Took the plunge and (successfully) bid on a Benelli M4.
Any tips or things to expect when I finally get to shoot her?
If you are an average-sized guy you are going to find the LOP to be on the long side. Get a Mesa Tactical Urbino for it, it really changes the shotgun for the better. Also, tear the thing down and lube the hell out of it, then run about 5-6 boxes of full power ammo through it. I used #4 buck and slugs, it’ll now digest reduced recoil LE 00 Buck without any issues. If you have an extra Aimpoint Micro or RMR laying around…
Download the USMC M1014 Manual for it. I found it better than the included factory manual.
Whatever you do, don’t send it to Red Jacket! I just watched them destroy a brand new M4 and almost put my foot through the TV.
LOLz… I wasn’t a big fan of all the crap they did to it ether. The ambi charging handle was pretty nice though. (I’m not left handed)
It’s about the best shotgun I’ve ever seen out of the box. Some folks I know put optics on them but I’ve never seen the point. It’s easy to maintain and clean and I’ve never had a jam.
Don’t be afraid to try some 3" shells and rapidly switching targets. This gun swings well. Come to think of it I’ve got nothing bad to say about it.
I can agree with that. They are the most comfy shotguns out there IMO.
She’s in, but I have to wait until my hand gets out of the splint 
Check out PM253 Beneli M4 Collapsible Stock & Tactical Forend. Don’t know if I would purchase, they misspelled Benelli.
http://www.promagindustries.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=PM253&CartID=1
Anybody have any experience with this kit?
Anybody know if that kit will work on a Benelli M1?
My front sight post nut was loose,check yours.
I believe ATI had a collapsible stock at SHOT. I chucked the catalog but a Google search should turn up a website.
Who in the hell would put Pro Mag or ATI parts in a $1750+ shotgun? Keep that crap on the $200 Big 5 Mossbergs please.
Mesa Tactical Urbino and shell carrier/rail replacement. Also a factory extended tube if you can find it.
I am getting tired of borrowing someone’s shotgun when I go to clay shoot charity events. Thus I am considering my first shotgun purchase.
What has drawn me to this particular thread is the Benelli M4.
My main purpose for considering the shotgun is to use it for shooting clays. I suppose on some level I can use it for home defense… but I have several pistols for that already.
In my time at the range I have fired many pump-action and breach loading shotguns.
I think the recoil of the semi-auto is the way to go since I don’t shoot often and lets face it, without regular shoulder workouts my shoulder hurts like hell after a shoot with other options.
Furthermore I like the look of the Benelli and the adjustible stock. I did see the advertisiements for the H2O back when that came out and really liked it… but I certainly don’t want to pay $4 grand for a shotgun.
My eyesight is very poor… so I like the rail and ease of changing optics without having to involve some sort of after-market mount.
Thought on the M4 given my circumstance?
Only able to speak for my area: minimum barrel length for trap & clays is 24", therefore the Benelli M4 is a no-go.
Benelli M4 is definitely NOT a trap and clays gun. If you are looking for something to bridge the gap between sporting and defense try looking into some of the 22"-24" models out there. Here is something to consider:
http://www.fnhusa.com/l/products/commercial/shotguns/slp-series/slp-mki/
22" barrel w/ interchangeable chokes, folding rear sight is out of the way for trap/clays, and an optics rail if you want to mount something down the road. 8+1 capacity and most people seem to report having good luck with the FN autoloaders.
Practically echoing what everyone else has said. Tactical shotguns are not made for trap or skeet shoots.
Thanks for the clear thinking. I already own two FN rifles… so I am going to explore that to the fullest extent.
Any suggestions for a go-to forum for all things sporting clay? Want to do some reading. Obviously I can do my own google search… but I imagine the top results are not the best forums…
Here are two alternatives:
OPTION 1: If you want the benefits of Benelli’s M4 semi-auto ARGO gas system, but need a vent rib 22" barrel, consider the New Remington Versa Max tactical, SKU 81059, with an MSRP of $1,399. Benelli’s patent on the ARGO system ran out, so now Remington has included a virtual copy in its VesaMax line. This is a great boon to Big Green (Remington) and the ‘only buy America’ team. You will also get eight round magazine capacity, a Picatinny rail on top of the receiver for red-dot optics, as well as a vent rib for when you want to do some Sport Clay, Skeet, or Trap shooting. Remington’s VersaMax Line also offers the advantage of 3.5" shell capacity, plus both 26" and 28" sporting barrels, as well as three hunting camouflage choices (Realtree AP camo and both Mossy Oak ‘Duck Blind’ and ‘Obsession - Turkey’). The downside to this option is you don’t get the combat proven Benelli M4 / M1014 with its shorter 18.5" tactical CRIO treated barrel or the choice between the pistol grip fixed length or the three position collapsible stock. See this link: http://remington.com/en/products/firearms/tactical/shotguns/versa-max-tactical.aspx for more info.
OPTION 2: If you want the Benelli name and versatility of tactical combined with a sport option, consider a Benelli M3 (converts from pump to semi-auto while fully loaded and between shots with just a thumb press on an ambidexteros lever with the non-firing hand). Furthermore, mine has both the 18.5" tactical barrel with tritium ghost-ring sights for low-light tactical use AND a 24" vent rib barrel with a full set of six Carlson chokes capable of adapting to any load or any game. The only negative is that when in semi-auto, the Benelli M3 is cycled by Benelli’s patented Inertia recoil system and not the gas assisted ARGO system like in the Benelli M-4.
PS The FNH-USA SLP option suggested by Buckshot1220 seems like a good one too. I just cannot comment further because my experience with FNH-USA is limited to two rifles (SCAR 16s and 17s), and two pistols (FNP-40 and FNP-45 Tactical).
Best of luck!! Post further questions here, or PM me.