NRA Gun of the Week: Benelli M4 Tactical Shotgun

by
posted on September 12, 2015
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

Benelli’s M4 has been in service with the U.S. military since 1999, after receiving the Joint Service Combat Shotgun Award and winning the contract to serve the U.S. Marine Corps. It is now used widely throughout the U.S. military, and has seen service in Afghanistan and Iraq. The M4 was Benelli’s first shotgun to employ its ARGO (auto-regulating gas operated) short-stroke gas system in which dual pistons cycle a rotating bolt—a design Benelli is known for in its autoloaders. The self-contained gas system not only requires fewer operational parts, it is also self-cleaning. For many of the same reasons the autoloader is favored by military worldwide, including its modularity and ability to be quickly reconfigured, the civilian-version M4 (18.5” barrel and reduced magazine capacity) is chosen today by millions as their all-around shotgun for home defense or 3-gun competition. In our latest NRA Gun of the Week video, American Rifleman’s Brian Sheetz discusses all of the features that are packed into this modern semi-automatic shotgun. For more, visit benelliusa.com.

Specifications

Manufacturer: Benelli
Action: Gas-operated, semi-automatic shotgun
Gauge: 12; 3” chamber
Capacity: five 2 ¾” shotshells
Finish: Cerakote Flat Dark Earth
Barrel: 18.5”
Choke: modified, interchangeable choke tube
Sights: adjustable ghost-ring rear, post front
Trigger Pull Weight: 8 lbs., 10 ozs.
Length: 40”
Length of Pull: 14.38”
Weight: 7 lbs., 13 ozs.
Accessories: owner’s manual
MSRP: $2,399
benelliusa.com

Latest

FN “Moroccan” Mauser, semi-automatic LRB M14SA
FN “Moroccan” Mauser, semi-automatic LRB M14SA

Scout The Trail To A General Purpose Rifle

The search for a universal longarm—one suitable for both hunting and defensive scenarios—is a trek that involves a bit of doubling back.

Trijicon Releases Green-Dot RMR

For the first time, the Trijicon RMR will now be available with a green aiming dot, providing some benefits to shooters with astigmatism and red-green color blindness.

The Armed Citizen® Sept. 15, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Firearm Industry Companies Consolidate, Others Close Doors In 2025

This year has already seen some big changes in the firearm industry. They don’t quite reach the tectonic shift in 2020, when legendary firms owned by Remington Outdoor were auctioned off, but there have still been some notable shifts within the industry in 2025.

Preview: Uni-Loader

The easy-to-use Uni-Loader can save high-volume shooters a lot of time and finger pain.

CZ 600+ Introduces Switch-Barrel Capability

In 2025, CZ USA expanded its 600 series rifle lineup with the CZ 600+, a design that delivers on the company's promise of a switch-barrel platform.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.