benelli m4 opinions

[ss101]

I want a Benelli M4 as an HD weapon. I couldnt find any review-heavy threads by searching so I figured I'd start one of my own. I'd just like some opinions from people who have used one before (first-hand, second-hand, internet rumor - I'm open to all of it). How is the recoil compared to pump guns or recoil operated semis? How reliable is it? Is it ammo picky? How is the weight, balance, and maneuverability?

I'm not really interested in being talked out of my choice, but if you think I'm really off base, please don't hesitate to educate me. Thanks in advance.

 

[[email protected]]

You've made the right choice.The M-4 is a Rolls Royce. Double ot buckshot will do just fine. If they have one toe in the door,let em have it and let them have it again.Then if they twitch, let em have it again.

 

[garyh9900]

I just got one about 3 months ago. I've been about 600 rounds of 00 and slug through it so far. The recoil is less than you would expect for a 12 gauge. I found that its finicky with less than lethal rounds, but thats about it. I used up some leftover Hornady TAP blue rounds(lower pressure rounds) that I had for my Remington 870. It feels like it kicks about 2/3rd's what the 870 does. It's a heavy gun, but that also helps with the recoil. Seems well balanced and wells suited for cqb. If you can find one, but the 11707 model.

 

[RugerMcMarlin]

I think they are pretty reliable, I think the Benelli M4s are US issue along with Remington 870s and Mossbergs,, in Iraq and Afganistan.

 

[Youngster]

The fit and finish are great and they shoot beautifully but I don't like the muzzle heavy balance or the lifter setup, which makes loading harder than it should be.

The recoil is considerably less than a pump or an inertial semi but is a bit harder than average for a gas semi IMO.

 

[SentinelStrategic]

I have had one for several years and my round count is in the 4-digit range. I use it for 3-gun, training, and have carried it in the trunk of the squad car a little bit. So far, I have never had a malfunction. This is not a surprise, because Benelli makes guns that don't die. I've had a Benelli SBE for 11 years with a round count in the high 4-digit range and that has been 100% reliable as well. Several of my family members have Benellis (Montefeltros and M2s mainly), and to date, none of them have ever had a malfunction.

The M4 uses a different recoil system with the ARGO (auto regulating gas operated) short stroke dual piston operating system, as opposed to their conventional inertia operating system. This allows it to shoot light loads that other autos have difficulty with. The problem with cycling less-lethal is not abnormal. Such is why dedicated less-lethal shotguns are relegated to pump-action or single-shot only.
The shotgun is front-heavy, but that's pretty normal for a tactical shotgun. The reliability is phenomenal, as previously pointed out. The recoil will be more than a typical gas-operated shotgun, but less than a pump gun. It's a 12ga.- what can you say. None of them feel like a tickle fight when you shoot them.

Standard configuration is the 11707 model with the pistol grip and fixed stock. It works very well and is all you would need. However, if you decide that you want the Benelli tactical retractable stock, check out Gunbroker.com or another online sight and you can find them for sale for $600-1k. Some gun shops have also sold these stocks to the public in the past. If you find a shop that is selling them, it's up to you whether or not you want to buy it. I've heard of people buying them for up to $1k there too. Just know that the stock itself only costs $150 and is not supposed to be sold to the public. The amount of red tape I had to go through to get mine legitimately was nuts, but well worth it.

The magazine capacity is only 4rds (or 5rds, ammo dependent), but that's because the magazine tube is the same that's used for the 14" barreled Entry variant. If you get a mag extension, you will up the magazine capacity to 7rds.
I would recommend also getting a Mesa Tactical rail and side saddle ammo carrier. These are things that make life much more convenient.
I would also recommend looking into other custom parts for options. The SureFire M80 picatinny forend, the Meprolight tritium ghost ring replacement sights, GG&G extended bolt knob and bolt release button.

Good place for accessories:
http://www.tacticalshotgunner.com/benelli-c-66.html?osCsid=be629df7ef1987a7662a268ac552797f

 

[forindooruseonly]

I bought one and hated it. I spent a long hot summer eradicating feral hogs on the farm with mine and then I sold it. Let me count the ways I hated it.

1 - The gas piston broke about a month in. I don't know what the round count was, but it couldn't have been more than several hundred. Was apparently a common problem with them - enough that the Benelli customer service knew exactly what happened before I was done describing the issue.

2 - The loading system, as mention above, is overly complex and hard to deal with. I spent enough time fumbling with the action while reloading at night and trying to spotlight pigs to sour me on that system.

3 - It would occasionally not go into battery when the bolt was released, especially after being out in dusty conditions for seven or eight hours. You had to help it along.

4 - The recoil was surprisingly harsh for a gun that has such a reputation for being a soft shooter. The forums all touted the Benelli's recoil absorbing qualities. Internet fiction in my experience. And I shoot pumps most of the time now.

5 - The finish didn't hold up near as well as I expected.

I guess my real problem is that it is considered, as mentioned above, as the "Cadillac" of the HD shotguns and I paid a premium for it. 1300+ dollars if I remember right. What I got was a POS that broke, wasn't reliable, was a pain to load, looked ugly as sin after 4 months of use and beat me up as bad as any other gun with 3 inch buckshot shells. This gun saw use. Occasionally hard, long days in the field and lots of shells. You run anything hard enough long enough and it will break. But I had this gun for less than five months and not more than a thousand shells.

It still is at the top of my list of "most disappointing" gun purchases. I foolishly kept at it, thinking it would get better, instead of just immediately selling it. When I finally gave up, I took a big loss due to its looks just to be done with it.

 

[garyh9900]

If you find a shop that is selling them, it's up to you whether or not you want to buy it. I've heard of people buying them for up to $1k there too. Just know that the stock itself only costs $150 and is not supposed to be sold to the public. The amount of red tape I had to go through to get mine legitimately was nuts, but well worth it.

What was the red tape you had to go through to get it? I've tried to obtain one for the retail price with no luck. I'm always told my department has to buy it and can't be sold to individual officers. But my department didn't buy the gun, so they won't buy the stock. I've found one le dealer willing to sell me one for $500, but thats ridiculous for something that should be less than half that.

 

[SentinelStrategic]

What was the red tape you had to go through to get it? I've tried to obtain one for the retail price with no luck. I'm always told my department has to buy it and can't be sold to individual officers. But my department didn't buy the gun, so they won't buy the stock. I've found one le dealer willing to sell me one for $500, but thats ridiculous for something that should be less than half that.

I called my local Benelli rep and was put in contact from there with someone directly from Beretta LE. I talked to the Beretta LE rep who stated that they wouldn't be able to unless it was an agency purchase or I had agency authorization and paperwork that the gun was going to be used for duty or agency function. I told her that the gun was for 3-Gun competition and I shot for my agency in the LE Division. I also told her the shotgun was used for department firearms training courses. You can do that, or you can say that you do have the gun and carry it on duty in your trunk. Then you need to fax them a signed letter from your chief on agency letterhead stating that you're authorized by the department to purchase that stock and that it will be used in accordance with department S.O.P. (It helps to have a chief that is cool). That was enough for them. They can authorize you to buy it on behalf of your agency/for your agency. I just told her that I was using my VISA and that I had to submit my invoice for reimbursement because we did not do Department P.O.s and did not have an agency CC.

 

[oregonboy]

Isn't the Benelli M4 the one that is semi-auto / pump action selective?

 

[docnyt]

Isn't the Benelli M4 the one that is semi-auto / pump action selective?

That would be the M3

 

[oregonboy]

sorry, newbie question