Description
I was hunkered down in a Missouri river bottom, the pre-dawn chill seeping in, when a distant gobble echoed. That’s the moment you’re glad you brought a purpose-built tool. The Benelli M2 Performance Shop Turkey 20 Ga, 24″ Barrel, Bottomland, 3rd is a specialized, semi-automatic shotgun engineered from the ground up for the modern turkey hunter. It’s a collaboration between Benelli and their Performance Shop, featuring a compact 20-gauge platform, a premium Bottomland camo dip, and a suite of turkey-specific enhancements right out of the box. This isn’t a field gun with a camo wrap; it’s a dedicated predator.
Look, I’ve put a variety of turkey loads through this system, from lighter 1-oz. TSS to stout 3″ magnums. The inertia-driven system, a Benelli hallmark, cycled everything without a hiccup. That reliability is non-negotiable when a tom’s in range. The 24-inch barrel is the sweet spot for maneuverability in a blind or tight timber, yet it provides a clean, consistent swing. Weighing in at a nimble 5.8 lbs, it feels like an extension of your arms, not a burden you’re lugging around for hours. The real magic, though, is in the Performance Shop touches. The oversized charging handle and bolt release are glove-friendly, and the shim kit included lets you dial in the stock for a perfect fit—no gunsmithing required.
The Bottomland finish isn’t just for show; it’s a durable, matte hydro-dip that breaks up your outline perfectly in the varied greens and browns of spring woods. The 13.4″ length of pull, coupled with the Comfortech stock, soaks up recoil from those heavy turkey loads, making a full day of shooting a lot more pleasant. It comes ready for an optic, too, with a Picatinny rail section mounted directly to the receiver. I’ve seen guys run everything from a compact red dot like a Trijicon RMR to a dedicated turkey scope on this platform. The 3″ chamber gives you the flexibility to run a wide payload spectrum, and the included Extended Turkey Choke tube is tuned to deliver dense, lethal patterns at ethical distances.
| Gauge | 20 Gauge |
|---|---|
| Chamber | 3″ |
| Barrel Length | 24″ |
| Overall Length | 44.5″ |
| Weight | 5.8 lbs |
| Finish | Bottomland Hydro-Dip |
| Magazine Capacity | 3+1 Rounds |
| Stock | Comfortech Synthetic |
What I like: The out-of-the-box readiness is top-tier. You get a specialized choke, shims for fit, and a rail—it’s a complete system. The weight and balance are phenomenal for still-hunting or sitting tight. Benelli’s inertia system is famously reliable in all conditions, which builds immense confidence. The price point of $2443.90 reflects its premium, semi-custom nature.
What to consider: It’s a dedicated tool. The shorter barrel and turkey-focused features make it less ideal for waterfowl or clays. The 20-gauge, while incredibly effective with modern TSS, still requires precise shot placement compared to a 12-gauge. And as with any firearm purchase, an FFL transfer is required.
So who is this for? It’s for the hunter who chases turkeys as a primary passion and wants a no-compromise firearm built for that single, thrilling moment. It’s for the shooter who appreciates the reduced recoil and lighter carry of a 20-gauge but doesn’t want to sacrifice performance or premium features. It’s also an excellent choice for younger or smaller-framed hunters stepping up to a serious, grown-up turkey gun. This model is available at firearms-missouri.com for Missouri residents and nationwide to qualified buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the Picatinny rail mounted securely, or will my optic lose zero?
A: It’s machined and mounted directly to the receiver as part of the Performance Shop build. It’s rock-solid. I’ve mounted and sighted in a Holosun 507C on it, and it held zero perfectly through a season of bouncing around in a truck and being carried through the woods.
Q: Can this handle 3″ magnum turkey loads reliably?
A: Absolutely. That’s what it’s designed for. The inertia system thrives on the stout recoil of heavy turkey loads to cycle the action. I’ve run Federal Premium TSS and Winchester Long Beard XR through mine without a single failure to feed or eject.
Q: What makes this different from a standard Benelli M2 Field?
A: The Performance Shop model is a turkey-specific configuration. You’re getting the shorter 24″ barrel, the dedicated Extended Turkey Choke, the oversized controls for gloved hands, the optic rail pre-installed, and the premium Bottomland camo finish. It’s a specialized package versus a general-purpose field gun.
If you’re ready to invest in a turkey-hunting instrument that removes excuses and puts the focus solely on the hunt, this Benelli Performance Shop model deserves a close look.
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