Originally Posted by
Failure2Stop
Reasons I find it sub-optimal-
Collapsable stock that does not adjust. Mine has 3 positions, the middle-one being all but perfect. When in body-armor the stock is too long, and when collapsed it is too short to use.
Non intuitive manual of arms. While common to other semi-auto shotguns I am sure somebody could simplify and streamline the controls. They are also not fun when going lefty. The pistol grip is unnecessary and adds a snag-hazard when in tight confines with the shotty slung. The gun is also pretty long, which makes it difficult to maneuver and position in close confines. Doesn't the M4/AR platform have a pistol grip and isn't it about the same length as the M4S90?
The inertia requirement of the operating system makes it unacceptable for military breaching applications as the system will not reliably cycle unless there is a shoulder planted behind the stock. Breaching is my primary application of the shotgun, and pumps just work better than the 1014 for my primary application. The M4S90 has no "inertia" component. You CAN limp-wrist it, like any other weapon, including the 1911, M9, and ar-15 (although I have to REALLY try to limp-wrist an AR, and I need Wolf or other crap ammo to do it). I can fire my M4 with regular birdshot 1-handed. No shoulder is needed for function, just accuracy/sensibility.
The only place there is a rail is on the top of the receiver. A lot of people seem to want to have a shotgun fill a carbine role, and while this is dumb for a number of reasons, it is pretty much impossible since the 1014 lacks attachment points for simple requirements such as IR devices and white lights. Sure, you can still use it in the day, but even when the sun is up, there are a lot of places inside enclosures that need to be illuminated by the user for a whole lot of reasons. This is my complaint. I want to put a light on my M4 and the only current solutions other than aftermarket handguards (all of which are crap, currently) is a band-aid type remedy.
The 1014 does not work with many of our non-lethal rounds. While I don't really care much about non-lethal, the ability to select different rounds it often touted as a benefit to shotgun use, and one that the 1014 fails to meet. I agree
The effective range of shotguns with slug is often advertised at 100 to 150 meters. While an average user can hit a torso reliably at 100 meters with rifled slugs, with an M4 the user can usually tell you which eye they hit. True, but the shotgun is meant as a building clearing/jungle type weapon that will take out multiple organ systems and cause rapid incapacitation. Fielding an M4S90 at 150 yards is like fielding a AR-15 at 1,000 yards. Not practical, reguardless if it TECHNICALLY can make the hits.
The over-confidence in the "stopping power" of the 12 gauge. Sure, when all is said and done, the 12 puts pretty big holes in things- but there are lots of people running around who at one point had a big hole put through them. There is no magic bullet, even if it says "12 ga" on it. While the choice to provide MPs with the 1014 is probably pretty good, as it will do what they need it to do at the distances relevant to their job, it is not all that handy for most other shotgun users.
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