The Benelli M4, also known as the Benelli M4 Super 90 and designated M1014 in U.S. Marine Corps, is an Italian semi-automatic combat shotgun designed and manufactured by Benelli in 1998.
History[]
The Benelli M4 was the first gas-operated semi-automatic shotgun produced by Benelli, in response to a request for a 12 gauge, semi-automatic shotgun for use by the U.S. armed forces.
Usage[]
The Benelli M4 is mainly used by the United States Marine Corps, under the designation of M1014. It has also seen use by the British Military under the designation of L128A1. In British usage, it is often fitted with a folding foregrip and EOTECH sight.
Design details[]
The Benelli M4 is a semi-automatic, gas-operated 12 gauge shotgun. It features a gas system that is self-regulating; that is, it will function with several different 12 gauge loads of varying power. Weaker loads (rubber pellets, bean bags, breaching loads) must be cycled manually.
The gas system is short-stroke piston; it uses two stainless-steel actuator rods that impinge against the rotating bolt when the weapon is fired, causing the bolt to unlock and cycle, extracting and ejecting the spent cartridge.
Sights[]
The M4 features military ghost ring sights for ease of target acquisition. There is a Picatinny rail on top of the receiver for the mounting of optics.