Description
Carrying a shotgun through the uplands from dawn until dusk demands a tool that doesn’t become a burden by midday. The Benelli Performance Shop Ultra Light in 20 gauge, finished in Burnt Bronze Cerakote with a satin walnut stock, is built for hunters who cover ground and value every ounce of weight savings. Whether you’re chasing ruffed grouse in the hardwoods or working a pointing dog through prairie CRP, this shotgun is engineered to be carried more than it is shot, without compromising the reliable cycling you expect from a Benelli.
What This Product Is and Who It’s For
This is a semi-automatic 20-gauge shotgun from Benelli’s Performance Shop, a division that hand-assembles and tunes each firearm with upgraded components beyond the standard production line models. The “Ultra Light” designation means the receiver is machined from a lightweight alloy, and the barrel is a 24-inch profile that keeps overall length manageable. This shotgun is intended for the upland hunter who prioritizes weight savings for long days afield, but it also serves well for any shooter who wants a low-recoil, fast-handling firearm for clay sports or general field use. It is not a tactical or home-defense configuration; this is a dedicated field gun built for walking and shooting.
Key Specifications
- Caliber: 20 Gauge (2-3/4″ and 3″ shells)
- Capacity: 2+1 (two in the magazine, one in the chamber; includes a plug for migratory bird compliance)
- Barrel Length: 24 inches
- Overall Length: Approximately 44.5 inches
- Weight: Approximately 5.3 pounds (varies slightly with stock density)
- Finish: Burnt Bronze Cerakote on receiver and barrel
- Stock: Satin walnut with WeatherCoat protective treatment
- Sights: Red bar front sight with white metal bead
- Chokes: Benelli Crio system (flush-mount, includes IC, M, and F tubes)
- Action: Inertia-driven semi-automatic
- Receiver: Lightweight alloy with machined grooves
Feature Deep-Dive
The Burnt Bronze Cerakote finish on this Performance Shop model is more than a cosmetic upgrade. Cerakote is a ceramic-based coating that provides a durable, corrosion-resistant surface that holds up to sweat, rain, and brush contact better than blued steel. The burnt bronze color offers a low-glare profile in the field while maintaining a refined appearance that complements the satin walnut stock. This finish is applied to both the receiver and the barrel, ensuring consistent protection across the entire metal surface.
The satin walnut stock is treated with Benelli’s WeatherCoat process, which seals the wood against moisture absorption. This is a critical feature for a lightweight shotgun that will be carried in wet grass, morning dew, or light rain. The stock is hand-checkered at 20 lines per inch on the pistol grip and forend, providing a secure hold even with gloved hands. The comb is designed with a slight drop to align with the low-profile receiver, promoting a natural cheek weld and fast target acquisition. The recoil pad is a gel insert type that reduces felt recoil without adding significant weight.
The 24-inch barrel is equipped with Benelli’s Crio system, which cryogenically treats the steel for consistent patterning and reduced shot deformation. The barrel is also back-bored to reduce recoil and improve pattern density. The flush-mount choke tubes included (IC, M, F) allow you to adjust the pattern for different game birds or clay targets. The red bar front sight with a white metal bead provides a clear sight picture in varying light conditions, from early morning low light to bright midday sun.
The inertia-driven action is the hallmark of Benelli’s reliability. Unlike gas-operated systems, the inertia system has no gas ports, pistons, or o-rings to clean or foul. This makes the Ultra Light particularly suitable for use with a wide range of 20-gauge ammunition, from light 2-3/4″ target loads to heavy 3″ magnum shells. The action cycles cleanly and consistently, and it requires less frequent disassembly for cleaning compared to gas guns. This is a direct benefit for hunters who spend long days in the field and prefer to spend their time hunting rather than maintaining their firearm.
The Performance Shop designation means this shotgun has been hand-assembled and tuned by Benelli’s custom shop. This includes a polished feed ramp, a hand-fitted bolt-to-barrel lockup, and a trigger that is cleaned and adjusted to a lighter pull weight than standard production models. The result is a smoother cycling action and a more refined overall feel. Each Performance Shop gun also comes with a signed inspection card, confirming it has passed additional quality checks beyond the standard production line.
At just over five pounds, the Ultra Light is one of the lightest semi-automatic 20-gauge shotguns available. This weight savings is achieved through the alloy receiver and the 24-inch barrel profile. While the light weight makes it ideal for all-day carry, it does require the shooter to manage recoil through proper mount and stance. The inertia system and gel recoil pad help mitigate this, but shooters transitioning from heavier shotguns may notice a difference in felt recoil with heavy loads. For most upland hunting applications, where shots are typically taken at moving targets with field loads, the trade-off in weight for carry comfort is well worth it.
Ideal Use Cases
This shotgun is primarily designed for upland bird hunting. The 20-gauge chambering with 3-inch capability allows for use on pheasants, chukar, grouse, quail, and woodcock. The 24-inch barrel provides fast handling in thick cover, while the 2+1 capacity is sufficient for most walk-up hunting scenarios. The lightweight build also makes it a strong candidate for all-day carry on ranches or large properties where you are covering miles of terrain.
While not its primary purpose, the Ultra Light can be used for casual clay target shooting. The Crio choke system and 24-inch barrel are effective for sporting clays and skeet, though the light weight may be less stable for sustained target strings compared to a heavier competition gun. It is not recommended for home defense due to its limited capacity and field-oriented stock design. It is also not a concealed carry firearm; it is a full-length shotgun intended for open carry in hunting or recreational settings.
Compatibility Notes
This shotgun accepts all standard 20-gauge 2-3/4″ and 3″ shells. It cycles best with loads of 1 ounce or heavier for reliable inertia action function. Light target loads (7/8 ounce) may occasionally fail to cycle the action fully, especially during the break-in period. The Benelli Crio choke system uses flush-mount tubes that are interchangeable with other Crio-equipped Benelli barrels. Aftermarket chokes from Carlson’s, Briley, and others are available in Crio thread pattern. The shotgun accepts standard Benelli 20-gauge magazine extensions and replacement stocks from aftermarket manufacturers such as Mesa Tactical or Knoxx, though these may alter the balance and weight. Holsters are not applicable for this firearm; it is carried in a gun case or sling. The receiver is drilled and tapped for scope mounts, though most users will rely on the factory bead sight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does shipping to the U.S. work for this firearm?
A: We ship to all 50 states where legal. This firearm ships via FedEx or UPS to a licensed Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder of your choice. We do not ship directly to residences. You will receive tracking information once the shipment is processed. Shipping is included in the listed price for contiguous U.S. addresses.
Q: What is the FFL transfer process?
A: After placing your order, you will need to provide us with the name and address of your chosen FFL dealer. Your dealer must send us a copy of their current FFL license. Once we verify the license, we ship the firearm. You then visit the dealer, complete the ATF Form 4473, and pass a NICS background check. The dealer may charge a transfer fee, which is separate from our purchase price.
Q: What ammunition is compatible with this shotgun?
A: This shotgun is chambered for 2-3/4″ and 3″ 20-gauge shells. It functions reliably with standard field loads of 1 ounce or heavier. For best results during the first 100 rounds, use 1-1/8 ounce loads to help seat the inertia spring. Avoid using steel shot in the factory choke tubes unless the tube is marked for steel shot. Lead shot, bismuth, and tungsten-based non-toxic shot are all compatible.
Q: What is the warranty on this Benelli Performance Shop shotgun?
A: Benelli USA provides a limited lifetime warranty to the original owner for defects in materials and workmanship. This covers the receiver, barrel, and stock. Normal wear items such as springs, choke tubes, and recoil pads are covered for one year. The warranty is non-transferable. We recommend registering your firearm with Benelli USA within 30 days of purchase to activate coverage.
Q: What is the return policy for this firearm?
A: Due to federal regulations, we cannot accept returns on firearms for change of mind. If your firearm arrives with a manufacturer defect or is damaged in transit, contact us within 48 hours of delivery. We will work with Benelli USA to arrange a warranty repair or replacement. We do not accept returns on used or fired firearms. Please inspect the firearm at your FFL dealer before accepting the transfer.
Closing Call to Action
The Benelli Performance Shop Ultra Light in Burnt Bronze Cerakote is available now for shipment to your local FFL dealer across the United States. This is a limited-production model from Benelli’s custom shop, and availability is subject to current inventory. If you are looking for a lightweight, reliable 20-gauge shotgun for upland hunting or field use, this is a solid choice. Place your order through our secure checkout, and we will handle the FFL coordination and shipping. We ship to all U.S. states where this firearm is legal to own.
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