I love me some Benelli. I own three of their tactical shotguns. Because I love me some Benelli shotguns. OK, the safety is inside the trigger guard. But those bad boys have never let me down and they feel so good. It’s only a matter of time and my pinball machine buying budget before I add one of their sporting firearms to my collection. Big Ben’s new ETHOS Sport shotguns look mighty tempting what with . . .
their recoil-absorbing cheek comb pad — twice the size of the field models — and raised, carbon fiber sporting rib and barrel porting. Not to mention AA-grade satin walnut wood and ye olde inertia drive system, fully capable of cycling light target loads (e.g., 7/8 oz. in 12 gauge) all day, every day, for the rest of your days.
What’s not to love? Price! No matter which caliber you choose, the ETHOS Sport models clock in at $2269 msrp. But as watchmaker Patek Philippe reminded us, something truly precious holds its beauty forever.
That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. Here’s Benelli’s . . .
ACCOKEEK, Md. -(Ammoland.com)- Since its introduction in 2014, the Benelli ETHOS has been the shotgun world’s gold standard for combining form and function into a single sporting firearm.
The recipient of numerous awards from shooting publications worldwide and a mainstay for wingshooters of all varieties, the ETHOS line has been expanded to bring unparalleled performance and shootability sport shooters.
Benelli’s new line of ETHOS Sport models includes 12-, 20- and 28-gauge versions, each as capable of the highest levels of performance in the dove field as they are on the sporting clays course.
Based on the proven ETHOS field model, the new ETHOS Sport shotguns are equipped with a recoil-absorbing cheek comb pad that is twice the size of those on field models.
The ETHOS Sport models also feature a raised, carbon fiber sporting rib and barrel porting for faster, more effective follow-up shots. Increased barrel lengths further enhance the smooth swinging of the ETHOS Sport, while the award-winning ergonomics make the shotgun easy to mount, point and operate.
Capable of cycling even the lightest field loads and delivering a Progressive Comfort recoil-reduction system that significantly reduces felt recoil at the shoulder, the ETHOS Sport models, like their field model counterparts, are outfitted with AA-Grade satin walnut stocks, tastefully engraved nickel-plated receivers and Benelli’s patented easy locking system.
The 28-gauge ETHOS Sport model is chambered for 3-inch shells, joining its field model counterpart as the only production 28-gauge shotguns to be chambered for both 2-3/4 and 3-inch shells.
ETHOS Sport – 12 Gauge
Gauge: 12. Action: Semi-auto. Chambering: 2-3/4 and 3 inches. Capacity: 4+1. Barrel Length(s): 28 and 30 inches. Overall length(s): 49.5 inches (28-inch barrel); 51.5 inches (30-inch barrel). Weight: 6.6 lbs. (28-inch barrel); 6.7 lbs. (30-inch barrel). Finish: AA-Grade satin walnut. Receiver: Engraved nickel-plated. Chokes: Extended Crio (C/IC/M/IM/F) plus wrench. Sights: Interchangeable fiber-optic front sight with red, green and yellow inserts; metal mid-bead. Length of Pull: 14-3/8 inches. Drop at Heel: 2-1/4 inches. Drop at Comb: 1-1/2 inches. Minimum Recommended Load: 7/8 oz. Warranty: 10 years. MSRP: $2,269.
ETHOS Sport – 20 Gauge
Gauge: 20. Action: Semi-auto. Chambering: 2-3/4 and 3 inches. Capacity: 4+1. Barrel Length: 28 inches. Overall length: 49.5 inches. Weight: 5.7 lbs. Finish: AA-Grade satin walnut. Receiver: Engraved nickel-plated. Chokes: Extended Crio (C/IC/M/IM/F) plus wrench. Sights: Interchangeable fiber-optic front sight with red, green and yellow inserts; metal mid-bead. Length of Pull: 14-3/8 inches. Drop at Heel: 2-1/4 inches. Drop at Comb: 1-1/2 inches. Minimum Recommended Load: 7/8 oz. Warranty: 10 years. MSRP: $2,269.
ETHOS Sport – 28 Gauge
Gauge: 28. Action: Semi-auto. Chambering: 2-3/4 and 3 inches. Capacity: 2+1. Barrel Length: 28 inches. Overall length: 49 inches. Weight:
5.4 lbs. Finish: AA-Grade satin walnut. Receiver: Engraved nickel-plated. Chokes: Extended Crio (C/IC/M/IM/F) plus wrench. Sights: Interchangeable fiber-optic front sight with red, green and yellow inserts; metal mid-bead. Length of Pull: 14-3/8 inches. Drop at Heel: 2-1/4 inches. Drop at Comb: 1-1/2 inches. Minimum Recommended Load: 7/8 oz. Warranty: 10 years. MSRP: $2,269.
For more information visit their website.
Worth the price.
That 6.6 pound weight for the 12 bore is appealing. The aluminum receiver is the primary reason I stick with my Mossberg 500. Weight counts when you get older and are chasing the quail thru the thick stuff. I will, on occasion, break out one of my single shots just for the weight savings.
In contrast my Beretta Pintail feels like a brick. One piece steel receiver and barrel.
JWM, try a smallbore. You don’t need 1-1/4 oz of shot to kill a quail anyway.
Jeff. The problem is I live in CA. We’re required to use non lead shot. I did a lot of my hunting with my 20 bores before I switched to steel shot.
In my experience steel shot is best in a 12 bore. It looks like we’ll be moving to Utah when my wife retires. Maybe a switch back to lead shot will allow me to dust off the 20s again.
Sorry about my ignorance, but why is the 28 capacity 2+1 and the larger 20 and 12 gauge 4+1?
28 is usually used for gun games that don’t need more than 2 shots. 28 is also for someone who wants a light gun, and the extended tube adds weight and more mass towards the muzzle (greater torque needef to move the gun).
I guess maybe I am too old to enjoy that Italian sportscar styling. I like ’em a little more conventional appearing. And gas operating systems nowdays are so good too.
Gotta be doing something wrong…..can’t even put this new Ethos Sport together.
There is no way the breech extension will slide into the receiver. The cocking lever is in the way.
Yes the bolt is fully open and locked.
I must have a defective Ethos Sport?
Figured it out……..both the User Manual and Benelli’s u-tube ‘Assembly’ video are incorrect……and not for the ‘Sport’ because there is no way for the extension to slide into a Sport’s receiver if the bolt is back and locked…….it must be almost all the way forward.
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