New Benelli MRl Is Varmint-Hunting Ready

Benelli/ a subsidiary
of Beretta/ designed
the A.R.G.O. gas
system used by
the MRI. It is the
A.R.G.O. system
that differentiates
the MRI from other
5.56mm modern
sporting rifles.
AR-15 in 1959, and the rifles
went through lots of changes.
One example is the rate of twist,
which went from 1:14 in the
original AR-15 to 1:12 and then
1:7 in the M16A2 (Colt Model
645). Of course the biggest issue
with the old models was its "gas
impingement" design, which
means gas shoots directly onto
the lx>lt and into the breech,
with bolt fouling and reliability
issues (jamming) plaguing this
design for years.
Today's MSR shooters
don't really worry about
all that because of design
improvements. And those
who decide to give the new
Benelli MRI a test drive will be
pleasantly pleased with this ARstyle
rifle. At this writing I have
put approximately 2(X) rounds
through mine over a four-month
period, both on the range and
in the field, and have been quite
happy with the results.
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First off, I was initially
impressed with how the rifle
seemed to flow to the shoulder.
The safety is positioned in such
a way that it is quick and easy
to use. The same can l>e said for
the magazine release, which
can easily be done with either
hand. The trigger is set at the
factory at 5.5 pounds, heavy
for a long-range sniping rifle,
but not bad for an AR. It breaks
clean once the initial take-up
is done. The peep sight is easy
to adjust and use, though after
initially shooting the rifle with
the peep I had to remove it
to be able to mount a scope
low enough on the Picatinny
rail to IHT able to keep a proper
shooting position. Also, Benelli's
choice of a 1:9 rate of twist is
one that is considered good
for ,223-caliber bullets in the
40 to 60-grain weight range,
which is what most .223
shooters employ.
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The MRi's push-button safety sits just in front of the trigger and is quick and easy to use. So, too, is the magazine release
button, which is accessible from both sides of the receiver.
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• mULTICRUBER mil-SPfC lOUJER RECEIVER
• CHIflPPR FIRERRmS 221R 0E0ICRTE0 UPPER RECEIVER ^ ^
- inCLUOf S ORE 28 ROtlllO mRGRZIDE •
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• 16 inCH BRRREL X
• fUP UP RERR SIGHT " ^ S P ^ t t F
• 0UR0 RRIl WITH Rflll COVERS W ^ ' -
• VERTICAL EOREGRIP T
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