Benelli M4

[Confirmedkill]

I was wondering if anyone owns the Benelli M4 semi-auto shotgun? I am looking at purchasing one for self defense and for use in classes. I currently use a Benelli Nova Tactical pump shotgun for HD purposes. Should I stick with the pump shotgun or will the semi-auto be easier to use in the long run? I just spoke to a local dealer and they say Benelli is backordered for at least a month. Any advice or comments are welcome. Thank you

 

[another okie]

I don't have one, but here are some thoughts.

Is the M4 recoil or gas operated? (I think it's recoil.) A gas operated shotgun is a little easier on your shoulder, but most Benellis are recoil operated.

With a pump you can use very light loads in practice, and those same loads might not cycle a semi.

In shooting 3 gun matches the Benellis have been the most reliable.

 

[Zak Smith]

One of our local guys shoots an M4 at 3Gun matches. It is heavier than the M1/M2S90 but has the same recoil. In very cold weather, it had a lot of malfunctions (but it was also new at the time, so it may have been a break-in issue).

-z

 

[Confirmedkill]

Another okie,

According to the Benelli website the M1, M2 and M3 models use the inertia drive system. This must be the recoil operated system you are referring too. The M4 uses a gas system called ARGO which is suppose better than the inertia driven system. I have no experience with the M series of shotguns but the M4 should feed lighter loads with no problems.

Zak Smith,

I haven't heard how reliable the M4 is during cold weather so that might be something I need to do more research about. If you can recall how cold it was I would appreciate it.

 

[Zak Smith]

It was under 10F.

 

[CWL]

Seen 2 up close during 2-day training classes with lots of slug & buck fired. One kept malfunctioning (owner really skinny and kept cringing) and the other one was pretty picky with ammo.

They both had the skeletonized stock and it felt horrible, didn't absorb any of the recoil. I wouldn't want to shoot a steady diet of slugs from these.

 

[Gixerman1000]

I have had mine for a little over a year and couldn’t be happier with it, it has been 100% reliable with everything from my light target reloads (#8 shot) to max DRAM 3” magnum buckshot and slug loads.

Being designed to serve as the US military’s Joint Service Combat Shotgun it’s built for extremely rugged use and it is noticeably heaver than the M1 or M2 but the extra weight helps keep the felt recoil low, it’s much softer shooting than a pump or the inertia driven system of the M1 or M2 and it’s very controllable and smooth shooting even with heavy loads.

The ARGO system is pretty simple and very clean running for a gas operated shotgun, the system consists of two cylinders, two stainless steel pistons and two stainless steel cylinder plugs that each contain a spring loaded pressure regulating bleed off valve, the system is extremely fast cycling (it can cycle through 9 shells faster than you can keep up with the trigger) and it will pretty much cycle everything other than super light loads like non-lethal or bean bag loads and it will do so no matter how much extra weight is on the shotgun or how firmly it’s held.

 

[Confirmedkill]

Gixerman1000 and CWL,

Thank you for the replies

Gixerman1000,

Will the M4 cycle reduced recoil buckshot or slugs reliably? Other than reduced recoil rounds I don't think I will be using any other light loads. I just wish that Surefire will make a forearm light for the other M series shotguns from Benelli.

 

[Littlemac]

M4?

If you can locate it you might consider a M1014. My understanding is that 1500 were originally sent to the states.

Mine took a little time to get right, but now it is sweet and eats everything I can feed it. LM

 

[ArmChairCommando]

Good post Gixer!

 

[Gixerman1000]

Confirmedkill = The M4 will cycle reduced recoil buckshot and slugs loads with no problem though it’s probably a good idea to break it in with standard loads first, my M4 ran like a champ right out of the box but I have heard that some need a few hundred rounds through them to work them in good.

I personally don’t feel the need for reduced recoil loads in the M4 as the recoil is not bad even with the heaviest loads. One time I had almost 200 shells of 3” MAX DRAM #2 turkey loads that had been in the trunk of my car for about 2 years, they had started to corrode real bad so I decided to go ahead and shoot them up, a friend of mine was with me at the range that day and he shot about 20 or so of them through his 870 and I shot the rest of them as well as about 20 shells of OO buck through the M4, a hour or so latter he had a nice bruise on his shoulder and I didn’t even have so much as a red mark on mine.

I don’t know if it’s out yet but SureFire is starting to make a Picatinny rail forarm for the M4, called the M80, with it you can mount just about any light or laser you want.

http://www.opticsplanet.net/surefire-picatinny-rail-system-m80.html

 

[Confirmedkill]

Gixerman1000

You have answered all the questions I needed to ask. I just went down to my favorite retailer and put down a deposit for one of their backordered M4s. I can't wait to get one and I hope to enjoy it as much as you do yours.

Thank you to everyone for answering my questions about the Benelli.

 

[Confirmedkill]

Gixerman1000,

Is that a factory or aftermarket 2 round extension tube on your Benelli?

 

[AWMP]

I have an Benelli M4 as well, I took of the pistol grip stock and got the Stanard Benelli Stock. It has fired everything I have put in it with out a single malfunction. Very fast shotgun. Toying with the idea of taking off the ghost ring sights, just like the bead front sight easier to pick up for me. There are few after market parts out for the M4, I would love for surefire to come out with a forearm weapon light.