Benelli M2 v. M4

sly

sly

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I wanted some owners' opinions of the Benelli tactical shotties. I love the look of both the M2 and M4 and wondered if anyone can comment on the $500 premium for the M4 and if it is worth it? I realize that the M4 has that extra machismo value due to its use by the US Marines but I wondered if anyone can comment on the practrical difference betweenn the models.

Also, who sells the M2 in the metro vancouver area? I would like to handle one before commiting but the only place that seems to have them is Italian Sporting Goods but I really would prefer not to deal with them.

Any info would be appreciated.
 
M2 is more ammo picky vs m4. M2 seems to be 3 gun preferred shotgun.

It's hard to say which one is better.

3 gun I think m2. Cheap enough and u can pick good loads.

M4 more accessories. Works with more optics and with eat any combat load.

I heard both struggle with light loads, rubber bullets, and bean bags.
 
I have owned both and only have the M4 now ;)

M2

Pro's

-Light weight
-fast handling
-reliable
-quality is Exc.
-can ghost load "you must mod the bolt carrier"
-simple operating system
-great sights
-many barrel options



Con's
-few good stock options
-does not come with sight rail
-plastic trigger mech
-shell latch can catch finger when loading

M4

Pro's

-Rugged
-great stock
-sight rail
-Can ghost load with out modding bolt carrier
-all metal parts
-reliable
-low recoil
-Shell latch does not bit thumb :)

Cons

-heavyier
-100rd break in period with heavy shells
-pricey
-few barrel options
 
Dsiwy said:
I have owned both and only have the M4 now ;)
Click to expand...


I'm you in reverse... 'gave up my M4 for an M2.

I really liked my M4... Until I fired an M2...

Although the M4 functioned flawlessly for me... I came to dislike the pistol grip mine had. It just got in the way of speedy reloads and I find that a pistol grip on a shotgun doesn't let the gun "point" as well as a standard or "sporting stock/grip.

My primary use for a semi auto is 3-gun so the M2 serves much better.
The ghost load mod. to the bolt carrier is a 10 second dremmel job.
A modified shell carrier/lifter is $70 complete from C-Rums or send your's in and have it done for $20... Or, if you know how to TIG weld... it's a simple DIY mod.
Mag extensions are readily available and not too expensive... So you can up capacity from factory 3 rounds to maximum legal capacity easily

The only other mod I did was to dove-tail a 10/22 rear sight into the rib to help with slug shots... 'Works like a charm.
 
If the M2 had a metal trigger mech, adj stock and M4 style shell lifter then I would have kept the M2.

The M2 is a very simple, clean design but not a heavy use military gun. I really really wish the M1 and M3 were not Prohib :(
 
I have an M1 and no not all the M1's are prohibited I have found you should not hang a lot of #### of it as it does affect the shotgun's reliability .
 
I have an M2. I Did the bolt mod in less than five minutes. So now I have 5+1+1 capacity. Put and S&J 6 rd Detachable shell carrier on it. Have yet to have a malfunction of any type, Even when firing from the hip with cheap Federal Canadian Tire bulk pack shells. Buck, Slug, Shot: it eats it all and asks for more :)

I'm very happy with the M2 but have never fired a M4. I know the recoil is supposed to be less with the M4.

My M2 Tactical came with 3 chokes: cylinder, mod, and full and a choke wrench. I believe you only get one choke with the M4 but I may be wrong about that, dont know about the wrench either.

Both great guns and I'm sure you'll be happy with either.
 
I ordered my M2 from Epps in ON. It was the only place I could find it at the time. I think the OP wanted to handle one before committing to a purchase though. I too found Benelli's manual lacking in terms of instruction. But the M2 is so simple I was able to figure it out with hardly looking at the manual.
 
I've got an M2 Tactical with the pistol grip. All I can really say is....I love it! Recoil with 3" loads is minimal and it cycles even the crappiest, cheapest #8 shot loads like a champ. Put thousands of rounds through her and have not had a single jam or stoppage of any sort. Lightweight and empties as fast as you pull the trigger. Goes boom every time. A blast on the range or in the gravel pit, farm, wherever. It's very accurate with the improved cylinder choke, too.
I sold my Mossberg 590 pump because since purchasing the Benelli I simply stopped using it.
I can't speak about the M4 because I've never fired or even handled one. If they're built with the same standards and craftsmanship the M2 is, I'm sure it would be a fantastic autoloader.
I just wish M3s were legal here.
 
The M2 has to be one of the sweetest handling repeater shotguns out there. OTOH the M4, IMO, has a much greater cool factor and a level of finish quality you don't get with any other recently produced tactical shotgun.
 
I have M4 and that's my second Benelli item, great shooter. No wonder it is used in military, not M2. Just my 2 cents.

However, it is always comes to personal preferences.
 
I have a 14 inch M4 Super 90 and I love it. No "break in" period needed! That's part of the reason I kept it, it would feed ANYTHING I threw at it right off the hop. And I mean anything, right from very mild target shells to the heaviest 3" lead and slugs. Even some corroded base and swelled paper shells that I couldn't get to chamber by hand. Stuffed them in the mag tube and she ate them up like candy. Did I mention I really like this gun?:D
 
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