Benelli M4 vs Mossberg 940

[johngalt]

In these days, it has occurred to me that there is nothing wrong with having a 12 ga defensive shotguns. I prefer autoloaders, so that lead me to the M4, which seems to be the gold standard. However, it is expensive and 922r limits the capacity to 5.

The Mossberg 940 is fairly new in comparison, but is getting good reviews. I was curious if anyone has had any first hand experience (good or bad).

 

[Valmet]

Don’t neglect the Benelli M2 Tactical either…

 

[mckenney99]

Also look at the Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol. Compares very well with the Beretta 1301 and the M4 at less than $1000.

 

[Nick B]

Buy the right M4 and you don’t have to deal with 922R. Model number 11715 is what you want . Same M4 that the Marines use . Comes from the factory with night sights and 7+1 capacity.
Several Benelli dealers on GB have them in stock .
Buy once , cry once , and then smile forever.

 

[WCCPHD]

M4 is a great gun, but its heavy. I wanted one until I was able to hold one. Actually, I was able to find an M2, M3 and M4 the same day. I ended up with the M3. Liked the versatility of a "convertible" pump/semi-auto.

 

[Baxter6551]

I have the 940pro tactical with a red dot on it. It had to go back to the factory twice for feeding issues. Second time they replaced the barrel. I figured it was something to do with the bolt lock up in the barrel notch. Runs like a champ now. Nice with choke tubes. Plenty of stock spacers to adjust. Great trigger with good reset.
My Department switched from Remington 870s to Mossberg years ago. They have had great success with them.
It all comes down to features / preference / cost.

 

[NewLiberty]

The Benelli M4 is the gold standard, but as mentioned, has the drawbacks you noted.

IMHO, the best deal on the market today for defensive shotguns is the Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol.

Although the optics cuts on the 940 are a nice feature.

 

[Farmer17]

I have a Beretta A300 Ultimax I purchased last year for hunting and really love it. If you look hard, you can find them online for under 650 bucks. For a defensive shotgun, I would buy one and cut the barrel down and put a magazine extension on it instead of spending over a grand for a combat shotgun. The gas operated Beretta kicks much less than an inertia operated Benelli and your shoulder will thank you when you’re firing lots of magnum slugs and buckshot.

 

[ruger 22]

I recommend the old Remington 870 pump. Lots of parts available, easy to fix yourself, very reliable and used all over the world. Used ones can be found cheaply and for defense or hunting you will be well equipped. Only disadvantage is that for a long day of shooting they are quite light in weight and do kick a bit.

 

[AJ]

Semi-Autos are nice and the wave of the future. However, I am stuck in ancient times with an old pump shotgun. I have used and still use an Remington 870. The one pictured below I used to teach a Combat Shotgun Course. It is a copy of a USMC Remington M870 Mk 1. Old School as they say.

 

[Rodan]

I went through this calculus recently and settled on the Beretta 1301, though I do think the A300 is the 90th percentile bargain. IMHO the M4 is not worth the premium.

I spent a lot of years with the 870 as an issue item (and trained lots of folks to use them), and I prefer the auto Beretta. The 870 is heavier, slower and more punishing to shoot. They can be put together cheap, though.

Disclaimer: Shotguns are not my first choice for anything but hunting birds. In just about every tactical/defense situation imaginable, an AR is a better choice. More precise, lighter recoil, lighter gun, more capacity, etc, etc... There are, however, some places where I can travel with the shotgun without worrying about the legal issues an AR could create.

 

[johngalt]

Buy the right M4 and you don’t have to deal with 922R. Model number 11715 is what you want . Same M4 that the Marines use . Comes from the factory with night sights and 7+1 capacity.
Several Benelli dealers on GB have them in stock .
Buy once , cry once , and then smile forever.

Thanks! I didn't know about that model.

 

[johngalt]

Beretta slipped my mind - does it have the same 922r issue as Benelli?

 

[Hawg Rider]

I have a Beretta A300 Ultimax I purchased last year for hunting and really love it. If you look hard, you can find them online for under 650 bucks. For a defensive shotgun, I would buy one and cut the barrel down and put a magazine extension on it Instead of spending over a grand for a combat shotgun.

+1 on the Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol. I compared several semi-auto "tactical" shotguns last year (my son manages several gun stores with ranges, and I get VIP treatment!)...ergonomics, sights, function, fit and finish, reliability, etc. I narrowed my selection down to the Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical and the A300 Ultima Patrol, and ended up with the Beretta. It fits me perfectly, I love the textured stocks, lots of M-lok attachment points, and I'm a big fan of ghost ring sights. Although optic ready, I don't plan to put an RDO on my A300. I have hundreds of rounds of birdshot, buckshot, and slugs through this shotgun without a single F2F, including a 1-day defensive shotgun course where we shot 250 rounds of mixed loads. The Beretta is extremely accurate- I placed 10 slugs in a 6" plate at 50 yds! I've accessorized with Magpul swivels and M-lok, Warbull sling, Esstac shotgun shell cards, MatchSaverz 1-rd holder, and Holosun 500/1000 lumen light. It's a great and dependable defensive shotgun package. If you really want to spend a lot of money for a Benelli or Beretta 1301, go for it. But IMHO, the A300 can hold it's own with all of them for a lot less $.

 

[NewLiberty]

Beretta slipped my mind - does it have the same 922r issue as Benelli?

The A300 Ultima Patrol is made at the Beretta plant in TN, so, 922r doesn't apply.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

I think I'll wait to see what John Wick says.....

 

[VictorLouis]

. For a defensive shotgun, I would buy one and cut the barrel down and put a magazine extension on it...

The gas operated [anything]kicks much less than an inertia operated Benelli and your shoulder will thank you ...

Conur. ..on both points.

 

[30-30remchester]

First of all a question. How many gun fights are you planning on being in? When I see people putting up multiple thousands of rounds of self-defense ammo, I ponder the same question.

 

[johngalt]

First of all a question. How many gun fights are you planning on being in? When I see people putting up multiple thousands of rounds of self-defense ammo, I ponder the same question.

Planning? Zero.

 

[S-W4EVER]

I have a Benelli M4 but they’re expensive. FWIW, Panzer Arms has copied the Benelli and they sell for about a quarter of what the Benelli goes for. I’ve never even seen one but initial reports are positive,