Benelli M4
- Thread starter benstt
- Start date
Talyn
SAINT
Several of us here do.
A couple different stock configurations & due to import restrictions the magazine tube is less than normal capacity but is easily corrected with either an extension or a new full length tibe.
Freedom Fighter Tactical is a source of those, OEM and high-quality aftermarket parts.
FFT is also a good source of info on the M4.
A couple different stock configurations & due to import restrictions the magazine tube is less than normal capacity but is easily corrected with either an extension or a new full length tibe.
Freedom Fighter Tactical is a source of those, OEM and high-quality aftermarket parts.
FFT | Precision Firearms Parts and Accessories for Benelli Shotguns
A range of precision firearms parts and accessories for. Benelli M4 M2 M3 M1 Beretta 1301
freedomfightertactical.com
FFT is also a good source of info on the M4.
Thanks!
Bassbob
Emissary
@HansGruber can give you some insight on the Turkish variant.
The term buy once cry once come to mind. You won’t be sorry with the Benelli. My agency ran them some and they are solid. As is the new Beretta 1301 and if your budget is a little tight the Beretta A300 Patrol is good. (I have no experience with the Mossberg 940 so I can’t SA but it doesn’t look bad)
I would pick any of those iver the Turkish. I watched the folks break the Turkish shotguns with moderate shooting at a range I helped with. If you’re gonna shot a couple boxes out of it and stick it in your closet the Turkish nose will be fine.
If your gonna shoot moderate to a little and go to training classes get the Bennelli, Beretta (maybe Mossberg) OR the old stand by Remington 870
I would pick any of those iver the Turkish. I watched the folks break the Turkish shotguns with moderate shooting at a range I helped with. If you’re gonna shot a couple boxes out of it and stick it in your closet the Turkish nose will be fine.
If your gonna shoot moderate to a little and go to training classes get the Bennelli, Beretta (maybe Mossberg) OR the old stand by Remington 870
HansGruber
Ronin
Turkenelli M4gery
So…I’ve been toying with getting a Benelli M4 for a while, but…not sure if it would offer anything over my M1S90 Tactical…and $1600+ is a bit steep of a learning curve. So when my dealer had one of the Turkish made M4 clones on the shelf for a third of the price…I figured, why not. (Cue...
www.thearmorylife.com
This is my experience with my AKSA S4. I got a good one, I think…it’s been out to the range a few more times, mainly run with birdshot, and it’s had no issues whatsoever.
I do prefer my M1S90 Tactical over it, though. A little lighter, and a little faster handling, but really can’t tell the difference recoil wise, even on a timer.
I’m looking for a real M4 right now, just because.
Bassbob
Emissary
If it’s just gonna be a range toy that’s one thing. If it’s intended purpose is serious use I wouldn’t even consider it. If it’s a matter of affordability, like ECS686 said, there are other options. My number one shotgun at the moment is my 1301. I have 100% faith in it and I’ve put the time behind it to justify that.
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HansGruber
Ronin
That, I agree with wholeheartedly.
That S4 was to try out to see if I liked the platform enough to justify the real deal; it did.
When I get an one, that Turk will probably go.
Excellent, thanks. I have an 870 for bird hunting, this would be more for if someone decides to come through the door who shouldn't. Reliability, controllability, and eating everything I feed it are very important. Real thing it is. I've heard about the 1301; have you compared it to the M4?
I too am a 1301 fan-great scattergun. If bucks are really tight an old school Mossburg 500 (or even a Maverick 88 will work just fine. I keep an 88 with an 18” tube in the camper. Never feel unarmed when it’s around.
Bassbob
Emissary
It’s lighter than the M4. Reliability is the same. Both will feed anything. M4 has slightly softer felt recoil due to weight.
Bassbob
Emissary
The 1301 and the M4 are both gas/ piston guns the M4 has two pistons.
Talyn
SAINT
In general terms, yes. But to be more exact...
When comparing the operating systems of a Beretta A300, a Beretta 1301, and a Benelli M4 shotgun, the key difference lies in the speed of cycling, with the 1301 utilizing a faster "B-Link" system compared to the A300's standard gas operation, while the M4 uses its own self-regulating gas system, considered to be somewhat similar to the 1301's but with a slightly different design; essentially, the 1301 is marketed as having the fastest cycling mechanism among the three.
Breakdown:
- Beretta A300:
Uses a traditional gas-operated system with a non-rotating bolt, providing reliable function but with slower cycling compared to the newer models.
- Beretta 1301:
Features the "B-Link" gas system with a rotating bolt, designed for significantly faster cycling and quicker follow-up shots.
- Benelli M4:
Employs its own "ARGO" self-regulating gas system, offering reliable operation and good cycling speed, though not as fast as the 1301's B-Link system.
Key takeaway: If rapid fire capability is your primary concern, the Beretta 1301 with its B-Link system is generally considered to have the fastest cycling mechanism among these three shotguns.
Sld1959
Ronin
I am a one, serious use, shotgun man. Model 500 with 18 inch accuchoked tube and Blackhawk Compstock, easier on my old shoulders lol.
Does everything i need from birds, to bears, when i hunted such things. Now it's in the bedroom for mergencies with a 50 rd bandolier to toss over a shoulder. I have simple tastes lol.
While the Beretta 1301 that whole “fastest” cycle time is a wash. Short of Jerry Miculik or a couple others most mortal humans will not keep up with it over a standard A300.
As far as the Benelli here is a couple targets from a Reveres Riders shotgun class I assisted with in October. Both are 2 rounds of 00 buck 1 round at 5 yards and 1 round at 10 yards. While both were lethal the one hole was the Benelli M4 with Federal Flight control 00 buck and Red Dot (BarryIN from here was the shooter and can twll
More about it but he has a great set up)
The spread out group was an Mossberg 500/590 don’t remember.
As far as the Benelli here is a couple targets from a Reveres Riders shotgun class I assisted with in October. Both are 2 rounds of 00 buck 1 round at 5 yards and 1 round at 10 yards. While both were lethal the one hole was the Benelli M4 with Federal Flight control 00 buck and Red Dot (BarryIN from here was the shooter and can twll
More about it but he has a great set up)
The spread out group was an Mossberg 500/590 don’t remember.
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Bassbob
Emissary
You can’t outrun it. Even if you are Jerry Miculek. You can’t outrun the M4 either. So indeed it’s a wash.
HansGruber
Ronin
I know I’ve gotten 5 hulls in the air with both my M1 & M4…they are darn fast.
I have a Benelli M4, and an M1 Super 90 and prefer them over others I have.
FWIW, I have a few other types of defensive shotguns including short Rem 870, Win M12, Ithaca 37, High Standard K120, and a Rem 11 (Browning A5) that I’ve given the whole treatment.
My favorites were the Benelli M1 and the Rem 11. The M11/A5 may sound like an odd choice, but they are almost indestructible and eat anything I’d use for defense.
A couple of years ago when the Beretta 1301 was taking off, I started thinking I’d get a newer shotgun. I had about retired the M11, and I didn’t like not having a backup to the Benelli.
The front runners for me were the Benelli M2 or M4, and the Beretta 1301. The Beretta A300 Patrol that came out while I was deciding and got added to the list.
Prices at the time from the best sources were:
Beretta A300: $1000
Benelli M2 $1300
Beretta 1301 $1400
Benelli M4 $1750
There were a couple of things I didn’t like about the Beretta A300:
-The rear sight and rail were plastic. That might be OK, but I hate the idea of paying $1000 for a shotgun and getting a plastic rear sight.
-The barrel was made at a Stoeger (Beretta-owned) factory in Turkey to Beretta’s specs. This was a no-go for me. I just can’t buy something from a Muslim-ran country. Call me a whatever, but so be it.
That left the M2, 1301, and M4.
The M2 and 1301 were within $100 at most places and usually the Benelli was less. I trusted my Benelli M1, so between that and not saving anything going with Beretta, I eliminated the 1301.
For a clincher, I pulled my Benelli M1 apart to clean it during this time and two things struck me. The Benelli has always been easy to clean. The recoil operation means no gas ports sending crud…anywhere. Wipe the chrome bore and it’s almost done.
The second thing is the “rat tail” bolt link that connects the Benelli M1 bolt to the recoil spring in the stock is a heavy chunk of steel. Every time I saw that piece of iron, I was impressed. No stamped steel piece here.
So after looking and reading and checking everything, one more look inside the M1 decided it for me. I wanted another Benelli.
So now, M2 or M4?
I really preferred the M4 over an M2 but aside from the cool factor I couldn’t come up with a truly good reason. The dual piston system of the M4 shoulda allow a wider array of ammo that worked in it, but this had never been a problem in my M1 so this was almost a theoretical edge.
It was decided when I found a very little used M4 on Gunbroker for M2 money. Sold.
Now that I have the M4, here are some comments and observations:
-You are limited in replacement stocks. I like a shorter stock so I can square up on the gun like a carbine. Shortening a Benelli stock is complicated because it’s hollow plastic. You can do it, but have to use a filler like a wood block to attach the butt plate.
The other way is a replacement stock. The only one I know of is the Mesa Tactical Urbino. It’s a great stock, but you are stuck with a pistol grip and no conventional grip option.
I don’t hate the PG (not a PG-only) stock as much as some, so it wasn’t a big deal to me, but some hate the thought.
-That neutered magazine tube. There are plenty available from many sources and materials, but I hate the idea of it because there is no reason they can’t install a real mag tube in MD or TN before they send them out.
-I hate to use the term because it sounds worse than it is, but I don’t know a better way to put it. Benelli cheaped put some on the M4. The trigger structure is plastic instead of aluminum like on my M1. And that rat tail I bragged about? It’s stacked and riveted stampings like most others. They are beefier stampings and rivets, but it’s still not as robust looking as that big piece of steel on my M1.
Having said that, none of this has been a problem and I don’t expect it to be. Aluminum trigger units are available if that just kills you.
All I’ll say is: The Marines have been using them for 25 years and if they aren’t tearing them up they must be just fine.
-The Benelli shell lifter is just short enough that you can get pinched feeding a shell into the tube. Replacements are cheap and easy to install, but it’s kind of aggravating that a factory lifter a few thousandths longer would take care of it. It’s been a problem since the M1.
To the good, it has gobbled up everything I’ve loaded in it. Most of that has been the cheapest blasting ammo from WalMart or Rural King. Both current production and old stuff I’ve accumulated worked fine. Win AA “light” might be the weakest I’ve used. The first class I took it to was two weeks after I bought it, and it was the only gun that didn’t have a problem, including the instructor’s Mossberg 590.
It is strangely consistent patterning buckshot. ECS686 posted the targets above from last fall, and it will do that with both Federal Flite Control and Hornady Critical Whatever it is called. Many guns do that with either of those, but what is odd is it does it with various choke tubes. Other guns that I’ve tried Fed FC in, it works great with open chokes but as you go to a tighter choke tube, the pattern blows.
I’ve tried four Beretta/Benelli tubes in this M4: Skeet, two Cyls, and Mod (actual construction of .008 over bore size to .012 under) and the Buck patterns the same. That’s unusual. I did this to find which tube shot slugs most accurately, which turned out to be the Mod tube. I didn’t have to compromise between which tube patterned buckshot the best and what grouped slugs the best. I probably got really lucky there but I had to point it out.
But I should also say that Benellis always seem to be excellent slug shooters.
Anyway, I have the Benny M4 and like it. I would probably have been as happy with an M2 Benelli, but the M4’s operation might give me a little more wiggle room in shells that work.
FWIW, I have a few other types of defensive shotguns including short Rem 870, Win M12, Ithaca 37, High Standard K120, and a Rem 11 (Browning A5) that I’ve given the whole treatment.
My favorites were the Benelli M1 and the Rem 11. The M11/A5 may sound like an odd choice, but they are almost indestructible and eat anything I’d use for defense.
A couple of years ago when the Beretta 1301 was taking off, I started thinking I’d get a newer shotgun. I had about retired the M11, and I didn’t like not having a backup to the Benelli.
The front runners for me were the Benelli M2 or M4, and the Beretta 1301. The Beretta A300 Patrol that came out while I was deciding and got added to the list.
Prices at the time from the best sources were:
Beretta A300: $1000
Benelli M2 $1300
Beretta 1301 $1400
Benelli M4 $1750
There were a couple of things I didn’t like about the Beretta A300:
-The rear sight and rail were plastic. That might be OK, but I hate the idea of paying $1000 for a shotgun and getting a plastic rear sight.
-The barrel was made at a Stoeger (Beretta-owned) factory in Turkey to Beretta’s specs. This was a no-go for me. I just can’t buy something from a Muslim-ran country. Call me a whatever, but so be it.
That left the M2, 1301, and M4.
The M2 and 1301 were within $100 at most places and usually the Benelli was less. I trusted my Benelli M1, so between that and not saving anything going with Beretta, I eliminated the 1301.
For a clincher, I pulled my Benelli M1 apart to clean it during this time and two things struck me. The Benelli has always been easy to clean. The recoil operation means no gas ports sending crud…anywhere. Wipe the chrome bore and it’s almost done.
The second thing is the “rat tail” bolt link that connects the Benelli M1 bolt to the recoil spring in the stock is a heavy chunk of steel. Every time I saw that piece of iron, I was impressed. No stamped steel piece here.
So after looking and reading and checking everything, one more look inside the M1 decided it for me. I wanted another Benelli.
So now, M2 or M4?
I really preferred the M4 over an M2 but aside from the cool factor I couldn’t come up with a truly good reason. The dual piston system of the M4 shoulda allow a wider array of ammo that worked in it, but this had never been a problem in my M1 so this was almost a theoretical edge.
It was decided when I found a very little used M4 on Gunbroker for M2 money. Sold.
Now that I have the M4, here are some comments and observations:
-You are limited in replacement stocks. I like a shorter stock so I can square up on the gun like a carbine. Shortening a Benelli stock is complicated because it’s hollow plastic. You can do it, but have to use a filler like a wood block to attach the butt plate.
The other way is a replacement stock. The only one I know of is the Mesa Tactical Urbino. It’s a great stock, but you are stuck with a pistol grip and no conventional grip option.
I don’t hate the PG (not a PG-only) stock as much as some, so it wasn’t a big deal to me, but some hate the thought.
-That neutered magazine tube. There are plenty available from many sources and materials, but I hate the idea of it because there is no reason they can’t install a real mag tube in MD or TN before they send them out.
-I hate to use the term because it sounds worse than it is, but I don’t know a better way to put it. Benelli cheaped put some on the M4. The trigger structure is plastic instead of aluminum like on my M1. And that rat tail I bragged about? It’s stacked and riveted stampings like most others. They are beefier stampings and rivets, but it’s still not as robust looking as that big piece of steel on my M1.
Having said that, none of this has been a problem and I don’t expect it to be. Aluminum trigger units are available if that just kills you.
All I’ll say is: The Marines have been using them for 25 years and if they aren’t tearing them up they must be just fine.
-The Benelli shell lifter is just short enough that you can get pinched feeding a shell into the tube. Replacements are cheap and easy to install, but it’s kind of aggravating that a factory lifter a few thousandths longer would take care of it. It’s been a problem since the M1.
To the good, it has gobbled up everything I’ve loaded in it. Most of that has been the cheapest blasting ammo from WalMart or Rural King. Both current production and old stuff I’ve accumulated worked fine. Win AA “light” might be the weakest I’ve used. The first class I took it to was two weeks after I bought it, and it was the only gun that didn’t have a problem, including the instructor’s Mossberg 590.
It is strangely consistent patterning buckshot. ECS686 posted the targets above from last fall, and it will do that with both Federal Flite Control and Hornady Critical Whatever it is called. Many guns do that with either of those, but what is odd is it does it with various choke tubes. Other guns that I’ve tried Fed FC in, it works great with open chokes but as you go to a tighter choke tube, the pattern blows.
I’ve tried four Beretta/Benelli tubes in this M4: Skeet, two Cyls, and Mod (actual construction of .008 over bore size to .012 under) and the Buck patterns the same. That’s unusual. I did this to find which tube shot slugs most accurately, which turned out to be the Mod tube. I didn’t have to compromise between which tube patterned buckshot the best and what grouped slugs the best. I probably got really lucky there but I had to point it out.
But I should also say that Benellis always seem to be excellent slug shooters.
Anyway, I have the Benny M4 and like it. I would probably have been as happy with an M2 Benelli, but the M4’s operation might give me a little more wiggle room in shells that work.
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