they were caught a couple of nights later when they came in again .... while we have no substantive concerns about safety in campgrounds that we don't have at home and we take much the same precautions in both

[GunnyGene]

just as with most every location, some campgrounds are better than others .... over the years our travels have taken us though all of the lower 48 states .... from ocean to ocean and border to border .... we have heard stories of problems in various campgrounds .... while we've visited bunches and I do mean bunches the worst we've seen has been some local teenagers slip into a state park campground and steal coolers looking for beer .... they were caught a couple of nights later when they came in again .... while we have no substantive concerns about safety in campgrounds that we don't have at home and we take much the same precautions in both

I wasn't including the expected wildlife, btw. Most of my camping experience has not been in designated campgrounds, but just a spot near a lake or trout stream way off the beaten path. Just me and my dog. I never did like going to popular places with "stay on the trail" signs & over run with city folks with yappy little dogs riding in their daypack, and leaving their trash all over the place. My idea of a good camp is a few days living off the land and no people for at least 3 or 4 miles in any direction. I could deal with the occasional bear, etc..

[JEBar]

My idea of a good camp is a few days living off the land and no people for at least 3 or 4 miles in any direction.

understood because years ago (OK decades ago) that was the way I approached camping .... now days my idea of a good camp is one that is reasonably level, with 50 amp service, full hookups, in a reasonably quiet area yet close to shopping, with a strong cell phone and internet reception, and a clear view of the southern sky of satellite TV

[GunnyGene]

My idea of a good camp is a few days living off the land and no people for at least 3 or 4 miles in any direction.

understood because years ago (OK decades ago) that was the way I approached camping .... now days my idea of a good camp is one that is reasonably level, with 50 amp service, full hookups, in a reasonably quiet area yet close to shopping, with a strong cell phone and internet reception, and a clear view of the southern sky of satellite TV

Gee, sounds like my house here.

[JEBar]

Gee, sounds like my house here.

as it does ours ....

[Koyote]

Got my Taran Tactical lifter/carrier in the mail today. Now to look/see how difficult to change in my M2.

UPDATE Mar 3, 2021:
Not being mechanically inclined, I had to get up my courage to replace the Benelli Carrier with the Taran Tactical one. I looked on YouTube and found two different vids to help me out. It only took them 10 min. to change them out while it took me four hours. I had my laptop in one room and working on the trigger assembly in another. The Youtube guys were experienced and I am old, but I still was proud of myself for completing the job. My tools were a wooden chop stick (so I wouldn't scratch the finish), a thin flat blade screwdriver and a small pair of needle nose pliers. I had the most trouble with a tiny 'D'ring, but eventually got it back on when re-assembling. Upon completion, I loaded some shells and it went smoother then with the Benelli Carrier.
If anyone else tries it I am sure you will be more adept at it then me.
Good shootin' to y'all!

[GFK]

Interesting: https://youtu.be/TXI6wjMLkfo . Hope it makes loading easier!

[Koyote]

GFK, that was one of the vids I used to help me switch out the carrier.