Benelli M2 or M4? Or Beretta 1301?

[Bmeow]

Need help picking one of them, both are great and i've done a lot of reading but want to hear hands on exp from fellow calguners.
Diff $600, 1lb weight, inertial vs gas system, recoil etc...

[RandyD]

My primary selling point on selecting the M2 was that a lot of 3 gun competitors use it in competition. It has to be fast and reliable for that competition.

[L84CABO]

m4 - FANTASTIC defensive shotgun. While there is decent aftermarket support for it, there are no longer barrels available. So consider if that is important to you. It runs like a champ and will be a bit softer shooting than the m2. You can hang whatever you want on it and shouldn't have to worry about reliability. Some people report some cycling issues with lighter loads. Many report no problems at all (I am one of them). I would not, however, run reduced recoil rounds in it for defensive purposes. To be clear, I've run a bunch through mine on the range and never had an issue. But I prefer to keep full power loads in it for real work. YMMV

m2 - As reliable as the m4 and tons of aftermarket support for it thanks to it being the gun of choice for 3 Gun. Lots of barrel options too. You might encounter reliability issues if you start hanging too much weight on it as it can impact cycling on an inertia gun. Slightly greater recoiling than the m4. If you're looking for one gun that can do it all, this would be the choice. It is second only to the m4 in a defensive role. But there are lots of other good semi auto guns out there too.

You may want to check out the Remington Versa Max as it is essentially the m4 gas system but there are more barrel options for it and it's cheaper. Note that I don't know how things are with Remington's financial situation. But a lot of folks have good things to say about this gun.

Note that Benellis are imported shotguns and, as such, fall under federal 922R rules. Which means they come with limited 5 round magazines and you will have to swap multiple parts if you want to increase the mag size and still keep it 922R legal. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, Freedom Fighter Tactical and Carrier Comp both have white papers up on their websites that you can read up on this. But note that it will cost you $200-$300 to swap the requisite parts depending on which options you go with.

[BigPimping]

Default CGN answer...........Get Both!!!!!!

[Bmeow]

m4 - FANTASTIC defensive shotgun. While there is decent aftermarket support for it, there are no longer barrels available. So consider if that is important to you. It runs like a champ and will be a bit softer shooting than the m2. You can hang whatever you want on it and shouldn't have to worry about reliability. Some people report some cycling issues with lighter loads. Many report no problems at all (I am one of them). I would not, however, run reduced recoil rounds in it for defensive purposes. To be clear, I've run a bunch through mine on the range and never had an issue. But I prefer to keep full power loads in it for real work. YMMV

m2 - As reliable as the m4 and tons of aftermarket support for it thanks to it being the gun of choice for 3 Gun. Lots of barrel options too. You might encounter reliability issues if you start hanging too much weight on it as it can impact cycling on an inertia gun. Slightly greater recoiling than the m4. If you're looking for one gun that can do it all, this would be the choice. It is second only to the m4 in a defensive role. But there are lots of other good semi auto guns out there too.

You may want to check out the Remington Versa Max as it is essentially the m4 gas system but there are more barrel options for it and it's cheaper. Note that I don't know how things are with Remington's financial situation. But a lot of folks have good things to say about this gun.

Note that Benellis are imported shotguns and, as such, fall under federal 922R rules. Which means they come with limited 5 round magazines and you will have to swap multiple parts if you want to increase the mag size and still keep it 922R legal. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, Freedom Fighter Tactical and Carrier Comp both have white papers up on their websites that you can read up on this. But note that it will cost you $200-$300 to swap the requisite parts depending on which options you go with.

wow thank you very much, sounds like M2 is a better choice for me

[PaperTarget]

M2 works fine.

The M4 isn't worth the extra money to me.

[Big bug]

You can only shoot one at a time.... M4 for the win

[hunterb]

I have an M4 but would rather have a Beretta 1301 LTT.

The M2 is recoil operated and weighs less.

The M4 is gas operated but weighs more.

The 1301 is gas operated but light.

I know you said Benelli but this is the correct answer. I have owned both Benelli’s, and your usage will determine which to get of the two. Hunting / clays? M2 with a 26-28 inch barrel minimum. 3gun? M2 with at least a 24 inch barrel. Home defense / range toy? Benelli m4.

But really, get a Beretta 1301 that suits your needs. Either the tactical, Competition or Comp Pro model depending on what you’re going to use it for. Take the savings and buy a Beretta A300 for $600 for a clay shooting gun.

The Beretta 1301 is MUCH lighter, the Benelli m4 is stupid heavy. It’s softer shooting than the M2, and cycles faster than both. Plus, it’s cheaper. But if you’re set on Benelli, let your needs dictate which you get.

Just know that the Beretta 1301 is the new hotness and deservedly so.

[Bmeow]

Beretta 1301 sure has a lot of positive feedback, but Beretta 1301 tac is almost the same price as M2.

[sigstroker]

As long as it's reliable, the gun doesn't matter that much in 3 gun. It's a matter of who can reload the fastest. If they just left out all the targets in the shotgun sections and you just unloaded and reloaded it, the relative performance would be the same.

[Cpl_T-Pot]

[naz]

Hi OP, I have an M2 with 26” barrel, field stock, and 10 shell tube. Love it.

In my area (sf Bay Area) I cant think of a place off the top of my head to shoot a shotgun with a pistol grip, and there are barrel length minimums also (24” usually). The config I got allows me to participate in clay sports as well as multigun at all the ranges in the area so I can get a good amount of live fire practice with it. Read the rules where you plan to shoot in your area as that could tip you to go M2 by “default”

[Bmeow]

Beretta 1301 Tactical in stock at sportsman for $1118, should i get it before it's gone?

[L84CABO]

wow thank you very much, sounds like M2 is a better choice for me

Welcome. And yes, if you want to hunt with it too, bust clays, etc., the m2 is more versatile because of the options for barrels...although I've busted plenty of clays with the m4. But many trap/skeet ranges aren't real fond of pistol grips. It really is a shame Benelli never made a longer barrel for the m4. It seems like they'd sell a ton of them but maybe this is their way to get you to buy a second shotgun or something.

[osis32]

I really hate shooting my m2. It recoils like a mule