{ "apiVersion": 1, "kind": "work-order", "purpose": "Taking the firearm apart for a job such as refinishing, and putting it back together to specification.", "firearm": { "slug": "benelli-m2", "name": "Benelli M2", "manufacturer": { "id": "benelli", "name": "Benelli Armi" }, "category": "shotgun", "action": "inertia-driven", "calibers": [ "12 gauge", "20 gauge" ], "alsoKnownAs": [ "M2 Field", "M2 Tactical", "Benelli Super Black Eagle (related)" ], "coversAlso": [ "Benelli M2 Field and Tactical", "Benelli Super Black Eagle series", "Benelli Montefeltro", "Many inertia-driven shotguns using the same system" ], "page": "firearms/benelli-m2.html", "bundle": "api/v1/firearms/benelli-m2.json", "lastUpdated": "2026-10-29" }, "notices": [ "This work order is written for the Benelli M2. It is reported to cover Benelli M2 Field and Tactical; Benelli Super Black Eagle series; Benelli Montefeltro; Many inertia-driven shotguns using the same system — if the firearm on the bench is one of those, check the torque notes: values do not always carry over.", "No manufacturer torque values are recorded. The values listed are reported by other sources, not the manufacturer — confirm them before use." ], "disclaimer": { "headline": "Read this before you use anything here.", "points": [ "This is a guide, not an authority. Entries are compiled from manufacturer manuals, technical manuals, published references, and community knowledge. Some of it comes from sources that are not authoritative, and some of it may simply be wrong.", "Always consult the manufacturer's manual for your specific firearm and serial-number range. Manufacturers change designs mid-production without renaming the model. The manual that shipped with your firearm outranks anything on this site.", "Consult a licensed gunsmith for anything beyond routine field stripping and cleaning, for any firearm you are unsure about, and for any procedure marked as gunsmith-recommended here.", "Treat every firearm as loaded. Verify it is unloaded, with the magazine removed and the chamber physically and visually checked, before any procedure in this database. Point it in a safe direction the entire time.", "Disassembly can damage a firearm or injure you. Springs are under tension, parts can launch, and reassembling a firearm incorrectly can make it unsafe to fire in a way that is not obvious from the outside. If a reassembled firearm does not pass a function check, stop and see a gunsmith.", "Torque values are shown in two groups. Values from the manufacturer or the issuing military are shown as such, with the document they came from. Values reported by anyone else — parts makers, gunsmithing publishers, articles, forums — are shown separately with who said them, how reliable that source is, and their exact words. Those are not specifications. Confirm any torque value with the manufacturer or a licensed gunsmith before relying on it.", "Nothing here is legal advice. Firearms law varies by country, state, and city, and some modifications or configurations are regulated or prohibited. You are responsible for knowing and following the law where you are.", "No warranty of any kind. Contributors and maintainers accept no liability for damage, injury, or loss arising from use of this material." ], "page": "disclaimer.html", "legal": { "summary": "Legal notice: this material is third-party information compiled from sources of varying reliability and is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not gunsmithing, technical, safety or legal advice, it is not verified or endorsed by any manufacturer, and it must not be taken as fact. Any work on a firearm beyond the routine field stripping described in its own owner's manual should be performed only by a licensed and insured gunsmith. You use this material entirely at your own risk. Fundamental Build LLC and the project's contributors make no warranty of any kind and accept no liability for death, injury, damage or loss arising from its use. Full terms: LEGAL.md.", "page": "legal.html", "notice": "https://github.com/Fundamental-build-LLC/Pew-Takedown/blob/main/LEGAL.md" } }, "sourcing": { "confidence": "medium", "verification": "community-reviewed" }, "manufacturerDisassembly": { "status": "published", "limit": null, "statement": "Benelli's manual strips the M2 to barrel, forend, bolt (firing pin, locking head, inertia spring) and trigger group, and does not tell owners to stop short of that or go no further.", "source": { "title": "M2 Field Product Manual", "publisher": "Benelli USA / Benelli Armi S.p.A.", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://www.benelliusa.com/sites/default/files/content/media/manuals/2019-10/M2%20Field%20Product%20Manual.pdf", "page": "68", "pdfPage": 69, "pageUrl": "https://www.benelliusa.com/sites/default/files/content/media/manuals/2019-10/M2%20Field%20Product%20Manual.pdf#page=69", "quote": "The shotgun is now completely stripped. All the parts that require routine maintenance and cleaning are disassembled." } }, "recalls": [], "shopTier": { "tier": 2, "group": "shotgun", "rating": "Pew-Takedown editorial rating (1 easy – 3 hardest), not the manufacturer's", "reason": "Inertia action with a simple bolt but several orientation and alignment traps: the hidden link-to-recoil-plunger engagement, the locking head pin's reference line, a loose spring washer under the stock nut, and a thread-locked recoil tube that needs heat, a padded vise and care. No timing; trigger group comes out as a unit on two pins.", "confidence": "medium", "partCount": null, "painPoints": [ { "issue": "When the bolt goes back in, the link has to slide over the trigger guard and onto the recoil spring plunger hidden inside the receiver; if it misses, the gun will not cycle and the plunger can be damaged.", "during": "reassembly", "source": { "title": "M2 Field Product Manual", "publisher": "Benelli USA / Benelli Armi S.p.A.", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://www.benelliusa.com/sites/default/files/content/media/manuals/2019-10/M2%20Field%20Product%20Manual.pdf", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "make sure that the link slides over the trigger guard assembly and onto the recoil spring plunger inside the receiver once the bolt assembly is fully mounted" } }, { "issue": "The bolt locking head and its pin only go one way: the slanted faces of the head's stem must be hidden and the pin's reference line aligned with the bolt centreline.", "during": "reassembly", "source": { "title": "M2 Field Product Manual", "publisher": "Benelli USA / Benelli Armi S.p.A.", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://www.benelliusa.com/sites/default/files/content/media/manuals/2019-10/M2%20Field%20Product%20Manual.pdf", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "the slanted surfaces on the lock- ing head’s stem should not be visible once the bolt locking head is mounted." } }, { "issue": "With the stock nut fully off, the spring washer is no longer held and is easily lost.", "during": "disassembly", "source": { "title": "M2 Field Product Manual", "publisher": "Benelli USA / Benelli Armi S.p.A.", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://www.benelliusa.com/sites/default/files/content/media/manuals/2019-10/M2%20Field%20Product%20Manual.pdf", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "take care not to loose the spring washer. This may easily happen as it is no longer withheld by the nut" } }, { "issue": "Reaching the recoil spring, or freeing the recoil tube so the receiver can be coated bare, means removing a buttstock nut that on early guns was set with red thread-locker; owners report needing heat and far more torque than expected, with a real risk of crushing or bending the tube in the vise.", "during": "disassembly", "source": { "title": "Benelli Super Black Eagle recoil spring replacement", "publisher": "Canadian Gun Nutz", "reliability": "anecdotal", "url": "https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/threads/benelli-super-black-eagle-recoil-spring-replacement.1117189", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "I am fearful of getting the vice too tight and collapsing the tube." } } ], "minutes": { "strip": 50, "rebuild": 70, "basis": "estimated", "note": "Strip of bolt, trigger group and buttstock/recoil tube; rebuild longer for the link-to-plunger engagement, locking head orientation and recoil tube.", "source": null }, "stripScope": [ { "assembly": "Barrel / magazine", "removes": [ "magazine cap", "fore-end", "barrel", "magazine spring and follower (retainer)" ] }, { "assembly": "Receiver", "removes": [ "trigger group pin(s) and trigger group", "bolt assembly and cocking handle", "carrier latch / cartridge drop lever" ] }, { "assembly": "Bolt", "removes": [ "firing pin retaining pin, firing pin and spring", "locking head pin and locking head", "inertia spring", "extractor pin, extractor and spring" ] }, { "assembly": "Trigger group", "removes": [ "hammer, sear, disconnector, trigger and their springs (Benelli trigger group; strip only if coating the guard)" ] }, { "assembly": "Stock / recoil tube", "removes": [ "recoil pad", "stock nut, spring washer and plate", "stock and drop shims", "recoil spring, plunger and link", "recoil spring tube (bare-receiver jobs; often thread-locked)" ], "tools": [ "13-17 mm socket on extension", "padded vise", "heat gun" ] } ], "hardware": null, "specialTools": [ { "tool": "Long 13-17 mm socket on extension", "usedFor": "Buttstock nut on the tension rod" }, { "tool": "Padded vise and heat gun", "usedFor": "Freeing a thread-locked recoil spring tube" }, { "tool": "Punch set incl. 3/32 in.", "usedFor": "Trigger group and bolt pins" } ], "fitOnRebuild": [ { "check": "Recoil tube support and torque", "why": "The aluminium recoil tube is easily crushed or bent; refit square and tight without clamping the tube.", "source": { "title": "Benelli Super Black Eagle recoil spring replacement", "publisher": "Canadian Gun Nutz", "reliability": "anecdotal", "url": "https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/threads/benelli-super-black-eagle-recoil-spring-replacement.1117189", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "I am fearful of getting the vice too tight and collapsing the tube." } }, { "check": "Link seated on the recoil spring plunger", "why": "If the link misses the plunger when the bolt goes in, the gun will not cycle.", "source": null }, { "check": "Function check: safety, trigger/sear release, disconnector and feeding with dummy rounds", "why": "Standard after any detail strip; a mis-assembled sear or disconnector can double or fail to fire.", "source": null } ], "assessed": "2026-10-29" }, "videos": [ { "title": "Video smontaggio del benelli M2", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvIrOjMHz3U", "platform": "youtube", "embedUrl": null, "shows": [ "field-strip" ], "appliesTo": "Benelli M2", "published": "2017-01-31", "note": null, "channel": { "id": "UCKmiOEHWeaNFGSj5D-NfPzw", "name": "Benelli Armi", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/@BenelliArmiSpA", "owner": "Benelli Armi S.p.A. (Italy)" }, "accessed": "2026-10-15" } ], "configurations": [], "tools": [], "phases": [ { "id": "clear", "title": "Clear and make safe", "steps": [ { "n": 1, "instruction": "Point the muzzle in a safe direction and keep your finger off the trigger." }, { "n": 2, "instruction": "Engage the crossbolt safety at the trigger guard." }, { "n": 3, "instruction": "Pull the bolt handle rearward to eject any chambered shell, and lock the bolt open." }, { "n": 4, "instruction": "Press the carrier release and cycle any shells out of the magazine tube, catching each one.", "partsFreed": [ "Shells from the magazine" ] }, { "n": 5, "instruction": "Inspect the chamber and look up the magazine tube with a light.", "warning": "The chamber and the tube. Both, every time." }, { "n": 6, "instruction": "Physically confirm the chamber is empty and clear all ammunition from the work area." } ], "videos": [] }, { "id": "disassemble", "title": "Disassemble", "videos": [ { "title": "Video smontaggio del benelli M2", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvIrOjMHz3U", "platform": "youtube", "embedUrl": null, "shows": [ "field-strip" ], "appliesTo": "Benelli M2", "published": "2017-01-31", "note": null, "channel": { "id": "UCKmiOEHWeaNFGSj5D-NfPzw", "name": "Benelli Armi", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/@BenelliArmiSpA", "owner": "Benelli Armi S.p.A. (Italy)" }, "accessed": "2026-10-15" } ], "procedures": [ { "procedure": "field-strip", "title": "Field Strip", "level": "field-strip", "configuration": false, "steps": [ { "n": 1, "instruction": "Complete the Clear and Make Safe procedure." }, { "n": 2, "instruction": "Unscrew the magazine cap at the end of the magazine tube and remove it.", "partsFreed": [ "Magazine cap" ] }, { "n": 3, "instruction": "Pull the forend forward off the magazine tube.", "partsFreed": [ "Forend" ] }, { "n": 4, "instruction": "Pull the barrel forward and out of the receiver.", "partsFreed": [ "Barrel" ] }, { "n": 5, "instruction": "Pull the bolt handle straight out of the bolt body.", "partsFreed": [ "Bolt handle" ] }, { "n": 6, "instruction": "Slide the bolt assembly forward and out the front of the receiver.", "tip": "Support the bolt as it comes free so the link does not catch.", "partsFreed": [ "Bolt assembly" ] }, { "n": 7, "instruction": "Push out the trigger group retaining pin and lift the trigger group down and out of the receiver.", "partsFreed": [ "Trigger group pin", "Trigger group" ] }, { "n": 8, "instruction": "To separate the bolt, push out the firing pin retaining pin, withdraw the firing pin and its spring, then push out the locking head pin and separate the bolt head from the bolt body.", "warning": "The inertia spring sits between the bolt head and the bolt body. Note it, keep it, and do not lose it.", "partsFreed": [ "Firing pin", "Firing pin spring", "Locking head pin", "Bolt head" ] } ] } ] }, { "id": "refinish", "title": "Refinish", "components": [ { "name": "Magazine cap", "procedure": "field-strip", "level": "field-strip", "step": 2 }, { "name": "Forend", "procedure": "field-strip", "level": "field-strip", "step": 3 }, { "name": "Barrel", "procedure": "field-strip", "level": "field-strip", "step": 4 }, { "name": "Bolt handle", "procedure": "field-strip", "level": "field-strip", "step": 5 }, { "name": "Bolt assembly", "procedure": "field-strip", "level": "field-strip", "step": 6 }, { "name": "Trigger group pin", "procedure": "field-strip", "level": "field-strip", "step": 7 }, { "name": "Trigger group", "procedure": "field-strip", "level": "field-strip", "step": 7 }, { "name": "Firing pin", "procedure": "field-strip", "level": "field-strip", "step": 8 }, { "name": "Firing pin spring", "procedure": "field-strip", "level": "field-strip", "step": 8 }, { "name": "Locking head pin", "procedure": "field-strip", "level": "field-strip", "step": 8 }, { "name": "Bolt head", "procedure": "field-strip", "level": "field-strip", "step": 8 } ], "manufacturerPartsList": null, "partsDiagrams": [], "materials": [ { "component": "Receiver", "material": "aluminum", "finish": "matt black anodized", "appliesTo": "M2 Black (12 ga)", "note": null, "source": { "title": "Benelli M2 Black — technical data", "publisher": "Benelli Armi S.p.A.", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://www.benelli.it/en/arma/m2-black", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "RECEIVER FINISHING Made of matt black anodized aluminum" } }, { "component": "Stock", "material": "Technopolymer", "finish": null, "appliesTo": "M2 Black", "note": null, "source": { "title": "Benelli M2 Black — technical data", "publisher": "Benelli Armi S.p.A.", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://www.benelli.it/en/arma/m2-black", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "STOCK AND FORE-END Black Technopolymer with AirTouch checkering" } }, { "component": "Barrel", "material": "steel", "finish": null, "appliesTo": "M2 Black — rib material only; barrel finish not stated", "note": null, "source": { "title": "Benelli M2 Black — technical data", "publisher": "Benelli Armi S.p.A.", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://www.benelli.it/en/arma/m2-black", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "BARRELS AND CHOKES 61/65/70/76 cm with vented steel step rib; Interchangeable choke */**/***/****/ CYL" } } ], "note": "The components the procedures above separate. Coating, masking and cure are outside this database; follow your coating system's instructions. A part the manufacturer marks \"factory fit\" should not be swapped or reworked." }, { "id": "reassemble", "title": "Reassemble", "videos": [], "procedures": [ { "procedure": "reassembly", "title": "Reassembly", "configuration": false, "steps": [ { "n": 1, "instruction": "Seat the inertia spring into the bolt body, then fit the bolt head over it and align the locking head pin hole.", "warning": "The inertia spring must be present and correctly seated. Without it the shotgun will not cycle." }, { "n": 2, "instruction": "Insert the locking head pin, then install the firing pin and its spring and secure them with the firing pin retaining pin." }, { "n": 3, "instruction": "Install the trigger group into the receiver and insert its retaining pin fully." }, { "n": 4, "instruction": "Slide the bolt assembly into the receiver from the front, engaging the link with the recoil spring plunger." }, { "n": 5, "instruction": "Install the bolt handle into the bolt body." }, { "n": 6, "instruction": "Set the barrel into the receiver, seating the extension fully, with the barrel ring over the magazine tube." }, { "n": 7, "instruction": "Install the forend, then thread the magazine cap on and tighten it firmly by hand.", "warning": "The cap must be fully tight. Check it before every use." }, { "n": 8, "instruction": "Cycle the action several times and perform the function check." } ], "instruction": null } ] }, { "id": "torque", "title": "Torque", "coverage": "reported-only", "manufacturer": [], "reported": [ { "fastener": "Reflex sight mount to receiver (three screws and washers, factory rail holes)", "appliesTo": "Mesa Tactical RMR-footprint reflex sight mount on a Benelli M2 Tactical", "qualifier": "approximate", "value": 15, "valueMax": null, "unit": "in-lb", "converted": { "value": { "N-m": 1.7, "in-lb": 15, "ft-lb": 1.2 }, "valueMax": null }, "sequence": null, "threadlocker": "Purple or blue thread locker recommended", "source": { "title": "Mesa Tactical Reflex Sight Mounts Manual (46020 rev e)", "publisher": "Mesa Tactical", "reliability": "secondary", "url": "https://mesatactical.com/content/manuals/46020_Reflex_Sight_Mounts_Manual_rev_e.pdf", "page": "PDF p. 4 of 8", "pdfPage": 4, "pageUrl": "https://mesatactical.com/content/manuals/46020_Reflex_Sight_Mounts_Manual_rev_e.pdf#page=4", "quote": "For Benelli M2 Tactical and Benelli M4 use the three screws and washers. For Beretta 1301 Tactical use the two metric flathead screws. Tighten to about 15 inch-lbs." } }, { "fastener": "Integrated-rail SureShell carrier to receiver (four or five screws and washers, factory rail holes)", "appliesTo": "Mesa Tactical Integrated Rail SureShell shotshell carrier on a Benelli M2 Tactical", "qualifier": "approximate", "value": 15, "valueMax": null, "unit": "in-lb", "converted": { "value": { "N-m": 1.7, "in-lb": 15, "ft-lb": 1.2 }, "valueMax": null }, "sequence": null, "threadlocker": "Blue Loctite on each screw", "source": { "title": "Mesa Tactical SureShell Shotshell Carriers — Assembly and Operation Guide (47374)", "publisher": "Mesa Tactical", "reliability": "secondary", "url": "https://mesatactical.com/content/manuals/47374_SureShell_Shotshell_Carriers_Assembly_and_Operation_Guide.pdf", "page": "PDF p. 16 of 20", "pdfPage": 16, "pageUrl": "https://mesatactical.com/content/manuals/47374_SureShell_Shotshell_Carriers_Assembly_and_Operation_Guide.pdf#page=16", "quote": "the four or five screws and washers (the SureShell carriers for the Benelli SuperNova Tactical do not include washers). Tighten to about 15 inch-lbs and use a drop of blue Loctite® on each screw." } } ], "notes": "The manufacturer's documents give no torque value. They say: \"After having fired the first few rounds, repeat check and if necessary, remove butt plate and further tighten the stock nut, with the use of the appropriate wrench.\" (M2 Field Product Manual, PDF p. 93) \"Fit the lock washer “3” and retaining nut “2” back onto the recoil spring tube and re-tighten firmly.\" (M2 Field Product Manual, PDF p. 89 (stock drop/cast shim change, step 7))" }, { "id": "function-check", "title": "Function check", "checks": [ "Verify the shotgun is unloaded, chamber and tube, before each step.", "Cycle the action by hand and confirm the bolt locks fully into battery and the bolt head rotates closed.", "With the hammer cocked, engage the safety and press the trigger. The hammer must not fall.", "Disengage the safety and press the trigger. The hammer should fall.", "Confirm the bolt locks open when retracted and releases with the carrier release.", "Load two dummy shells into the magazine and confirm they feed and eject one at a time.", "Confirm the magazine cap is tight and the bolt handle is fully seated." ], "videos": [] } ], "troubleshooting": [], "sources": [ { "n": 1, "id": null, "title": "Benelli M2 Semi-Automatic Shotgun Use and Maintenance Manual", "publisher": "Benelli Armi S.p.A.", "reliability": "primary", "url": null, "accessed": null }, { "n": 2, "id": "benelli-usa-benelli-armi-s-p-a-6a1d89", "title": "M2 Field Product Manual", "publisher": "Benelli USA / Benelli Armi S.p.A.", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://www.benelliusa.com/sites/default/files/content/media/manuals/2019-10/M2%20Field%20Product%20Manual.pdf", "accessed": "2026-09-27" }, { "n": 3, "id": "benelli-specs-8da68d", "title": "Benelli M2 Black — technical data", "publisher": "Benelli Armi S.p.A.", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://www.benelli.it/en/arma/m2-black", "accessed": "2026-10-03" }, { "n": 4, "id": "mesa-tactical-2c0458", "title": "Mesa Tactical Reflex Sight Mounts Manual (46020 rev e)", "publisher": "Mesa Tactical", "reliability": "secondary", "url": "https://mesatactical.com/content/manuals/46020_Reflex_Sight_Mounts_Manual_rev_e.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-11" }, { "n": 5, "id": "mesa-tactical-c93c1b", "title": "Mesa Tactical SureShell Shotshell Carriers — Assembly and Operation Guide (47374)", "publisher": "Mesa Tactical", "reliability": "secondary", "url": "https://mesatactical.com/content/manuals/47374_SureShell_Shotshell_Carriers_Assembly_and_Operation_Guide.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-11" }, { "n": 6, "id": "tier-89baba29", "title": "Benelli Super Black Eagle recoil spring replacement", "publisher": "Canadian Gun Nutz", "reliability": "anecdotal", "url": "https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/threads/benelli-super-black-eagle-recoil-spring-replacement.1117189", "accessed": "2026-10-29" } ] }