Benelli-M1,M2, or M4

Falboy · #1 03-27-09, 20:05

I can't stand it anymore, I need 'er want a Benelli! I've wanted an M1 Super90 since HK was importing them. Now I keep handling M4s. What to do, get a used M1, a new M2 or M4? You guys that have 'em show me the light? Can I shoot cheep Wally ammo for practice with an M4?

Saginaw79 · #2 03-27-09, 20:21

If you can swing an M4, then ad the tube id do that

If not my vote os for the M1S90, I wanted one since I was a kid and just got one last year and I freakin' love it!

WS6 · #3 03-27-09, 20:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falboy

I can't stand it anymore, I need 'er want a Benelli! I've wanted an M1 Super90 since HK was importing them. Now I keep handling M4s. What to do, get a used M1, a new M2 or M4? You guys that have 'em show me the light? Can I shoot cheep Wally ammo for practice with an M4?

I have owned an M4. It was hands-down the most reliable firearm I have owned. Period. That being said:I got it to jam on several occasions:

Limp-wristing it with bird-shot.
When I replaced the mag-tube with a full-length tube and kept the stock spring and tried shooting heavy loads in it. I upgraded the spring and it was fine again.

Both errors were user-induced and EXTREME circumstances. This thing ate 1-1/8 oz 1200fps target crap all day,from day 1 (some people have issues, but I didn't). Fired 3" slugs with enough accuracy that as I adjusted the sights at 50 yards I literally sawed the paper, jagged .70" wide line through it as I walked onto target.

I cannot say enough good about the M4.

I have no experience with an M2 or other shotguns other than a Winchester 1500 and 870 Wingmaster. However, if I buy another combat shotgun, it will be an M4.

Sorry, not a lot of firearms earn such a fan-boy type response from me, but I just loved the darn thing! Sold it for an AR though. I like AR's a bit more. What can I say?

Here is a video of me doing a mag-dump. 8 shots IIRC.
http://tinypic.com/player.php?v=28mppu9&s=5

esskay · #4 03-28-09, 03:35

What do you intend to do with it? 3-gun? Home defense? Fun/range?

In my experience, with cheap Wally world bird shot, all three models need to be fed at least 1 1/8oz loads. None of them cycle the Federal value pack 1oz 7 1/2 bird shot reliably for me. They all like the value pack 1 1/8 oz 7 1/2 bird shot.

Alaskapopo · #5 03-28-09, 04:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falboy

I can't stand it anymore, I need 'er want a Benelli! I've wanted an M1 Super90 since HK was importing them. Now I keep handling M4s. What to do, get a used M1, a new M2 or M4? You guys that have 'em show me the light? Can I shoot cheep Wally ammo for practice with an M4?

M4. I shot my buddies M2 along side my M4 with heavy slug loads and the M4 kicked a lot less. That made a believer out of me.
Pat

Blake · #6 03-28-09, 14:31

Both of my brothers have M1 Super 90s with the tac set up (pistol grip and such). Great shotgun from what I have seen. One of them has not shot but a few rounds through his. I think he was interested in selling it. If you decide to go that route, let me know and I'll see what he wants for it.

Falboy · #7 03-28-09, 20:05

Esskay, answer to your question would be all of the above. Blake PM sent. The thing that sucks is I'd probably have to sell my 8-shot Browning Auto5........

Ttwwaack · #8 03-28-09, 22:20

No M3? I Shot one last month with 3" OO and was impressed with the gass system. It really soaks it up compared with a Saiga 12/recoil operated system.

Are the M1/2 different guns completely as far as method of operation or is the 2 and improvement of the M1.

Are the M3 and 4 the same basically, the 4 an improvement over the 3, or a 3 built to the military's spec and being called an M4.

Alaskapopo · #9 03-28-09, 22:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ttwwaack

No M3? I Shot one last month with 3" OO and was impressed with the gass system. It really soaks it up compared with a Saiga 12/recoil operated system.

Are the M1/2 different guns completely as far as method of operation or is the 2 and improvement of the M1.

Are the M3 and 4 the same basically, the 4 an improvement over the 3, or a 3 built to the military's spec and being called an M4.

The M1, M2 and M3 are all recoil operated much like a pistol. The barrel moves in recoil ect. The M3 is a convertable pump semi auto. The M4 is a totally different animal in that its gas operated more like an AK using dual gas pistons.
Pat

WS6 · #10 03-28-09, 22:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ttwwaack

No M3? I Shot one last month with 3" OO and was impressed with the gass system. It really soaks it up compared with a Saiga 12/recoil operated system.

Are the M1/2 different guns completely as far as method of operation or is the 2 and improvement of the M1.

Are the M3 and 4 the same basically, the 4 an improvement over the 3, or a 3 built to the military's spec and being called an M4.

Some things need addressing here.

The M1 is the "original" benelli combat shotgun (and field gun, depending on options/stock/barrel, you get the idea). It uses an inertia operated system to cycle. It has a very fast cycle time, around 13 thousandths. It will kick you. It doesn't like loads under 1oz normally.

The M2 is and M1 with a different stock, magazine cap, and you lose the ability to float a shell on the carrier IIRC unless you get your dremel tool out. It also uses "Cryo chokes" which are longer, and have been cryogenically treated as the name implies.

The M3 is like the M1 except that it also has a pump-action option where the inertia system is "locked" via turning a plastic ring/lever at the end of the forearm on the stock. This has been known to break. Why they didn't make it metal I will never know, the SOB is heavy as hell already, whats another .1oz? This model does not have interchangeable choke-tubes. It is Cylinder only IIRC.

The M4 comes in two flavors, the older one, with 4 barrel ports (or 2, depending again on serial number...) and a barrel using a fixed choke, and a newer one (11707) that has 2 ports (or 4, depending on serial number) in the gas system and interchangeable choke tubes (Mobil, not the new Cryo). This is the ONLY gas-operated Benelli shotgun that I am aware of. The 4-port is for low-recoil only and will/has been proven to crack the bolt carrier when using hi-brass loads. Benelli has offered to replace these 4-port barrels under warrenty after much to-do over it I belive. A new barrel/gas assy (they are one-unit) costs $900 almost.

To the best of my knowledge, the above information is accurate and should clear some things up.

pstrauss · #11 03-31-09, 13:24

What are the magazine capacities for each? I'm realizing that in 3-gun capacity is king.
What kind of aftermarket magazine extensions are available?

Can the M4 take a M2s non-pistol grip stock?

Alaskapopo · #12 03-31-09, 13:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by pstrauss

What are the magazine capacities for each? I'm realizing that in 3-gun capacity is king.
What kind of aftermarket magazine extensions are available?

Can the M4 take a M2s non-pistol grip stock?

The m4 holds 7 in the mag 1 in the chamber and 1 on the shell carrier for 9 rounds which is the maximum for limited shotgun anyway. You can buy a non pistol grip stock.
Pat

rodinal220 · #13 03-31-09, 14:12

I have both the M1S90 and M4.The only thing I do not like about the M4 is the cost,it is double that of the M1S90.Is it double the shotgun,NO.The M4 does recoil less than the M1S90.Both are superbly accurate with slugs for a smooth bore and are excellent with buckshot,I really like the interchangeable choke system.

I wish the stocks were shorter on both models,both of mine are fixed stocks with pistol grip.With body armor or winter clothing I find the LOP too long.Both guns have been reliable with full power ammo.With wally stuff not 100%.I do have a low recoil spring for the M1S90 for shooting lower power ammo.The M4 is a heavier gun,the M1S90 is lighter and I find it "handles" faster.

If your really recoil sensitive spend the moola and get the M4.If shooting the 12 with slugs and buck isn't too much for you I would buy a M1S90 or the newer updated version,the M2.I have not shot a M2 so cannot say how well the comfor-tech stock works.

esskay · #14 04-01-09, 03:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falboy

Esskay, answer to your question would be all of the above. Blake PM sent. The thing that sucks is I'd probably have to sell my 8-shot Browning Auto5........

I see...

A serious 3-gun competition shotgun is not quite consistent with what I'd consider for a home defense gun.

This is what I'd spec out for a top end 3-gun shotty:

Benelli M2 Field
21" vent rib barrel, add a Hi-viz fiber optic front sight
Straight stock (with Benelli's recoil reducing system)
Nordic Components extended mag tube & clamp
Mods by a Benelli specialist (e.g. Rob Melhorn, Benny Hill) -- weld shell lifter, bevel & smooth opening, modify bolt to allow ghost loading/etc, sprinkle magic pixie dust, etc.
No side saddle!

If you want to watch your budget, you can start with a used M1 21" vent rib as the base gun instead and skip most of the gunsmithing except for welding the shell lifter (a must have for quick loading without succumbing to "Benelli thumb").
Good deal on modifying the carrier by mail:
http://www.c-rums.com/

For a home defense shotgun, I'd go for a shorter barrel, weapon mounted light, side saddle, etc.

Falboy · #15 04-01-09, 11:46

I've got orangutang (sp) arms and am 6'4" so the Benelli pistol grip stock fits me perfectly. I'd use this gun for HD, with my police folder 870 becoming my trunk monkey/get home gun. I want to take some classes with the Benelli, just do 3-gun for fun and running the gun under stress, not real concerened about trophys(though that could change). I am seeing so many conflicting reports about these things, I'm starting to lean towards just SBSing one of the 870s and adding ghost rings to both...... I just wish our political environment wasn't such as it is. Then I could just wait for a nice used Benelli to fall into my lap. Thanks for all of the replies so far keep 'em coming!

pstrauss · #16 04-01-09, 17:04

Esskay,
thanks for your response. I didn't intend to hijack the thread and fly it into 3-gun land. After some additional googleing I found other posts from you on calguns and other forums that were also very informative. I'm still learning a lot about 3-gun. Shotgun should be the easiest gun for me to shoot but I struggle with my hacked up 870.

I sure like the operation of the M4 over the M1/2 and the price doesn't bother me either. I also like the rail on the M4 but I plan to stay in the limited class so its of limited use. In my short time I have seen some guns with 18" barrel have problems with steel plates. I am still not sure what I will do yet. I found an HK M1 on Gunbroker that I might not be able to resist.

varoadking · #17 04-01-09, 20:40

Quote:

Can the M4 take a M2s non-pistol grip stock?

My M4 has the standard stock and the Benelli factory mag tube extension...

I sold my M1S90 after the first time I shot my M4. It's a wonderful piece...

Falboy · #18 04-02-09, 11:04

Pics......I never seen one with a standard stock.

esskay · #19 04-02-09, 15:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by pstrauss

What are the magazine capacities for each? I'm realizing that in 3-gun capacity is king.
What kind of aftermarket magazine extensions are available?

Can the M4 take a M2s non-pistol grip stock?

As roadking mentions, there is a straight stock available for the M4 but it is not interchangeable with the M2.

Here is a pic (not mine) that was posted on the benelli forums

CobraBG · #20 04-02-09, 19:47

I love my M1 Super 90. I would love to get an M4 but can't afford to... unless I sell my M1... no way!

If price is not an issue buy the M4. If price is a concern a used M1 Super 90 will certainly cost less. If I could afford both I would have both.