Italy produces many excellent handgun manufacturers, making it a top country for weapons. They know them better than anyone, from double-barreled guns to tactical handguns.
Benelli – one of the very famous pistol brands in this field. I’m very excited about that. In this article, I will introduce two popular shotguns: Benelli M2 and Benelli M4.
We will learn about the similarities and differences between these shotguns.
Something about Benelli M2 Shotgun
Benelli introduced the M2 semi-automatic pistol in 1998. The M2 gained a reputation for being reliable, accurate, and easy to use. Law enforcement and military forces worldwide use it. It’s a popular handgun.
They designed the M2 with a 3-inch chamber. It can fire 2¾-inch magnum loads or 3-inch magnums without change. Its magazine can hold up to five rounds at a time and its barrel is replaceable from 20″, 24″ to 26″.
The design has a removable trigger group for easier cleaning. The design also includes an adjustable grip for mounting the shotgun to your body.
The Benelli M2 has a self-adjusting four-lug rotating bolt head. This feature guarantees smooth loading and ejection.
The firearm has an inertial control system. This system reduces recoil and ensures reliable cycling. It can function in extreme temperatures or dirty conditions. The balance point of the M2 is right in front of the pistol grip. This allows for quick target acquisition and quick follow-up shots.
The M2 is available in a variety of finishes including black, camo, gray and OD blue. Benelli released the Tactical version of the M2 in 2020. It features an 18.5-inch barrel and adjustable ghost ring sights. The sights help improve accuracy when targeting moving targets.
Specification:
- Caliber: 12 gauge (2.75″ and 3″ shells)
- Action: Gas-operated, rotating bolt
- Barrel length: 14″ (M4 Entry), 18.5″ (M4 Standard), 21″ (M1014)
- Weight: 3.82 kg (M4 Standard)
Something about Benelli M4 Shotgun
The M4 was introduced in 1999. The Benelli M4 Super 90 is a tactical shotgun. It was designed for use by the United States military.
The Benelli M4 features an 18.5″ barrel with a 3” chamber which allows it to fire both 2¾” or 3” magnums without adjustment. The buttstock can be adjusted to fit any shooter’s body type. It has a removable trigger group for easy cleaning.
The system has a four lug rotating bolt head for feeding. It also has a self-regulating inertia driven system to reduce recoil.
The M4 is available in several finishes including black, camo, gray and OD green. The gun has adjustable ghost ring sights for better accuracy. These sights are designed to improve accuracy when shooting moving targets. In 2020, an SPS version of the M4 was released with an extended magazine tube that holds up to 8 rounds at once.
Specification:
- Caliber: 12-gauge or 20-gauge (depending on model)
- Action: Semi-automatic.
- Barrel Length: Typically offered in 18.5″, 20″, 24″, and 26″ lengths.
- Weight: Around 6.5 lbs to 7.5 lbs (depending on configuration)
Quick Benelli M2 vs M4 Comparison Table
| Feature | Benelli M2 Shotgun | Benelli M4 Shotgun |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Inertia-driven | Inertia-driven |
| Action Type | Semi-Automatic | Semi-Automatic |
| Intended Use | Hunting, Sport Shooting | Tactical, Law Enforcement, Military |
| Barrel Length | Various lengths available | Typically 18.5″ or 14″ (with NFA rules) |
| Magazine Capacity | Various capacities available | Typically 5+1 rounds (with 3″ shells) |
| Choke Options | Interchangeable chokes for different shot patterns | Fixed cylinder bore or optional choke tubes |
| Accessories | Can be customized with optics, lights, and other attachments | Accessory compatibility for tactical enhancements |
| Recoil Management | Inertia-driven system reduces felt recoil | Inertia-driven system reduces felt recoil |
| Material | Various models with different materials (synthetic, wood) | Durable materials for tactical use |
| Weight | Varies based on model and features | Typically heavier than M2 due to robust construction |
| Sights | Various sighting options available | Ghost ring sights or picatinny rail for optics |
| Stock Options | Various stock options, including pistol grip and traditional | Typically has a collapsible or fixed pistol grip stock |
| Folding Stock | Some models may have a folding stock option | Often equipped with a collapsible or folding stock |
Main Differences Between Benelli M2 vs M4 Shotgun
Pricing
When talking about price, the M2 beats its M4 counterpart Benelli as it is cheaper than the Benelli M4 series.
The price difference is vast as the price of the M2 shotgun is the lowest among the M series of Benelli, while the Benelli M4 shotgun is the most costly model.
Thanks to that, the M2 Benelli won over M4 in this category.
The Winner: The M2 Benelli.
Design And Ergonomics
The M2 is an inertia-driven gun, allowing it to operate cleaner than the gas-operated shotgun.
During testing, we noticed that the Benelli M2’s ComforTech feature makes it smoother and easier to fire than its Benelli M4 counterpart, which is heavy, fires softly, and chugs ammo.
The Winner: The M2 Benelli.
Weight And Size
The stocks of both shotguns have the same weight, while the barrels are also similar.
But the M2, as an inertia model, is lighter than Benelli M4 when comparing similar models.
As the M2 is lighter, its portability will be better, which is very important in many situations.
The Winner: The M2.
Reliability
There is no denying that the M4 Benelli shotgun is reliable as it operates on a dual short-stroke gas piston system (which may be bomb-proof).
Meanwhile, the M2 Benelli runs on the tested and tried Inertia-Driven system, which is also quite reliable.
Both models work one hundred percent accurately with slugs, so the result in this category is one draw.
The Winner: Draw.
Operating System
When comparing the M4 and M2 shotguns, the OS is also significantly different.
The M2 Benelli model comes with Inertia System, while its M4 counterpart operates by an Auto-Regulating Gas-Operated operating system.
In essence, the Auto-Regulating Gas-Operated operating system is better than the Inertia-Driven System, allowing the Benelli M4 shotgun to win this category.
The Winner: The M4 Benelli.
Optics
In this category, the M4 Benelli shotgun beats the M2 Benelli, which does not have the same optics.
The M4 Benelli has an adjustable ghost sight with a dot (white). Additionally, it has a 5.25 inches Picatinny rail, enabling the hunters to mount optical sights and additional scopes.
The Winner: The Benelli M4.
Benelli M2 vs M4: Which One Is Better?
The ultimate decision relies on personal needs and preferences. It depends on if you want to defend your home or for sports. The Benelli M2 and M4 Super 90 are both reliable guns. They provide precise performance and versatility. The designs are lightweight and easy to handle.
The M2 is good for defending your home. It can hold up to 5 rounds of ammo and has adjustable buttstocks. The M4 Super 90 has an extended magazine tube that can hold up to 8 rounds at once. This makes it perfect for competitions and tactical use.
Both guns are high quality and reliable. The best choice depends on personal preference. No matter which one you choose, both shotguns will serve you well for many years.
The Bottom Line
You’ve got all the information you need via this Benelli M2 vs M4 comparison. Both shotguns are Benelli masterpieces, and each is great in its own way.
So you should make a choice based on your preferences, needs, and budget.
Last Updated on December 14, 2023 by
