I adore the gas-operated, semi-automatic Benelli M4 shotgun. It’s the world’s premier and proven combat shotgun. The Marine Corps-led, Joint Service Shotgun program concluded in 1999, with the Benelli M4 becoming the M1014 Joint Service Shotgun. This gas-operated shotgun boasts impressive reliability, the ARGO dual-piston gas system, and it’s readily available to the everyday Joe.
The problem with the Benelli M4 is that it has to come into the United States effectively neutered. The ridiculous importation laws we have to ensure it’s properly neutered when it comes to the states. Additionally, Benelli hasn’t taken many steps to modernize the old warhorse.
With that in mind, nothing is saying you can’t make it the gun you want it to be. It’s legendary enough that it’s become undeniable. What can we do to make the Benelli M4 a better shotgun? Let’s dive in and find out.
Freedom Fighter Tactical Magazine Tube (And other 922R Parts)
To take the Benelli M4 from its neutered configuration to its intended design, you must obey 922R compliance laws. This requires you to replace a number of foreign-made parts with American-made parts before you can extend the capacity, add an adjustable stock, etc. Freedom Fighter Tactical sells all the parts you need to reach 922R compliance, so do all that first.
Then, purchase the seven-round magazine tube and bring your Benelli M4 to the capacity it’s supposed to be. This now allows you to have seven rounds in the tube. With a round in the chamber and a round ghost loaded, that brings you to nine rounds total. Not bad for a semi-auto, tube-fed shotgun.
This would be the first upgrade I’d make to the Benelli M4. Freedom Fighter Tactical is an excellent shop for American-made parts, and their stuff is nothing but high-quality parts and pieces.
Freedom Fighter Tactical Oversized Bolt Release Button
One problem I do have with the stock Benelli M4 is that it has the dinkiest little bolt release in the world. It’s superbly small and tough to press. A very welcome upgrade to your Benelli M4 is the Freedom Fighter Tactical bolt release button. It’s massive, and when you press it, the bolt heads home with some real fury.
This seems like such a silly thing to upgrade but believe me; it will make all the difference in your shooting. The Freedom Fighter Tactical Oversized bolt release straps right on and makes your port loads so much faster.
Scalarworks SYNC Mount + Holosun 507C
The Benelli M4 comes optics-ready with a Picatinny rail, and it works without a snap. However, that doesn’t make it the best option. Replace the rail with the Scalarworks SYNC mount, specifically the RMR variant of the mount. Alongside the SYNC mount, grab a Holosun 507C. The SYNC mount mounts the optic incredibly low and close to the receiver. It removes the stacked tolerance problem and allows you to co-witness through the stock iron sights.
The Holosun 507C is a great optic for shotguns in general. It provides a number of great features, and it’s RMR-compatible, so it works perfectly with the SYNC RMR mount. The Holosun 507C has a solar panel for backup power, a side-loading battery, easy-to-adjust controls, and a multi-reticle system. That’s one of the best features of this optic. One of the reticles is a 32 MOA circle, and that’s perfect for a shotgun.
You can zero your buckshot inside of that 32 MOA circle, so you know exactly where it’s going at certain ranges. Plus, the Holosun is a rock-solid, well-made, and durable optic for close-range fighting.
Midwest Industries Benelli M4 M-LOK Handguard
The Benelli M4 features a handguard that’s right out of 1999. It’s plain, two-piece plastic, and that’s it. The M4 shotgun, in general, doesn’t offer a lot of room for adding accessories, either. With that in mind, the Midwest Industries Benelli M4 M-LOK handguard is an all-metal, incredibly modern option for the Benelli M4. It’s M-LOK and extends way past the original handguard.
This does mean we have to remove the sling keeper. However, we have a cure for that later. The Midwest Industries Benelli M4 M-LOK handguard offers you a ton of extra mounting space and room for all manner of accessories. Plus, the longer handguard allows you to have a more forward grip on the gun and offers you more control overall. It’s all metal, tough as nails, and capable of heavy-duty use.
GG&G Front Sling and Picatinny Rail Attachment Mount
Told you not to worry about the sling keeper. GG&G are the shotgun people, and they make a number of upgrades for the platform. Thai simple addition secures to your gun via the magazine cap. It’s locked in place and offers you two sling points and a small section of rail. The rail is perfect for mounting a light and avoiding barrel shadow, but if you’d prefer to mount your light to your M-LOK handguard, then there is a sling-only version as well.
It’s a simple, all-metal attachment that’s also quite affordable and very useful. If the Midwest handguard is a little too pricey, then this upgrade allows you to attach a light without much difficulty, and it’s much more affordable.
Blue Force Gear Padded Vickers Combat Sling
All this talk of slings had to eventually result in me suggesting one, right? Of course! The Blue Force Gear Vickers Combat Sling is another Marine Corps special. The Marine Corps led the charge in adopting the VCAS, and it has become one of the most legendary slings on the market for tactical applications.
This tactical two-point comes in a padded configuration, and I’ve always found it to be quite comfortable. This two-point is quite modern, with a quick adjustment design that makes it easy to rapidly adjust the sling to tighten or lengthen the sling. It’s rapidly used and allows for a hands-free approach or for maximum freedom of movement.
GG&G Slotted Charging Handle
There is nothing necessarily wrong with the charging handle on the Benelli M4. I’ve never had any trouble with it, but it feels a bit dinky. A dinky charging handle isn’t the most intuitive option. The GG&G slotted charging handle is absolutely massive and heavily textured for a sure and easy grip. It’s easy to hit with a blade-style charging method and easy to grip and rip should something get jammed up.
It’s another fairly simple upgrade and one that makes a big difference in how your Benelli handles. This simple slotted charging handle is another affordable upgrade to your expensive shotgun.
Federal FliteControl Buckshot
Is ammo an upgrade? Who knows, but you can certainly upgrade your ammo! With that in mind, the best buckshot for defensive applications comes from Federal in the form of the Flitecontrol loads. These incredibly tight patterning loads act like slugs up close and deliver buckshot performance when it matters. This allows for complete and total accountability of your pellets and ensures they go only where you want them.
Plus, it’s premium-grade defensive ammunition that performs with an incredible level of reliability. Even though it’s a low-recoil cartridge, it cycles perfectly in the Benelli M4 and functions flawlessly.
The Italian Stallion
The Benelli M4 is the world’s most proven combat shotgun. This semi-auto boombox is one of the best tactical shotguns on the market, and it throws buckshot like no other. A few upgrades can take it to the next level, and hopefully, we’ve given you a few ideas on how to do just that.
