Originally designed in 1998 in response to the U.S. military’s search for a service shotgun, the Benelli M4 Tactical shotgun not only won the contract, it became a staple of military units around the world. 

Armed forces in Australia, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States have all used or continue to use some version of the M4, which in this country was designated as the M1014 Joint Service Combat Shotgun. Additionally, this semi-automatic 12-gauge soon made its way into the armories of American law enforcement agencies and their SWAT Teams.

In the M4’s quarter century of existence, the platform has been steadily upgraded, and the newest version is the Benelli M4 EXT Tactical.   

Benelli sent me an M4 EXT Tactical for testing and evaluation. I ran it with many, many different 12 gauge shells, from 2.75-inch upland game loads to 3-inch buckshot and slugs. The shotgun functioned perfectly, loaded easily and ejected spent shells positively. 

Recoil? Extremely manageable even with the magnum slugs I used.

Now, this isn’t a hard science evaluation, but … while running 80-plus shells through most 12-gauge semi-autos, with half of those shells being 3-inchers, I usually have to talk myself out of the anticipated recoil flinch at some point. I can also count on a decent bruise decorating my shooting shoulder the next morning.

But that wasn’t the case with the M4 EXT. I had no issues.

Credit Benelli’s ARGO system at the heart of the M4 EXT — dual short-stroke gas pistons built to run clean and cycle nearly any shell, which was also a key part of the 1998 design. ARGO stands for Auto-Regulating Gas-Operated system, and the system automatically adjusts for the length and power factor of the shells being used. Benelli designed it to run with minimal maintenance, a very needed feature for armed forces working in dirty, hot conditions where high round counts are suddenly needed.

New Features

In addition to the ARGO System, the Benelli M4 EXT Tactical features 7+1 round capacity versus the 5+1 capacities of past models. The five-position collapsible stock adjusted with the push of a button and the integrated pistol grip was nicely textured for a firm hold. 

The oversized bolt release snaps the bolt forward easily, including with my gloved hands on the 17-degree Fahrenheit day I ran the M4. The shotgun is offered in three finishes — FDE, H2O (a Titanium-colored Cerakote on the barrel and receiver), and Multicam Black. My test shotgun sported the good-looking FDE option.

The shotgun also features a grippy forend, sling mounts fore and aft, and a manual safety at the rear of the trigger guard.

The trigger on my test gun averaged 3 pounds, 13 ounces of pull. That pull was smooth and consistent, too — no gritty feel or hesitation.   

Adding Optics

I first ran the M4 EXT Tactical with its open sights and they certainly worked fine. The ghost ring rear was windage adjustable, and the tall front sight is essentially a standard A2 front sight post. The combination came to my shooting eye fast. 

But I always go with an optic when possible, and I mounted Trijicon’s new MRO SD onto the shotgun. 

MRO stands for Miniature Rifle Optic, and this SD model was a sealed reflex sight designed to provide fast target acquisition on rifles, carbines, and shotguns. It possessed the same toughness and footprint of the original MRO due to its hard-anodized forged 7075-T6 housing.

Trijicon built the optic with a reengineered objective lens with advanced lens coatings and a crisp 2.0 MOA red center dot. Trijicon also upgraded the windage and elevation adjusters for improved zero retention under direct impacts and heavy recoil.

The optic mounted quickly onto the M4 thanks to the standard Picatinny rail atop the receiver and the Pic mount which came with the optic.

Bird Shot to Buck

At my outdoor range, I first zeroed the MRO and M4 using a 2.75-inch upland game load. Initial shells patterned low and slightly left, but the MRO’s precise controls got me zeroed quickly.

My targets here and for all my shooting were white ellipses spray-painted onto cardboard, the ellipses measuring 6 inches high by 4 inches across at the widest middle point. 

Next, I ran the shotgun with Federal Premium Tru-Ball Rifled slugs, the 2.75-inch shells launching a 1-ounce lead slug. At 15 yards and shooting offhand, I made two 1.5-inch groups of three slugs. 

For buckshot, I tried out Remington Managed Recoil and Hornady Critical Defense, both 2.75-inch shells packing 9 OO Buck pellets. I also shot 3-inch Remington Magnum Buckshot shells loaded with 41 4BK pellets.

Firing two quick rounds from 15 yards, the Critical Defense slammed in 14 of the 18 pellets right into the white. 

And two shells of the Remington Magnum Buckshot at 15 yards essentially covered an area twice my palm with threat-stopping pellets. 

Despite the sub-freezing temperature and the gusting winds, I had a lot of fun and really didn’t want to stop. But other responsibilities called and so I decided to try just one more slug option, Remington’s 3-inch Slugger loaded with 1-ounce rifled slugs. 

I backed up to 25 yards and shot two groups of three firing offhand. Both trios of slugs measured out at approximately 3.25 inches.

My gut feeling: If you can’t stop a threat with the M4 EXT Tactical at any range under 25 yards, that threat won’t be stopped by anything.

Delivering More

If you are a fan of the John Wick movie franchise, you might remember the scene in John Wick: Chapter 2 where Wick arms himself for coming action at the counter of the “Sommelier,” the armorer for the Continental Hotel where Wick stays. After selecting pistols and a rifle, he asks the sommelier to recommend something, “Big. Bold.” for the end of the night. 

 “May I suggest the Benelli M4?” And the Sommelier hands him an M4.

“The M4 was specifically added to that movie because of its iconic status as one of the most dominant platforms known to mankind,” said Chris Lindblom, Benelli associate channel manager. “Taran Tactical built that gun and has many similar upgrades that the EXT has, however, the EXT is a fraction of the price.”

More important than the Hollywood connection, the M4 EXT is the result of Benelli customer feedback. 

“The M4 EXT is the M4 our consumers have asked for us to release,” Lindbloom noted. “It is more in simply every way and takes much of the hassle of upgrading it off the consumer.”

As noted, one of those “more” additions is the upgraded ammunition capacity, with the M4 EXT packing a stout 7+1 shells compared to past 5+1 capacity. 

Also on the “more” list — and these are definitely features sales staff needs to point out to customers — are the five-position collapsible stock built with the integrated pistol grip for a precise, locked-in fit; the oversized and extremely functional bolt release; and the three finish options.

Just as important, the standard ARGO system needs an explanation of how it works and how it reduces recoil, especially for those fast follow up shots. 

And don’t be afraid to stress the M4 EXT’s military and LE lineage.

“The M4 is widely known as the tactical shotgun for Military and Law Enforcement,” Lindbloom said. “This platform has been adopted by these organizations due to its virtually unfailing design and reputation.” 

Obviously, consumers who are serious about personal protection and want a shotgun to count on in nearly any tactical situation are prime customers for the M4 EXT.

Direct Contact

While Benelli is limited in the in-store marketing materials offered to dealers on the  company’s tactical side, Benelli sales reps visit their dealers often to offer help and guidance. Becoming a Benelli dealer means working with Benelli USA directly in two ways.

First, “We give our sales reps the authority to manage their territories. They are responsible for qualifying and on-boarding new dealers in their territory at their discretion. Any dealer that is interested in becoming a Benelli stocking dealer can fill out the form on our website and the information will get passed along to the sales rep that covers that territory.”

That form is found at www.benelliusa.com/support/contact-us. 

Second, “Benelli is known for their direct-to-dealer approach which provides better support from the manufacturer. We do not use distribution to protect dealer margin and service.”

Last, the M4 EXT Tactical has received extensive coverage through online video, socials, and traditional media sites since its release. Expect to see customers coming through your door looking for this defensive powerhouse.