Benelli M3 or M4

[wesel123]

We'll its time for a new defense shot gun and want to get everyone’s opinion on either and M3 or an M4.

The M3 I'm looking at is used but very gently and I'd save a bit of coin. My concern is whether I really need a selectable shotty????

The M4 is proven and so is the M3 but is one better than the other. I would like the ability to shoot lower grain rounds with the pump but not sure I really need to..

HELP!!!!!

[SunTzuNephew]

Pump....when you put the defense-friendly items (like a light, etc) on a recoil/inertia operated shotgun, it doesn't work so well any more.

[BIGdaddy]

agreed. pump.

my 870 rem has been 100% reliable for the last 10 years.

I'd say benelli will be no different...if you miss a pheasant with an auto, its no big deal, but if you have a jam-o-matic when you meet the homeboy that just broke into your house at 3am, you'll realize real quick that simpler is better. (they do make good bats, though. )

[wesel123]

Pump....when you put the defense-friendly items (like a light, etc) on a recoil/inertia operated shotgun, it doesn't work so well any more.

I had no idea that offset weight would hurt the operation of the gun. Good to know. But I belive the M4 is a gas blow back (ARGO is what they call it)..could be wrong though.

[SunTzuNephew]

I had no idea that offset weight would hurt the operation of the gun. Good to know. But I belive the M4 is a gas blow back (ARGO is what they call it)..could be wrong though.

Still depends on the inertia....the amount of gas blowback is regulated for the weight, change the weight and you can have problems. It's noticeable when you get the full range of tacticool stuff on the gun...sidesaddle, speedfeed stock, lights, sights, etc.

I have an M4, but my home defense shotgun is a Mossberg 590. It's NEVER not gone boom when I wanted it to, and I don't expect it ever will. A plain 500 is OK too, as is a Rem 870 or an Ithaca (got an Ithaca but it's old now, and getting hard to find parts so I baby it).

[wesel123]

Ok that makes perfect sense. I have a Win 1300 which has never failed me but I really want a semi....I cant explain why???

Found a slightly used Desert Camo M4 for $1400...not bad considering that new is $1900

How about the FN SlS.... if I could get one in Cali....I do not even see a dealer here....lame

[nobodyspecial]

if you are set on a semi auto shotgun, how about a Saiga 12? its built on an ak47 action design, so it has the legendary reliability going for it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xKhn9Gb01I

[Fireman78]

Pump....when you put the defense-friendly items (like a light, etc) on a recoil/inertia operated shotgun, it doesn't work so well any more.

I agree... Remington 870.... best home defense shotgun ever. The audible warning "clack clack" will doe wonders for your carpet and furniture. (by having the guy run away instead of turning into goo.)

[nobodyspecial]

I agree... Remington 870.... best home defense shotgun ever. The audible warning "clack clack" will doe wonders for your carpet and furniture. (by having the guy run away instead of turning into goo.)

Hey shouldn't get a warning... He is already in your house, he knows he isnt supposed to be there. There should already be a round in the chamber. But I do agree, that if you shouldn't confine yourself to a semi auto, especially for home defense. I own a Benelli Nova pump and I absolutely love that shotgun, but am thinking of upgrading to a SuperNova.

Something like this:

[Fireman78]

It would be fun to see the size of the perps eyeballs before he got the lead sandwich.