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

Women outside with rifle on rest
Women outside with rifle on rest

Three Hidden Joys of the Rifle

There is a particular jolt of joy when a shooter nestles behind a perfectly stable rifle and puts the ideal bullet exactly where intended.

New For 2026: Smith & Wesson M&P15 AXE

The new Smith & Wesson M&P15 AXE is not only the latest in the company's series of AR-style rifles, it marks the first S&W rifle to be chambered for the .300 Blackout cartridge.

The Armed Citizen® July 27, 2026

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

Making Sense of Conflicting Court Rulings on the AR-15

Various and often conflicting judicial rulings on AR-15s tees up this critical constitutional issue for the U.S. Supreme Court, which has agreed to hear cases challenging bans of these popular semi-automatic in the coming term.

Skills Check: The Meltdown Drill

Our drill this month trains you to acquire a multi-round-durable grip from the start and continually pressure-test it under time and transition stress, holding you to an all-clean-hits standard.

EAA Corp. Acquires Manufacturing Facility in Tennessee

European American Armory’s recent acquisition of a large manufacturing facility in Mountain City, Tenn., is further evidence that the firearm importer plans to establish a domestic manufacturing presence.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.