Benelli vs. Franchi

[oldrifle]

I'm looking to buy a new shotgun and I'd like to get an automatic, probably either a Benelli or a Franchi. This would be for defense/tactical purposes. I'm looking at the Benelli M4 and the Franchi SPAS 12. Does anybody have an opinion as to which of these would be a better tactical shotgun? Gas vs. inertia? Should I be looking at other models? Can I legally own a SPAS 12 in CA?

Thanks

[ligamentum flavum]

Can I legally own a SPAS 12 in CA?

Thanks

no.

The Benelli M4 is a great SEMI-automatic shotgun, but it's pricey. The M4 runs more reliably than the M1 if you are going to add accessories like a surefire fore-end and/or side-saddle.

For home defense, I'm more in favor of a nice reliable pump action like the remmy 870. It's economical, very customizable and the sound of a shotgun being racked is second to none.

[MadMex]

I’ve seen more than one Benelli fail to cycle in cold weather. Not sure if its coincidence or a symptom? Hard to beat a pump for HD reliability and simplicity.

[oldrifle]

The Benelli M4 is a great SEMI-automatic shotgun, but it's pricey. The M4 runs more reliably than the M1 if you are going to add accessories like a surefire fore-end and/or side-saddle.

I know it's semi-auto but I thought it went without saying so I didn't say "semi". Thanks for the info on the SPAS and the M4. Why no SPAS? Because of the grip? Barrel length?

For home defense, I'm more in favor of a nice reliable pump action like the remmy 870. It's economical, very customizable and the sound of a shotgun being racked is second to none.

I have a Mossberg but the quality is somewhat marginal. If I'm going to get another pump action it's going to have to be better made than the Mossberg 500. I've seen the Remington 870s. They do looks pretty tough compared to the Mossberg.

[cseabass]

the spas is a destructive device in CA.

i LOVE my m4. i have had it since january and passed over 10000 rounds down range with it. and it eats it, though i have had some issues. but that said i honestly think they are me and not the gun.


the spas never was a seriously decent gun. i had one, while it looked cool, it was heavy, clunky, and i had feeding issues on a regular basis.

[oldrifle]

i LOVE my m4. i have had it since january and passed over 10000 rounds down range with it. and it eats it, though i have had some issues. but that said i honestly think they are me and not the gun.

Cool, thanks for the info. I'm definitely leaning towards the M4. What model of the M4 do you have? What stock? What stocks can you put on it legally?

the spas never was a seriously decent gun. i had one, while it looked cool, it was heavy, clunky, and i had feeding issues on a regular basis.

OK, thanks. Good to hear the opinion of someone who has had both.

[ETD1010]

Hard to beat a pump for HD reliability and simplicity.

cycling the action ALONE is enough deterrent for most criminals.

[Paradiddle]

[QUOTE=
I have a Mossberg but the quality is somewhat marginal. If I'm going to get another pump action it's going to have to be better made than the Mossberg 500. I've seen the Remington 870s. They do looks pretty tough compared to the Mossberg.[/QUOTE]

Do you have a real Mossberg 500 or a Big 5 cheapy Mossberg?

The quality between an honest Mossberg 590 and the Big 5 is noticable - same as the difference between an 870 Express and a real 870 Wingmaster or Police.

Jeff

[oldrifle]

Do you have a real Mossberg 500 or a Big 5 cheapy Mossberg?

I bought it at Big 5, yes.

The quality between an honest Mossberg 590 and the Big 5 is noticable - same as the difference between an 870 Express and a real 870 Wingmaster or Police.

Well the 590 is a different gun from the 500 no matter where you buy it. If I were to compare a Big 5 500 to a Big 5 590, there is a noticeable difference between the two (I have). The reason being that the 590 has strengthened internal parts for military/police use. I have never played with a 500 that wasn't from a sporting goods store, so I wouldn't know about better versions of the 500.

[cseabass]

for a pump i will only go with an 870. i hate the action of a mossberg... i tend to break them when i play with them.

as for the stocks, you can run the pistol grip solid stock or the rifle stock. the collapsable isnt allowed in ca.

if your in the bay area, come see me at TMW, and ill let ya shoot my m4.

[oldrifle]

Hi, yes I'm in the bay area. What is TMW? Thanks!

[saki302]

Get an old WInchester model 12. You may sell the Remington 870- the M12 cycles like butter
(and a lot of them are C&R eligible!)

-Dave

[cseabass]

target masters west in milpitas.

also one of the guys who works there with me is talking about sellin his 870, it has some rust, hes just fed up with it... i cleaned all of the rust off for the most part, it just needs some TLC and he cant give it the time... he may be willing to let it go cheap.

[aplinker]

the spas is a destructive device in CA.

i LOVE my m4. i have had it since january and passed over 10000 rounds down range with it. and it eats it, though i have had some issues. but that said i honestly think they are me and not the gun.


the spas never was a seriously decent gun. i had one, while it looked cool, it was heavy, clunky, and i had feeding issues on a regular basis.

SPAS is not a DD. It IS a Kasler listed assault weapon.

The closest analogue to the SPAS 12 is the M3 Benelli. They're both pump/semi actions.

I really like my M4, too, but there's no real reason an 870 Rem or 590 Moss isn't just as good, with a little training and range time learning to pump it. The $1000 you save can buy a dedicated Surefire forend, sidesaddle, and quite a few cases of buckshot and slugs, too.

for a pump i will only go with an 870. i hate the action of a mossberg... i tend to break them when i play with them.

as for the stocks, you can run the pistol grip solid stock or the rifle stock. the collapsable isnt allowed in ca.

if your in the bay area, come see me at TMW, and ill let ya shoot my m4.

On a pump shotgun you can have a collapsible stock and pistol grip, but only one or the other on a semi. Semi's are the only ones subject to the AW regs.

Without some hoop jumping you won't be allowed to have more than 5 rounds in the tube of an M4, either. 922(r) Federal regulations come into play on the M4.

[1SGMAT]

Check out the Vang Comp 11-87.