NRA review of the Benelli M4 shotgun

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Benelli M4: A Do-It-All Shotgun For Military & Commercial Use


by GUY J. SAGI posted on November 27, 2021
NEWS, SEMI-AUTO SHOTGUNS

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Benelli M4
The Benelli M4 semi-automatic shotgun has served alongside the members of the United States Marine Corps since 1999. It’s thrived through water, humidity, combat in the global war against terrorism and Leatherneck abuse in deployments to some of the planet’s most inhospitable regions.

Its ability to survive when lesser shotguns fail lies in the company’s innovative Auto-Regulating Gas-Operated (A.R.G.O.) system, which is self-cleaning. Its gas port is also just forward of the chamber, where the mixture is hotter and cleaner. The dual short-stroke pistons push directly against the bolt, reducing vibration, and the lack of any linkages between the parts helps minimize weight. The company designed it for the Marine Corps in 1998, it was adopted a year later, and soon after that honor M4s were adopted as the official U.S. Joint Services combat shotgun.

It runs, regardless of conditions, which makes it one of the most popular civilian choices for home- and self-defense. When American Rifleman tested the M4, the reviewer noted, “For many of the same reasons the autoloader is favored by military worldwide, including its modularity and ability to be quickly reconfigured, the civilian-version M4 (18.5” barrel and reduced magazine capacity) is chosen today by millions as their all-around shotgun for home defense or 3-gun competition.”

Benelli offers four commercial versions of the shotgun today. All are chambered in 12 ga., can run both 2 3/4" and 3" shotshells and come with 18.5" barrel. Stocks are black polymer and enthusiasts can choose versions with or without a pistol grip.

Magazine capacity is five shotshells and the shotgun comes with a ghost ring for sighting. The receivers also wear a Picatinny rail for mounting optics. Overall length comes in at 40" and all models tip the scales at 7.8 lbs. Length of pull is 14.37".

With a titanium Cerakote finish on the receiver and barrel, with or without the pistol grip, MSRP is $2,269. The pair of models with an anodized black receiver and phosphate black barrel come in at $1,999.



https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/benelli-m4-a-do-it-all-shotgun-for-military-commercial-use/?fbclid=IwAR1LCZDj3kvauDgaLkoWi-EkNySfD-0pObucIp62nzWQYnMAh7P4GKq_YGY
 
Thanks for posting. This is very timely for me - I am seriously in the market for an M4 right now, given current political and social climates - want to get one sooner rather than later. Some have told me it is an overpriced gun, and I should just spent 1/3 the price and get a Canuck Operator.

My experience with shotguns have been purely pumps - a Remington 870 20ga Express "Youth" model and a Mossberg 12ga 590 Shockwave SPX. Oh, and for a short time I had a Browning BPS Micro 20ga years ago. I was very, very close to picking up a DP12 a month ago when it was on sale. I heard that the SA shotguns are much better for recoil management, and I have heard others who own Benellis tell me that the shotgun experience is not complete unless you own a Benelli. I love well made and well engineered things, so heavily leaning towards getting one, but the price is well...a bit steep. The Canuck Operator I know is not the same thing but I have heard it is 90% of a M4 for a fraction of the price.
 
You won't regret buying an M4. I don't have all of them anymore, but still my favorite.
 
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How do you like the non-pistol grip M4? Never tried one myself and am curious - this make reloading more awkward? Especially while moving?

The field stock is by far the best of them all, love it. I find it snags on less, shoulders quicker. Reloading is not hampered in any way; if you like to quick flip them on their back to slide in doubles, seems easier to me.


It looks a little better now IMO. When I took that picture the S&J mag extension was off being cerakoted.
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Adjustable comb on the collapsible stock of Revolution R4, I love mine. May build my second R4 with Benelli field stock for added variety

See my review of the R4 for more details, it's an outstanding clone of the original m4.
 
I just bought my M4 today (Super 90) with telescoping stock. I was impressed with everything right off the bat, from the careful packaging of all the parts, and even though I had to assemble it (barrel, bolt, fore end pieces), a Youtube video helped me figure it out.

The thing feels like a dream. Holding it feels solid - the rubber on the grip is so comfortable. The weight is not bad whatsoever - it didn't feel imbalanced weight wise. I then went to hold my stock wood 870, and as I inspected it I saw no comparison - the quality of the machining, the attention to detail - the M4 is so superior. I think it will take a while for me to figure out the telescoping stock - I didn't really read the instructions yet, but it seems kind of stiff and having to turn it and such - It doesn't easily slide back and forth and lock in place like the AR stocks - I am sure I am just doing something wrong.

Kids will be eating Purina Cat Chow for the foreseeable future.

I plan to shoot Remington Low Recoil Sluggers through it as well as the S&B olympic slugs, Score low-recoil slugs and some Federal PowerShok. I will assume there is no way to get this to feed the Aguila Minishells or the Federal Shortys - I don't see an Opsol adapter made for this. If anyone has recommendations for any particular brand (slugs, which is all I can shoot at my range), please recommend. Prefer lower recoil if possible.

Gun was so worth it. Got a great deal on it at G4C thanks to them price matching another vendor.
 
Looking forward to hearing your feedback! M4 is on my want list, Benelli telescopic stocks I’ve handled require a bit of wiggling and they’ll “lock” into certain locations on the telescoping part.

I just bought my M4 today (Super 90) with telescoping stock. I was impressed with everything right off the bat, from the careful packaging of all the parts, and even though I had to assemble it (barrel, bolt, fore end pieces), a Youtube video helped me figure it out.

The thing feels like a dream. Holding it feels solid - the rubber on the grip is so comfortable. The weight is not bad whatsoever - it didn't feel imbalanced weight wise. I then went to hold my stock wood 870, and as I inspected it I saw no comparison - the quality of the machining, the attention to detail - the M4 is so superior. I think it will take a while for me to figure out the telescoping stock - I didn't really read the instructions yet, but it seems kind of stiff and having to turn it and such - It doesn't easily slide back and forth and lock in place like the AR stocks - I am sure I am just doing something wrong.

Kids will be eating Purina Cat Chow for the foreseeable future.

I plan to shoot Remington Low Recoil Sluggers through it as well as the S&B olympic slugs, Score low-recoil slugs and some Federal PowerShok. I will assume there is no way to get this to feed the Aguila Minishells or the Federal Shortys - I don't see an Opsol adapter made for this. If anyone has recommendations for any particular brand (slugs, which is all I can shoot at my range), please recommend. Prefer lower recoil if possible.

Gun was so worth it. Got a great deal on it at G4C thanks to them price matching another vendor.
 
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