Benelli M4

On May 4, 1998, the United States Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC) at Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey issued Solicitation #DAAE30-98-R-0401 requesting submissions for a new 12 gauge semi-automatic combat shotgun for the U.S. military.{{cite journal|title=U.S. Military Combat Shotguns Part III: From Grenada to Afghanistan|first=Paul|last=Scarlata|url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/U.S.+MILITARY+COMBAT+SHOTGUNS+PART+III%3A+From+Grenada+to+Afghanistan.-a0539809413|journal=Firearms News|date=10 May 2018|access-date= 5 May 2023}} 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 20,000 units were delivered to the United States Marine Corps in 1999. During testing, the prototype was named XM1014; , per U.S. military standards; after adoption, the "X" was dropped, and the weapon was officially designated the M1014.

Image:Shotgun in training US military.jpg firing an M1014 shotgun as part of training in December 2006]]

File:USMC-05459.jpgs]]

File:Evolution of shotguns in the Marine Corps 150211-M-AS123-001.jpg

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 {{cvt|2.75|in|mm}} and {{cvt|3|in|mm|adj=on}} 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.

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.{{cite web|url=http://club.guns.ru/eng/hkm4.html |title=HK M4 Super 90/XM1014 |publisher=Club.guns.ru |access-date=2008-09-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080818030409/http://club.guns.ru/eng/hkm4.html |archive-date=August 18, 2008 }} 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|date=May 2010}}

The buttstock is collapsible on the M4 Model (designated 11707) and on the M1014.{{cite book|author=United States Department of the Navy, Headquarters Marine Corps |title = TM 10698A-10/1 Operator's Manual for Shotgun, Combat 12 Gauge, Semi-automatic M1014 1005-01-472-3147 |page= 11 |year= 2000}}While the M1014 was first manufactured before the Federal Assault Weapons Ban expired, it fell outside the ban due to being produced under military contract, and the relevant Technical Manual explicitly describes the buttstock as being telescoping; the M11707 was first manufactured following the expiration of the Assault Weapons Ban and its provisions. Collapsing the buttstock shortens the weapon by almost {{cvt|8|in|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.{{cite book|author=United States Department of the Navy, Headquarters Marine Corps |title = TM 10698A-10/1 Operator's Manual for Shotgun, Combat 12 Gauge, Semi-automatic M1014 1005-01-472-3147 |page= 10 |year= 2000}}

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 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 {{cvt|14|in|mm}} barrel; M4 with an {{cvt|18.5|in|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 stock, while no longer illegal in the United States, is still only to be made available to law enforcement and government agencies, and thus does not sell them to private individuals; however, Benelli Tactical sells the stock piece for retrofitting the pistol grip stock, which can be shipped from Italy without restrictions.

Suggested retail price of the civilian version is around $1,899.{{cite web |url=http://www.benelliusa.com/shotguns/benelli-m4.php |title=M4 Tactical Shotgun |publisher=Benelli USA |access-date=2013-10-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614065653/http://www.benelliusa.com/shotguns/benelli-m4.php |archive-date=2012-06-14 |url-status=dead }} 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. Also available are 9 + 1 extension tubes, which popular in 3-gun competitions. Some LE models have become available to private individuals on the secondary market.

File:Benelli M4 Users.png

• {{flag|Australia}}{{cite web |last=Tucker |first=Max R |title=Maxim Tucker on X: The past week I was in Vovchansk, Lyptsi and Kharkiv for @thetimes during Putin's new assault on a city once home to 1.5 million people. I witnessed some incredible heroism by its Ukrainian defenders. First, in a foxhole with the 'Peaky Blinders' as they killed 40 Russian troops- |url=https://x.com/MaxRTucker/status/1793239304065499247 |access-date=2024-05-23 |publisher=X (formerly known as Twitter)}}
• {{flag|Belarus}}: Used by Internal Troops,"Помповое ружье Benelli. Как нетрудно догадаться, родом оно из Италии. Ружье пятизарядное, стреляет различными боеприпасами, начиная от дроби и заканчивая резиновыми пулями. Может выстреливать патроны со слезоточивым газом. ... Выстреливает Benelli в том числе и резиновую картечь: в теории его должны использовать для пресечения массовых беспорядков, бунтов в колониях и т.д. Кстати, именно такие ружья часто мелькают по ТВ, когда показывают сюжеты о действиях европейской полиции. У нас, к счастью, из Benelli стреляли только на учениях"
  Николай Козлевич. [https://www.sb.by/articles/bystrye-v-reagirovanii.html Обзор арсенала бойцов СОБРа внутренних войск] // SB.BY от 15 июля 2014 OMON, Almaz, and KGB RB Alpha Group. Seen with Alpha Group, Internal Troops, and OCAM units deployed to Minsk during the 2020–2021 Belarusian protests.{{cite web |url=https://42.tut.by/702442 |title=Какое оружие из стран, объявивших Беларуси эмбарго, есть у силовиков | 42.TUT.BY |website=42.tut.by |access-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210104152927/https://42.tut.by/702442 |archive-date=4 January 2021 |url-status=dead}} It is also allowed as civilian hunting weapon.«2.1.1.2-2/145 Ружье охотничье Benelli М4 Super 90»
  Указ Президента Республики Беларусь № 71 от 13 февраля 2003 года «Об утверждении Положения о порядке ведения и издания Государственного кадастра служебного и гражданского оружия и боеприпасов и Положения о порядке проведения сертификации служебного и гражданского оружия и боеприпасов» (редакция от 10 июля 2015 г.)
• {{flag|Belgium}}: Adopted on November 17, 2023 for counter-UAS operations by the Belgian Air Force.{{cite web | url=https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_november_2023_global_security_army_industry/belgian_air_force_adopts_italian_benelli_m4_shotgun_as_counter-uas_solution.html | title=Belgian Air Force adopts Italian Benelli M4 shotgun as counter-UAS solution | Defense News November 2023 Global Security army industry | Defense Security global news industry army year 2023 | Archive News year | date=27 November 2023 }}
• {{flag|Georgia}}: Used by Ministry of Internal Affairs and military special operation forces.{{cite web|url=http://www.hendonpub.com/law_and_order/articles/2014/01/ati_upgrades_for_benelli_m4|title=ATI Upgrades for Benelli M4|work=hendonpub.com|access-date=2015-04-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219205542/http://www.hendonpub.com/law_and_order/articles/2014/01/ati_upgrades_for_benelli_m4|archive-date=2014-12-19|url-status=dead}}
• {{flag|Ireland}}: Used by special forces and special police units (Army Ranger Wing, Special Detective Unit, Emergency Response Unit, Regional Support Unit).{{cite web|title=Garda Resources|url=http://www.nationalsecurity.ie/index.php/garda-resources/|work=28 November 2012|publisher=National Security Ireland|access-date=9 February 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221211228/http://www.nationalsecurity.ie/index.php/garda-resources/|archive-date=21 February 2014}}
• {{flag|Libya}}: Ordered 1,800 before the First Libyan Civil War. Used by special forces.{{cite web|author=Giorgio Beretta Mercoledì, 09 Marzo 2011 |url=http://www.unimondo.org/Notizie/L-Italia-ha-inviato-11mila-Beretta-semiautomatici-al-regime-di-Gheddafi-129476 |title=L'Italia ha inviato 11mila Beretta semiautomatici al regime di Gheddafi / Notizie / Home |language=it |publisher=Unimondo |date=2011-02-27 |access-date=2013-10-09}}
• {{flag|Malaysia}}: Used by the Royal Malaysian Customs Department.{{cite web |url=http://www.akmal.gov.my/?do=content&id=50 |title=Royal Malaysian Customs Academy: Firing range |author=Royal Malaysian Customs Academy |year=2010 |publisher=Royal Malaysian Customs |access-date=2011-08-22 |archive-date=2019-07-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190706091142/http://www.akmal.gov.my/?do=content |url-status=dead }}
• {{flag|Portugal}}: Used by Portuguese Armed Forces.{{Cite web|last=Ferreira|first=Bryan|title=Portuguese Military – Special Operations and Elite Units|url=https://special-ops.org/portuguese-military-special-operations/|url-status=live|website=Spec Ops Magazine|date=8 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201014212410/https://special-ops.org/portuguese-military-special-operations/ |archive-date=2020-10-14 }}
• {{flag|Serbia}}: Used by the Special Anti-Terrorist Unit.{{cite web|url=http://specijalne-jedinice.com/Srbija/SAJ.html#sthash.zAlWFaQO.rMDPBPZh.dpbs|title=Specijalne-jedinice.com - Specijalna antiteroristička jedinica-SAJ|website=specijalne-jedinice.com|access-date=2017-01-25|archive-date=2017-02-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202075431/http://specijalne-jedinice.com/Srbija/SAJ.html#sthash.zAlWFaQO.rMDPBPZh.dpbs|url-status=dead}}
• {{flag|Slovakia}}: Used by the Special Defence Division and Intervention Group.{{cite web |title=Špeciálne jednotky Slovenskej republiky - zásahová skupina - úrad boja proti organizovanej kriminalite |url=http://www.specialunits.sk/ubok_svk.htm |website=www.specialunits.sk |access-date=10 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100312070124/http://www.specialunits.sk/ubok_svk.htm |archive-date=12 March 2010}}
• {{flag|Slovenia}}: Used by Slovenian Armed Forces Military Police.{{cite web|url=http://www.slovenskavojska.si/odnosi-z-javnostmi/sporocila-za-javnost/novica/nov/vojaski-policisti-uspesno-izvedli-takticno-vajo-z-bojnim-streljanjem-pest-2010/|title=Vojaški policisti uspešno izvedli taktično vajo z bojnim streljanjem Pest 2010|work=slovenskavojska.si}}
• {{Flag|Spain}}: Used by the Spanish Marine Infantry.{{Cite web |last=Defensa.com |date=2024-12-20 |title=Escopetas Benelli M4A1 para el Tercio de Armada Infantería de Marina - Noticias Defensa España |url=https://www.defensa.com/espana/tercio-armada-infanteria-marina-dota-escopetas-benelli-m4a1 |access-date=2024-12-31 |website=Defensa.com |language=es}}
• {{Flag|Ukraine}}{{Cite web |title=x.com |url=https://twitter.com/MaxRTucker/status/1793239304065499247 |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=X (formerly Twitter)}}
• {{flag|United Kingdom}}: Used by the British Armed Forces, designated L128A1.{{cite web|access-date=2010-01-28|publisher=Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|title=Combat Shotgun|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/equipment/support-weapons/17927.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101114190724/http://www.army.mod.uk/equipment/support-weapons/17927.aspx|archive-date=2010-11-14}}
• {{flag|United States}}: Used by the United States Armed Forces, designated M1014.[http://www.benelliusa.com/shotguns/benelli_m4.php Shotguns] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090822033717/http://www.benelliusa.com/shotguns/benelli_m4.php |date=August 22, 2009 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.navyseals.com/weapons-demo |title=Weapons & Demo |publisher=Navy SEALs |access-date=2013-10-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121231074711/http://www.navyseals.com/weapons-demo |archive-date=2012-12-31 |url-status=dead }} Also used by civilian law enforcement and SWAT units, such as the Los Angeles Police Department{{cite web|author=Published on |url=http://www.ammoland.com/2009/02/25/lapd-approves-benelli-m4-tactical-for-individual-officer-purchase |title=LAPD Approves Benelli M4 Tactical for Individual Officer Purchase |publisher=Ammoland.com |date=2009-02-25 |access-date=2013-10-09}} and Cambridge Police Department.{{Cite web|last=C|first=Luke|title=Cambridge Police Commissioner makes Plans to Reduce Gun Inventory|url=https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2021/02/26/cambridge-reduce-weapon-inventory/|url-status=live|website=The Firearm Blog|date=26 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227063015/https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2021/02/26/cambridge-reduce-weapon-inventory/ |archive-date=2021-02-27 }}

• Benelli M1
• Benelli M2
• Benelli M3
• Benelli MR1 – .223 Remington

{{reflist|group=note}}

{{reflist|2}}

{{Commons and category|Benelli M4|Benelli M4}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20090822033717/http://www.benelliusa.com/shotguns/benelli_m4.php Benelli M4 Website]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20081203102603/http://www.benelliusa.com/customer-service/pdfs/M4Super90.pdf Benelli M4 operator's manual]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20100928045619/http://benelli.it/Articoli/Armi.asp?ID=14&Lan=EN Official M4 Super 90 page]

{{Benelli Armi}}

{{ModernUSInfWeaponsNav}}

{{Current French infantry weapons}}

M4

Category:Semi-automatic shotguns of Italy

Category:United States Marine Corps equipment

Category:Weapons and ammunition introduced in 1999