Is the M4 worth it?

Shifty11

Shifty11

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Hey all,

I’ve been looking at picking up a shotgun in the next few weeks/months. I’ve always dreamed of an M4, and have lots of experience with 870s and other pumps but currently do not own a shotgun (embarrassing I know)… so I’ve been thinking of biting the bullet and getting the Benelli M4. Probably new since their warranty is apparently non transferable but looking at used vs new prices it’s only about 4-500 difference. Would be using the M4 for everything, and would probably be my only shotgun. Dont really hunt but been slowly working my way into it, mainly a range guy, but spend a decent amount of time in the woods camping and makes the wife feel better having something around as we’ve had a few things skirting around our camp on multiple occasions.

All and all, is it worth the 3 grand they cost?
 
If you want a tactical style shotgun that really impresses people, the M4 is it. For the pro, there is little that can beat it and it's just a great all-round shotgun for anyone, if you put in the practice needed to use its features efficiently and effectively. Also, if you're shooting a lot, the semi-auto softening of the felt recoil is always appreciated. That said, there are a few modifications that will greatly improve its ease of use, for instance a larger charging handle is most desirable.
 
I had two or three during the years, bought and then sold it back. I just can't get pass the fact that it's quite heavy to carry around, even my full size Remington or Mossberg pumps are still lighter.

If you were to get one, I would suggest a full stock rather than a pistol grip or telescoping stock, the full stock made M4 is reasonable to carry and cheek shooting.
 
IF you want quality semi with a bit more versatility look into a Beretta pro comp 21 and 24 inch barrels available. Fairly light with recoil absorbing stock.
 
Short answer Yes.
Long answer yesssssssssssssssssssssssss.
When it comes to reliability it's the absolute best. It'll eat anything you put in it, stays clean, and has extremely manageable recoil compared to other semis. I've taken to using mine for turkey hunting and I would imagine it'd be great for any hunting you might do with rifled slugs as well. I don't like a pistol grip for duck hunting personally, and you might be getting into territory where the loss of velocity could hurt reaching out for the long ones. I don't really see any downside to owning one given the versatility, and resale is always quite good on them if you treat them well.
That being said, if your budget is tight, a Beretta 1301 will do 99% of the job and cost a grand less. Unless you really love the attention they bring and all the range bros swooning over your pasta blasta the cost savings is worth consideration.
 
I love mine, swapped the collapsing stock out with the traditional field stock (like on a regular pump) and it is much better. The perfect LOP setting for the collapsing stock is the same setting that it disassembles from (for me anyway). The field stock is superior
 
I liken 12 gauge shotguns to foot wear. Like footwear, that all go on your feet, these shotguns all shoot 12 gauge offerings, but they are really designed for different applications.

Just as you wouldn't wear 18" leather arborists climbing boots to run a marathon in, you would be better served with a fowling gun for birds, than a military breaching gun. And that's what an M4 is, a military breaching gun. Can you shoot trap with an M4? Yea, but the barrel is too short, doesn't have the swing and you will miss clays.

I know you stated you don't hunt, but that could change. If it does change, you could hunt with it but as already mentioned, it's heavy.

Some guys like to put their mindsets into HD or zombie apocalypse, and if it were 10 years ago, I'd say that's where the M4 shines. IF YOU WEREN'T LIMITED TO 5 SHELLS, this military shotgun was designed to put a mind numbing amount of lead into target as quickly as possible. But that was a reality 10 years ago. These days, and I'm not talking about Turkish knock offs, there are auto shotguns that are cheaper and arguably better. The M4 is a bit dated.

Getting back to the footwear analogy, in my humble opinion, the shotgun that is an all 'round, everyday wear, is a pump gun with extra barrels. Add threaded chokes to the barrels and the versatility really opens up the usage...and there's no magazine maximums. The great Ford/Chevy debate is alive and well between the Remington 870/ Wingmaster and the Mossberg 590A1 fanbois, but the reality is they are both great. My observations between these two platforms is the Mossberg is built to a heavy duty type standard, and the OLDER 870's/Wingmasters seem to be built with a finesse. Fit and finish on the Mossberg is fine, it's just finer on the Wingmaster.

Then there's cost...if you're going to spend $3K on the M4, you could use that cash to buy both a Mossberg and a Remington, with extra barrels and chokes, and a flat of shells and probably still have cash left over.
 
While I wouldn't turn one down, I agree that the M4 is becoming rather dated and I wouldn't be shocked to see it getting replaced in the next couple of years.

If you want a tactical shotgun that's as well made and interesting but far less expensive, then look at the Fabarm STF-12.

Yeah, it's a pump, but the action is so fast and slick that you're not giving up much in terms of speed and overall ease of operation IMO.
 
I too don't hunt that much. Most of days hunting I had a Steoger M3500.
Was great, after it was broken in, it would always go bang. Hunting with was a major PITA as it was long and heavy.

I sold the M3500 and bought a used Renegade R4.
It was already broken in and cycled nearly everything except for the really weak Challenger shells.
R4 was decent for what I paid. And perhaps I'm a gun-snob, but the fit and finish was not upto my standards.
Plus I thought, the previous owner put about 250 shells through it, and I put 250 shells through it works well after the first 500 shells... but will completely start falling apart after the next 500..300..100 shells?
Sold the R4 for pretty much the same price I paid for it.

Bought a Two Benelli M4s (one for me, one for my brother) from S&J Hardware. Shawn was awesome to deal with!
The price per gun was a bit less than going market rate and the threw in all kinds of extras (velcro shell carrier.. an extended tube, "picatinni mount bracket thingy", extended charging handle).
Took a while to get used to shooting clay with a ghost ring... but now that I'm used to it, I'm just as accurate as I was with the M3500.
A few months later I sent it off to Tactical Ordinance for all kinds of work (milled it out, trigger work, bolt release tapping etc).... and I put MidWest Handguard on it last month.
Tactical Ordinance does excellent work!

I now have solved the problem of getting the last shotgun I'll ever need to own...

So yeah....if you think you want one..buy one (new or used).

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m4 is a great shotgun. I sold 3 pumps to fund mine (back when they were only 2k) and have used it for target practice and deer hunting. it is heavy but I hide in a tree and have been quite successful with it, in fact with all the other center fire rifles I have my m4 gets played with 10 times more .....can other pumps do the same thing, sure they can. I could also take my pedal bike when I go hunting but the quad is alot more fun.
 
Having shot the m4 side by side against a Beretta 1301 comp I'd take the comp everytime for everything. Lighter faster softer shooting better ergos for me and the raised rib with a bead sight is far superior than ghost rings on flying targets. The m4 is a good design for what it is.
That's just my opinions
 
Painkillers said:
I liken 12 gauge shotguns to foot wear. Like footwear, that all go on your feet, these shotguns all shoot 12 gauge offerings, but they are really designed for different applications.

Just as you wouldn't wear 18" leather arborists climbing boots to run a marathon in, you would be better served with a fowling gun for birds, than a military breaching gun. And that's what an M4 is, a military breaching gun. Can you shoot trap with an M4? Yea, but the barrel is too short, doesn't have the swing and you will miss clays.

I know you stated you don't hunt, but that could change. If it does change, you could hunt with it but as already mentioned, it's heavy.

Some guys like to put their mindsets into HD or zombie apocalypse, and if it were 10 years ago, I'd say that's where the M4 shines. IF YOU WEREN'T LIMITED TO 5 SHELLS, this military shotgun was designed to put a mind numbing amount of lead into target as quickly as possible. But that was a reality 10 years ago. These days, and I'm not talking about Turkish knock offs, there are auto shotguns that are cheaper and arguably better. The M4 is a bit dated.

Getting back to the footwear analogy, in my humble opinion, the shotgun that is an all 'round, everyday wear, is a pump gun with extra barrels. Add threaded chokes to the barrels and the versatility really opens up the usage...and there's no magazine maximums. The great Ford/Chevy debate is alive and well between the Remington 870/ Wingmaster and the Mossberg 590A1 fanbois, but the reality is they are both great. My observations between these two platforms is the Mossberg is built to a heavy duty type standard, and the OLDER 870's/Wingmasters seem to be built with a finesse. Fit and finish on the Mossberg is fine, it's just finer on the Wingmaster.

Then there's cost...if you're going to spend $3K on the M4, you could use that cash to buy both a Mossberg and a Remington, with extra barrels and chokes, and a flat of shells and probably still have cash left over.
Click to expand...

My M4 does great shooting clays, it almost feels like its cheating how easy clay shooting is with it. Its also limited to 5 3" shells, so 6 2 3/4" shells, plus 1 on the lifter, plus 1 in the chamber is 8 shells fully loaded. I also take my M4 hunting, its less then a pound heavier vs a Remington 870.
 
JasonGTA said:
My M4 does great shooting clays, it almost feels like its cheating how easy clay shooting is with it. Its also limited to 5 3" shells, so 6 2 3/4" shells, plus 1 on the lifter, plus 1 in the chamber is 8 shells fully loaded. I also take my M4 hunting, its less then a pound heavier vs a Remington 870.
Click to expand...

That's great.:ang3
 
Much appreciated for the comments everyone, currently away for work so going to try to get my hands on one or two when I’m home and who knows maybe take it home. Definitely leaning into it a lot more, always dreamed of one and most of the cons I’ve seen in here and other posts/threads aren’t a concern to me.

Maybe I’ll update in a few weeks/months with a picture of one.
 
Go to Cabelas and fondle one, then fondle the 1301 and the A300. Check out the teeny, tiny, kinda sharp edged bolt release on the M4. Anything that costs so much shouldn't need aftermarket fixes. Feel the weight of the M4 in comparison, do you really want to carry that thing around all day? The 1301 is shockingly lightweight in comparison.

IMO the A300 is probably the best compromise between features, performance and cost. The 1301 is a sweet shotgun but it's getting up there in price. The M4 has been passed by better designs better executed, that cost considerably less.
 
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