Benelli (firearms)

Benelli Armi SpA
Firearms manufacturer
Industry Firearms
Founded 1967
Founder Giovanni Benelli[1]
Headquarters Urbino, Italy
Key people
 Bruno Civolani (inventor of the intertia-driven system)[2][3]
Products Shotguns, rifles
Divisions Benelli USA
Website benelli.it (international), benelliusa.com (USA)

Benelli Armi SpA is an Italian firearm manufacturer founded in 1967, located in Urbino, Italy, best known for high quality shotguns used by military, law enforcement and civilians all over the world. Particularly famous is the Benelli M3 12 gauge, used extensively by American SWAT teams. Benelli Armi was founded in 1967 as an offshoot of the Benelli motorcycle factory that sold motorcycles through Montgomery Ward. Benelli and Benelli USA have been owned by Pietro Beretta SpA since 2000.[4]

Shotguns

Benelli M4 Super 90 (M1014 combat shotgun)

Many Benelli shotguns utilize a unique inertia operating system developed by Bruno Civolani.[3] In 1999 Benelli introduced the Benelli M4 Super 90, an unusual gas operated semi-automatic shotgun intended for military and law enforcement use.

The Benelli Super Black Eagle, a favorite of waterfowlers, was one of the first semi-automatic shotguns capable of firing the 2.75, 3, and 3.5 inch shotgun shells. The Benelli Nova (pump action), M1 Super 90, and a customized M2 Field were used by Tom Knapp during his shooting exhibitions wherein he frequently shot down several hand-thrown clay targets while still in mid-air, setting a world record in October 2004 when he destroyed 10 such targets with 10 shots in 2.0 seconds, with all the targets still airborne.

Rifles

Target pistols

Pistols

Air pistols

Francesco Bruno with the Benelli Kite pre-charged Olympic class air pistol.

Submachine guns

References

  1. ↑
  2. ↑ http://www.benelli.it/Azienda/Index.asp?ID=23
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1
  4. ↑ "Fabbrica D' Armi Pietro Beretta S.p.A.".

External links

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