Recently, American Rifleman received a pre-production Benelli M4 Super 90, the civilian version of the M1014, for testing and review. I called Craig Johnson, Benelli’s Customer Service Manager, and asked him why the shotgun did not use Benelli’s inertia system. He explained, “The military guys wanted to be able to attach night vision and other equipment to the shotgun.” Perplexed, I asked him why this necessitated a change in operating systems. He said that Benelli’s inertia system requires the gun to be kept within a particular weight range—those attachments add weight that could throw off the balance of the gun and, consequently, the functioning of the inertia system. The answer was to go to a gas-operated action.
Accepting that, it is noteworthy that Benelli recognized, when designed a firearm, a balance must be struck between innovation and proven design. The goal for Benelli was to retain the reliability of its shotguns and incorporate a new operating system—all while not reinventing the wheel.
Benelli’s answer, the ARGO system, became the heart of the new shotgun. ARGO, which stands for “Auto Regulated Gas Operated,” is directly related to the gas system found on the R1 rifle previously covered in these pages (February 2003, p.58). In the ARGO system on the M4 Super 90—designed to function with 2 ¾” or 3” shells—dual stainless self-cleaning pistons, located just ahead of the chamber, are impinged by hot gases through dual gas ports located just forward of the forcing cone. This system is, by nature, cleaner than most gas-operated semi-automatics as the gas tends to be hotter and cleaner at a point so early in the firing cycle.
Obviously, the ARGO system is quite a development for Benelli. But, as noted earlier, it is prudent to balance innovation with proven design. This is where the bolt mechanism comes into play. While the ARGO system is new, the bolt mechanism will look familiar to anyone who has dealt with an inertia-operated Benelli. It employs the familiar two-piece design made up of a bolt carrier and a rotating bolt head with two lugs that lock directly into a barrel extension. Gas from the ports impinge the gas system’s dual pistons, which then move toward the receiver and provide rearward thrust to the bolt carrier.
So, the question is, is this shotgun “worth its salt?” To answer that, it is best to go to the sharp end—those who actually use it. A call to the Marine Corps’ press affairs office put me in touch with both the 4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (Anti-Terrorism)—4thMEB(AT)—based at Camp Lejeune, N.C., and with the Marines’ Quantico, Va., Special Reaction Team, which is the equivalent of a civilian SWAT team.
“Is the semi-automatic operation of the M1014/M4 Super 90 an advantage in your opinion?” M/Sgt. Luis H. Hernandez, the 4thMEB(AT)’s staff non-commissioned officer in charge of the unit’s training center, responded, “It is a plus, in my opinion. Fast follow-up rounds in close quarters are a definite advantage.” S/Sgt. Kurt D. Vermazan, also of the 4thMEB(AT) and chief instructor for its Shotgun Training Course, added, “The semi-automatic operation has another advantage. It removes the risk of ‘short-stroking’ the action, which can happen under stress.” S/Sgt. Eric Meek of Quantico’s Special Reaction Team had similar feelings. “In my opinion, the M1014 far surpasses [previous] shotguns. the semi-automatic operation eliminates any human error because the cycling of the weapon is done for you.”
When asked what they thought of the shotgun in general and how it has been received in the Marine Corps, S/Sgt. Meek said “Great gun, extremely fast action. I specifically like the way it handles—the recoil is very easy to control, making multiple target engagement easy.” Vermazan noted that younger Marines take quickly to the shotgun. “This is an advantage with the younger Marines who have no experience with a shotgun. They like the way it looks and don’t have pre-conceived notions about how a shotgun should work. It makes it easier to train them.”
Vermazan did point out, though, that the Benelli is naturally more complex than the earlier slide actions. “It does require more practice to become proficient, but more training is never a bad thing, and more trigger time is always a plus.”
Upon inspection of the M4 Super 90, I would have to say that I concur with the Marines’ positive impressions. Overall, it possesses many of the attributes of a conventional Benelli—familiar control locations, ergonomically designed pistol grip, similar bolt design and operation, etc. Where it stands apart is in the modifications stemming from its military-based design.
The M4 Super 90 is an impressive combination of polymer, aluminum, and steel with a matte-black finish to protect against corrosion. The aluminum receiver is anodized and the phosphated, 18 ½” steel barrel has a chrome-plated bore for durability. The sighting system is exemplary. Made by Italy’s LPA Sights, it is what is popularly known was a “ghost ring,” in which the rear sight is designed to fade out of view when the eye focuses on the front sight. The system incorporates white dots and optional tritium inserts. The sights are all-steel, click adjustable for windage and elevation and are heavily bult and reinforced.
