Benelli M2 v. M4

Island_Craig said:
Didn't want to railroad this thread but I think it is fairly old but still on my topic. I have the hankering for a "tactical" minded shotgun, however I currently own the Benelli M2 Field model in 12 G with the 28" Vent rib. I love the gun for clays, pretty sure it'll kill many birds, and could obviously do in a pinch if something needed killin'

My question is... would I be better off spending the money to import a 18.5" barrel and be able to have a multi-purpose gun... or would I be better off selling and getting an M4 and look "silly" when doing other shotgun related shooting sports?

I guess another alternative is getting a Supernova Tactical and keeping the M2...

Opinions?
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Importing a barrel for a Benelli is going to be well over the $100 limit; IF you can find someone in the US willing to sell to you. I have been informed (but can not prove) that HK/Benelli has an agreement in place where the US dealers can only sell in the US. Canadians need to deal with Canadian Benelli dealers.

Before I ordered my short Benelli barrel, I checked directly with Stoeger and was told that the order could take anything from 3 to 6 months to be delivered. It actually took just over 2 years and the cost was way north of the $600 mention earlier in this thread.

YMMV.
 
ralphs said:
Importing a barrel for a Benelli is going to be well over the $100 limit; IF you can find someone in the US willing to sell to you. I have been informed (but can not prove) that HK/Benelli has an agreement in place where the US dealers can only sell in the US. Canadians need to deal with Canadian Benelli dealers.

Before I ordered my short Benelli barrel, I checked directly with Stoeger and was told that the order could take anything from 3 to 6 months to be delivered. It actually took just over 2 years and the cost was way north of the $600 mention earlier in this thread.

YMMV.
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I talked with Stoeger too, the point of contact said 6-8 weeks probably since it is a custom order. The price is also somewhat of a concern. I think for the sake of my intent and to avoid some legal hold ups that I am not too fond of (ie, round limits) the Supernova might just be what I will look into. Have an ad on the EE and I will see what comes of it.
 
I will try my M4 at a shotgun only Pennsylvania hunt this year, and i made sure what kind of precision i could get from a smooth bore with 3 inch 7/8 onces slugs with the M4 and a Redfield 3X9 @ 200 feets, this is as far i will shoot with any slug, the M4 is no slouch, here a target... JP.
slug010.jpg
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YouAreInOilCountry said:
Let us all be real, real clear... a Benelli M4 semi automatic shotgun with an 18.5" barrel is a critical defense / self defense shotgun. The gun is designed for kill'n chit that is at close promimity to you. The US Marines selected the M4 due to its reliability and that it does a fine job breaching doors and killing everything within about 15 feet, and killing everything reliably, but nothing much beyond a decent sized room, uh, anywhere in the world.

On other threads, I made clear my preference would not be a 12 gauge shotgun for bear defense. I, personally, would choose the longer range accuracy and penetration ability of a Marlin 45-70 good 'ol lever action rifle. With hand loads, the rifle packs one heck of a kick.... But I have shot my friends Marlin enough at the range to appreciate its longer range capability.

So, choosing a Benelli M4 semi auto with 18.5" non-restricted barrel is choosing to buy a gun for a very specific purpose. Long before pretty tactical black shotguns, a full sized shotgun was more than ample a response to any threat in the home. But yes, let us all be honest, marketing / wants in life Vs. needs take over, and many a gun nutz chooses a shorter, closer range shotgun for home defense...

Simply, do not look for a short tactical shotgun to do any more than what it was designed to do.

I purchased my Benelli M4 for the explicit reason of kill'n somebody who breaks into my home and proves to be a deadly threat to anyone within my home. Long down the list would be a 3 gun competition, or some crazy idea I could break birds with it shooting trap... I have a very pretty 34" barreled trap gun on order for kill'n clays. Have I made myself clear?

Lastly, my specially ordered choice of shell for home defense is the Winchester PDX1 12 gauge shell. On other threads, I provided the online link, and until I hopefully pattern and confirm the marketing of the shell this weekend, I will refrain from posting the link again. If curious, send me a private mesage.

PS And God help me, if 7 rounds (5+1+1)
of the 2 3/4 inch shells I mentioned don't stop the threat to my home, pray that I then can reach for a handgun.

PPS Ok, I have more homework to do on longer range capabilities of the M4. It's range is better than I first imagined.... although absolutely, it is a purpose built gun for killing 'anything' within 15 feet... and its 7 rounds is all you would ever, ever need... unless you like blowing off rounds at paper at the gun range with something like a Kel Tec KSG or SRM Model 1216.
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Effective range is only 15 feet eh? = only 5 yards... bird shot is lethal at the range.

...purpose built to kill...well isn't that quite the anti statement...do you feel bad every time you touch this killing machine? Gotten your kill with it yet?...you should get on that as its "absolutely" made for that.

No way things like a choke..which this has in it, larger shells (3") or slugs will increase your effective distance...
 
PERFORMANCE SHOP M2 3-GUN SPECIFICATIONS
ITEM

M2 TACTICAL 12-GAUGE 2-3/4" AND 3"
NEW! Item Number 11024 Barrel 21" ComforTech® HIVIZ Comp Sight Length 42.5" Weight 7.3 lbs. MSRP $2699
COMMON SPECIFICATIONS: Magazine Capacity: 8+1 Crio® Chokes: C,IC,M,IM,F Length of Pull: 14-3/8" Drop at Heel: 2" Drop at Comb: 1-3/8" Minimum Recommended Load: 3-dram, 1-1/8oz. loads (12-ga.).

So.... uh, the Benelli Performance Shop M2 is not available in Canada because it has a capacity of 8+1... or do they simply plug it here a 6...

For Jeff... Yeah, I deleted my post... lol, although you copied most of it.... I`ll do my best to stfu and listen more. I disown my old post. My bad... and appears that was an impaired post... oh, articulate enough, just mostly nonsense.
 
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Yup, love the M4.

Added a large bolt release and larger charging handle. All I need is an extension or full length tube, and she good to go.
 
Yes Giggidy, the M4 only comes with the Modified Crio-Choke.

Question: Your tactical M2.... uh, is either 18.5 or 21 inches.... What is its capacity?

The new M2 tactical from the performance shop @ Benelli is 21" and has a capacity of 8+1, which I think is illegal here in Canada.
 
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My M2 performed flawlessly during the Tactical Response Shotgun/Advanced Shotgun course. 3 days of intense shooting prone, kneeling, standing, for 8 hours a day and over 1000 rounds. 75 yard plates were a simple matter of aim, bang, PING with any slug at hand. The pistol grip and light weight made the exercises fun as I didn't have to fight the gun, and all the while shooting left handed. The two M4 that were there also ran beautifully but the guys were sweating from the weight of it after a while. Now if I was breaching doors for a living the M2 wouldn't be my choice, but for a whole lot of tactical fun from a semi-auto that M2 is a keeper.

Mine came with the Comfortech pistol grip, ghost ring sights, 18.5" barrel and a 5 shot tube plugged to 3.

Now I've got to take the 14" Super Nova I just picked up out and give my arm a workout...
 
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