This new Benelli rifle was on the cover of the latest American Rifleman. It borrows a lot of design concepts from Benelli shotguns.

Unlike most other Benelli shotguns, this rifle is not inertia operated. The R1 uses the ARGO (auto regulating gas operation) system first developed for the M4 Joint Combat Shotgun issued to the USMC a year ago, and now available to the public as the Benelli M1014.

The upper receiver and the barrel are one piece, very similar to the Benelli Black Eagle and Super Black Eagel and the Beretta Pintail. This means that the gun can be taken down just like those shotguns without losing scope zero, as the scope is mounted atop the upper receiver. The scope base holes are the same pattern as the Browning BAR, so finding bases is not an issue.

The bolt is a rotating head affair very similar to Benelli shotguns, but with three locking lugs instead of two. The head looks very similar in design to the Sako 75's.

The stock can be adjusted for cast and drop using the same kind of shims included in Benelli, Beretta, and Franchi semi automatic shotguns.

The article's rifle had open sights, being a Euro market version. The US version will have no sights.

The rifle will be available in .30-06 with 20 and 22 inch barrels, or .300 Win Mag and a 24 inch barrel.

Accuracy in the NRA's test was as follows:

.30-06 group size
load smallest largest average
Hornady 168 gr .96 1.64 1.45
Rem. 180 gr 2.11 3.24 2.41
Speer 165 gr 1.26 2.84 2.21

I personally think it looks ultr cool. Modern enough that no one will confuse it for something else, but still looks like a sporting rifle. Sticker price is $1,065 and $1,080 in magnum caliber. I would imagine it will eventually retail for $850 or so.

That rifle has a lot of style. The rear sight looks like an Italian pastry.

How much does it weigh?

I don't have the Feb issue yet. It must be on that one.

I love my M1-90 but this ? que faccia bruta !!!

Weight, according to the specs on the ariticle is 7 lbs. This is the February issue of American Rifleman.

BTW, the rear sight on the rifle photogrphed by the NRA looks a lot more conventional than the image I copied from Benelli's Italian website. It also may be that the rifle above has a battue sight, while the one used for the article has a regular, adjustable rear sight. I would prefer that Benelli give us the option to choose, even if most Americans will scope it. I still see no reason why a rifle can't have both types of sights.

I thought it was ugly as hell when I first saw it but after looking at the pics a couple of times I guess it is tolerable. Now if they would offer it in a 'suitable' caliber like .358 Win or 9.3x62 I might even buy one. Plateau Hunter

Ksduckhunter,

In Italy there is also a stainless version - I don't know if that is available in the US. Lovely rifle - do you have one? What's it like to shoot with?

Good shooting!

The special version isn't stainless steel, it has a nickel plated receiver. They also go suckered into treating the barrel cryogenically.