Benelli M4 (M1014) range report

[Rich357]

Yesterday I took my new Benelli M4 (M1014) Limited Edition to the range for the frist time. After finding out that my Benelli M3 wanted relatively hot loads to cycle in semi-auto mode, I wanted to see if the M4 was more forgiving with lighter loads.
The M4 performed just fine. I had some heavy 2 3/4" hunting loads, no problem. Then I tried some medium 2 3/4" hunting loads, Again no problem. Next I tried some Winchester Xrta-Lite Target Loads 2 3/4", 2 3/4 dr. eq., 1 oz of No. 7 1/2 shot. Even these Extra-Lite loads cycled just fine with the the stock up to my shoulder. It also cycled fine when I had the butt pinched between my upper arm and ribs. The only falure to cycle with the Extra-Lite loads happened when a friend shot the M4 from his side but was just using his hands to take up the recoil. The round that didn't eject was only the 7th or 8th round fired through my M4 since it followed me home from the store, so the M4 may still be a little tight.

I'm very happy with the forgiving nature of the M4 to handle different loads. The felt recoil is not bad either. It is softer shooting than my M3 and softer shooting than my Rem. 870P pump, with the same loads.

Rich

 

[Duke of Lawnchair]

Rich,

Congratulations on the new shotgun!

Do you plan to keep the faux collapsible stock or are you going to switch it out for one of the other units when they become more available?

Pics! Pics!

Jim

 

[Rich357]

Thanks!

California insisted that Benelli ship the Limited Edition M4s with the plastic pistol grip stock. A few of the first M4s shipped to CA did have the fake collapsible stock.

I also bought a straight (standard grip) plastic Benelli stock for my M4 and will be installing it this week along with a 2 round magazine extension. That should keep everything legal.

Sorry no pictures of my M4, yet. But, here is a URL with pictures and specs.
http://www.benelliusa.com/firearms/m4.tpl

Rich

 

[Duke of Lawnchair]

GROOVY!

I'm glad to hear that Benelli is still shipping the M1014s to California.

Whereabouts are you located?

Jim

 

[Rich357]

The S.F. Bay Area.

Rich

 

[Duke of Lawnchair]

Gotcha.

Lemme know when the next bay area THR shoot is.

Jim

 

[Rich357]

I must be out of the loop.

Sorry, I've not heard of a THR shoot in the Bay Area or any other place.
But, if I hear of one I'll post to the Shotgun section of THR.

Rich

 

[nonbox]

The limited edition Benelli M1014 is not legal in Ca. because the stock pivots.

In 2004 Benelli introduced 2 variants. The pistol grip stock one is legal in Ca. but what about the other civilian non-collapsable stock one that looks just like the limited edition Benelli M1014?

View pics at:

http://www.benelliusa.com/firearms/m4.tpl

3 pics are at the bottom of the page on the above url.

Does the stock also pivot on the civilian non-collapsable stock one that looks just like the limited edition Benelli M1014?

 

[BerettaNut92]

Now all you need is some optics, a light and a sling

 

[Correia]

Cool. How much did it cost? If you don't mind me asking.

 

[Rich357]

Nonbox, my M4 is a limited edition. It has the U.S. flag etched in the receiver. But, it has the CA required plastic pistol grip stock.

http://www.benelliusa.com/firearms/m4.tpl
You can see the U.S. flag in the picture of the Limited Edition. The flag is just forward of the carrier contol button (between the carrier control button and the plastic forearm). The other two M4s in the picture don't have the U.S. Flag etched it the receiver.


Correia, I bought it from a store not known for low prices. It was $1399.

I've heard, on another forum, prices will come down on new M4s coming out this year.

Rich

 

[nonbox]

How much are the regular civilian M4s going to sell for?

 

[Rich357]

A fellow on another forum said he didn't think the price had been set but he thinks it will be about $1k US. We will just have to wait to see if he is right. I had already purchased my Benelli M4 when I read his comment, but I'm happy with my more pricy M4. I bought my M4 when I did because the store was having a Benelli sale and the M4 was $100 off their usual price.

Rich

 

[nonbox]

When are the regular civilian M4s on sale?

 

[Rich357]

In 2004. The fellow on the other forum didn't pin it down any more than that.

Go over to http://sigforum.com/ and check out the rifle/shotgun section. If you ask your question over there you may get a better answer.

Rich