Benelli M4

Benelli M4 Super 90
The Benelli M4 Super 90
Type	Semi-automatic combat shotgun
Place of origin	Italy
Service history
In service	1999–present
Used by	See Users
Wars	War in Afghanistan Iraq War Libyan Civil War Syrian Civil War Second Libyan Civil War Iraqi Civil War
Production history
Designer	Benelli Armi SPA
Designed	1998
Manufacturer	Benelli Armi SPA
Produced	1999–present
Specifications
Mass	3.82 kg (8.42 lb)
Length	889 mm (35.0 in) (stock retracted) 1,010 mm (40 in) (stock extended)
Barrel length	470 mm (18.5 in)
Calibre	12-gauge
Action	Gas-operated, rotating bolt
Muzzle velocity	408 m/s (1,340 ft/s)
Effective firing range	55 yd (50 m; 165 ft)[1]
Maximum firing range	164 yd (150 m; 492 ft) for solid slugs
Feed system	5+1 (civilian) or 7+1 (Military, LE) tubular magazine (using ​2 3⁄4" shells)
Sights	Ghost ring, Picatinny rail for optical sights

The Benelli M4 is a semi-automatic shotgun produced by Italian firearm manufacturer Benelli Armi SpA, and the last of the "Benelli Super 90" series of semi-automatic shotguns. The M4 uses a proprietary action design called the "auto-regulating gas-operated" (ARGO) system, which was created specifically for the weapon. The weapon was designed in 1998, and was adopted by the armed forces of Italy, the United States, United Kingdom, among others, and has been used in a variety of conflicts, leading up to the present day.

History

On May 4, 1998, the United States Army's Armaments Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC) at Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey issued Solicitation #DAAE30-98-R-0401,^{[citation needed]} requesting submissions for a new 12 gauge semi-automatic combat shotgun for the U.S. military. In response to the request, Benelli Armi SpA of Urbino, Italy designed and built the Benelli M4 Super 90 Combat Shotgun. On August 4, 1998, five samples of the M4 were delivered to Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, and after intense testing, the M4 won the competition. In early 1999, ARDEC awarded the M1014 Joint Service Combat Shotgun contract to Heckler & Koch, U.S. subsidiary for importation of the Benelli M4 Combat Shotgun. The first units (count of 20,000) were delivered to the United States Marine Corps in 1999. During testing, the prototype was named XM1014, but after adoption, the "X" was dropped, and the weapon was officially designated the M1014.^[2]

Design

A member of the U.S. Marine Corps fires an M1014 shotgun as part of training in December 2006.

U.S. Marines fire their M1014s and Mossberg 500s.

Marine Corps diagram of a field-stripped M1014.

The M4 was the first gas-operated shotgun produced by Benelli. Its function is designed around an entirely new design called the "auto-regulating gas-operated" (ARGO) system. The short-stroke design uses two self-cleaning stainless steel pistons located just ahead of the chamber to function opposite a rotating bolt, thereby eliminating the need for the complex mechanisms found on other gas-actuated automatics. The ARGO incorporates only four parts: two symmetrical fore-end shrouds containing two small steel pistons that push directly against the bolt.

Additionally, the weapon is self-regulating for use with shotshells of varying lengths and power levels. It can fire 2.75 in (70 mm) and 3 in (76 mm) shells of differing propellant loads without any operator adjustments and in any combination. Low-power rounds, such as less-lethal baton rounds, must be cycled manually.

The sights are military-style ghost ring and are adjustable in the field using only the rim of a shell. The MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail on top of the receiver allows use of both conventional optical sights and night-vision devices, while retaining use of the original iron sights.

The modular basis of the shotgun means many of its features can be reconfigured as needed. It allows a user to quickly exchange the various assembly groups (barrel, buttstock, forend, etc.) without the use of additional tools.

Durability

Preliminary testing of the M4 suggests a high level of reliability. It can reliably function for at least 25,000 rounds without replacement of any major parts.^[2][3] The steel components of the weapon feature a matte black phosphated corrosion resistant finish while the aluminium parts are matte hard-anodized. These finishes reduce the weapon's visibility during night operations.

The weapon requires little maintenance and operates in all climates and weather conditions.^{[citation needed]}

Collapsible buttstock

The buttstock is collapsible on the M4 Model (designated 11707) and on the M1014.^{[4][note 1]} Collapsing the buttstock shortens the weapon by almost 8 in (200 mm), allowing easier storage and transportation; furthermore, it permits better maneuverability around tight corners and over obstacles. The M4 is also available with both pistol grip and semi-grip fixed stocks, with these also being available for the M1014.^[5]

Rail interface system

The Picatinny rail built into the top of the shotgun accepts scopes, laser illuminators, night-vision sights and flashlights. Most modern military firearms have similar structures. There are aftermarket accessories such as handguards that incorporate other rail interface systems such as M-LOK.

Benelli Tactical and the M4

Benelli Tactical is a division of Beretta's Law Enforcement (LE) division. Benelli Tactical manages the sales of all tactical shotguns to law enforcement agencies, government and military entities. The M4 shotgun is sold in three configurations: M4 Entry with a 14 in (360 mm) barrel; M4 with an 18.5 in (470 mm) barrel; and M1014, which is an M4 with the "M1014" nomenclature on it for military usage only. M4 shotguns sold through Benelli Tactical are available with the collapsible buttstock.

Benelli Tactical and Beretta LE have maintained the belief that the collapsible buttstock, while no longer illegal in the United States, is still only to be made available to law enforcement and government agencies. Benelli Tactical/Beretta LE will not sell these stocks to private individuals. Benelli Tactical does sell the stock piece for retrofitting the pistol grip stock for $150. The stock must be direct-shipped from Italy, however it and other aftermarket stocks are commercially available and not restricted by the United States.

Suggested retail price of the civilian version is around $1,899.^[2][6] An NFA stamp is required to purchase or own the 14.5" barreled model only since this model is considered to be a Short Barreled Shotgun or SBS. Standard magazine capacity of the civilian version is 5+1, although it is possible to fit 6+1 and two shot extension tubes are sold by Benelli as well as some other companies. 9+1 extension tubes are also available, popular in 3-gun competitions. Some LE models have become available to private individuals on the secondary market.

Users

•  Australia^[2][7]
•  Belarus: Benelli M4 used by Internal Troops,^[8] OMON, "Almaz" counter-terrorist unit and KGB Alpha Group. Seen with Alpha Group, Internal Troops and OCAM units deployed to Minsk during the 2020 protests.^[9] It is also allowed as civilian hunting weapon^[10]
•  Georgia: in use with MIA and military special operation forces.^[2][11]
•  Indonesia: Used by special forces.^[2]
•  Iraq: Iraqi Special Operations Forces.^[2]
•  Ireland: Used by special forces and special police units (Army Ranger Wing, Special Detective Unit, Emergency Response Unit, Regional Support Unit).^[2][12]
•  Israel: Used by special forces.^[2]
•  Italy: Used by special forces.^[2]
•  Libya: Ordered 1800 before the Libyan Revolution of 2011. Used by special forces.^[2][13]
•  Lithuania: Used by special forces.^[2]
•  Malaysia: Used by Royal Malaysian Customs,^[14] Grup Gerak Khas counter-terrorism forces of Malaysian Army^[15] and PASKAU counter-terrorism team of Royal Malaysian Air Force.^[2][16]
•  Malta^[2]
•  Portugal: Used by Portuguese Armed Forces^[17]
•  Serbia: Special Anti-Terrorist Unit.^[18]
•  Slovakia: Special Defence Division and Intervention Group.^[2][19]
•  Slovenia: Used by Military Police Forces.^[2][20]
•  South Korea^[2]
•  United Kingdom: Used by the British Armed Forces designated L128A1.^[2][21]
•  United States: United States Armed Forces designated M1014,^[22][23] Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).^[2][24] Cambridge Police Department (Massachusetts).^[25]

See also

• Benelli M1
• Benelli M2
• Benelli M3

Notes

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Benelli M4 (category)

• Benelli M4 Website
• Benelli M4 operator's manual
• Official M4 Super 90 page
• British Forces show off Firepower
• Benelli ETHOS
• Benelli Legacy
• Benelli Montefeltro
• USMC weapons: M1014 Combat Shotgun
• USMC TM 10698A-10/1 Operator's Manual for Shotgun, Combat 12 Gauge, Semi-automatic M1014 1005-01-472-3147

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