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Benelli M4 Super 90



Overview


M1014

A M1014 shotgun being fired, a round is cycled while the previous one is still in the air.
Source: US Navy (Eric A. Clement) - © public domain

Origin
Italy
Type
Shotgun
Entered service
1999
Status
In service
Development
1988
Developer
Italy - Benelli
Production
1999 - present
Producer
Italy - Benelli
Number produced
Well over 20.000 produced
Designations
M1014 (US service)
L128A1 (UK service)

Description


Introduction

The M4 is a shotgun of Italian origin. It was developed in the late 1990's by Benelli at the request of the US Marine Corps. The M4 looks similar to the earlier M3 Super 90 but differs in its internal mechanism. Since both weapons have different characteristics both remain in production.

Design

The M4 looks rather similar to the M3 Super 90, but differs in having a gas system instead of the inertia driven system. The double gas piston setup makes the M4 cycle more reliable in arduous circumstances and with multiple attachments, but dispenses of the pump-action ability. A Picatinny rail allows optics to be fitted. The M4 is also fitted with a retracable stock and pistol grip as standard, although a fixed stock is available.

Firepower

The M4 fires 12ga shells with a length of up to 3 inch. The standard version has a 7 round tubular magazine while the shorter barrel M4 Entry has a 5 round one. The gas system will also cycle mild buckshot loads, but most non lethal rounds will not. The effective range is givens as 35 meters. Since the barrel is not rifled the use of slugs is limited to a few dozen meters.

Users

The M4 is one of the more common tactical shotguns in the world. The primary user of the M4 is the US Marine Corps with over 20.000 purchased. It is widely used by law enforcement teams and counter terrorist units, mainly in the USA and Europe. It remains in production besides the M3 Super 90 which uses a different mechanism.

Details


Variants of the M4 Super 90

M4 Entry

The M4 Entry is a shorter barrel version of the original M4. In the USA it is also referred to as the M4 CQB. It has a 5 round tubular magazine and a retractable stock is fitted as standard. A fixed stock is optional.

M4 Super 90

The M4 Super 90 is the full size and most common version of the M4. It has a 7 round tubular magazine and a retractable stock is fitted as standard. A fixed stock is optional.

Facts M4 Super 90 M4 Entry
General
Origin
Italy
Type
Shotgun
Caliber
Caliber
12ga 2.75" and 3"
Feed system
7 round tubular magazine
Barrel length
470 mm
Rifling
Smoothbore
Operation
Action
Gas operated
Fire selector
0 - 1
Rate of fire
Semi-automatic
Dimensions
Stock type
Retractable
Length
1.010 mm stock extended
886 mm stock retracted
Weight
3.82 kg empty
Sights
Mechanical
Iron sights, blade front and ghost ring rear
Optics
Optional, Picatinny rail on receiver

Media


Related articles


Benelli M3 Super 90

The M4 design is derived from the earlier M3 but uses a different gas system and both remain in production.