[Z71bill]

I am back to wanting a 12 gauge semi auto.

Main use will be home defense - replacing a Remington 870 - but I am also wanting to use it to shoot clay targets. If I use one of the chokes (maybe even buy an extended choke tube to add a few inches of barrel). I am thinking it will patter OK with cheap bird shot to be used in this role.

I keep coming back to the Benelli M2 -

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...ucts_id/411541405/Benelli+M2+Tactical+12ga+18"+Tactical+Stock+Ghost+Ring+Sights

The $1,200 price tag is more than some others - but not a deal breaker.


I will need to figure out a way to get a shorter stock - and add a longer mag tube - but assume these things are readily available.

Benelli M2 -- is there (not their:upeyes a better choice?

At least I didn't use they're.:embarassed:

 

[fasteddie565]

I have two of them and love them both. Keep in mind components are expensive and you may do better to buy a Clays/hunting model and then one for HD. I also have a legacy, which I use for clays and an M4 for HD.

 

[faawrenchbndr]

Had a M2 Tactical for a while, replaced it with an M4 last year.
I have a Vincci that I use for hunting, I have used it for clays a time or two.

 

[Dave514]

The appropriate stock and barrel for Trap is not the same as what I would want for Home Defense but I suppose you could buy the necessary components to switch back and forth.

 

[Z71bill]

Had a M2 Tactical for a while, replaced it with an M4 last year.
I have a Vincci that I use for hunting, I have used it for clays a time or two.

Why did you switch to the M4?

 

[Z71bill]

The appropriate stock and barrel for Trap is not the same as what I would want for Home Defense but I suppose you could buy the necessary components to switch back and forth.

I have a "Do it all" clay target thrower like this

http://ads.midwayusa.com/product/68...689965/do-all-backyard-single-clay-target-thrower-3-4-cock?cm_vc=ProductFinding

It is just for fun - no competitive shooting - I have other long barrels guns I will also be using -

The M2 would be used sometimes - helps gain familiarity and break it in - a lot more fun than shooting 500 rounds at a paper target.

I was hoping that with a Modified / maybe full choke the M2 would work.

I have also seen an extended choke tube - it adds a few inches in barrel length - which I think is a good concept - seems like some gun company should offer a package - 18.5" barrel + 8.5" extended choke tube VS having two barrels. :dunno:

 

[Z71bill]

I guess the main over riding thing is I want the most reliable semi auto I can buy.

Is that the M2? or is it the M4? or is it something else?

I have been considering selling some old guns I never shoot - clear out some space for one nice gun that will get shot.

 

[faawrenchbndr]

the M2 would be a great clays gun. They are extremely popular with three gun shooters. The M2 could be made into a great HD gun with a simple barrel change.

Personally, I would not own any other semi-auto than a Benelli

 

[AgentM79]

In a word, NO. The M2 is the best currently-made defense auto loader. Shoots clean, works reliably. BUT, it demands full power ammo. No reduced recoil fodder. I wouldn't trade my 870 or S&W 3000 for a Benelli.

My suggestion as a lower cost alternative is to find a used M1Super 90. That is what I did, and I couldn't be more pleased.

 

[Z71bill]

In a word, NO. The M2 is the best currently-made defense auto loader. Shoots clean, works reliably. BUT, it demands full power ammo. No reduced recoil fodder. I wouldn't trade my 870 or S&W 3000 for a Benelli.

My suggestion as a lower cost alternative is to find a used M1Super 90. That is what I did, and I couldn't be more pleased.

The spec on the Benelli web site says

Minimum Recommended Load: 3-dram, 1-1/8 oz. loads

Which is the spec of the cheapo Walmart Winchester and Federal target loads


Is this not the truth?

Maybe not a deal breaker - but I do have a few thousand rounds of low end target loads I would like to be able to use.

 

[faawrenchbndr]

I got the M4 because I wanted a defensive style shotgun more that a clays gun. I already had the Vincci, so that gun could cover the hunting and clays If needed.

Most find that new Benellis need about a hundred rounds of stiff shells for breaking. The M4 needed that.

 

[Z71bill]

Having a much harder time than I thought I would finding a shorter LOP stock for the M2 -

I am not a big fan of the stock with the built in pistol grip - I guess 45 years of shooting a "normal" stock means you can't teach an old dog new tricks. :shocked:

14 3/8 inch is about a full inch longer than my 870 -

I see Benelli now has a compact gun with a shorter LOP stock - 13 1/8 LOP would be nice - but it is the field model - with a 26" barrel.

I could stick a + 5 or 6 mag extension and have a 9 or 10 shot gun. :supergrin:

 

[wolf19r]

I don't have a M2 but I do have and 870 and M4.
The M4 is awesome for what its designed for. A combat style shotgun that will reliably work with all loads at close range. Not to mention it will put a smile on your face everytime you shoot it.
Now the 870 could be turned into a trap and hd gun very easily / cheap with longer or shorter barrels and chokes.
So if you want all defense get an M4. If you want trap I'd check on an M1, M2 or even the M3 that does semi and pump. The M4 is my choice and would be again. I got mine used and its run like a champ with cheap bird shot to magnum rounds.

 

[Z71bill]

I don't have a M2 but I do have and 870 and M4.
The M4 is awesome for what its designed for. A combat style shotgun that will reliably work with all loads at close range. Not to mention it will put a smile on your face everytime you shoot it.
Now the 870 could be turned into a trap and hd gun very easily / cheap with longer or shorter barrels and chokes.
So if you want all defense get an M4. If you want trap I'd check on an M1, M2 or even the M3 that does semi and pump. The M4 is my choice and would be again. I got mine used and its run like a champ with cheap bird shot to magnum rounds.

I bought a barrel off GunBroker.com for my 870 4 or 5 years ago - IIRC it was $79 - it really helped me "break in" my 870 - I can't imagine pumping 100 rounds through my 18.5" 870 shooting at paper - but swap out the barrel and shoot some clay targets is loads of fun.

I am still not quit understanding why some want the M4 over the M2 - for a defensive shotgun.

I understand the different systems - Inertia-Driven Vs gas piston. But my research comes up with both being reliable - what is the factor that makes a guy want the M4 over the M2?

:dunno:

 

[Z71bill]

My question is -

Say you have two shotguns - both loaded up with your favorite buckshot.

The M2 tactical model 11029 18.5″

Black Synthetic, ComforTech® 39.75″ 6.7 lbs.

and

The M4 model 11703 18.5″

Black Synthetic, Tactical 40.0″ 7.8 lbs.

Which would you grab when you hear someone kicking in your front door?

Why?

 

[Walter Bishop]

I consider that load to be heavy for clays. A standard clays shell is 1 ounce and 2.75 dram.

The spec on the Benelli web site says

Minimum Recommended Load: 3-dram, 1-1/8 oz. loads

Which is the spec of the cheapo Walmart Winchester and Federal target loads


Is this not the truth?

Maybe not a deal breaker - but I do have a few thousand rounds of low end target loads I would like to be able to use.

 

[NMGlocker]

Beretta 1301 is a far better shotgun than the M2.

 

[RWBlue]

Benelli M2 -- is there (not their:upeyes a better choice?

I went a different direction.

I get a VEPR 12.

My logic was....
1. Folding stock allowed me to move in and out of places without letting people know I had a gun.
2. It is suppose to be reliable. (Haven't run mine yet)
3. An argument someone made for using Mags.
a. Quickly swap from slugs, buck, bird
b. Quickly go from driving legally with gun unloaded to, FULLY loaded.

I need to decide on how to setup choke, but....

 

[method]

What is it that you think you'll gain from an extended choke tube? Most extended tubes are full or extra full, neither of which you want for shooting clays.

 

[Z71bill]

What is it that you think you'll gain from an extended choke tube? Most extended tubes are full or extra full, neither of which you want for shooting clays.

I know what you mean - the really long extended tubes are normally X full - these only add a could inches.

From the Benelli catalog

CHOKE TUBES - EXTENDED CRIO®
83015P Matte - Extended Pass Shootong 12 650350980806 $35
83016P Matte - Extended Decoy Shooting 12 650350982220 $35
83017P Matte - Extended Extra Full Turkey 12 650350980820 $35
83045P Crio - Extended, Ported Stainless Skeet I 20 650350971569 $40
83047P Crio - Extended, Ported Stainless Skeet II 20 650350971583 $40
83040P Crio - Extended, Ported Stainless Skeet I 12 650350971514 $40
83041P Crio - Extended, Ported Stainless Improved Cylinder 12 650350971521 $40
83042P Crio - Extended, Ported Stainless Skeet II 12 650350971538 $40
83043P Crio - Extended, Ported Stainless Modified 12 650350971545 $40
83044P Crio - Extended, Ported Stainless Improved Modified 12 650350971552 $40

:dunno:

I like to use my SD shotgun to shoot clays - because it gives me a fun way shoot hundreds of rounds.

A new barrel is $500 - seems like a lot for my recreational use - $40 for a choke is a bargain.

For what I will be doing just the ability to install a choke - so I am not using a cylinder bore - may be good enough.