Military Armament Corporation Introduces the MAC 2 Tactical Marine Shotgun

Military Armament Corporation has launched the MAC 2 Tactical Marine Shotgun, a Turkish-manufactured firearm built under license from Benelli. While the underlying operating system has existed for decades, many shooters remain unfamiliar with its unique mechanics.

Understanding the Inertia-Driven System

The Benelli inertia system operates on straightforward physics principles. When any firearm discharges—whether propelling a bullet, slug, or shot column toward the target—Newton's third law ensures equal and opposite force transfers to the shooter's shoulder.

Total recoil energy remains constant across all operating systems; the key difference lies in how that energy is delivered. Gas-operated shotguns temporarily separate the cycling mass from felt recoil, then deliver it again once the action bottoms out. This spreads recoil impulse across a longer timeframe, creating a softer-feeling experience—think of it as a payment plan for recoil energy, without interest. Shooters familiar with the classic Browning Auto-5 understood this concept well.

How the Inertia Mechanism Functions

The bolt houses the extractor and locking lugs, while the bolt body serves as the housing for the bolt itself. A connecting link joins the bolt body to the recoil spring assembly. During firing, the entire shotgun recoils rearward. However, an inertia spring connects the bolt body to the bolt head. The bolt body's inertia keeps it stationary in space while the inertia spring compresses—the receiver moves backward, but relative to fixed space, the bolt body appears to move forward within the receiver.

This "forward" motion rotates the bolt through internal camming surfaces within the bolt body, unlocking it. Residual chamber pressure assists extraction while compressing the action spring. The hull ejects from the chamber, guided by the extractor and propelled by the compressed inertia spring's stored energy. The action spring then compresses, activates the shell stop to position a fresh shell on the lifter, and drives forward to chamber and lock the new round.

Premium Finish and Materials

MAC applies an electroless nickel finish to the receiver, barrel, and magazine tube. Unlike traditional electroplating, this non-electrical deposition process precipitates nickel with embedded Teflon microbeads onto the surface through complex chemical processes. The result is a uniform, matte coating that remains smooth and slick to the touch while offering excellent wear resistance. Even when the surface layer experiences wear, Teflon microbeads beneath continue providing lubricity.

Sighting Systems and Optics Mounting

The receiver features a ghost ring rear sight paired with a three-dot sighting configuration and a wing-protected front blade. This setup delivers slug-accurate precision while remaining fast enough for tracking clay targets with birdshot—or engaging steel targets with buckshot.

A Picatinny rail section mounted atop the receiver provides red-dot sight compatibility. Since the rail attaches via drilled and tapped holes, users preferring alternative mounting solutions can easily remove it and install custom setups.

Barrel Configuration and Magazine Capacity

The 18.5-inch smoothbore barrel features threading compatible with the Benelli/Mobil choke system, allowing users to install choke tubes optimized for their specific applications.

Despite the "extended" magazine tube designation, capacity remains at five rounds (5+1 total). However, MAC offers an optional plus-four extension tube—though this accessory lacks the electroless nickel treatment. MAC includes a clamp supporting the magazine tube during recoil cycling, plus a sling attachment point for those requiring carry options.

Furniture and Controls

Both the handguard and stock utilize polymer construction, with the stock incorporating a rubber recoil pad that proves valuable during extended shooting sessions. An oversized charging handle enhances manipulation ease.

Technical Specifications

MAC 2 TACTICAL MARINE SHOTGUN SPECS

• Type: Hammer-fired recoil-operated semi-automatic
• Caliber: 12 Gauge, 2-3/4 in. & 3 in.
• Capacity: 5+1 rounds
• Barrel: 18.5 in.
• Overall Length: 34.5 in.
• Weight: 8 lbs., 12 oz.
• Finish: Electroless nickel
• Furniture: Polymer, with recoil pad
• Sights: Ghost ring rear, post front, top Picatinny rail
• Trigger: 5 lbs., 1 oz.
• MSRP: $450