Benelli ETHOS Shotgun: GMK LIMITED

29

CERTIFICATE OF WARRANTY

To be entitled to service under the terms of the warranty,

you must compile this form in full, get it stamped by the

dealer who sold you the firearm, and return it in a sealed

envelope to the address below.

GMK LIMITED 

BEAR HOUSE - CONCORDE WAY

Fareham, Hampshire, PO15 5RL

UNITED KINGDOM

TEST CERTIFICATE

BENELLI ARMI S.p.A. declares that all its

products have been tested according to legal

requirements by the Italian national gun

testing establishment, “Banco Nazionale di

Prova”, as shown by the official marks

punched on the receiver and barrel.

MODEL

RECEIVER SERIAL NUMBER

STAMP AND SIGNATURE OF DEALER

DATE OF PURCHASE

BARREL SERIAL NUMBER

No.

No.

Notification under art. 13 of Legislative Decree 196/2003

(personal information protection code)

Personal information will be used for the purpose of issuing the product

Warranty Certificate and to provide assistance and services in relation there-

to, as regulated in the General Terms specified in the Certificate itself. The

information may be communicated to companies associated with Benelli

Armi S.p.A. in the form of parent, subsidiary and/or affiliated companies, both

in Italy and abroad, and companies who provide Benelli Armi S.p.A. with

specific supply services. Personal data is not diffused. The interested party

may exercise his or her rights under art. 7 of Legislative Decree 196/03 at any

time, by writing to 

privacy@benelli.it

. The data controller is Benelli Armi

S.p.A., via della Stazione 50, 61029 Urbino, Italy. The Data Manager is Mr.

Lorenzo Caldari, whose offices for the purpose are located at the premises of

the Data Holder. Full information on 

www.benelli.it

30

CERTIFICATE OF WARRANTY

BENELLI ARMI S.p.A. guarantees all metal parts of

its shotguns and rifles to be free of defects in 

manufacturing and materials for a period of 5 years

from the date of purchase as proven by a fiscal

receipt.

During this period, the products covered by this

warranty shall be repaired free of charge by

Benelli’s Technical Assistance Centre in Urbino,

Italy

, or by 

an Authorised Benelli Service Centre.

The purchaser remains liable for all shipping costs.

The warranty period commences on the original

date of purchase: replacement or repair of any

components will not result in an extension of the

guarantee period.

Under no circumstances shall the complete

firearm be replaced.

This warranty excludes all damage caused by

negligence, inadequate maintenance, tampering,

repair by unauthorised persons, the use of 

ammunition that does not conform to international

standards, manually loaded and/or reloaded

ammunition, improper use of the firearm, failure

to comply with the safety precautions given in the

use and maintenance manual, and by events not

deriving from the normal use and functioning the

firearm.

BENELLI ARMI S.p.A. declines all responsibility for

injury to persons or animals or damage to property

caused directly or indirectly by lack of care and/or

skill in handling the firearm, or by any of the

conditions listed above. 

THIS DOCUMENT MUST BE RETAINED

BY THE PURCHASER

To be entitled to service under the terms of

the warranty, you must compile this Form in

full, get it stamped by the authorised Benelli

dealer who sold you the firearm and return

it in a sealed envelope.

Failure to return this form or failure to

provide the information requested will

lead to all repairs to the product being

made only against payment.

IMPORTANT

I authorise use of my details for the purposes of commercial

information and direct offers

(Notification under art. 13 of Legislative Decree 196/2003)

Signature: ...............................................................................

MODEL

RECEIVER SERIAL

NUMBER

BARREL SERIAL

NUMBER

NAME

SURNAME

STREET

POST CODE/

ZIP CODE

CITY

COUNTRY

e-mail

STAMP AND SIGNATURE OF DEALER

No.

No.

DATE OF PURCHASE

CERTIFICATE OF WARRANTY

To be entitled to service under the terms of the warranty,

compile this form in full, get it stamped by your authorised

Benelli dealer, and return it to your national importer in a

sealed envelope.

Details of importers can be found in the “Support” section

of the 

www.benelli.it

website.

TEST CERTIFICATE

BENELLI ARMI S.p.A. declares that all its

products have been tested according to legal

requirements by the Italian national gun

testing establishment, “Banco Nazionale di

Prova”, as shown by the official marks

punched on the receiver and barrel.

MODEL

RECEIVER SERIAL NUMBER

STAMP AND SIGNATURE OF DEALER

DATE OF PURCHASE

BARREL SERIAL NUMBER

No.

No.

Notification under art. 13 of Legislative Decree 196/2003

(personal information protection code)

Personal information will be used for the purpose of issuing the product

Warranty Certificate and to provide assistance and services in relation there-

to, as regulated in the General Terms specified in the Certificate itself. The

information may be communicated to companies associated with Benelli

Armi S.p.A. in the form of parent, subsidiary and/or affiliated companies, both

in Italy and abroad, and companies who provide Benelli Armi S.p.A. with

specific supply services. Personal data is not diffused. The interested party

may exercise his or her rights under art. 7 of Legislative Decree 196/03 at any

time, by writing to 

privacy@benelli.it

. The data controller is Benelli Armi

S.p.A., via della Stazione 50, 61029 Urbino, Italy. The Data Manager is Mr.

Lorenzo Caldari, whose offices for the purpose are located at the premises of

the Data Holder. Full information on 

www.benelli.it

31

CERTIFICATE OF WARRANTY

BENELLI ARMI S.p.A. guarantees all metal parts of

its shotguns and rifles to be free of defects in 

manufacturing and materials for a period of 5 years

from the date of purchase as proven by a fiscal

receipt.

During this period, the products covered by this

warranty shall be repaired free of charge by

Benelli’s Technical Assistance Centre in Urbino,

Italy

, or by 

an Authorised Benelli Service Centre.

The purchaser remains liable for all shipping costs.

The warranty period commences on the original

date of purchase: replacement or repair of any

components will not result in an extension of the

guarantee period.

Under no circumstances shall the complete

firearm be replaced.

This warranty excludes all damage caused by

negligence, inadequate maintenance, tampering,

repair by unauthorised persons, the use of 

ammunition that does not conform to international

standards, manually loaded and/or reloaded

ammunition, improper use of the firearm, failure

to comply with the safety precautions given in the

use and maintenance manual, and by events not

deriving from the normal use and functioning the

firearm.

BENELLI ARMI S.p.A. declines all responsibility for

injury to persons or animals or damage to property

caused directly or indirectly by lack of care and/or

skill in handling the firearm, or by any of the

conditions listed above. 

THIS DOCUMENT MUST BE RETAINED

BY THE PURCHASER

To be entitled to service under the terms of

the warranty, you must compile this Form in

full, get it stamped by the authorised Benelli

dealer who sold you the firearm and return

it in a sealed envelope.

Failure to return this form or failure to

provide the information requested will

lead to all repairs to the product being

made only against payment.

IMPORTANT

I authorise use of my details for the purposes of commercial

information and direct offers

(Notification under art. 13 of Legislative Decree 196/2003)

Signature: ...............................................................................

MODEL

RECEIVER SERIAL

NUMBER

BARREL SERIAL

NUMBER

NAME

SURNAME

STREET

POST CODE/

ZIP CODE

CITY

COUNTRY

e-mail

STAMP AND SIGNATURE OF DEALER

No.

No.

DATE OF PURCHASE

32

33

Data subject to modification without notice.

Index

U

SE

• 

M

AINTENANCE

................................................................

33

Basic safety rules .......................................................................

34

Introduction ..............................................................................

36

Operation ..................................................................................

36

Assembly ...................................................................................

38

Gun safety catch  .......................................................................

39

Loading .....................................................................................

40

Cartridge replacement  ...............................................................

41

Unloading .................................................................................

42

Troubleshooting .........................................................................

43

Ammunition ..............................................................................

43

Maintenance .............................................................................

43

Shotgun stripping  ......................................................................

44

Shotgun assembly ......................................................................

47

A

CCESSORIES AND

A

DJUSTMENTS

:

Drop and cast adjustments  ........................................................

49

Internal choke ...........................................................................

50

Interchangeable ribs  ..................................................................

52

Changing the front sight  ............................................................

52

Fitting the sling attachment pin to the stock  ..............................

53

Removing and changing the comb ............................................

53

Adjusting the rear sight (when fitted)  .........................................

54

Adjusting the rear sight for windage  ..........................................

54

Adjusting the rear sight for elevation  .........................................

54

S

PARE

P

ARTS

............................................................................. 211

34

BASIC SAFETY RULES

WARNING: 

PLEASE READ THIS MANUAL

BEFORE HANDLING YOUR FIREARM.

WARNING: 

FIREARMS CAN BE DANGEROUS

AND CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE SERIOUS

INJURY, DAMAGE TO PROPERTY OR DEATH,

IF HANDLED IMPROPERLY. THE FOLLOWING

SAFETY RULES ARE AN IMPORTANT RE-

MINDER THAT FIREARM SAFETY IS YOUR

RESPONSIBILITY.

1. NEVER POINT A FIREARM AT SOMETHING

THAT IS NOT SAFE TO SHOOT.

Never let the muzzle of a firearm

point at any part of your body or at

another person. This is especially

important when loading or un-

loading the firearm. When you are

shooting at a target, know what is

behind it. Some bullets can travel

over a mile. If you miss your target

or if the bullet penetrates the target,

it is your responsibility to ensure that

the shot does not cause unintended injury or

damage.

2. ALWAYS TREAT A FIREARM AS IF IT WERE

LOADED.

Never assume that a firearm is unloaded. The

only certain way to ensure that a firearm has the

chamber empty is to open the chamber and

visually and physically examine the inside to see

if a round is present. 

Removing or unloading the magazine will not

guarantee that a firearm is unloaded or cannot

fire. Shotguns and rifles can be checked by

removing all rounds and by then opening and

inspecting the chamber so that a visual inspec-

tion of the chamber for any remaining rounds

can be made.

3. STORE YOUR FIREARM SO THAT CHILDREN

CANNOT GAIN ACCESS TO IT.

It is your responsibility to ensure that children

under the age of 18 or other unauthorized per-

sons do not gain access to your firearm. To re-

duce the risk of accidents involving

children, unload your firearm, lock

it and store the ammunition in a

separate locked location. Please

note that devices intended to pre-

vent accidents - for example, cable

locks, chamber plugs, etc, - may not

prevent use or misuse of your

firearm by a determined person.

Firearm storage in a steel gun safe may be more

appropriate to reduce the likelihood of intentio-

nal misuse of a firearm by an unauthorized child

or person.

4. NEVER SHOOT AT WATER OR AT A HARD

SURFACE.

Shooting at the surface of water or at

a rock or other hard surface in-

creases the chance of ricochets or

fragmentation of the bullet or shot,

which can result in the projectile

striking an unintended or peripheral target.

5. KNOW THE SAFETY FEATURES OF THE

FIREARM YOU ARE USING, BUT REMEMBER:

SAFETY DEVICES ARE NOT A SUBSTITUTE

FOR SAFE HANDLING PROCEDURES.

Never rely solely on a safety device to prevent an

accident. It is imperative that you know and use

the safety features of the particular firearm you

are handling, but accidents can best be prevent-

ed by following the safe handling procedures

described in these safety rules and elsewhere in

the product manual. 

To further familiarize yourself with the proper use

of this or other firearms, take a Firearms Safety

Course taught by an expert in firearms use and

safety procedures.

6. PROPERLY MAINTAIN YOUR FIREARM.

Store and carry your firearm so that

dirt or lint does not accumulate in

the working parts. Clean and oil

your firearm, following the instruc-

tions provided in this manual, after

each use to prevent corrosion, damage to the

barrel or accumulation of impurities which can

prevent use of the gun in an emergency. Before

loading your firearm, always check the barrel

internal part and the chamber to ensure that they

are clean and free from obstructions. 

Firing with an obstruction in the barrel or cham-

ber can rupture the barrel and injure you or

others nearby. In the event you hear an unusual

noise when shooting, stop firing immediately,

engage the manual safety and unload the

firearm. 

S

to

e

g

e

r

Make sure the chamber and barrel are free from

any obstruction, like a bullet blocked inside the

barrel due to defective or improper ammunition.

7. USE PROPER AMMUNITION.

Only use factory-loaded, new ammunition

manufactured to industry specifications: CIP

(Europe and elsewhere), SAAMI® (U.S.A.). Be

certain that each round you use is in the proper

caliber or gauge and type for the particular

firearm. 

The caliber or gauge of the firearm is clearly

marked on the barrels of shotguns and on the

slide or barrel of pistols. 

The use of reloaded or remanufactured ammu-

nition can increase the likelihood of excessive

cartridge pressures, case-head ruptures or other

defects in the ammunition that can cause dama-

ge to your firearm and injury to yourself or

others nearby.

8. ALWAYS WEAR PROTECTIVE GLASSES AND

EARPLUGS WHEN SHOOTING.

The chance that gas, gunpowder or

metal fragments will blow back and

injure a shooter who is firing a gun

is rare, but the injury that can be

sustained in such circumstances can

be severe, including the possible loss of eyesight.

A shooter must always wear impact resistant

shooting glasses when firing any firearm. 

Earplugs or other high-quality hearing protectors

help reduce the chance of hearing damage from

shooting.

9. NEVER CLIMB A TREE, FENCE OR OBSTRUC-

TION WITH A LOADED FIREARM.

Open and empty the chamber of

your firearm and engage the manual

safety catch before climbing or

descending a tree or before climbing

a fence or jumping over a ditch or

other obstruction. Never pull or push a loaded

firearm toward yourself or another person. 

Always unload the firearm, visually and physi-

cally check to see that the magazine, loading

mechanism and chamber are unloaded and that

the bolt is open before handing the firearm to

another person. 

Never take a firearm from another person unless

it is unloaded, visually and physically checked to

confirm it is unloaded, and the action is open.

10. AVOID ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES OR JUDG-

MENT/ REFLEX IMPAIRING MEDICATION

WHEN SHOOTING.

Do not drink and shoot. If you take

medication that can impair motor

reactions or judgment, do not handle

a firearm while you are under the

influence of the medication.

11. NEVER TRANSPORT A LOADED FIREARM.

Unload a firearm before putting it in

a vehicle (chamber empty, magazine

empty). Hunters and target shooters

should load their firearm only at their

destination, and only when they are

ready to shoot. If you carry a firearm for self-pro-

tection, leaving the chamber unloaded can re-

duce the chance of an unintentional discharge.

12. LEAD WARNING.

Discharging firearms in poorly ventilated areas,

cleaning firearms, or handling ammunition may

result in exposure to lead and other substances

known to cause birth defects, reproductive harm,

and other serious physical injury. Have adequate

ventilation at all times. Wash hands thoroughly

after exposure.

WARNING:

it is YOUR responsibility to know

and abide by Federal, State and Local laws

governing the sale, transportation and use of

firearms in your area.

WARNING:

this firearm has the capability of

taking your life or the life of someone else!

Always be extremely careful with your firearm.

An accident is almost always the result of not fol-

lowing basic firearm safety rules.

Especially for U.S. consumers:

For information about Firearm Safety Courses in

your area, please visit the National Rifle

Association’s web site at www.nra.org.

35

36

Introduction

Benelli Armi is proud to present the new

Raffaello. Its exclusive technology and signifi-

cantly restyled looks have been especially chosen

to allow Benelli Armi’s most popular family of

shotguns to establish itself as a true hunting

classic with a modern, high-tech heart.

Thanks to the constant commitment of Benelli

Armi’s Research and Development Centre, the

new Raffaello incorporates Benelli’s superb and

innovative Progressive Comfort system in addi-

tion to all the usual benefits of Benelli shotguns.

The Progressive Comfort system is the only

recoil damping system for wooden stocks that

adapts its action to match the power of the car-

tridges used and damps recoil progressively. The

Progressive Comfort stock combines with the

comb to form the Benelli Full Comfort system.

The new Raffaello sets the highest standards and

represents a truly precious addition to Benelli’s

vast range of firearms.

Operation

The new “Benelli” semi-automatic shotguns oper-

ate on the same basic principle of 

inertial oper-

ation, with fixed barrel

, utilizing the kinetic energy

of gun recoil, today still the most important, inge-

nious feature of our guns.

As you know, this system requires no outlet for

gas or barrel recoil, but operates by means of a

spring freely interposed between bolt head and

bolt.

During firing, due to the recoil of the gun, the

(inert) bolt moves about 4 mm forward, in re-

lation to the power of the cartridge, compressing

the spring. When this is fully compressed, it

extends, making the whole bolt assembly move

back, thus permitting the cartridge case extrac-

tion and the gun reloading according to the con-

ventional system.

Spring pressure is designed to delay the opening

of the action and regulate the different pressures

produced by cartridges of varying power, with no

need for braking. 

We have added to this system a simple shape

and robust 

rotating bolt head

which with only 2

locking teeth, closes the breech axially and per-

fectly, withstanding any pressure of the cartridge.

The new line of shotguns features a loading

system designed to:

- make it possible to shift cartridge manually

from the magazine tube to the barrel for quick

and easy ammunition changes;

- ensure even faster and safer automatic re-load-

ing;

- check whether the hammer is cocked and

ready to shoot.

The new loading system features a special car-

tridge drop lever, the outer portion of which pro-

trudes below the receiver and is thus easily reach-

ed by the trigger finger.

Upon shooting, the hammer spring forces the

cartridge drop lever upwards to disengage it from

the carrier latch which, pulled by the carrier

latch spring, rotates clockwise to allow a cartridge

to exit from the magazine.

As the cartridge falls into position on the carrier,

it presses against the carrier latch, which rotates

in the opposite direction to prevent a second car-

tridge from exiting.

When the bolt is operated the carrier rises auto-

matically to position the cartridge for introduc-

tion in the chamber.

In the meantime, the hammer spring, which was

compressed during cocking, has freed the car-

tridge drop lever to return to its rest position. 

In this way, the carrier latch is obliged to hold the

remaining cartridges in the magazine until the

next shot is fired.

The end of the cartridge drop lever which pro-

trudes from the receiver is marked with a red

point. When the red point is visible, the hammer

is cocked and the gun is ready to fire; otherwise

the hammer is not cocked.

Like all Benelli automatic shotguns, the fully

automatic operation of the new shotguns

depends on its recoil. 

This eliminates the drawbacks of the systems

with barrel recoil (barrel vibration during firing,

KEY TO ARROW COLOURS

colour

description

red

stripping sequence

green

assembly sequence

blue

location

yellow

action

need to brake the  system  and  regulate it when

firing powerful ammunition etc.) and those of the

gas operated type (need to clean gas outlets, loss

of power due to acceleration of the shot charge

and adverse effect on the longitudinal conform-

ation of the wad and possible malfunctions

under adverse climatic conditions), producing a

modern, highly reliable gun.

The new semi-automatic shotguns work with a

vast range of shells. The inertia system requires,

in any case, shells that generate enough kinetic

energy (recoil) to fully cycle the action.

The vast experience of our ballistic laboratory

and extensive field testing have allowed us to

establish exactly the right parameters needed to

ensure the correct functioning of your shotgun.

In particular, we have determined 

200 kgm

as

the minimum kinetic energy required from a 

12

gauge cartridge

(measured at 1 m from the

muzzle of a manometric barrel).

WARNING:

at the minimum kinetic energy stat-

ed above, correct functioning is only guaranteed

for a shotgun with a MAXIMUM total weight of

3.150 kg.

37

38

Assembly

(from packaged gun)

Components of the package (fig. 1):

a)

stock-receiver-bolt-fore-end 

unit

b)

barrel-breech

unit

WARNING:

please remember to remove the 

plas-

tic barrel sheath

before using the firearm (fig. 2).

Assembly procedure

1) Unscrew the 

fore-end cap 

(fig. 3).

2) Remove the 

fore-end

and remove the packag-

ing plate (fig. 4).

3) Hold the 

stock-receiver-bolt

assembly in one

hand. Place the other hand on the cocking

lever and open the 

bolt

until it locks (fig. 5).

WARNING

: 

should the bolt 

fail

to engage, 

move

the cartridge drop lever

as arrowed and repeat

the operation (fig. 6).

During this operation the 

bolt group 

should be

completely assembled and placed 

in the re-

ceiver, in open position

(backward).

4) Hold the bolt cover steady with respect to

the receiver with one hand. Grip the 

barrel-

breech

unit with the other hand.

3

2

1

6

4

5

5) Slide the breech

extension 

into the receiver

making sure that the 

barrel ring 

slides on

the

magazine tube 

(fig. 7).

6) Push the barrel-breech assembly all the way

in (fig. 8) until it clicks into place and is firmly

seated.

NOTE:

make sure that the breech 

extension

does

not collide against the bolt locking head but

rather that it fits between the cover and the lock-

ing head.

7) Slide the 

fore-end

over the magazine tube

(fig. 9).

8) Screw the 

fore-end cap

on to the end of the

magazine tube and 

tighten it

sufficiently to

hold the barrel and fore-end securely against

the receiver (fig. 10).

NOTE:

always make sure that the cap s

pring is

inserted in the cap

itself (fig. 10) before locking

the barrel and fore-end to the receiver: a missing

spring will 

not allow

proper locking of the barrel,

causing serious damage to the shotgun.

9) Press the 

carrier button

to close the 

bolt

(fig.

11).

Gun safety catch

Press the 

safety button 

on the trigger guard until

its 

red ring, 

indicating firing position,

is no lon-

ger visible 

(fig. 12).

39

7

8

9

10

12

11

40

Loading

Before starting any operation on your shotgun,

make sure that the chamber and the magazine

are unloaded! 

(Carefully read the instructions on gun loading

and unloading).

The feed magazine holds 1, 2, 3 or 4 cartridges

(according to the model and to local regulations).

Total firing capacity is 2, 3, 4 or 5 rounds, includ-

ing the one in the chamber.

Loading procedure

NOTE:

make sure that the shotgun 

safety

catch

(see “Gun safety catch”) is engaged and the

hammer cocked

(so that the carrier latch can

retain the cartridges as they are inserted in the

magazine).

WARNING: 

for safety reasons, 

check

if by open-

ing the bolt the shotgun is unloaded. Then 

close

the bolt 

again

.

1) Make sure that the 

red dot 

on the cartridge

drop lever (indicating that the hammer is

cocked) is 

clearly visible

(fig. 13). If it is not,

press the 

carrier button (a)

, open the 

bolt (b)

then close the bolt again 

(c) 

(fig. 14).

2) With the bolt closed and the hammer cocked,

reverse the gun 

pointing the barrel down-

wards.

3)

Insert a cartridge

into the magazine (fig. 15):

push it until it is retained by the carrier latch

which engages automatically (fig. 16).

Repeat the operation until the magazine is

fully loaded.

NOTE:

the gun must be loaded with the 

hammer

cocked

so that the carrier latch can retain the

cartridges as they are inserted in the magazine.

Now the gun cannot be fired unless a 

cartridge

is placed in the barrel, 

as to one of the following

procedures:

13

15

16

14

Direct procedure (figs. 17-18):

1)

Open the bolt

and at the same time insert a

cartridge into the barrel through the case

ejection port.

2)

Release the cocking lever:

the bolt will push

the cartridge on the carrier into the chamber

and stop in the closed position.

Indirect procedure (fig. 19):

1) Open the bolt 

(a) 

and hold it open. Press the

cartridge drop lever (b)

to allow the first car-

tridge to drop on to the carrier.

2)

Release the bolt (c). 

The bolt will slide for-

ward, chambering the cartridge and locking

in closed position.

WARNING: 

the 

“indirect” 

loading method re-

duces the number of rounds in the magazine by

one. An additional cartridge can, however, be

inserted as described above to fill the magazine

completely.

NOTE: 

during this operation, always 

point the

gun in a safe direction,

even though the safety

catch is engaged (see “Gun safety catch”).

Now the 

gun is loaded:

when the safety catch is

moved to firing position (

red ring visible

), the

gun is ready for use.

WARNING:

when your shotgun is new and be-

fore beginning to use it normally, a breaking-in

period may be required before your new shotgun

works perfectly with light target loads.

If you experience any initial functioning pro-

blems, we recommended firing three or four

boxes of 

standard hunting

loads to allow for this

break-in period.

Cartridge replacement

(This operation must be carried out with the gun

safety catch engaged - see “Gun safety catch”

and barrel pointed in a safe direction)

To replace a cartridge in the chamber, two pro-

cedures can be followed:

- by manual replacement of a new cartridge;

- by using the cartridge drop lever.

Manual replacement 

(when the cartridge is not

coming from the magazine)

1) Rest the stock on your hip and pull the cock-

ing lever to open the 

bolt

: the cartridge in the

chamber is extracted and ejected from the

gun (fig. 20).

41

17

18

19

20

42

2) Insert a new cartridge even partially in the

barrel through the special ejection window

(fig. 21) and release the cocking lever to close

the bolt again.

Using the cartridge drop lever 

(when the car-

tridge is coming from the magazine)

1) Rest the stock on your hip and pull the cock-

ing lever to open the 

bolt

: the cartridge in the

chamber is extracted and ejected from the

gun (fig. 20).

2) Press the 

cartridge drop lever 

(fig. 22) and re-

lease the cocking lever to close the bolt

again. In this way, the cartridge will pass

quickly from the magazine to the chamber.

Unloading

(This operation must be carried out with the gun

safety catch engaged - see “Gun safety catch”

and the barrel pointed in safe direction)

To unload the shotgun, proceed as follows:

1)

Open the bolt: 

the cartridge in the chamber

will be extracted and ejected (fig. 23).

2)

Close the bolt:

gently releasing the cocking

lever (fig. 24).

3) Reverse the gun and - thrusting the carrier

towards inside - 

press

the 

carrier latch

frontal

part with your index finger (fig. 25); the first

cartridge will come out. Repeat this procedu-

re for each cartridge you want to remove from

the magazine.

WARNING: 

the shotgun can also be unloaded

by repeatedly operating the cartridge drop lever

as instructed in the 

"Cartridge replacement"

sec-

tion.

23

25

24

21

22

Troubleshooting

Before starting any operation on your shotgun,

make sure that the chamber and the magazine

are unloaded! 

(Carefully read the instructions on gun loading

and unloading).

The gun fails to fire

1)

Check the safety catch: 

if it is engaged, push

the button to the fire position.

2)

Check that there is a cartridge in the barrel.

If necessary, insert a cartridge following the

loading instructions (page 40).

3)

Check the firing mechanism. 

If necessary,

clean and lubricate it.

Fore-end cap

Check that the fore-end 

cap

is fitted 

with spring

and, especially after the first rounds, check that it

is tightened firmly, to keep the 

barrel

firmly

against to the receiver.

Ammunition

Benelli shotguns use the kinetic energy generat-

ed by the recoil to work the action.

Use always ammunition that is powerful enough

to fully cycle the action.

WARNING: 

when your shotgun is new and be-

fore beginning to use it normally, a breaking-in

period may be required before your new gun

works perfectly with light target loads. If you

experience any initial functioning problems, we

recommended firing three or four boxes of 

stan-

dard hunting cartridges.

Choice of ammunition

Correct functioning of the shotgun is only guarante-

ed with cartridges of a maximum length of 

58 mm

(2” 3/4 - 70 mm chamber) or 

66 mm

(3” - 76 mm

chamber). The shotgun accepts cartridges with

rolled turnover or crimped closures, and with lead

or steel shot.

Benelli recommends use of shot loaded ammuni-

tions for ribbed barrels and balls for slug 

barrels.

This is not mandatory but will ensure top-notch

performance.

CAUTION: 

never

use cartridges with a case 

lon-

ger

than the chamber.

Non-compliance to this rule would have serious

consequences for both the shotgun and the

shooter.

No adjustment to the shotgun is necessary to fire

any of the ammunition listed above.

Always use ammunition that is powerful enough

to fully cycle the action.

All Benelli shotguns are subjected to a 1370 bar

burst test at the Italian National Proof House in

Gardone Valtrompia (Brescia).

Maintenance

Before starting any operation on your shotgun,

make sure that the chamber and the magazine

are unloaded! 

(Carefully read the instructions on

gun loading and unloading).

Thanks to its extreme simplicity and excellent

materials, the Benelli Automatic Shotgun 

requires

no

special maintenance.

The following few controls 

are recommended:

1) normal cleaning of the 

barrel

after use;

2) the firing mechanism, consisting of hammer,

trigger, etc., may become clogged with 

any

powder residuals

(or foreign matters). Remove

them by periodical cleaning or lubrication;

3) the 

bolt assembly

may also become clogged

with the same residuals over mentioned and

therefore must be periodically dismantled,

cleaned and lubricated;

4) to keep the gun in good order, oiling of the

parts subject

to atmospheric corrosion is

recommended.

43

26

44

NB: 

all barrels are internally 

chromium plated.

NOTE: 

when cleaning a barrel with an internal

choke fitted, leave the choke in place to prevent

powder residues from fouling the threads inside

the muzzle.

For a proper maintenance of your firearm,

use

Benelli cleaning kit

(not supplied).

Benelli oil is recommended

for lubricating and

protecting mechanical parts (receiver, bolt and

barrel) (fig. 26).

Benelli recommends use of specific products for

cleaning other parts (wooden, technopolymer

and camouflage or painted stock and fore-end).

Avoid that parts get in contact 

with oils contain-

ing solvents or chemical substances in general,

which could alter or damage their surfaces.

Shotgun stripping

(for cleaning and maintenance)

Before starting any operation on your shotgun,

make sure that the chamber, carrier and the

magazine are unloaded!

(Carefully read the instructions on gun loading

and unloading).

WARNING 

(for models where ShellView is available)

Even though the ShellView allows you to see if

your gun magazine is empty, please be advised

that while the magazine may seem to be empty

to the eye, this does not guarantee that the gun

is completely unloaded (fig. 27). Always physi-

cally and visually check the magazine and cham-

ber to verify that the firearm is not loaded.

Please always follow all the Safety Rules given in

this manual.

28

29

30

a

Benelli ShellView in the fore-end

b

cartridges still in the magazine

c

cartridge missing

27

Stripping procedure

1) Unscrew the fore-end 

cap

and remove the

fore-end

making it slide forward along the

magazine tube (figs. 28-29).

2) Take the gun in one hand and with the other

open the 

bolt

(fig. 30); should the bolt fail to

engage, move the 

cartridge drop lever

as

arrowed and repeat the operation (fig. 31).

3) While resting the shotgun on your hip, keep

it with one hand so that the 

cover

remains

fixed to the receiver and with the other hand

pull the 

barrel-breech

assembly out of the

receiver (fig. 32).

4) Pull the 

cocking lever

off with a firm tug (fig.

33).

5) Separate 

the cover

from the receiver, pulling

it forward from the bolt assembly (fig. 34).

6) While holding the 

bolt assembly

with one

hand (fig. 35) so as to counter-balance the

thrust of the recoil spring, push the 

carrier

button

and ease the bolt forward until the

recoil spring no longer pushes it forward.

7) Pull the 

bolt assembly

out of the receiver,

sliding it along its guides (fig. 36).

45

31

34

33

32

36

35

46

8) Remove the 

firing pin retaining pin

from the

bolt assembly, while 

holding

the firing pin

and firing pin spring in place (fig. 37).

9) Remove the firing pin and firing pin 

spring

from the bolt (fig. 38).

10) Remove the locking head rotating 

pin

from

its seat (fig. 39).

11) Remove the 

bolt locking head 

from the bolt

(fig. 40).

12) Remove the 

recoil spring

from its seat in the

bolt (fig. 41).

13) Extract the 

trigger guard pin

from the stock-

receiver unit, thrusting it from right or left

with the point of the same firing pin or

punch (fig. 42).

14)

Press

the carrier button and 

extract

the trig-

ger guard assembly towards the front (fig.

43).

The shotgun is now completely stripped. All the

parts that require routine maintenance and clean-

ing are disassembled.

38

40

39

41

43

42

37

Shotgun assembly

For correct assembly after cleaning and mainte-

nance operations, proceed as follows:

1) Cock the hammer (fig. 44). Grip the stock-

receiver assembly, press the carrier 

button

and insert the complete 

trigger guard

assembly - with the hammer cocked

- into the

receiver. Make sure that the front of the trigger

guard makes firm contact with the stop (fig.

45).

2) Push the trigger guard 

pin

into the receiver

from the right or left, until it is completely

inside (fig. 46).

3) Slide the bolt recoil 

spring

into its appropriate

position (fig. 47).

NOTE: 

always

make sure that the bolt recoil

spring is 

positioned between the locking head

and the bolt itself,

in order to avoid 

a shot being

fired 

during the closing phase.

4) Slide the 

locking head

into the bolt, making

sure that the 

hole

on its stem coincides with

the 

slot

on the bolt (fig. 48).

WARNING: 

the slanted surfaces on the locking

head’s stem should 

not be visible

once the bolt

locking head is mounted.

5) Insert the locking head 

pin

in its hole on the

locking head’s stem, through the slot on the

bolt (fig. 49).

NOTE: 

the reference line 

on top of the pin must

be 

visible and aligned 

with the bolt assembly

longitudinal axis (fig. 49).

47

44

46

45

48

49

47

48

6) Insert the firing pin and the firing pin spring

inside the bolt hole (fig. 50).

NOTE: 

always

make sure that the firing pin

spring has been mounted.

7) Insert the firing pin 

retaining pin

in its seat,

so as to block the firing pin (fig. 51).

8) Hold the stock receiver assembly almost

horizontally and insert the 

bolt assembly

in

its guide on the receiver (fig. 52).

WARNING: 

make sure that the 

bolt link

slides

over the trigger guard assembly, positioning on

the recoil spring guide 

pin

inside the receiver,

once the mounting has been completed (fig. 52).

9) Open 

the bolt

acting on the locking head

frontal part (fig. 53). If the bolt doesn’t

remain in the opened position, push the car-

tridge drop lever in the direction shown by

the arrow and repeat the procedure.

10) Place 

the cover

on the receiver next to the

bolt (fig. 54).

11) While keeping 

the cover 

adhering to the re-

ceiver, move it back sliding it over the bolt

until it is fully rested on the receiver back.

12) Push 

the cocking lever

into its seat hole on

the bolt until it fits perfectly (fig. 55).

13)

Finish

reassembling the shotgun by repeating

all the steps for initial assembly described on

page 39 (figs. 7-8-9-10-11).

50

51

53

54

55

52

49

ACCESSORIES AND ADJUSTMENTS

Drop and cast adjustment

Before beginning any operation on your shot-

gun, always make sure that chamber and

magazine have been completely emptied! 

(Carefully read loading and unloading instruc-

tions).

The shotgun is supplied with a 

“drop change kit”

(fig. 56) which enables you to adjust the original

drop the shotgun is supplied with. 

The kit includes steel 

stock locking plates

and

plastic 

drop change shims

in addition to a pin for

fitting a sling attachment (for wooden stocks).

The kit enables you to obtain five different drop

patterns (as specified in the table) and two different

deflections (right hand or left hand). Each unit 

is

marked with the corresponding drop and cast

letter.

Determine if your stock drop fits you perfectly, or

whether it is either too high or too low for you.

If the stock is too low for you (meaning that the

drop is too great), select the adjustment set in

reverse alphabetic order (e.g. if the shim fitted in

the factory is marked “C”, switch to that marked

“B” and to the corresponding stock locking

plate). 

Proceed as follows to change shims (fig. 57).

1) Unscrew 

the two fixing screws

and remove

the butt plate “1”

(using a cross-head screw-

driver).

WARNING: 

to avoid damaging the butt plates,

apply

a light coat of vaseline or grease to the

shaft of the screwdriver.

2)

Unscrew the two fixing screws 

using a

Phillips screwdriver and remove the 

comfort

kit “2”

from the stock.

Matching instructions: 

the drop change shims and

stock locking plates in the kit are identified by letters.

To ensure a correct drop, 

always

use plates and shims

with the same letter, e.g.: C - CDX – for a 60-RH drop

or C - CSX – for a 60-LH drop.

DX = Right hand

SX = Left hand

3) Unscrew 

the stock retaining nut “3”

(using a

13 mm hexagon wrench).

4) Remove the 

nut “3”, 

from the recoil spring

tube and remove the 

rubber washer “4”,

stock locking plate “5”, stock “6”, cast shim

“7” 

and

drop shim “8”.

WARNING: 

if the stock spacer “9” 

doesn't

remain inside the stock, reassemble it with the

seat of 

plate “5”

facing the butt plate.

5) Assemble 

the drop shim “8” 

that you have

selected onto the recoil spring tube with the

stamped letter 

facing the stock.

6) Reassemble the selected 

cast shim “7” 

with

the stamped letter (DX or SX) facing toward

the stock.

7) Point the barrel towards the floor and fit the

stock

. Engage the 

stock locking plate “5”

in

the stock with the side punched with the

chosen letter facing the butt plate.

56

DROP CHANGE SCHEDULE

Cast

Stock

Drop

shim

locking plate

shim

(plastic)

(steel)

(plastic)

Reference

Reference

Reference

letter

letter

letter

DX

Z DX

Z

45 ± 1 DX

SX

Z SX

45 ± 1 SX

DX

A DX

A

50 ± 1 DX

SX

A SX

50 ± 1 SX

DX

B DX

B

55 ± 1 DX

SX

B SX

55 ± 1 SX

DX

C DX

C

60 ± 1 DX

SX

C SX

60 ± 1 SX

DX

D DX

D

65 ± 1 DX

SX

D SX

65 ± 1 SX

Drop value

at heel (mm)

50

8) Fit the 

rubber washer “4” 

then screw the

nut “3” 

on to the end of the recoil spring

tube. 

Tighten the nut securely.

9)

Fit the comfort kit “2”

inside the stock and

secure it with its 

two screws

using a Phillips

screwdriver.

10) Fit the 

butt plate “1” 

and secure it with its

two screws 

using a Phillips screwdriver.

Having altered the stock drop of the shotgun,

you have also obviously altered the firing posi-

tion as well: it is therefore 

necessary

that you

first practise by executing some shots in order to

make sure that the firing position is suitable to

your size and shooting style.

WARNING: 

on completion of the drop change,

check that the stock is securely fixed to the recei-

ver. Check again after firing the first few rounds

and, if necessary, re-tighten the nut with a suit-

able wrench to fix the stock securely in place.

Internal choke

Before starting any operation on your shotgun,

make sure that the chamber and the magazine

are unloaded!

(Carefully read the instructions on gun loading

and unloading).

The barrels with internal chokes are equipped

with various types of chokes.

WARNING:

before using the shotgun, make

sure that the barrel has a choke correctly

installed.

NOTE:

if correctly installed, internal chokes

must not protrude from the barrel’s muzzle.

Only use Benelli chokes of a length suitable for

the choke seat of the barrel.

To change or clean the internal choke, proceed

as follows:

1)

Unscrew

the internal choke using the special

choke wrench

supplied with the shotgun and

extract it completely from the barrel seat (fig.

58).

2) If the choke threads become 

badly fouled,

clean them with the serrated side of the choke

wrench.

3) Reassemble the kind of choke required on the

barrel seat, taking care to 

insert the non-

threaded part

inside the barrel; then screw

the choke on the barrel thread (fig. 59).

4) Complete installation of the choke using the

toothed wrench provided (fig. 60).

57

NOTE: 

when choke is correctly mounted, it

must

not protrude

from the barrel’s muzzle (fig. 61).

NOTE: 

before re-using the shotgun, 

make sure

that the choke wrench has been removed

from

the barrel’s muzzle (fig. 62).

Before the shotgun is put away, cleaning the

internal choke and relative barrel thread is

recommended.

Benelli chokes are marked for an easy identifi-

cation (fig. 63). Notches on the frontal part of

each choke allow a quick recognition, even

when the choke is mounted on the shotgun.

NOTE: 

before using steel shot cartridges, make

sure that the choke fitted in the barrel is marked

“STEEL SHOT – OK” (see table above).

51

58

59

60

61

62

N

OTCHES

C

HOKE

S

YMBOL

S

TEEL

S

HOT

I

Full

X

NO

I

Full - Steel Shot - OK

X

OK

II

Improved Modified

XX

NO

II

Improved Modified - Steel Shot - OK

XX

OK

III

Modified

XXX

OK

IIII

Improved Cylinder

XXXX

OK

IIIII

Cylinder

XXXXX

OK

A Notches

B Symbol

63

52

Interchangeable ribs

Before starting any operation on your shotgun,

make sure that the chamber and the magazine

are unloaded! 

(Carefully read the instructions on gun loading

and unloading).

The shotgun is fitted as standard with a low, 8

mm wide rib.

The rib can be easily replaced, following the

instructions below:

1)

Unscrew and remove

the rib fixing screw

from the front end of the barrel, near the front

sight (fig. 64).

2)

Lift and extract 

the rib from its seat on the bar-

rel pulling it forward (figs. 65-66).

3) Place the required rib, taking care to 

properly

insert

the housings, then 

set

the rib along the

barrel for the whole length (fig. 67).

4)

Fix

the rib with the fixing screw (fig. 68).

Changing the front sight

On shotguns with a carbon fibre rib, the red fibre

optic front sight can be changed for the yellow or

green fibre optic sight supplied.

65

64

66

68

67

pendicular to the line of the stock (fig. 72).

5) Fit the 

comfort kit “2”

and then the 

butt plate

to the stock (see fig. 57).

Removing and changing 

the comb

Proceed as follows to remove and change the

comb.

1)

Unscrew the two fixing screws using a

Phillips screwdriver 

and remove the 

butt

plate “1” 

(see fig. 57).

WARNING: 

smear

the tip of the screwdriver

with Vaseline or grease to avoid damaging the

stock.

2) Using the same Phillips screwdriver, unscrew

the two fixing screws and remove the 

com-

fort kit “2”

from the stock (see fig. 57).

Proceed as follows to change the front sight.

1) Use the tip of a flat blade screwdriver to prize

up the sight mounting and remove it from its

seat in the rib (fig. 69).

2) Insert the chosen sight into the seat in the rib,

pressing hard until it clicks securely into

place (fig. 70).

Fitting the sling attachment 

pin to the stock

Shotguns with wooden stocks come with a sling

attachment pin. Proceed as follows to fit this to

the stock.

1)

Unscrew the two fixing screws using a

Phillips screwdriver 

and remove the 

butt

plate “1” 

(see fig. 57).

WARNING: 

smear

the tip of the screwdriver

with Vaseline or grease to avoid damaging the

stock.

2) Using the same Phillips screwdriver, unscrew

the two fixing screws and remove the 

com-

fort kit “2”

from the stock (see fig. 57).

3) Use an Allen key to remove the 

rubber plug

from the sling attachment hole inside the

stock (fig. 71).

4) Using a 3 mm diameter punch as a tommy

bar, screw the sling attachment pin into the

hole in the stock. Tighten into firm contact

with stock, until the hole in the pin lies per-

53

70

71

69

72

54

3) Insert the tip of a screwdriver through the

hole provided in the rear of the stock. Push

the bottom of the comb upwards to release its

back edge, then lift it and remove it from the

stock (fig. 73).

4) To fit the new comb, position it so that the

two dowels on its underside line up with the

holes in the seat on the stock, then push the

comb firmly down until it clicks into place

(fig. 74).

WARNING:

the edges of the comb must mate

perfectly with the profile of the stock when cor-

rectly fitted.

5) Fit the 

comfort kit “2” 

and then the 

butt plate

to the stock (see fig. 57).

Adjusting the rear sight 

(when fitted)

If the default calibration of the rear sight proves

unsuitable, you can adjust for windage and ele-

vation as required.

Before beginning any operation on your shotgun,

always make sure that chamber and magazine

have been completely emptied! 

(Carefully read loading and unloading instruc-

tions).

Adjusting the rear sight for windage 

As for lateral adjustment of the rear sight, proce-

ed as follows (fig. 75):

1) Using the supplied key and referring to the

graduated alignment notches, adjust the rear

sight position into the required direction

(move it to the right if you want the point of

impact to move right and move it to the left if

you want the point of impact to move left).

Adjusting the rear sight for elevation 

As for rear sight elevation adjustment, proceed as

follows (fig. 76):

1) Using the supplied key and referring to the

relative graduated alignment notches, adjust

the rear sight position into the required direc-

tion (move it upwards if you want to raise the

point of impact, or move downwards if you

want the point of impact to be lower).

73

74

75

76