Greenmantis

1) Are there any design differences between a recent (new) Benelli M3 shotgun and an older Heckler & Koch branded M3? 2) Would I be able to install a pistol grip stock onto an H&K M3? 3) Have there been ANY design changes in the M3 in the last 15yrs? If so, what are they? Can you take an older M3 and update it with newer replacement parts? Is it econimically feasible to do so if possible? 4) What should I know about buying an M3, that I probably don't know, but should? 5) Why did H&K and Benelli part ways? It seemed like a good match of companies. H&K having inroads into the law enforcement community and commitment to manufacturing high quality pistols. Benelli having that same commitment with the longarms that they manufacture, but less of a presence in the LE community. I am very interested in purchasing an M3, but want to get a good deal. I was just outbid on gunbroker on a very nice one for about $900 I think that I can get one for less than that. I appreciate any information that more knowledgeable members can provide. Thank you for your time. ~Greenmantis

Well that's good to know. I guess... Totally ******* retarded law if you ask me. I can't modify a shotgun that doesn't effect its functioning one bit, but I can legally buy a .50BMG semi-auto rifle with a high power optical scope. [Which I support the right to own...] I despise gun abolitionists. I am curious about this importation ban though. I want to know if the NRA is working to overturn it. Does anybody know where I can find the exact wording of the bill? Speaking of this: Oregon has a SCARY Bill before the Oregon Legislature is Senate Bill 927 WOW!! AR-15's illegal hmmm Guess the Police won't be borrowing any of these from the local gunstore if they have a big bank robbery here huh? It doesn't have a prayer of passing and ironically has inspired people like myself to stand up and take MORE action against the antigun lobbiests. If you live in Oregon I urge you to contact your representative and tell him how you feel about this issue. This bill would directly affect Oregonians ability to buy the M1, M3, & M4 with pistolgrip stocks. [ 04-29-2005, 03:41 AM: Message edited by: Greenmantis ]

I think that what is meant by "slug barrel" is that it doesn't have a choke installed. Completly open. Just my guess though...

I'm not entirely sure that you are completely correct. I am not an expert on firearms laws, but I am aware of at least two companies that manufacture aftermarket collapsible AR style stocks for Remington and Mossberg shotguns. [by the way they look totally badass when installed.] Those are perfectly legal to install on your weapon as long as total length at its shortest configuration isn't less than 26" Mesa Tactical is one of the companies I have seen make these adapter kits. Somehow I don't think they would stay in business if it were illegal to install these kits on shotguns. I seem to recall that the '89 import ban limited what could be installed on the weapons coming into the country. AKS got around this by installing regular rifle butstocks and importing the folding stocks seperately... Other companies just moved portion of their operation to the USA. SIG ARMS? It is possible that the BATF considers folders as a seperate entity. I wouldn't know why... but BATF rules are confusing and many times without logic. A couple of other things that I would like to mention... While I am aware that the BATF can be brutish and draconian in their enforcement of laws... In most criminal charges the state must prove two things: mens rea [the guilty mind] and actus rea [the guilty act] I.E. Intent and action. For instance you couldn't be charged with grand auto theft if you came out of the mall got in "your" car and drove away... only later to realize this wasn't your car even though it looked like your car, and the keys worked in it. So you call to return it. There is no intent. My point is that the Feds aren't really interested in busting a little guy that broke an BATF rule unintentionally. And when was the last time you saw an official weapons inspector come to your house? "Excuse me sir, We need to inspect your shotgun... Uh-huh just as I suspected! 24.5" in length! Collar 'em boys! You're goin' downtown." These rules are mostly used as a tool to "lean on" somebody for more serious crimes, to gain leads on other criminals, and to make sentencing worse for bad people. For the most part you won't get in trouble for minor stuff unless you warrant a closer look at by the feds. You mileage may very... And Randy Weaver may disagree with me.. Ciao' Greenmantis

Nope. No joke. I’m not sure what you find incredulous about my wishes. I am part of a team that protects Navy ships. We have a 100yd protection perimeter around the ship. I want a shotgun that is accurate out to this range. Because of stupid regulations shotguns MUST be pump (or capable of pump action). A smooth bore just won’t cut it. Therefore I need a rifled barrel. To address the other reply — The M3T won’t work any better. The only difference (that I can tell) between it and a regular M3 is that it has a folding stock and rifle sights. While that might be nice for carrying, I plan to mount a scope on it that would interfere with the folding stock. And they don’t make rifled barrels for it either. If it weren’t for the goofy regulation I would probably focus in on an M4. Combat designed weapon. I don’t know if Benelli makes rifled barrels for that model either. And if they didn’t I would again look for someone that could make one. I think LE and security are just now peripherally becoming aware of the application of shotgun slugs & sabot rounds as a tactical and useful round. Law Enforcement and military has always been half a step behind the hunting community when it comes to small arms for as long as militia has deployed the firearm. In my opinion there is nothing as devastating as a 1oz slug accurately placed on a target at mid-ranges [25 - 100 yrds] The infamous Hollywood bank robbery in 1997 would have been completely different if some of those officers had been trained and equipped with 12Ga slug launchers. The body armor the BG were wearing probably would have prevented mortal wounds, but I believe that they would have been incapacitated. How many slugs to the groin can YOU take even wearing IIIA armor ? ~Greenmantis

I would like to know if there is anyone out there that knows of a specialty gunsmith that has the skills / capabilities to manufacture a rifled barrel for the M3? I live in the Portland Metro [Oregon] area. I don't mind sending it somewhere else provided I know the expertise of the person doing the work. A little background so that I don't get questions as WHY I would want such a thing: Why don't I just get an M1 or an M4 you ask? Well I work for a private security company that protects Navy owned ships. The government standards haven't progressed as fast as technology has. Their guidelines for private security regarding shotguns are that they must be pump (or at least pump action capable). I think this is behind the times thinking for LE / Security / Tactical situations. I want a semi-auto capable weapon. I have gotten powers on high to bless the Benelli M3 as applicable to the guidelines. The second part of this equation is that we most often carry slugs in the shotguns when defending the ships. In accordance with that need I would really like to maximize the capability of these rounds. Hence my unusual needs: Benelli M3 /w small scope, & rifled barrel that is pinned to the receiver [although not permanently] & collapsible stock. If you have ANY idea of whom I should be speaking too, please let me know how to get in contact with them. Oh and I will be looking for someone that can create a collapsible stock as well. Either by adapting something already out on the market or creating an entirely custom stock. Thank you very much for your time. I really appreciate any information that you can provide. Sincerely, Greenmantis

I don't believe that since the sunsetting of the AWB last year that it is against the law as long as it is 26" total length or longer when folded up. [i beleive that is an NFA rule.] And if it is shorter, it still can be legal... You'll just have to get a BATF stamp for it. I could be completely incorrect. It could happen. I have been once... or was it twice..? before. Ciao' Greenmantis