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Am looking at acquiring a new fac style shotgun.

Was quite tempted with the Beretta 1301, also looked at the Benelli M2. However the Price was quite steep.

Now having looked around I can pick up a new M2 essential for just under a grand. Which is cheaper than the 1301.

What exactly is the difference between the essential and the M2- I understand it doesn't have certain thing but is it worth it- would I notice the difference? Especially if I was to 'tinker' with it anyway?


Does anyone have one?
Is it cheaper in the long run to buy and add or buy the bigger brother the first time around?

regards

Paul

From what I could see when I was looking for a Sec 1 shotgun the Essential is just an M2 with a plain non-comfortech stock. Still loadsa money.

Why not give Riflecraft a ring and see if they have any Stoeger M3000 in stock, it's basically an M2 Essential, prices start around £650.

BamBam wrote:From what I could see when I was looking for a Sec 1 shotgun the Essential is just an M2 with a plain non-comfortech stock. Still loadsa money.

Why not give Riflecraft a ring and see if they have any Stoeger M3000 in stock, it's basically an M2 Essential, prices start around £650.

I shall check it out. Thanks.

Stoeger, like Benelli, is owned by the Beretta group. It's an inertia operated shotgun of the Benelli influence, but made in Turkey to reduce the cost. As an aside, the 1301 is made in Spain but assembled Italy.

The M2 Essential is that. An Italian made M2 with no frills. But, as the M2 is almost Lego now, you can opt for whatever go faster bit you want!

Steep they may be , but, they really are that good, IMO.

Most of the Benelli go faster bits fit the Stoeger.

Sim G wrote:Stoeger, like Benelli, is owned by the Beretta group. It's an inertia operated shotgun of the Benelli influence, but made in Turkey to reduce the cost. As an aside, the 1301 is made in Spain but assembled Italy.

The M2 Essential is that. An Italian made M2 with no frills. But, as the M2 is almost Lego now, you can opt for whatever go faster bit you want!

Steep they may be , but, they really are that good, IMO.

Thanks, Are you talking about the Benelli being that good or specifically the essential?

The M2 in general...

I have the Practical. Comfortec stock and LPA adjustable ghost ring sights with a Picatinny rail. 26" ported barrel, extended bolt handle and carrier release. Fast and utterly reliable...

Supposedly one of the first inertia shotguns offered by Benelli was bought by a professional Australian rabbit hunter. Shot somewhere in the region of a million cartridges through it and it's still going!

Sim G,

Thanks.

The m2 essential also doesn't come with a hard case and only 3 chokes not 5 according to gmk at the shooting show

We had an M2 and my Stoeger M3000 side by side last week and the Benelli owner stated that the only external difference he could see was that the rib wasn't as well finished on the Stoeger.

Bear in mind that the Beretta I believe is a gas gun whereas the M2 and M3000 are inertia driven.