Benelli M1 Super 90

History of the Benelli M1 Super 90

Benelli Armi S.p. A. of Italy was founded by Giovanni Benelli and began designing, developing and manufacturing firearms in 1967 from its headquarters in Urbino, Italy. Originally associated with motorcycle production since 1911, the company has grown to become one of the world's most recognized manufacturers of military and law enforcement shotguns.

The key to the success of the Benelli shotgun is a proprietary inertia-actuated recoil system developed by engineer Bruno Civolani. In 2000, the company was bought by Italian rival Beretta, founded in 1526, although the Benelli name was allowed to live on in new products such as the "Benelli M1 Super 90" shotgun gun.

The Benelli M1 Super 90 is designed as a multipurpose system targeting the military, law enforcement and security community markets as well as the lucrative civilian market. The end product becomes a traditional semi-automatic shotgun system, available in 12 or 20 calibers, as well as 14", 18", 5" and 20" barrel lengths. Various models have been developed to cover different aspects of each market, resulting in different weights, lengths and magazine counts. The base model comes with an aluminum alloy casing and a typical upper/lower barrel/magazine layout.

Aside from the large magazine opening on the right side of the grip, these shells basically have no function in the same area. Loading is fed directly into the tubular magazine through a door under the receiver, partially covered by the front cover. The M1 Super 90 is also available with a full stock and integral pistol grip, or a full stock with a separate pistol grip.

Det is usually used, although mounts can be added as needed to use different optics, sights and accessories. Since the M1 Super 90 is based on a proprietary inertial recoil system, it is recommended to cycle with heavier loads for more reliable results.

This is perhaps one of the few shortcomings of the system.

The M1 Super 90 continues to have considerable success in law enforcement, where it can be used to quell riots, break doors and eliminate opponents at close range with non-lethal ammunition and tear gas. Also, if squeezed like this, the shotgun can serve as a viable blunt weapon. The M1 Super 90 has proven to be reliable and easy to maintain, with acquisition costs within budget constraints compared to automatic weapons. In addition to these benefits, the shotgun has also proven to be a key psychological factor for those unfortunate enough to face it.

It was these qualities that led the M1 to find military applicants as well, which inevitably led to its popularity in the civilian market.

The M1 Super 90 was originally released as: M1 Super 90 bullet gun with 18.5" barrel, 5-round magazine and stock with integrated grip, similar to M1 Super 90 Defense but with full stock and Stock Separate Pistol Grip, M1 Super 90 Slug with 18.5" Barrel, 5 Rounds Magazine and Ghost Ring, Special License with 14" Barrel, 5 Rounds Magazine, Full Stock and Separate Grip M1 Super 90 starter gun.

Like other foreign gun lines trying to sell in the US, Benelli brought the Benelli M1 Super 90 to the US market through the old German group Heckler & Koch. The Benelli M1 Super 90 was followed by the M2 Super 90, M3 Super 90 and M4 Super 90 - the latter adopted by the US military as the "M1014 Combined Service Combat Shotgun".

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