Re: Best 3-Gun Shotgun
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Downzero</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
A Benelli M4 holds only 5 shells (4+1), it is illegal to install an extension on one (or, at the very least, the extensions have highly questionable legality and are no longer sold by Benelli in the US to civvies), and most of them are not offered with chokes.
In other words, despite what the HK fanboys told you, the Benelli M4 is not even remotely competitive, and never will be.
And that's not even making any consideration of the weight or expense of that POS, or the fact that (mine at least) would not run with any type of birdshot. </div></div>
Actually I'm pretty sure most M4's have choke tubes, in fact every M4 I've seen/owned had tubes. Very few shipped with the true cylinder bore non-choke version barrel.
Also it's pretty clear what needs to be done to them to add a mag extension and keep them legal under 922r, and now there are more than enough US made parts to do so easily and even more coming down the road. No worse than the concerns of making an M1/M2 legal under 922r, or a Saiga etc. etc. if you want to add the goodies to them.
The M4 is really not much heavier than most other shotguns, it's just that people bolt so much crap to them they end up weighing a ton. Stock out of the box benelli lists the M4 at 7.8lbs, and the M2 tactical at 6.7 lbs and by the time you put a full extension and pistol grip (if you want to compare apples/apples) the M2 is nearly the same weight. FN SLP 7.7 lbs, Mossberg 930 SPX 7.75 lbs.
That said, the M4 is never going to be highly competitive in 3-gun, it was never designed for it, for many reasons, capacity, stock config, trigger mechanics, etc. It *IS* overpriced, that's for sure. It is however one of the most reliable defensive shotguns out there with REAL loads.
3 gun has morphed into a GAME these days and has mostly lost it's original focus of being training for defensive purposes under multiple weapons platforms etc. I don't know many people running low power birdshot loads in their defensive shotguns. None of the weapons that are highly competitive in most divisions (aside possibly the ARs) represent what is the norm or ideal for defensive use. I've got WAY more respect for someone shooting 3 gun with factory stock guns (no comps, no crazy mags, no reduced loads, no crazy holsters) no matter where they fall on the score sheet than someone spending thousands of dollars in tweaked out competition guns and special mags, loads etc. that take the realistic practice aspect out of the sport.
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