| Benelli M4 Super 90 | |
|---|---|
 The Benelli M4 Super 90 | |
| Type | Semi-automaticcombat shotgun |
| Place of origin | Italy |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1999–present |
| Used by | SeeUsers |
| Wars | War in Afghanistan Iraq War Libyan Civil War Syrian Civil War Second Libyan Civil War Iraqi Civil War Russo-Ukrainian War |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Benelli Armi SPA |
| Designed | 1998 |
| Manufacturer | Benelli Armi SPA |
| Produced | 1999–present |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 3.82 kg (8.42 lb) |
| Length | 889 mm (35.0 in) (stock retracted) 1,010 mm (40 in) (stock extended) |
| Barrel length | 470 mm (18.5 in) |
| Caliber | 12-gauge |
| Action | Gas-operated,rotating bolt |
| Muzzle velocity | 408 m/s (1,340 ft/s) |
| Effective firing range | 55 yd (50 m; 165 ft)[1] |
| Maximum firing range | 164 yd (150 m; 492 ft) for solidslugs |
| Feed system | 5+1 (civilian) or 7+1 (Military, LE)tubular magazine (using2+3⁄4" shells) |
| Sights | Ghost ring,Picatinny rail foroptical sights |
TheBenelli M4 is asemi-automatic shotgun produced byItalian firearm manufacturerBenelli Armi SpA, and the fourth and last model of the Benelli Super 90 line of semi-automatic shotguns. The M4 uses a proprietaryaction design called the "auto-regulating gas-operated" (ARGO) system, which was created specifically for the weapon. Designed in 1998, the M4 was adopted by the armed forces of Italy, the United States, and United Kingdom, among others, and has been used in a variety of conflicts.
On May 4, 1998, theUnited States ArmyArmament Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC) atPicatinny Arsenal,New Jersey issued Solicitation #DAAE30-98-R-0401 requesting submissions for a new12 gauge semi-automaticcombat shotgun for theU.S. military.[2] In response to the request,Benelli Armi SpA ofUrbino, Italy designed and built the Benelli M4 Super 90 Combat Shotgun. On August 4, 1998, five samples of the M4 were delivered toAberdeen Proving Ground,Maryland, and after intense testing, the M4 won the competition. In early 1999, ARDEC awarded the M1014 Joint Service Combat Shotgun contract toHeckler & Koch, U.S. subsidiary for importation of the Benelli M4 Combat Shotgun. The first 20,000 units were delivered to theUnited States Marine Corps in 1999. During testing, the prototype was namedXM1014; , per U.S. military standards; after adoption, the "X" was dropped, and the weapon was officially designated theM1014.
The M4 was the firstgas-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 twoself-cleaningstainless steelpistons located just ahead of thechamber to function opposite arotating bolt, thereby eliminating the need for the complex mechanisms found on othergas-actuated automatics. The ARGO incorporates only four parts: two symmetricalfore-endshrouds containing two small steel pistons that push directly against thebolt.
Additionally, the weapon is self-regulating for use withshotshells of varying lengths andpower levels. It can fire 2.75 in (70 mm) and 3 in (76 mm) shells of differingpropellant loads without any operator adjustments and in any combination. Low-power rounds, such as less-lethalbaton rounds, must be cycled manually.
The sights are military-styleghost ring and are adjustable in the field using only therim of a shell. The MIL-STD-1913Picatinny rail on top of thereceiver allows use of both conventionaloptical sights andnight-vision devices, while retaining use of the original iron sights.
Themodular 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.[3] The steel components of the weapon feature a matte black phosphated corrosion resistant finish while thealuminium 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]
Thebuttstock is collapsible on the M4 Model (designated 11707) and on the M1014.[4][note 1] Collapsing the buttstock shortens the weapon by almost 8 in (200 mm), allowing easier storage and transportation; furthermore, it permits better maneuverability around tight corners and over obstacles. The M4 is also available with bothpistol grip and semi-grip fixed stocks, with these also being available for the M1014.[5]
ThePicatinny rail built into the top of the shotgun acceptsscopes,laser illuminators, night-vision sights andflashlights. Most modern militaryfirearms have similar structures. There areaftermarket accessories such ashandguards that incorporate otherrail interface systems such asM-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 14 in (360 mm) barrel; M4 with an 18.5 in (470 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 thecollapsible 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.[6] AnNFA 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. Standardmagazine 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 are popular in3-gun competitions. Some LE models have become available to private individuals on the secondary market.
Australia[7]
Belarus: Used byInternal Troops,[8]OMON,Almaz, andKGB RBAlpha Group. Seen with Alpha Group, Internal Troops, and OCAM units deployed to Minsk during the2020–2021 Belarusian protests.[9] It is also allowed as civilian hunting weapon.[10]
Belgium: Adopted on November 17, 2023 for counter-UAS operations by the Belgian Air Force.[11]
Georgia: Used byMinistry of Internal Affairs and military special operation forces.[12]
Ireland: Used by special forces and special police units (Army Ranger Wing,Special Detective Unit,Emergency Response Unit,Regional Support Unit).[13]
Libya: Ordered 1,800 before theFirst Libyan Civil War. Used by special forces.[14]
Malaysia: Used by theRoyal Malaysian Customs Department.[15]
Portugal: Used byPortuguese Armed Forces.[16]
Serbia: Used by theSpecial Anti-Terrorist Unit.[17]
Slovakia: Used by theSpecial Defence Division and Intervention Group.[18]
Slovenia: Used bySlovenian Armed Forces Military Police.[19]
Spain: Used by theSpanish Marine Infantry.[20]
Ukraine[21]
United Kingdom: Used by theBritish Armed Forces, designatedL128A1.[22]
United States: Used by theUnited States Armed Forces, designatedM1014.[23][24] Also used by civilianlaw enforcement andSWAT units, such as theLos Angeles Police Department[25] andCambridge Police Department.[26]{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)