Benelli USA unveiled the M2-G1 on August 17, 2026, introducing a new semi-automatic 12-gauge built around the company's first gas-operated action — the Rear Piston Operated, or RPO, system. RECOIL and The Firearm Blog both published coverage and field evaluations the same day, marking the M2-G1 as a deliberate departure from Benelli's inertia-driven heritage.

The RPO system positions dual short-stroke pistons just ahead of the chamber, capturing propellant gas close to the source rather than further down the barrel. Benelli says the near-chamber placement keeps combustion byproducts from migrating deep into the action, which translates to a cleaner-running gun across extended shooting sessions. The system is fully self-regulating, meaning the M2-G1 cycles reliably across the range of loads tactical users run — reduced-recoil training ammunition, full-power 00 buckshot, and rifled slugs — without adjusting any gas setting. That self-regulation is particularly useful for defensive shooters who mix load types across training and operational scenarios.

All M2-G1 variants are chambered in 12 gauge, accept 2¾-inch and 3-inch shells, and are built around an 18.5-inch barrel machined from tri-alloy steel. The receiver is aircraft-grade aluminum, and a parkerized bolt rounds out the corrosion-resistant package. Standard features across the line include ghost ring iron sights, a Picatinny rail for optics or weapon lights, a full-length M-LOK handguard, and a beveled, enlarged loading port engineered to speed reloads under stress. Both the bolt handle and the bolt release have been enlarged for reliable manipulation in gloves or demanding conditions.

Benelli is launching five configurations at different price and feature levels. The base M2-G1 with a fixed Gray stock ships with a 5+1 tube at an MSRP of $1,829. Four 922r-domestic-compliance variants upgrade the tube to 7+1 and are offered in a fixed Gray stock ($1,949), a five-position collapsible Gray stock ($2,049), a five-position FDE collapsible stock ($2,149), and a five-position Multicam Black collapsible stock ($2,149). The collapsible stock adjusts from a 9.25-inch length of pull out to 14 inches, accommodating a wide range of body types without aftermarket spacers.

The M2-G1 occupies a defined space between Benelli's inertia-driven M2 sporting and competition shotguns and the company's more specialized law enforcement platforms. The gas system is designed to deliver softer perceived recoil, a feature that matters in sustained training environments where shooters run hundreds of rounds in a session. The Firearm Blog reviewed the M2-G1 across buckshot, slug, and light training loads, noting consistent cycling throughout. Benelli has not yet announced whether law enforcement pricing programs will be available for the series. Dealers and major distributors should be able to confirm stock timelines in the weeks ahead.