The Italian Benelli M4 "Super 90" 12-gauge, semi-automatic shotgun was adopted by the United States military after extensive trials in which the US Army was seeking to upgrade its shotgun line of the late 1990's. In 1999, the Benelli Armi S.p.A. design was formally accepted into service as the "M1014" Joint Service Combat Shotgun (JSCS) (the designation upgraded from its prototype "XM1014" nomenclature) with a contract for import awarded to the German firearms concern of Heckler & Koch which represented Benelli in the US competition. The US Marine Corps received their first batch of production M1014s that same year while the type has seen consistent combat action in both Afghanistan and Iraqi theaters.
The original Benelli M4 was designed in 1998 with production beginning 1999 and ongoing today (2013). The M4 was of note for it became Benelli's first gas-operated shotgun. The design sports a weight of 3.82 kilograms with an overall length of 35 inches (barrel is 18.5 inches long). The internal workings permit semi-automatic fire through the use of slug, buckshot and non-lethal rounds as required. Effective range is out to 55 yards depending on ammunition used while the tubular magazine can house 7+1 shells (the civilian mark limited this to 5+1). Sights are of a "ghost" ring-style arrangement and are adjustable while a short span of Picatinny rail is featured above the receiver (as well as over and to the sides of the forend) for the mounting of optics and accessories (including a vertical foregrip under the forend for maximum control). The M4 lacks a solid, fixed stock and instead makes work of a collapsible buttstock (optional) with a base ergonomically-shaped pistol grip. Overall construction of the M4 consists of a mix of steel, aluminum and plastics. Reliability of the M4 is notable while the action is quite excellent.
The Benelli M4 shotgun is currently in service with the United States Army and Marine Corps (as the "M1014") as well as the United States Navy SEALs and the Los Angeles Police Department. The weapon has also been adopted by Australia, Georgia, Greece, Italy, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Libya, Lithuania, Malaysia, Malta, Slovakia, Slovenia, the United Kingdom (as the L128A1) and South Korea. Many of these groups stock the M4 for their special forces ranks.
Andorra; Australia; Belarus; Croatia; Georgia; Greece; Iraq; Italy; Ireland; Israel; Jordan; Libya; Lithuania; Malaysia; Malta; Portugal; Serbia; Slovakia; Slovenia; South Korea; United Kingdom; United States
(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)
✓Close Support
Extreme close quarters use; trench-clearing; doorbuster; security.
✓Special Forces
Qualities of this weapon have shown its value to Special Forces elements requiring a versatile, reliable solution for the rigors of special assignments.
Overall Length
886 mm 34.88 in
Barrel Length
470 mm 18.50 in
Empty Wgt
8.42 lb 3.82 kg
Sights
Adjustable Ghost Ring; Optional Optics.
Action
Gas-Operated; Semi-Automatic
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 / moved 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
Sample Visuals**
Rounds / Feed
7+1 Tube 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.
Max Eff.Range
164 ft (50 m | 55 yd)
M4 - Benelli Designation; 18.5 inch barrel length.
M4 Entry (M4 CQB) - 14-inch barrel length; 5-round tubular magazine; retractable stock or optional fixed stock.
XM1014 - American Prototype Designation
M1014 "Joint Service Combat Shotgun" - American Military Designation; optional collapsible stock.
L128A1 - UK military designation
M11707 - Fixed skeletal stock.
Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective campaigns / operations.
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Andorra; Australia; Belarus; Croatia; Georgia; Greece; Iraq; Italy; Ireland; Israel; Jordan; Libya; Lithuania; Malaysia; Malta; Portugal; Serbia; Slovakia; Slovenia; South Korea; United Kingdom; United States
