[pablo45]

I went to the gun shop the other day and was looking for a new shotgun. I fell in love with the Mossberg 590a1. It had a really nice finish and really nice feel to it. Then i saw the Benelli m4. I thought that was the shotgun i was going to walk out with until i saw the price tag. $1,499.99:what: for a shotgun. My question is is it worth it? I have never shot one so i have no clue what they are like and none of the gun shops in town have a place where i can rent it to try it out. So i was hoping to use some of your experience with this gun and get some good advice on it.

[ArmedBear]

I have yet to see the Benelli that's worth 1500 bucks.

A shotgun, oh yeah. $15,000, and then some. But not a Benelli.

A Benelli is like a power drill, a rugged tool made of ugly materials. Nothing more.

Would you pay $1500 for a power drill?

This is a damn good one, and it's only $169.
http://www.dewalt.com//ProductImages/PC_Graphics/PHOTOS/DEWALT/TOOLS/MEDIUM/1/DW130%25V_1.gif

[dfloomis]

I just bought one on Gunbroker. I like it, and if you can look around, you can find one online between $1300-$1400.

[Smitty in CT]

I agree with ArmedBear, shotguns are tools (remember, they used to be sold at hardware stores and even Sears??), these aren't heirloom collector guns.

Just because their sales guys were able to get the Marines to buy a couple of the M4's doesn't suddenly make them worth about $700+ more (IMO) than they should be.

[MassMark]

Shoot one and you will understand. Comparing it to a power drill for $169.00 is...well....ridiculous. Benelli is to shotguns what Ferarri is to cars. Fast, light and accurate. Fortunately though, unlike a Ferrari, it's not expensive to fix - if you have to ever fix it at all. I lost round count on my Super-90, but it's in the thousands. Not ever a single problem - not once, not ever. I can't even say that about my Remington 870. From birdshot, to buckshot, to slugs - the Benelli gobbles em all up, is easy on the shoulder, comes back to point naturally and will lay 12ga fire like crap through a goose...Try that with your DeWalt... :neener:

[ArmedBear]

Just because their sales guys were able to get the Marines to buy a couple of the M4's doesn't suddenly make them worth about $700+ more (IMO) than they should be.

I doubt the Marines pay more than $500 for one. Probably a good deal less.

shotguns are tools (remember, they used to be sold at hardware stores and even Sears??), these aren't heirloom collector guns.

I didn't say that about ALL shotguns, just this sort.:)

Benelli is to shotguns what Ferarri is to cars.

Uh, okay. When you say, "Shoot one and you'll understand," I have to suggest that you shoot some other shotguns before you think you "understand." It'll be fun, I promise.

Benelli is an example of WORLD CLASS marketing hype. They're "worth the price" because Benelli says they are. And a lot of people buy into it.

"Chivas Regal Effect" in Economics.

I'm not saying, "Don't buy one." They work fine. I'm just saying that, if you do, you're being fleeced. Besides, there aren't many viable choices that are a lot cheaper -- except for the Franchi, a Benelli for half the price, but they're not "tactical."

A plastic and metal power tool, for the price of a nice precision instrument like an unembellished Beretta 686?

I have little doubt that Beretta is making a lot more money per gun on Benelli's shotguns than their own brand, except for the fancy grade guns.

[Gixerman1000]

Mine was worth every single penny to me, it is a truly awesome piece of equipment, smooth shooting, soft recoiling, fast cycling and stone cold reliable with everything form bird to buck. I love my M4, shoot one and you will see why.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/Gixerman1000/Long%20guns/100_7603.jpg

[waterhouse]

I like Benellis OK, and mine have worked well. I bought my SBE and my M1 used, both for around $650-700, and have no complaints (I haven't gotten to play with the M1 much yet, so the jury is still out, but so far so good.). Even still, $1500 for the M4 seems pretty steep to me. I wouldn't buy one at that price. If I didn't already have a couple semi 12 gauges, I might be tempted to buy a used one for about $650-700.

[TexasP226]

Does the one you looked at have a 5+1 round capacity? Mine did. I paid about what you will based on your post. I just spent another $100 getting the surecycle +2 extension, despite the legal questions I had about it. I have yet to get to the range with mine (I was at home with a stomach bug all weekend) but hope to soon. I am sure I am going to love it! :D

[BrennanKG]

Does the M4 use the same gas system as the M1?
I had a Super 90 M1 and while it was gorgeous, it had trouble cycling anything but heavy loads (00#, 000#, and slugs)
I sold it a while back and will most likely replace it someday with a pump.


Just my 2 cents,
B.

[Hawk]

I was poking about Benelli's site some time back and gather that the M4 was specifically designed to allow for the draping of vast quantities of tactical gee-gaws on the thing without affecting function.

It takes quite a sum of gee-gaws to stuff their inertia system - I believe night-vision gear was specifically mentioned.

If you're going to hang enough junk on an SBE to impair function, you need the M4 or something similar if semi-auto is a must.

It's speculation if they're trading on the military adoption of the thing - I'd tend to think so but 1,500.00 isn't a lot in shotgun land. It's only marginally more than the 105CTi and generally perceived as superior to the early examples of the Remington.

If you and a bunch of others pay 1,500.00 then, by definition, that's what it's worth.

No vote at this time - tell us if you buy it or not and I'll vote "yes" if you do - how's that for a weasel answer? ;)

[ArmedBear]

If you and a bunch of others pay 1,500.00 then, by definition, that's what it's worth.


True. I'm not arguing against the free market.

However, that doesn't mean that said purchase is an optimal allocation of limited resources for a given consumer.

I assumed that, if the original poster didn't just buy it on impulse, then $1500 is not peanuts to him. That was an assumption, and it could be wrong.

[The Deer Hunter]

They do look nice up close, I assure you...

My M1S90 was sure worth the $650 I payed for it(used, but almost NIB)

[lamazza]

Its all relative I suppose. I , most likely, will never spend that on a shotgun because I don't make enough money to afford That sort of equipment. If I had alot of money, well sure I would buy the best available.

[Gixerman1000]

Does the M4 use the same gas system as the M1?

The M1 like all Benelli semi auto shotguns except the M4 are Inertia Driven, with the Inertia system Benelli recommends a load of 1-1/8oz at 3 dram eq or more function reliably especially if there is added weight to the shotgun as this system is sensitive to the added weight from accessories mounted to the shotgun such as lights, shell carriers and optic’s (night vision, red dots etc).

The M4 uses the ARGO (auto-regulating gas-operated) system, the ARGO system will pretty much cycle everything other than super light loads like non-lethal and it will do so no matter how much extra weight is on the shotgun or how firmly it’s held (with in reason).

The ARGO system is pretty simple and very clean running for a gas operated shotgun, the system consists of two cylinders, two stainless steel pistons and two stainless steel cylinder plugs that each contain a spring loaded pressure regulating bleed off valve.

A single hole in each cylinder that leads into the barrel just in front of the chamber channels the gas to power the pistons, the pistons only move about ¼” and push the bolt carrier back to unlock and cycle the action, the cylinder plugs help to keep an optimal pressure level in the cylinders by staying closed with low powered shells or opening up with hi powered shells to release excess gas pressure.

(Click thumb to enlarge)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/Gixerman1000/Mis/th_100_9664.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/Gixerman1000/Mis/100_9664.jpg)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/Gixerman1000/Mis/th_100_9648.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/Gixerman1000/Mis/100_9648.jpg)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/Gixerman1000/Mis/th_100_9641.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/Gixerman1000/Mis/100_9641.jpg)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/Gixerman1000/Mis/th_100_9659.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/Gixerman1000/Mis/100_9659.jpg)

Like other Benelli shotguns the M4 doesn’t come with a full length mag tube but since the barrel is braced at the muzzle the M4 uses a tube spacer to add length, the spacer can be unscrewed and replaced with a 2 shot extension or you can get a custom full length tube.

The listed capacity of 4 in the tube is without the full length tube and with using 3” shells, as it comes the tube will hold 5 = 2-3/4” shells, with the full length tube (or equivalent using an extension) the tube will hold 7 = 2-3/4” or 6 = 3” shells.

(Note = Some brands or types of 2-3/4" shells are just a tad longer than most and that little extra length multiplied by each shell may prevent loading all 7 in the tube.)

Other than a chambered shell adding 1 to the capacity, the M4 is capable holding an additional shell on the shell carrier often referred to as to “floating" a shell bringing the total capacity to 9 shells, 7+1+1.

Your next poll should ask = To those that voted "No way, It's not", how many of you have had any time actually shooting one.

[cameron.personal]

An M4 might be nice... but I just bought this Winchester Practical MKII last night from the local Gander Mountain for $759...

http://www.winchesterguns.com/prodinfo/catalog/images/511015m.jpg

8 + 1 rounds 5 shots in 0.49 of a second.

I looked at the Benelli it was no contest.

Here it is
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m198/2007cam/3%20gun/3Gun02.jpg

[TheFringe]

I have both. Well, the other is a FN SLP mark 1 which essentially is a Practical Mark II with a different name. I have shot each less than 15 rounds, but agree both are great shotguns. The Benelli M4 seems to have a bit less recoil, but recoil with both shotguns is very manageable and barely noticed.
FN/Winchester SLP/Practical owners may want to experiment with floating an extra shell on the carrier. Although much harder to manipulate than my Benelli M4, I was able to float a shell on the carrier and pop an extra in the chamber for a total of 8+1+1 or 10 total capacity with 2 3/4 inch shells. Dry-cycles fine in this configuration but have not live-fired it yet with 10.

[Robert Hairless]

I don't think that anything I can't afford is worth much at all. Whatever I can't afford is garbage compared to what I can afford. Anyone who buys anything I can't afford is an undemocratic showoff who doesn't know as much as I do. The proof is that he buys what I can't afford. I'm not going to throw my money away like that.

When in doubt about whether something is any good, always ask the person who doesn't own one. :)

Chivas Regal is rotgut. Scotch drinkers don't know much about good liquor. Nothing beats three fingers of turpentine washed down with a Busch chaser. That's the man's way to make a Terps and Burps.

[waterhouse]

Your next poll should ask = To those that voted "No way, It's not", how many of you have had any time actually shooting one.

I don't know why that should matter. The poll is asking for an opinion. I've never shot an M4 (I have picked one up and handled it though).

For me to decide if it is worth it, I count up the differences the M4 has from my M1 (I can hang accessories on it, different operating system, built in optics rail, etc.) and I decide if those differences are worth the difference in price. To me, they aren't. I'm sure it is a fine gun, but I don't need to shoot it to decide that to me it isn't worth the price.

[tbtrout]

I have used the 590's and they are durable and reliable. If I had the money to blow, sure I would buy one they are cool looking and well made, but I do not so I voted no. The FN tactical is another nice shotgun, and not $1500.

[ArmedBear]

My M1S90 was sure worth the $650 I payed for it

I just bought this Winchester Practical MKII last night from the local Gander Mountain for $759

That's what I'm talking about.

Benelli sells their guns for about double what I'd pay for them. That doesn't mean they're bad.

They've differentiated themselves in the marketplace by pricing their guns significantly higher than equivalent guns, including top-tier guns made by other Beretta-owned companies, e.g. Franchi and Beretta. There is no reason to believe that a Benelli is superior to Franchi blowback guns or Beretta gas guns.

If you want to buy into Benelli marketing, go ahead. Just understand what you're paying for.

Frankly, I don't know what I'd do with that gun that would remain fun after a few sessions, except for 3-gun competition. It's good for blasting rotten watermelons, but that doesn't keep me interested like clay sports do, since I'm not 18. $1500 is a lot of money for a couple of plinking sessions, after which the gun becomes a safe queen.

If I got one, I'd get it for home defense. For that purpose, I can buy an 870 with an extended mag for $320 brand new. If I care about rust, I'll hit it with some Dura-Kote. All told, $400 tops will provide the same level of utility. I know it's not "as good", but since this is a utilitarian tool, it wouldn't be a fun gun, and it's certainly not a collector piece, I'd opt for an 870 HD gun PLUS a nice SKB over and under, for the same price as the Benelli. Or a good AR plus the 870. Or a really nice 1911 plus the 870. Or a really accurate boltie plus the 870. I think you get my point.

That's why it's not "worth it" to me.

[ravencon]

This is the sort of topic that often generates more heat than light.

I own a Mossberg 590. I'd rather own a Benelli M4.
Is the Benelli worth the approximately $1,000 difference? Not to me. But others have reached a different conclusion. I would not argue with their choice. Who knows, maybe someday I'll sell my 590 and buy an M4.

Buy what you want, like and, hopefully, can afford.

[Chuck R.]

“Is it worth it?” is probably one of the most over asked questions on the Internet, and only the asker can answer it.

To most that bought them the answer is probably yes, or they wouldn’t have bought it in the first place. To those that haven’t or won’t the answer will be no. Only you can answer this question for yourself, only you know your particular circumstances.

To judge someone else’s decisions on how they spent their money really is pretty silly if you think about it. Without knowing a persons financial situation and discretionary income how can you or anyone hope to answer the “is it worth it?” question when it applies to somebody else?

I once had an economics professor that would tell every class the story about buying a $1.59 hamburger and giving it to a stray dog, because to him watching that hungry dog eat the hamburger was worth a $1.59. So to some a M4 must be worth what they’re getting for them.

For instance I just bought a Colt 6920 AR15, could have probably been just as happy with a Bushmaster for $400 less. But, to me the Colt was “worth it” and the $400 isn’t a big deal. A few years ago I pumped close to 5K into a custom .22; again to me it was/is “worth it” for most guys it’s not and never will be. The decision doesn’t really matter though, as long as I’m happy with it.

I also looked at the Benelli M4, and although I like my other Benelli’s, to me, the M4 just wasn’t worth it. That’s not saying it isn’t a good gun, just that it’s not worth it to me.

Chuck

[greg700]

I have one, and while it works as advertised and I can see how it could fill a niche for military/SWAT types, I don't think it is very practical. It is overly complicated and awkwardly large.

[full metal]

If you notice the people that recomend that you dont buy one are people that dont own a benelli,Now just like every one that own's one i to highly recomend you buy one,its better than any mossberg or remington out ther,
after i got my benelli i got rid of my other tactical shotguns.and anyone that has fired my benelli has always wanted to buy it from me.i had a remington 1100 and got rid of it to, after the benelli i dont need no other tacticl shotgun and its worth every doller.
well happy shooting

[pablo45]

Well I know I can not afford one for now, I just wanted to see what those of you out there that do have one or have shot on culd tell me about them. I think there was pretty good discusion's going on and it showed me alot about the gun. Very nice pictures of the Benelli and the Winchester. I hope one day the gun shops around my town may take one off the rack and let me fire a few rounds. But ubtil then i guess i will try to find a rich gun buddy that can let me fire his.
I do agree that it is very expensive and there is alot of marketing tactics involved. But then again i see the Nova in tactical models that are not over $400.00. So it kind of gives me an idea that maybe the m4 and the Nova have alot of differences that are not cheap. Otherwise if we were just paying for the name then all the Benelli's would be around the same price.
Thanks everyone now post some more pictures of any shotgun and say why it is your favorite.

[TexasP226]

I ordered the two shot extension tube and it will arrive on Friday to give my M4 7+1+1 capacity on mine. Hopefully I can finally get her out to the range on Saturday! :D The fit and finish of the gun is simply amazing. The action is smooth as butter. Disassembly and reassembly are an absolute cinch after you do it once or twice, much easier than my Mossy 590. I did read somewhere that the gun needs a good 200 round break in period and could be finiky with weaker loads in the beginning. Again just heresay and not anything I have experienced, but I did go out and buy several boxes of magnum rounds to start her out with, both 3" and 2 3/4".

[MassMark]

Let us know how your extension works out. My Super-90 M1 is stock and runs like a dream. I pretty much stick to the 2 3/4, but haven't had any troubles feeding anything. I shot heavier loads when it was new, but have gone to my buddies who literally has a bucket full of assorted rounds, (from bird shot to pumpkin balls) all mixed in. I grab a handfull and the Benelli just gobbles em up.... :cool: I've long since lost track at how many rounds I have through it, but in 7-years, I have never had a single jam. I had one failure to extract, (it was a birdshot round), but just pulled back on the bolt handle and kept on running.

There was an old selling point for the Super-90 from way back that stated you could squeeze off 8-rounds before the first empty hit the floor. I'd like to brag and say I've done it, but I have been close and it's been sure fun trying... :D

[Robert Hairless]

The M4 I've been using doesn't understand the word "finicky."

This thing shoots everything I feed it and just doesn't seem to care what it is. All the greedy little thing wants is more. I shot several boxes of #7.5 and #8 birdshot with it a few days ago. For giggles I even mix the kinds of ammunition (birdshot, buckshot, slugs) and brands (Winchester, Federal Tactical, Remington, low recoil and standard) in the same round. The M4 doesn't know the difference or doesn't care. Everything works.

And, like the M1, it cycles lightning fast. I did try shooting eight rounds so fast that the first hull didn't touch the ground before I finished. My finger wasn't fast enough but I'm sure the M4 could have done its part if I had done mine.

The M4 is not a touchy shotgun and doesn't seem to need babying. Wildest thing I've experienced in some time.

[Line Rider]

I have a Benelli Super 90 and I gave $900 for it. It's a great gun. But, $1500 is too much for me as far as a shotgun goes.

I have a Mossberg 590 A1. It ran about $400.00 in 2002. It will do everything that my Benelli will do for less. And I don't have to worry about the finish.

[oldrifleman]

Pablo45,

I have two M-1014s, the limited edition of 1500, with the American flag stamped into the receiver. After the AWB, I replaced the dorky fake mag tubes, and put on the full length tubes. Eight rounds of 2 3/4" ammo, ready to go... Tritium Ghost Rings, backed-up with Meprolight 21 Reflex Sights. I can hit a pack of cigarettes at 100 yards, using Winchester rifle slugs. Are they worth it? You bet!!! I've got three position speed slings on them and they're my go-to guns for night work in the home- if it's ever necessary...:evil:

Yeah, you can get other combat shotguns that are good to great, for lots less... However, the ARGO system DOES reduce felt recoil significantly. With 2 3/4" loads, it drops to equal my Armalite AR15... Think shooting your shotgun all day long, without a sore shoulder afterwards...

HTH

oldrifleman

[BrennanKG]

Old rifleman,

Now THAT is interesting to hear.
My problem with my M1 was all it could only handle heavy loads, and after a handful of magazines of heavy loads, I was done shooting for the day.


B.

[TexasP226]

Well I got the surecycle installed this evening and am a little disappointed. I cannot get the 7th shell in there. Using 2 3/4" shells, I am about a half inch short of getting that last one in there. I guess I will call them tomorrow since it has only given me +1 instead of +2. I don't think I installed it incorrectly. I can cycle the 6 rounds it doe shold flawlessly.

Edit: I took the gun apart again and put it back together and surprise surprise, it works! It is not hard to get the 7th round in there, but there is absolutely no room left, which is fine. I haven't fired the weapon yet, but cycling manually works fine. :-)

Everytime I pick up this weapon, I am floored by the build quality, the fit and finish, and the smoothness of that action. I know this is a weapon I and my children will enjoy for the rest of our lives.