Seriously considering a Benelli M4

[esskay]

SLP is a solid choice. Just remember that if you prefer a ghost ring setup with your short barrel defensive setup that it will be a hassle to remove the rear sight when you swap in a long barrel for other uses. Not sure if those are designed to return to zero when removed and reinstalled. But ghost ring sights are not a necessity, and you can shoot slugs quite well with sighting systems that are attached to the barrel.

The M4 does have interchangeable barrels... it's just that Benelli only makes one kind!

[ro442173]

m4 is an awesome gun, you cant go wrong with it. if you think its heavy, try hitting the gym. its not like its 30 lbs and even if it was, its only 30 lbs! unless your some kinda girl (and I think even a girl could handle it) you have no excuse.

This.

I hate it when guys complain about the weight. To each his own I guess but it's not like you're going to rucking 25 miles with 60lbs on your back... unless you're the bug-out type I guess. Sheesh. Get it OP. Hell, get the M2 later

[tacticalcity]

This.

I hate it when guys complain about the weight. To each his own I guess but it's not like you're going to rucking 25 miles with 60lbs on your back... unless you're the bug-out type I guess. Sheesh. Get it OP. Hell, get the M2 later

I have not felt the weight of a Benelli M4, so I cannot speak specifically to that weapon system. But weight does very much matter.

Without accusing you personally, often times it is the guys who really only bench rest and plink who think weight is not an issue, and guys who train hard or carry for living who point out that weight is a valid concern

Hit the gym is an extremely silly answer. It doesn't take into account other gear you are required to wear (body armor, additional ammo, H20 bladders, grenades, flash bangs, tools, sidearms, sidearm ammo, helmet, chem warfare gear and the list goes on and on), the weather conditions (120 degree weather will make it feel a thousand times heavier), the duration at which you will be lugging it around (12+ hour days make weight an issue), and so on. I do not care if you a Heman. Weight is a valid concern for anyone who uses their rifle or shotgun professionally.

Even for the weekend warriors like myself, who no longer carry for living but for fun, weight can be an issue. If you've ever taken a 4 day course in the Nevada Summer Sun you know those 8 hours a day of solid running and gunning can wear anyone down. By the time you get to day 4 you feel like you are ready to drop, I don't care how in shape you think you are.

Heck even a hunter has a valid reason to worry about too much weight. Some of those hunting trips result is very long days, traveling long distances on foot, during which your shotgun is in your hands the entire time. After a few hours they are gonna feel it.

The issue of weight is just not that simple.

That said, everything I have read and seen regarding the Benelli M4 are impressive. It is one heck of a boom-stick. So my argument is not that Benelli is too heavy, but rather than the issue of weight is not something to be dismissed out of hand. You should think about how you will actually be using it, then look at the actual weight, and then decide if it makes sense for your very specific needs.

[PEBKAC]

With regards to the weight issue: as someone who has spent hours of holding it up on and off for shooting trap, yes, it can be an issue. It's heavy. It's also built like a tank. Honestly perhaps a bit too much so but that's a matter of opinion.

Regardless of that it is a great gun. Love mine. That said given what you describe I'd invest in an M1 or M2 rather than an M4.

Reasons to invest in an M1 or M2 over an M4 for SHTF:
-More versatile (by which I mean you have barrel length options other than 18.5" or 14.5", and in CA mere mortals don't really have the 14.5 option anyway).
-Easier to clean (and by easier I mean "basically only need a bore snake").
-Cleaner shooting (no gas system).
-Just as reliable as a good gas gun if and only if you are shooting from the shoulder as opposed to bracing it against the ground or a wall and you aren't trying to run low recoil rounds through it.

As a bonus, M1s and M2s are:
-Cheaper (by a few hundred off MSRP, though I'm not sure used prices reflect this).
-Easier to upgrade the capacity of, as I am pretty sure there are less 922(r) parts on an M1 or M2 than there are on an M4 (which has 13) given the lack of gas pistons...meaning I'm pretty sure (though I could be wrong and am not a lawyer) that to upgrade the capacity you just need a US made mag tube and US made follower.

[esskay]

-Easier to clean (and by easier I mean "basically only need a bore snake").
-Cleaner shooting (no gas system).
-Just as reliable as a good gas gun if and only if you are shooting from the shoulder as opposed to bracing it against the ground or a wall and you aren't trying to run low recoil rounds through it.

Maintenance and cleaning on the M1/M2 shotguns is absurdly easy! They stay super clean and disassembly is a cinch. You could almost use a kleenex to clean everything inside the receiver (ok I'm exaggerating but the chromed boltwork is a breeze to clean). Anyone accustomed to cleaning ARs and 1911s will love an M1/M2!

I would add that my M2 reliably cycles "tactical" low recoil loads like the Federal/Winchester reduced recoil slugs and buckshot.

[hogbody74]

m4

Have a 1014, it shots anything I feed it execpt minis.
hogbody74

[PEBKAC]

Maintenance and cleaning on the M1/M2 shotguns is absurdly easy! They stay super clean and disassembly is a cinch. You could almost use a kleenex to clean everything inside the receiver (ok I'm exaggerating but the chromed boltwork is a breeze to clean). Anyone accustomed to cleaning ARs and 1911s will love an M1/M2!

I would add that my M2 reliably cycles "tactical" low recoil loads like the Federal/Winchester reduced recoil slugs and buckshot.

Yeah I have heard a lot of people say theirs can run low recoil no problems, but also heard a lot of people say otherwise. It seems to vary quite a bit.

[Will Goes Boing]

Unless you take it to the range all the time and actually shoot it, paying $1700 for a shotgun is insane. If you want a shot gun to keep at home for HD a mossberg or remington 870 will do the job just fine.

[Bert Gamble]

Unless you take it to the range all the time and actually shoot it, paying $1700 for a shotgun is insane. If you want a shot gun to keep at home for HD a mossberg or remington 870 will do the job just fine.

I agree whole heartedly with this comment. No matter what shotgun I decide on, I will train with it. As I did with the 45 ACP, I will go to at least one of Front Sights 4 day courses with the shotgun. I will not trust my life to something that I do not train with. (Even though I have been trusting my life to nothing but a telephone and the hope that no one wants to hurt me for a really long time).

I can't say I will put as many 12 guage rounds through as I do the .45, but there would rarely be a week when it will not be fired.

[GunSafari]

I've got an M4 in my personal collection and I wouldn't trade it for any other shotgun, hasn't given me any problems, removing the charging handle was a pain until I got the technique down but for feed, reliability and comfort, its a great gun. Swapping barrels shouldn't be a big concern as the commoner in california can't own a short barrel, chokes are easily swapped on the weapon. Big plus for me is with the 7 round tube you have the ability to load it up with 9 rounds (1 on slide 1 in chamber), remington 1200 can't do that!

On the subject of 922r, purchasing a tube from carriercomp should put you in the clear he's the best aftermarket full tube for the m4 available at the moment. i might just get into production on those tubes myself, he always seems to be completely flush with orders. To the best of my knowledge no one has been harassed for putting a full length tube on their benelli, just don't put a collapsible stock on there or you'll be in possession of an assault weapon and that is something they will definitely get you for.


Weight isn't an issue for me and I weight in at a 130. Come on guys your talking about a shotgun here, if your going to complain about the weight you might cry about the kick!

[Dhena81]

How much does an M4 weigh I don't know and I own one it's about as heavy as my 870. I've never shot any other semi shotty but I got in when Benelli was offering the $200 rebate I couldn't be happier with it. I could literally shoot full power 00 all day long 24hrs and I don't think my shoulder would be sore the felt recoil is similar to a M1A.

Its a crappy pic but

[Sure Shot 45]

My Benelli M4 has run flawless with all types of shells even cheap bird shot. I personally don't feel it's over priced, you get what you pay for. I love my M4 I would not trade it for any other shotgun. It's the best shotgun ever made IMO. Everyone whines about the weight, not a issue for me it feels like your holding a real weapon not a cheap flimsy toy. It weighs in at about 8.5 pounds, if you can't handle that you should probably stick with a cell phone with 911 on speed dial. As others have mentioned the 922r issue is easy to deal with. Just buy a one piece mag ext., follower, and Urbino stock all three parts are made in the USA then your good to go. Those three parts cost about $350 but it's money well spent. After it's all said and done you will have a $2000 shotgun. Go buy one! Or two!!

[ROCKETW19]

IMO the only people without a M4 are the ones that cant or dont want to afford one. If you can you should. Saying that I like my M1 also.
I love the arguements over the weight also thoes are great. If you realy have a hard time carrying a M4 I live in sacramento and teach a cardio/conditioning class at a local MMA gym feel free to stop in and you will laugh at the rest of the guys saying they are to heavy

[OCGuy]

The M4 is an expensive shotgun. Probably the biggest problem most have with it. Military doesn't care cause they just want the best, for their purposes. If you are shooting skeet or hunting, there are better choices. But for what you stated, there is no question, get the M4. I'm sure that if all things were equal ( ummm price ) most would own one. I can't speak for everyone, but I've never had a problem with mine. I shoot birdshot, buckshot, 2.75", 3" and never a hiccup. The LOP was a bit long for me so I picked up a Mesa Tactical Urbino with the Limbsaver pad. It's a much softer shooter than my friends M2 ( great shotgun, just kicks a bit more ).

[supermario]

For the price of a Benelli, I would buy the Mossberg 930 AND a Mossberg 500.
and you would still have $$ left over for shotshells. Benelli's are great shotguns, i just think they are a lil toooo expensive for a shotgun. The 930 SPX has been reviewed and is a great fast shooting home defense/ hunting shotgun. And of course if all else fails, the mossberg 500 is reliable as they come.

As the title says, I am thinking very seriously about ordering one of these. Since it is a tactical shotgun, it's use would be home and personal defense. I would probably also get a full size Super Nova in case I ever need to shoot something to eat.

I am attempting to prepare myself and my family for the possible home invasion, or Heaven forbid societal collapse. I am not however one of those guys
Am I insane to be willing to spend so much on a home/personal defense weapon that cannot be used to hunt? I am new to guns in general, and have just started aquiring them in the last few months.

I like the idea of an auto loader, and from what I have read, the M4 is the most reliable of all of the semi automatics.

The money is not really an issue, if I am getting good value, but I am not into spending foolishly.

Any advice would be appreciated.