Benelli’s original Ethos was launched in 2014 as a refined version of its Super Black Eagle line. The Ethos remedied the SBE’s few shortcomings by improving the shape and angle of the loading gate so it wouldn’t pinch thumbs, adding weight up front for smoother barrel movement, tuning the action to cycle target loads and, finally, adding a spring-loaded detent to the rotating bolt head that ensures the bolt goes fully into battery no matter how softly it’s eased home. The new Performance Shop Ethos Cordoba A.I. BE.S.T. has all of these features, as well as nearly every additional refinement the Italian-owned shotgun company can muster at this time. Indeed, this shotgun that was designed as the ultimate high-volume Argentinian wingshooting gun is currently the company’s flagship, both in terms of features and price.
Guns from Benelli’s Performance Shop represent just what you’d think; they feature performance-enhancing modifications to existing models that are made both by Benelli’s engineers and via third party accessories. The Performance Shop Cordoba differs from the original in that it features a custom Briley oversized bolt release button and bolt handle, a Briley 6-ounce weighted end cap, five elongated “Advanced Impact” Crio choke tubes and two Briley Spectrum A.I. chokes (skeet and light mod). It’s also got an interchangeable carbon-fiber rib.
In a nutshell, this shotgun is the gun for the migratory bird aficionado who desires a custom-like gun right out of the box. After adjusting the stock using the shim kit that modifies the gun’s drop and cast to fit you so the gun will shoot to your specific point of aim based on your body type, very few hunters could want for much else (with the exception of LOP adjustment and an extended mag tube for high-volume wingshooting). Knowing this Cordoba would appeal to hunters, Benelli coated all exposed metal parts in the company’s proprietary Benelli Surface Treatment, or BE.S.T. While at first I took this to be just another name for a Cerakote-type coating, Benelli says that because its barrels are both heat-treated at the barrel extension and cryogenically treated elsewhere, engineers had to figure out another, lower-heat process that would apply a coat of metal protection to the gun without undermining its Crio-treatment. Benelli touts this surface treatment protects against both rust and abrasions, and from what I’ve experienced with other Benelli shotguns wearing it, it does both exceptionally well.
“Advanced Impact” is the marketing phrase for its new barrel technology that Benelli touts as making the gun capable of delivering “improved penetration” by producing more velocity and energy (6 percent more at 1 yard, 77 percent more at 60 yards, per company literature) from ordinary loads, and less shot stringing for denser patterns. It really doesn’t say how it does it, other than by adding “new ballistic contours” to the barrel. For a simple outdoor writer like me, it’s very difficult to prove or disprove Benelli’s claims. Keep in mind, however, that over the years Benelli has been masterful at producing great guns that shooters love … and producing flashy statistics in an attempt to back up its claims. Without highspeed cameras and a laboratory where all the variables are thoroughly tested, such claims are very hard to challenge. What I can tell you about similar technology is as follows: Every once in a while, an engineering breakthrough—such as backboring—actually offers real advantages. I also know that if pressures are increased within the barrel by restricting them before they reach a larger section (the choke) where they are expelled, higher velocities can result. But higher projectile velocities also come with higher recoil velocities, so that’s something to keep in mind.
Unscientifically, my test gun shot to my point of aim; its patterns were very dense across the board, and it clearly responded to the choke chosen. I’m a fan of this barrel, regardless of what Benelli calls it.
For clay games and sustained lead shooting such as at passing ducks, the vast majority of shooters prefer a good bit of weight toward the muzzle, so subtle moves to the target as well as sustained leads are smoothened. The 6 ounces of weight added by the Briley end cap makes a noticeable difference in swing, balance and muzzle flip. For those who don’t prefer the added weight, the gun comes with its factory end cap.
At first the carbon-fiber rib seemed a little janky to me, as it was loose on the stock. But then I discovered that it has a purpose other than aesthetics: It can be removed and replaced with a higher or lower rib ($160) to fit the shooter’s needs.
I particularly liked the custom-like choke tubes that came with the gun, a kit that’s probably worth $400 on its own. The added skeet and the light mod choke tubes are intelligent additions.
Regarding recoil, I perceived more than I was expecting. (Maybe this is an indicator of the A.I. barrel producing more velocity?) Certainly, I’m not talking about much recoil here, but enough to remind me that the inertia system just doesn’t do as much as gas actions to mitigate recoil, and frankly I think the Comfort Tech 3 system is overhyped. But I must keep in mind that at under 7 pounds, it’s lighter than many of the gas action guns in its class, so pick your poison. It’s sure nice to carry afield, and it will also run longer between cleanings than gas-actions.
Performance-wise I had zero malfunctions with 11/8-ounce target loads or 3-inch magnum steel loads. I grew to love the oversized controls, as they can easily be worked with winter gloves. All around, this Custom Shop Cordoba is incredibly slick internally, polished externally, incredibly reliable, patterns great and it’s just easy to shoot well. I’m fairly certain there has never been a more specialized semi-auto bird gun ever made. So, if you desire the best and are willing to pay for it, here you go.
Technical Specification:
- Type: inertia-operated semi-auto shotgun
- Gauge/Chamber: 12/3"
- Barrel: 28"; A.I. profile; carbon-fiber interchangeable rib
- Receiver: aluminum
- Trigger: single-stage; 6 lbs., 2 ozs. pull weight
- Sights: red fiber-optic front, metal mid bead
- Safety: cross-bolt
- Stock: black synthetic; LOP 14.5"; 2.25" drop at heel; 1.5” drop at comb; adjustable for cast, drop
- Metal Finish: anodized black receiver; BE.S.T. treatment on barrel
- Overall Length: 49.5"
- Weight: 7 lbs. (tested)
- Accessories: padded plastic hard case, choke tubes (C, IC, SK, LM, M, IM, F) w/plastic case and wrench; Briley weighted end cap; oil; magazine plug
- MSRP: $3,649; benelliusa.com
