Much has been written about the virtues of the M2 for 3 Gun, so I won’t spend a lot of time going over the M2’s virtues, or even much how it compares to the Versa Max (perhaps a topic of a separate article). Despite having three additional inches of barrel, the Benelli weighs just 6 3/4 lbs., and it feels like an even bigger difference. Remington lists the weight of the Versa Max Tactical at 7 3/4 lbs. The weight issue was one of the main driving factors behind my purchasing the gun. My first impression of the the Benelli Performance Shop M2 3 Gun Edition was that it felt very light – particularly when compared to the Remington Versa Max Tactical. I ended up adding a Nordic Components +6 Magazine Tube Extension on my rifle, for 9+1 total capacity, which is nearly even with the end of the 24″ M2 barrel.
![benelli m2 xrail benelli m2 xrail](https://images.guns.com/wordpress/2019/02/Roth-Performance-Xrail-cover.jpg)
Aesthetically, there’s also the advantage that long magazine tube extensions look less ridiculous on a longer barrel. Longer barrels tend to offer better sight radius, better ballistic velocities & better “swing” (target transition). 3 Gun has seen shotgun barrels increase in length in recent years for several reasons. The most significant change for the updated model is the 24″ barrel length – up from 21″ in the previous version of the M2 3 Gun Edition. Those changes include Mag well cut for Quad Load (new), Modified carrier (same as before), Large bolt handle and bolt release (Now RCI, were Nordic), Hi viz front sight (same as before), XS rear sight dovetailed into the rib (new), Shell caddy (new) RCI Follower installed (was Nordic before) and the change to only a 24″ barrel option. RCI is the current Performance shop builder on the M2 3 gun edition. To find out the specifics of what else had changed with the 2016 model, I went to George Thompson, Senior Product Manager for Benelli who indicated the following: For 2016, the base gun used to create the M2 3 Gun Edition the M2 Field Comfortech 24 which is sent to RCI for the customization and added parts. Benelli USA introduced a “race ready” version of its venerable M2 tactical shotgun fine-tuned for 3-Gun competition in 2013, and it’s been a hot seller for Benelli thanks to both the explosion in popularity of 3 Gun, and the dominance of the M2 within the sport. Essentially Benelli took the shotgun most used in the sport of 3 Gun (the M2) and outsourced the customization work needed to make the shotgun “race ready” for 3 Gun Competition. Then I discovered the Benelli Performance Shop M2 3-Gun Edition. True, I could keep shooting with my Remington while the custom work was being done, but I still had to wait several weeks to get the end result I was after.
![benelli m2 xrail benelli m2 xrail](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/1841/115176/59159501_1_x.jpg)
This was the most costly option I looked at which also had the downside of time. Another option would have been to buy another shotgun and then send it off to have the custom work done. The big downside to this option would have been being without a shotgun for several weeks and not being able to practice or compete. I’d just have to pay the shipping back and forth, and pay for the work. This would not have been a cheap option, but wouldn’t have been terribly cost prohibitive given that I already owned the shotgun. One option would have been sending my Remington Versa Max Tactical to one of the handful of gunsmiths (Triangle Shooting Sports, Salient Tactical, etc.) that specialize in customizing shotguns for 3 Gun.
![benelli m2 xrail benelli m2 xrail](https://images.gunsinternational.com/listings_sub/acc_993/gi_100383342/XRail-21-1-Shot-Rotating-High-Capacity-Mag-Tube-Extension-For-Benelli-M1-M2-SBE1-and-SBE2_100383342_993_461311E3D2CB0037.jpg)
I explored several different options before making my final selection. But I found myself wanting a more capable shotgun specifically modified for use in 3 Gun competition. It’s been a fine shotgun for me, and I’ve taken a Tactical Shotgun class with it, as well as gotten my start in 3 Gun competition with it. I really only started shooting a shotgun seriously in 2014 when I bought my Remington Versa Max Tactical. But I don’t shoot rifle or shotgun nearly as much as I do pistol…which is one of the reasons why I wanted to compete in 3 Gun – doing so would force me to build proficiency with both platforms. I’m an accomplished shooter and NRA Certified Instructor, and have shot competitively in an IDPA-like local league. As readers of ThruMyLens probobly know, I started shooting in local 3 Gun Competitions last year.