The shotgun landscape is ever-changing, and one brand whose stock is rising is Spandau. The brand is based in Turkey and imports shotguns to the States via SDS Imports in Knoxville, and their newest offering—and first semiauto shotgun available in the U.S.—is the inertia-operated S2.

Since Benelli’s patent expired on their inertia-operated system, a number of companies have offered inertia shotguns, but few are as affordable as the S2. MSRP for this shotgun starts at just $444, and a gun with a full camo dip costs just $557, making the Spandau S2 one of the least expensive autoloading shotguns on the market.

The obvious question, then, is how well this gun will hold up over several seasons and hundreds or thousands of rounds. Turkish guns have a reputation for being “cheap,” but the reality is that Turkish quality varies greatly depending upon the factory and the manufacturer’s specifications. Retay, Stoeger, and Tristar guns have an enviable reputation for reliability, and with proper engineering and machining, a quality gun could come from Turkey, Thailand, or Tanzania.

Spandau S2 Shotgun Features

Inertia operation is, by nature, quite simple. There are a limited number of moving parts in an inertia gun and, correspondingly, a limited number of things that can foul up the firearm. This simplicity allows you to disassemble most inertiaguns (S2 included) in just a couple minutes. There are no gas ports to foul and no O-rings to wear out, as with some gas guns. The secret to inertia operation is its lack of parts. With very basic maintenance, these guns simply run.

Such is the case with the S2. The gun’s architecture allows it to run with a broad range of 2¾ and 3-inch ammunition, so you can shoot everything from target loads to magnum ammo from the Spandau. With the advent of TSS, this means the S2 is suitable for killing everything from September doves to late-season Canada geese. It also comes with four interchangeable choke tubes (cylinder, modified, and full flush fit chokes and one extended and ported modified tube). Since the S2 is threaded to accept Beretta/Benelli Mobil chokes, there are aftermarket options as well.

S2 shotguns are available in 12- and 20-gauge versions, all of which come with polymer stocks. Both the 12- and 20-gauge models come with 24- or 28-inch barrels and all feature red fiber optic front sights and brass mid beads. The entry-level black gun comes with a black stock and black Chromate finish on the metal, while the camo guns feature a full hydro-dip. Speaking of camo, there are a variety of options available for every landscape, including Mossy Oak Bottomland and Obsession, and Realtree MAX-7 and APX. A shim kit is included with each gun that allows for drop and cast adjustments.

The Spandau guns come with several features that enhance shooter comfort and efficiency. An oversized loading port—sometimes called a speed cut—allows for fast, streamlined loading of the S2, and the lifter reduces the risk of pinched fingers. An oversized bolt release button and bolt handle are also easy to operate, and the extra-large trigger guard allows you to shoot the S2 while wearing heavy winter gloves.

A proper recoil pad is essential on a field gun. Good pads help reduce kick, but it's arguably more important that they promote a smooth, consistent gun mount. I am particularly fond of the Spandau’s design because it is scalloped and features an aggressively radiused heel, and that means when you mount the gun, there’s very little chance that the gun will hang up in your shooting vest. That’s not such a concern for a target shooter who mounts the gun and can make ready before calling for the shot, but upland hunters and waterfowlers don’t have that luxury. Incoming dove and teal don’t offer a lot of time to shoot, and a bad recoil pad will cost you birds. The good news for S2 buyers is that these guns have trim pads, though they can be a bit too thin if you’re shooting heavy loads repeatedly throughout the day.

Both 12- and 20-gauge versions of the gun come with a capacity of 3+1 and a capacity limiting plug. The threaded, knurled magazine tube cap features a sling stud and there’s a corresponding stud molded into the plastic stock. Length of pull is 14-inches, drop at comb is 1.5-inches, and drop at heel is 2-inches. Inertia guns operate better the less they weigh (the opposite is true for gas guns interestingly), so the S2 12-gauge model with a 28-inch barrel tips the scales at a manageable 6.7-pounds. The 20-gauge gun weighs a mere 6.1- pounds. All these guns are covered by a one-year warranty and a lifetime service plan from Spandau.

Field Testing the Spandau S2

Inertia guns aren't particularly finicky. Keep the moving parts lightly oiled and fairly clean, and feed them quality ammo (and that’s not even absolutely necessary since many inertia guns thrive using dirty, cheap ammo at South American dove lodges), and they’ll generally keep running. Such is the case with the S2. I tested the gun with standard 1 1/8-ounce 12-gauge loads, and it worked fairly well. The action dried up after a few rounds and needed an extra dose of Gun Medic to keep everything in motion. I threw a few very light one-ounce target loads in the mix and reliability became more sporadic, but that’s not unusual for 12-gauge inertia guns.

On the other end of the spectrum, the S2 handles heavy magnum loads like Winchester’s Last Call well. Reliability was good with heavy non-toxic shotshells and there was only one failure. As stated, I appreciate the contours of the recoil pad, but it could use a bit more cushion for those big loads. I do like the forearm design, which narrows from the rear to the front and is contoured similar to the Benelli M2. I also like the fairly trim wrist on the stock, and length of pull worked well for me at over six feet, but it may be long for some.

The finish was good, but thin at the edges and appeared to wear slightly during testing. Overall, build quality is suitable for hunting applications. The extractor and springs are not of the same quality as an Italian inertia gun, but that’s to beexpected. Overall fit and finish is passable, but once again, we must remember that this gun starts at under $500. I do like the balance and feel of the S2, and I think it’s a good-looking gun overall. I like it better than the look of the GirsanMC312 (another Turkish gun), but I have not shot the Girsan and cannot address its reliability.

Spandau’s barrels are not deep drilled like those from Retay, but point of impact was still close to point of aim. You can expect a roughly 50/50 pattern from the gun, which is what you would expect from a field gun. Trigger pull was right around 6.5-pounds on average.

Since the S2’s receiver is drilled and tapped to accept Benelli M2 bases, you can mount an optic on this gun, which is especially beneficial if you’re buying the S2 to serve double duty as a spring turkey gun. Spandau says that the S2 iscompatible with many M2 parts, and that makes it easier to make repairs.

No, the Spandau is not a Benelli M2; but based on its price point, it competes with Girsan’s MC312 and Stevens 560, and it holds up well against those guns in terms of quality and value. The S2 is not currently available with a walnutstock, but it does offer a broad range of camo color options, which is nice. The overall quality of the S2 makes it a great option for anyone who wants an affordable all-purpose shotgun, and as more shooters learn to love these budget-friendly autoloaders, you’ll hear the Spandau name in shotgun circles more frequently.