Benelli m3?

[Sicarius]

The M3 is neat but more of a unique collectors type of firearm. They were intended for entry and used with low recoil rounds like lock shocks/door busting type rounds that typically will not cycle the M1 at the time. The added benefit is that you can also cycle a new round just in case the shell did not extract for an added reliability perk. It really never caught on but still a neat gun. It is heavier than the M1/M2 but still a good gun. It is just caught up trying to be too much and in between... Still a good price if it is a ghost ring model.
Kevin

[Sicarius]

In that price range, also consider the Stoger M3000. It is basically the benelli intertia system since benelli owns stoger. Only obvious design difference is that the recoil spring is housed by the recoil spring instead of a tube in the stock. On black friday, Dicks had them for about 400 OTD. For an entry level shotgun, I would take that over the Mossy 930 any day. The Mossberg has a lot of QC issues and as much as their warranty people will take care of you. There are just too many instances I have read to really trust one with my life... Even if it is just a weekend fun gun.
Kevin

[Arson]

the purpose of this m3 would be a tactical shotgun/home defense.. Is not going to be a safe queen, is going to be used for sure.

the one I'm looking at is on consignment and it comes with the pistol grip, extended mag tube + ghost ring sights.. but the round count is unknown and it doesn't come with an box..

With both the Extend Tube (probably a 5, +2 as what mine is) and the Pistol Grip, I think you need to be sure it's 922r compliant.

[darkjedi351]

The M3 is sorta like the red headed step child of the Benelli world.

Personally I would wait and save to get the M2. But if you like the M3 it seems like a good deal.

^^ +1. wait and get a m2. you won't regret it