sidpost

If I could find an M4 LE at those prices, I would be seriously tempted to get one. However, all I found were the Non-LE models for ~$2K or more. Add the normal mods and they get seriously more expensive. In terms of Mil and LE status, I am neither so, while a LE/MIL shotgun has some benefits for austere and harsh environments, those are highly unlikely for myself.

If Benelli offered the M4 with military/LE configuration to the public in the USA, I could see buying being more likely. At $2,000 "street pricing" plus all the money to restore it to its original configuration (or current LE configuration) it is simply not price competitive with the Beretta 1301. The ~1 pound weight difference is not significant to most people but, that is a tangible difference just like the added mag capacity from the factory configuration. Add the stuff missing on the M4 and you are much further apart than the $400 initial price difference. Add to all that, the fact we civilians are not flying all over the Mideast or to the Arctic Circle and don't deploy on multi-day missions in hostile territory. My 1301 might need some cleaning before >20K rounds of buckshot but, how many years will it take me to shoot that much? What is the likelihood I will shoot >100 rounds without a full cleaning? Finally, the 1301 series is built for a wide variety of users and different types of shooting which to me makes it more versatile overall. I voted with my wallet but, could have easily gone with the 300 Patrol shotgun too without giving up much, leaving a lot more money for shotgun shells and training. A bit like the poor college student in the old Subaru on the Forestry Service road with a tent ... A nice Lexus Overlander would be sweet but, would they have any gas money left to actually travel?

The collapsible stock on the M4 seems like a significant difference. Assuming similar stocks, Argo vs Blinq for cycling or the A300 at a much lower street price. The M4 requires some tinkering to get 7rd's capacity if you don't get an LE model while Beretta gives you full capacity from the factory. As I don't own and have not shot an M4 shotgun. I tend to think it may be overbuilt and a bit heavy compared to a Beretta shotgun. Any truth to that thought? What do users here see as the major differences, pros and cons, of the M4 versus the 1301 Mod 2 and A300 Patrol? TIA, Sid

How has the M4 changed over time? The LE and non-LE models are easy enough to understand. Then there are pistol grip stocks versus traditional stocks, and fixed chokes versus replaceable chokes. I see references to "Mod 2" but, I wonder if people are getting confused over the Beretta 1301 update. If buying used, are there things to be aware of in terms of updates to be aware of? TIA, Sid