Benelli M2/M3 vs M4 vs FN SLP

[penguin0123]

I'm looking for a semi auto that both myself and my female family members can use. I'm looking at 18" non-pistol grip versions because they transfer less recoil to the hands.

1) Can the inertial recoil system of the M2/M3 be jammed by not leaning into the recoil?
2) Can any of them be run with 7/8oz loads? I roll those for my skeet pump gun and would love to not change setup on my reloader.
3) Any reason to even look at an M3 considering I'm not going to be shooting bean bags out of it?
4) When equipped with extended mag tubes (so factory SLP is about the same as the benelli) which shotgun is the lightest?

[bigbearbear]

Are you going to buy a shotgun to share between yourself and the female members of your family? If you are, I urge that you reconsider. It'll be like trying to share running shoes. You'll be better off getting a AR-15 instead.

To answer some of your questions below:
1. Not that I've noticed. My wife shoots a Benelli M2 Field Compact 12 gauge and doesn't have this problem. You don't have lean into the recoil, just mount the shotgun normally and shoot.

2. You can get recoil springs with lesser power from Wolff if you plan to shoot very light loads. Reconsider this though, if recoil is that much of an issue, a AR-15 might be a better choice.

3. In my humble opinion, no. The M3 is a nice shotgun but not really necessary.

[penguin0123]

Are you going to buy a shotgun to share between yourself and the female members of your family? If you are, I urge that you reconsider. It'll be like trying to share running shoes. You'll be better off getting a AR-15 instead.

I'm a rifleman thru and thru. I have Garands and ARs to choose from for in- and out- of state use. Those are my go-to.

Recoil is always an issue, but a BB'ed AR isn't going to work, featureless doesn't work for her ergonomically (yes, we tried all sorts of stuff), and they are marginal at best with pistols. They do enjoy shooting skeet with me on the 870 and don't have recoil problems with the 7/8 loads. They also aren't really interested in rifle work. I guess seeing a bird bust is more satisfying than measuring holes on paper. I figure if they like it, they'll practice more. 7/8 is just for volume / manipulation practice. Real deal will be 9 pellets of 00. Yes, I'll make sure to always run some 00 at the start and end of each session just to remind ourselves what the real deal will feel like.

what are you using this for? and if it is for HD, how many shots are you planning on missing?

HD first and foremost. It'll be used in run-n-gun for practice, but don't care about gaming the game. Hence 18" barrel and extended tubes. For clay games, I got an 870.

I've never heard of anyone complaining they brought too much ammo unless they're drowning or on fire.

[sactobill]

This is my opinion so please take it for what it's worth. I just bought a new Benelli M4 and took the defensive shotgun course held by Gray Ops.

I shot a mixture of slugs, 00 buckshot and high velocity game loads and at the end of the day, I could have shot a lot more. Recoil was very low and I think it would be great for your family members.

If I had to do it over again, I would get the M4.

Bill

Btw whatever gun you decide on, take the shotgun class with Gray Ops. Great class with great instructors.

[Rainbow Bullets]

I have a benelli m3 it shoots cheap walmart birdshot no problem and everything else and you don't need to lean into it either. I am looking for an m4 though, just to compare and contrast

[ja308]

be forewarned that any combat type shotgun could be prohibted at LA county trap or skeet ranges.
That said most self loaders will do the same thing. At the knob creek "Jungle Walk" course a few years back, the winner had a Rem 1100 series with extended mag tube and side saddle carrier . The course involved moving and reloading while knocking down "pepper poppers with #4 or 00 buck loads .

He was 1st out of 110 participants.

For trap shoot its not important to have the gun eject the shell,since you load 1round at a time anyway .
Not saying anything bad about the M series guns,however they are expensive and might be more than your needs require and yes I do recommend them with the caveats posted above.

[SuperSet]

If you are even thinking about doing some 3-gun in the future, get the M2 in either 21" or 24" variety.

[SVTPete83]

My m4 shoots all types of ammo really well. Even light bird loads after it was broken in. The wife shoots slugs and 00buck with no recoil issues. She weighs 120lbs.

-SVTPete

[hattles]

It is a rarity to see any Benelli 12 gauge cycle 7/8 oz loads, let alone reliably.

From what I read, the FN is a very good gun and is considerably less expensive than the M4. Is it better? No! Is it more versatile than the M4? Yes. The M4 is pretty much a proprietary shotgun and is used by both the military and police around the globe.

Is the FN better than the M2? Absolutely not...it boils down to personal preference...like chevy vs ford.

The M3 is basically a combination action gun...an inertia semi-auto and pump. The M2 is inertia action and the M4 is gas action.

M3 convertable

https://youtu.be/iWEMfgif3AQ

[penguin0123]

I see a lot of positive posts about the M4, and I just handled an M2 and M4 today and they're both sweet. I can definitely tell the weight difference between the two, and I think the family will like the 6.7lb of the M2 more than the 7.8lb of the M4. However, I'll have to buy a 2 shot extension tube and a rail to mount RDS (if I go this route later on) so the SLP really is the cheapest option. Aside from the weight, I'm really looking for something to push me to M2 vs SLP.

If you are even thinking about doing some 3-gun in the future, get the M2 in either 21" or 24" variety.

Why is the M2 so popular in 3 gun? I still want an 18" just because I value shortness over any game advantages. I look at all my run-n-gun games less as competition but more as practice.

From what I read, the FN is a very good gun and is considerably less expensive than the M4. Is it better? No! Is it more versatile than the M4? Yes.

Is the FN better than the M2? Absolutely

Why is SLP < M4 / M2? Build quality? Longevity?
What do you mean versatile? Ability to slap on different barrels? If so, that isn't a concern to me cuz I have an 870 for trap/skeet.

[SuperSet]

Why is the M2 so popular in 3 gun? I still want an 18" just because I value shortness over any game advantages. I look at all my run-n-gun games less as competition but more as practice.

1. The vent rib fiber optic sights are faster for steel and flying clays vs the ghost ring sights which only help you on long distance slug shots.

2. The M4's pistol grip gets in the way of fast loading.

3. A ton of aftermarket support for the M1/M2 vs little support for the M4.

You can make the M4 work for 3-gun but it's not the ideal choice. Good luck.

[penguin0123]

1. The vent rib fiber optic sights are faster for steel and flying clays vs the ghost ring sights which only help you on long distance slug shots.

2. The M4's pistol grip gets in the way of fast loading.

3. A ton of aftermarket support for the M1/M2 vs little support for the M4.

You can make the M4 work for 3-gun but it's not the ideal choice. Good luck.

Not that I'm going to buy the SLP competition model as a house gun, but what do you think of its vented rib and fold down rifle sights?

I didn't think of the pistol grip getting in the way of loading. I'm assuming the load two method won't work with PGs? I've always done weak hand load with my rifles so I'll prob stick with that for shotty.

Do you think the comfortech stock is reason enough to go Benelli?

[SuperSet]

I shot the SLP Mk 1 for years and after some break in, it turned into a beast of a shotgun. Reliable, soft shooting and accurate with slugs.
The SLP competition is just like the Mk1 except its vent rib is a lot lighter, even though it's longer.
However, the newer SLP models have the hybrid piston which can be very finicky with the WalMart bulk packs. You may or may not have this issue.

If you're only going to load weak hand from caddies then a PG will work fine.

[hattles]

From what I read, the FN is a very good gun and is considerably less expensive than the M4. Is it better? No! Is it more versatile than the M4? Yes.

Is the FN better than the M2? Absolutely

original quote by hattles
Is the FN better than the M2? Absolutely not...it boils down to personal preference...like chevy vs ford.

it's always important to post the complete quote to keep it in proper context

Why is SLP < M4 / M2? Build quality? Longevity?
What do you mean versatile? Ability to slap on different barrels? If so, that isn't a concern to me cuz I have an 870 for trap/skeet.

Not sure I understand your question regarding "why is SLP <M4/M2? Build quality? Longevity? If you meant " what" is the build quality and longevity, I can only vouch for Benelli because I've been shooting them problem free since 1992. I've neither read nor heard anything negative in that regard for the FN.

As for versatility...yes, absolutly the option to add barrels and accessories. I was only providing additional information that is relevant...not knowing whether or not it was a concern.

You were the one that asked for help/opinions...just trying to help.

[penguin0123]

Ok, so you would consider the SLP and M2 to be a wash? That's good to know.

I appreciate all the advice. I should have added that I have an 870 to shoot trap/skeet with, and I don't hunt.