Self Defense

Benelli M4 EXT

By: Guy Cousrsey

Neutered no more

In 1999, the U.S Marine Corps adopted its first gas-operated, semi-automatic tactical shotgun, the Benelli M4, aka the M1014. The result of the Joint Services Combat Shotgun (JSCS) competition to replace the 12-gauge Mossberg 500/590 pump-operated shotguns then in use, the M1014 has equipped not only the Marines, but the rest of the U.S military and many law enforcement agencies, as well as the military forces of at least 14 other countries. In the over 25 years since its adoption, the Benelli M1014 has proven to be simple, rugged, and reliable, having served in multiple theaters of operation across the planet. Always a popular commodity, the Benelli M4 could be purchased by civilians in a modified, somewhat less capable version, thanks to archaic 922(r) compliance laws that limit the number of foreign parts. Happily, times have changed. Now produced with the necessary amount of USA-made parts, the upgraded Benelli M4 EXT is available to law-abiding civilians in the same form as the one issued to military and law enforcement.

Up until recently, the civilian model of the M4 was only available in neutered form, with a five-round magazine tube capacity, thanks to 922(r) import restrictions. The new EXT version, produced with the requisite amount of USA-made parts, bumps payload up to a proper 7+1 capacity. The muzzle of the M4 EXT is threaded for choke tubes, with a Modified choke installed from the factory.

Benelli has retained the best features and largely addressed the few shortfalls with the M4/M1014 in its new M4 EXT. Both the older M4 and newer M4 EXT are 12 gauge with 18.5-inch barrels. Each has removable choke tubes, a pistol grip, a fully adjustable rear sight aperture, a windage-adjustable front sight, and an integrated Picatinny rail on top of the receiver. Both also retain the Auto Regulating Gas Operated (ARGO) system. The key to M4 / M4 EXT reliability, the ARGO consists of only four parts, including two small, short-stroke gas pistons. The bolt handle also remains unchanged between the M4 and M4 EXT, and while a bit too narrow, it does work. Beyond similarities, the new M4 EXT comes in three colors: FDE, black multi-cam, and H20 (grey). More importantly, it includes three upgrades from the original M4/M1014. First, the M4 EXT has a 7-round magazine tube, compared to the 5-round tube on the previous civilian M4. Second, the stock on the M4 EXT is a 5-position extendable model with a raised comb like that on the military-issue M1014. The older civilian M4 had a fixed 14-inch stock, which is simply too long for almost everyone shorter than seven feet tall or those wearing body armor. Finally, the M4 EXT also includes an enhanced bolt release button and a larger, triangle-shaped safety still placed behind the trigger. In the heat of the moment, trying to manipulate excessively small control surfaces like that on the legacy M4/M1014 is sub-optimal, so the wider control surfaces are welcome. The M4 EXT also comes with integrated ambi QD points on the rear of the stock and on the flashlight mount bracket just forward of the handguard. In general, the M4 EXT mitigates the need for an expandable stock or other aftermarket parts, which were expensive and hard to justify for a gun that already costs north of $1800.

Due to import restrictions, another component that non-LE/military US M4 consumers previously had to source from the aftermarket was an actual adjustable buttstock. The M4 EXT rights that wrong, and ships from the factory with the real-deal five-position adjustable buttstock, complete with QD and loop sling attachments and an integrated rubber-overmolded pistol grip.

In the interest of full, open-kimono disclosure, let me say I love tactical shotguns. They are versatile, and while there is nothing you can hold in your two hands guaranteed to stop a fight, a well-handled shotgun with buckshot or slug is about as close as you can get inside 100 yards. In 2025 alone, I spent a considerable amount of my hard-earned dollars to attend a shotgun course at Thunder Ranch, in addition to the Thunder Stick conclave, to add to my previous experience with tactical shotguns. As a result, I have formed some strong opinions and preferences. My preferred platform for over six years has been the Beretta 1301 with Magpul stock. In many ways, the Beretta 1301 and Benelli M4 EXT are similar, with the Benelli being over a pound heavier and featuring a collapsible stock. Both are gas-operated and reliable, and they share similar sights and free carriers, meaning they will not feed from the tube unless the trigger or the shell release is pressed. This allows the shooter to easily replace the chambered shell with another, such as a slug. The FDE Benelli M4 EXT I was provided with came equipped with a Steiner MPS (Micro Pistol Sight) red-dot optic in an aftermarket Mesa Tactical SureShell shell carrier/ACRO-footprint optic mount combo, as well as a Streamlight ProTac weaponlight forward of the handguard. RDS optics and white lights on tactical shotguns are now common and desirable enhancements.

A factory oversized charging handle and bolt release are part of the EXT upgrade package. An ultra-crisp trigger is another M4 attribute, with a pull weight in the 5-pound ballpark. The two-position safety is mounted rearward of the trigger guard. Cerakote finish options include the FDE you see here, Titanium, and Black Multicam.

Range time with the Benelli M4 EXT confirmed what I already strongly anticipated in terms of performance. After confirming the relative zero of the dot at 25 yards using slugs, I patterned the M4 EXT with three types of 2.75-inch 12-gauge 00 buck: Federal 9-pellet XM127, Hornady 8-pellet Critical Defense Versatite, and Federal 8-pellet LE Flite Control. Anyone who knows shotguns understands that they are highly variable in pattern, depending on both choke and ammunition. However, a tighter choke often does not equate to tighter patterns with buckshot. The modified choke in the M4 EXT patterned all shots in the C-Zone of an IDPA target out to 15 yards easily with the Federal 9-pellet 00 buck, which actually patterned a bit tighter than the Hornady 8-pellet VersaTite load at that distance, though the Critical defense was tighter out to 20 yards. The less tight improved cylinder choke on my Beretta 1301 actually patterns a bit tighter inside 25 with the same ammo, but not markedly so. Headshots with the M4 EXT out to 50 yards using Federal Hydra-Shok slugs were not especially challenging. After this, I put the M4 EXT through its paces with multiple magazine dumps and multi-target engagements using #8 Winchester and Remington birdshot loads on steel. Loading was simple, though inserting shells into the mag tube required a firm push to overcome the stops. I also found myself unconsciously searching forward of the trigger guard to activate the manual safety due to some ingrained habits from the 1301. Beyond total reliability with everything it was fed, I would subjectively give the edge in perceived recoil to the M4 EXT over the Beretta 1301, likely due to the extra 1.5 pounds in total weight.

The M4 EXT is equipped with a Picatinny optic rail from the factory, but we chose to test the gun with a Mesa Tactical SureShell six-shell carrier and ACRO-footprint optic mount, to which we mounted Steiner’s excellent MPS red-dot optic. Fully adjustable LPA ghost-ring iron sights are standard equipment.

Using Federal 9-pellet 00 buck, the modified choke in the M4 EXT easily patterned all shot in the C-Zone of an IDPA target out to 15 yards, and using Federal Hydra Shok slugs, 50-yard head shots were not especially challenging, thanks in large part to the precision afforded by the Steiner MPS red dot.

The Benelli M4 has been considered by many to be the premier tactical shotgun for the past 25+ years, and the M4 EXT should only enhance that reputation. Now fully 922(r) compliant and upgraded, with an MSRP of $2599, the M4 EXT is also one of the most expensive tactical shotguns on the market. As the saying goes, “you get what you pay for”. If it’s good enough for the U.S military and law enforcement, it’s likely good enough for you. While I’m not quite ready to give up my Beretta 1301 just yet, if I were, and had the dough, I would be looking hard at the battle-proven Benelli M4 EXT. See it at your nearest dealer or visit www.benelliusa.com for more information.