Bernardelli B4

Tactical Combat Shotgun [ 1985 ]

The Bernardelli B4 offered up semi-automatic or pump-action fire from a detachable 12-gauge box magazine.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 03/22/2019 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

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The Bernardelli B4 series of gas-operated, tactical combat shotguns was a semi-automatic system utilizing 12-gauge ammunition and designed exclusively for operations by military and security forces. The B4 came about as an answer to the United States JSSAP (Joint Service Small Arms Program) specification calling for a new type of semi-automatic shotgun. The 1970's-era program sought to coordinate weapon standardization between the main branches of the US military.

The resulting B4 proved of high quality and durability and was distinct from other combat shotguns in that it operated from a detachable box magazine instead of a tubular magazine. Additionally, the B4 could be operated as a self-loading weapon or manually using the pump slide. The semi-automatic action was to provide a higher "second hit" probability by not having the operator pump the slide to introduce the follow-up round, thus potentially losing track of his target (if only for a second or two). The shotgun also featured an integrated carrying handle, folding stock and a high-quality steel barrel with an overall anti-glare finish. Ammunition types were all conventional and the weapon could fire from a 3-, 5- or 8-round curved detachable box magazine.

The series, along with its semi-automatic action, were banned from import in the United States, along with several other potential box-fed shotgun systems on the civilian market (including the Italian Beretta M3P and French SPAS-15) - courtesy of the Assault Weapons Ban Act beginning in 1994. The B4 also appeared in a pump-action only model designated as the B4/B. The B4/B visually retained the stock and body of the B4 with some slight alterations to the pump slide and forward section.©MilitaryFactory.com

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Specifications

Service Year

1985

Origin

Italy

Classification

Tactical Combat Shotgun

Bernardelli - Italy

(View other Arms-Related Manufacturers)

Italy; United States

(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)

✓ Close Support
Extreme close quarters use; trench-clearing; doorbuster; security.

Overall Length

950 mm
37.40 in

Empty Wgt

7.61 lb
3.45 kg

Sights

Iron Front and Rear.

Action

Gas-Operated Semi-Automatic / Manual Pump-Action

Semi-Automatic
One shot per trigger pull; self-loading or auto-loading action aided by internal mechanism; trigger management (and initial cocking) typically required by the operator; subsequent shots are aided by the unlocked / moving bolt.

Gas-Operated
Gas-operated system is featured, typically involving a gas cylinder and rear-driven piston directing energy to the bolt component.

(Material presented above is for historical and entertainment value and should not be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation - always consult official manufacturer sources for such information)

Caliber(s)*

12 Gauge

Rounds / Feed

3-, 5- or 8-round detachable box magazine

*May not represent an exhuastive list; calibers are model-specific dependent, always consult official manufacturer sources.
**Graphics not to actual size; not all cartridges may be represented visually; graphics intended for general reference only.

B4 - Base Model; self-loading or pump-action loading via selector switch.

B4/B - Based on the B4 sans self-loading action and selection; lighter than standard B4 model.

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