Does anyone have any experience with this?

Yes

No.

I have shot one, maybe ten-12 rounds, don't own one, I own a Beretta 1301 Mod 2 instead.

MikeGLI, how did you like it?

I had one, but ended up selling it. The LOP was a little long for me. I never had any issues and it cycled everything from bulk federal field loads to slugs. I now have a 1301 mod 2 and don’t ever plan on selling that one.

I'm the odd man out, I own one but tell people not to buy one.

Overpriced and overweight.

quote:

Originally posted by Marlin Fan:
MikeGLI, how did you like it?

I love it. My lust for any other shotgun evaporated once I purchased my M4. I'd say it's the softest 12 gauge I've shot, including the 1201 and 1301, but has been finicky with some birdloads.

Mine wears the field stock full time, personal preference. With that said, if I was buying right now, I'd be looking at the 1301 which comes in lots of flavors and in some instances a few hundred bucks less than the Benelli.

I'd never sell it, I assume I'll need it when the machines take over, but I've also never been a massive 12g shooter.

Had one and sold it in favor of the 1301. It was just too heavy for me. The 1301 is a fine shotgun and recommend it highly.

I have two of them and I think their great!

quote:

Originally posted by Marlin Fan:
Does anyone have any experience with this?

quote:

Originally posted by Marlin Fan:
I have two of them and I think their great!

.

quote:

Originally posted by m499:

quote:

Originally posted by Marlin Fan:
Does anyone have any experience with this?

quote:

Originally posted by Marlin Fan:
I have two of them and I think their great!

.

"It was a dark and stormy night..."

It is nice that they no longer have that goofy restricted mag tube. It sure saves you the headache and money of swapping that out. All that to say I still went 1301 because it is a nicer handling shotgun. I imagine the M4 is the king of drop out of a helicopter durability but I don’t own a helicopter so 1301 it is.

quote:

Originally posted by cas:
I'm the odd man out, I own one but tell people not to buy one.

Overpriced and overweight.

I fully agree with this! I much prefer my Beretta 1301 because of these reasons.

The M4 and 1301 are both out of my price range so I went with the Benelli M2 Tactical. Picked up a NIB one with the pistol grip full stock and ghost ring sight system for just under $900.00 shipped. I really like this shotgun. Picked up a straight stock for it but have not swapped it out yet to give it a try.

Yes, I have one that wears a Mesa Tac Urbino stock and a Truckee M-Lok mid handrail. Mine has been completely reliable with everything I have put through her including birdshot.

I have the M2 and M4. I don’t have a tremendous amount of rounds through them, but I “think” I can tell a difference in the two. The M4 to me does feel a tad softer on the recoil. I won’t be selling either one for what it’s worth, never had any issues from either.

Softer shooting for sure, being a gas gun and 1-2 lbs heavier.

Own a Turkish M4 clone, a 1301 and an M2. I shoot the Turkish M4 the least. Of the 3 I'd say get the 1301 first. It's the easiest to reload and cycles the fastest. Don't really put light loads through any of my shotguns and none have had issues cycling the 00 buckshot or slugs I normally shoot.

M2 is also very nice and a good value. Lighter and quicker handling than the M4 or the 1301 and I think sometimes gets overlooked with the M4 and 1301 getting all the attention. For me the only question mark with an M2 is whether it will cycle light loads.


The Turkish M4 clone is definitely a lot rougher than a real Benelli. Also it's the only one I own with a pistol grip rather than a more traditional stock, which I prefer. But for the relatively modest amount I spent on it, it's a fun range toy.

My LE agency issues M4's to each unit. We have the option of a traditional stock or a collapsible stock with a pistol grip. The overall favorite is the pistol grip, but I always take a traditional because these tend to be cleaner, less beat up, and in my head more reliable. Ours are outfitted with an aluminum mlok handguard, night sights, and a TLR-1 HL on the left side of the handguard. All have a magpul sling. They have been extremely reliable. My police department (600+ officers) struggles with the manual of arms. I am a part time firearms instructor that helps with qualifications and new academy classes. People, especially the officers who aren't gun guys, struggle to remember the cartridge drop lever. Gun guys and people who take their training seriously run like champs.

My personal semi-auto shotgun is a Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol. I prefer it, but acknowledge that it probably wouldn't hold up as well in a heavy duty use role.

Our previous shotguns were clapped out Remington 11-87 Police shotguns. They were so unreliable, almost nobody even bothered to load them. They had a very long run, and I can't blame them for the malfunctions. They may have been good 20 years ago, but good riddance.