Benelli Ethos

Benelli's much-heralded Ethos is comprised of some of the company's most successful innovations, both old and new. Naturally, the shotgun is centered around the company's famous Inertia Driven operating system. The carrier has been redesigned, making shells easier to load, and an enlarged bolt release makes for simpler and faster operation. The cartridge drop lever has been likewise changed, making the shotgun easier to handle and operate-even for a shooter in gloves. A newly patented Easy Locking System in the bolt body is designed to ensure that the rotating bold head locks up, and the Ethos' system is designed to cycle even the lightest of shotgun loads-right on down to 7/8 ozs.

The name, meanwhile, is representative of the craftsmanship that Benelli puts into its firearms. Ethos means "character," and has long been used to describe the guiding beliefs or ideals that characterize a community, nation or ideology. The Benelli brand has long prided itself on credibility, respect, integrity and merit-and the company views its new shotgun as the culmination of its own guiding ethos.

For more information, check out the video embedded below, hosted by American Rifleman Editor-in-Chief Mark Keefe, or go to BenelliUSA.com.

Technical Specifications:

Gauge: 12, 3" (also 2¾")

Receiver: black anodized 7075 aluminum alloy

Overall Length: 49½"

Barrel Length: 26", 28" (tested), 30"

Weight: 6 lbs., 9 ozs.

Magazine Capacity: four

Trigger: single-stage, 6-lb., 2-oz. pull

Stock: AA-grade European walnut with ComforTech Plus: length of pull, 143⁄8"; drop at comb, 1¼"; drop at heel, 17⁄8"

Chokes: interchangeable Crio chokes: cylinder, improved cylinder, modified, improved modified and full

Sights: interchangeable fiber-optic front bead, white metal mid-rib bead

Accessories: five choke tubes, choke-tube wrench, fitted plastic hard case, oil bottle, shim kit for changing cast and drop and magazine plug (other buttpads and comb inserts available at extra cost)

MSRP: $1,999 (tested); $2,199 (engraved nickel-plated receiver)

For Further Reading:

• Poetry in Motion: Benelli's Ethos

• Hardware: The Benelli Ethos

• Waterfowl Hunting with Benelli's Ethos

Multimedia: