m4 or m2

[johnem]

I am buying my first shotgun Monday and I can't decide between an m4 or m2. It is mainly for home defense but I also want to be able to go shoot dove and other various game with my friends. My question is if I buy a M2 can I buy a round extension to hold more rounds, or if I buy a m4 is there a plug that can limit it to 2 rounds to comply with game laws and if so how big of a pain in the ass is it to convert between the 2 ( will I need a specialist to do it or can I do it at home). Id like to be able to get the most out of it by hvaing it for home defense with round capacity and the ease of changing over to shoot game.

[agm65ccip]

It is mainly for home defense but I also want to be able to go shoot dove and other various game with my friends. My question is if I buy a M2 can I buy a round extension to hold more rounds, or if I buy a m4 is there a plug that can limit it to 2 rounds to comply with game laws and if so how big of a pain in the ass is it to convert between the 2 ( will I need a specialist to do it or can I do it at home).

 

Since you say it is mostly for HD I'd say the m4 is more suited to that task. Not that the M2 couldn't handle it but if you were talking a field version that 28" barrel is a bit long unless you are going to be sitting in your HD plan.

 

As far as the tubes, the M2 has several extensions available, that should be no issue. If you went with the M4 it would be easy to throw a proper length dowel rod in the magazine tube to bring you into compliance.

[saym14]

I would imagine you could get a field M2 with 28 inch barrel for trap and hunting. put on a mag tube extension and then get a 18 inch barrel to put on for HD.

[L84Cabo]

Err...the issue with the M4 is probably going to be that they only make an 18.5 in barrel for it. Is that going to be enough barrel for they type of hunting you're planning on?

[tinman1975]

I had the same dilema. . I ended up getting both. .but if you want one that can do both. . I would get the m2 with the 21 inch barrel. You can get a nordic components mag extension or daves metal works extension for like fourty bucks which will bring your total up to eight rounds in the tube. Also you have to think about sights. The m4 comes with ghost ring sights.. . .which are no fun trying to shoot birds or clays with. .if I had to buy only one. I would buy the m2. You can always buy an extra barrel for longer lengths. . . .you can't get a longer barrel for the m4. If you look around. .m2 americans are being sold for like 800 bucks new. That saves you about 600 bucks over the m4. With that money you can buy stuff like extra barrel or magazine extension

[saym14]

I had the same dilema. . I ended up getting both. .but if you want one that can do both. . I would get the m2 with the 21 inch barrel. You can get a nordic components mag extension or daves metal works extension for like fourty bucks which will bring your total up to eight rounds in the tube. Also you have to think about sights. The m4 comes with ghost ring sights.. . .which are no fun trying to shoot birds or clays with. .if I had to buy only one. I would buy the m2. You can always buy an extra barrel for longer lengths. . . .you can't get a longer barrel for the m4. If you look around. .m2 americans are being sold for like 800 bucks new. That saves you about 600 bucks over the m4. With that money you can buy stuff like extra barrel or magazine extension

 

I agree with everything you said except - the M4 IS fun to shoot at clays wth the ghost ring sights.

[chuck_s]

Despite the fact I have three short barreled "defensive" shotguns, including an M4 Shotgun, they're second or even third tier weapons for that use. At least in my neighborhood.

 

Leaving aside their weight and length for a moment they're not magic area weapons and need to be aimed with at least as much accuracy as you would a M4 Carbine, a much handier weapon in every environment. At 15 yards my M4 pattern with 00Buck shows below. Beyond that range there are pellets running uncontrolled down range.

 

You never, ever want to have to clear your house of intruders alone. After running live fire drills in closely controlled training exercises my shotguns are the third thing I'd want to do this with!

 

Add to this the low ammunition load you have. 0330 bump in the night scenario calls for a high capacity weapon. A 30 round magazine in my M4 Carbine tops my list. Juggling sidesaddle reloading in the dark takes more skill than I have the practice time to master.

 

I'm not sure who said it, the it's true: If you're carrying a shotgun you need to either be firing it -- or loading it!

 

-- Chuck

[M1014]

m222222222222222222222222222222222

[Hogslayer]

Despite the fact I have three short barreled "defensive" shotguns, including an M4 Shotgun, they're second or even third tier weapons for that use. At least in my neighborhood.

 

Leaving aside their weight and length for a moment they're not magic area weapons and need to be aimed with at least as much accuracy as you would a M4 Carbine, a much handier weapon in every environment. At 15 yards my M4 pattern with 00Buck shows below. Beyond that range there are pellets running uncontrolled down range.

 

You never, ever want to have to clear your house of intruders alone. After running live fire drills in closely controlled training exercises my shotguns are the third thing I'd want to do this with!

 

Add to this the low ammunition load you have. 0330 bump in the night scenario calls for a high capacity weapon. A 30 round magazine in my M4 Carbine tops my list. Juggling sidesaddle reloading in the dark takes more skill than I have the practice time to master.

 

I'm not sure who said it, the it's true: If you're carrying a shotgun you need to either be firing it -- or loading it!

 

-- Chuck

WOW! Clearing your house? I'm pretty sure that's what 911 and the police are for. The shotgun is for keeping the intruder away from where I'm at, hence the term "home defense" with emphasis on the defense part, not for "clearing" my house. Not to mention, high capacity weapons, specifically the 5.56mm type require you to aim or innocents might become your unintended victims. And if you need more rounds than the M4 with a mag extension holds you should probably spend more time on the range.

[Hogslayer]

I am buying my first shotgun Monday and I can't decide between an m4 or m2. It is mainly for home defense but I also want to be able to go shoot dove and other various game with my friends. My question is if I buy a M2 can I buy a round extension to hold more rounds, or if I buy a m4 is there a plug that can limit it to 2 rounds to comply with game laws and if so how big of a pain in the ass is it to convert between the 2 ( will I need a specialist to do it or can I do it at home). Id like to be able to get the most out of it by hvaing it for home defense with round capacity and the ease of changing over to shoot game.

My advice to you is to buy both. Keep your hunting guns set up for hunting and keep your defense gun defensive. If money is tight (I know the benelli folks will complain) but look at the mossbergs 500s for your defensive needs. They make good guns at a reasonable price.

[saym14]

My advice to you is to buy both. Keep your hunting guns set up for hunting and keep your defense gun defensive. If money is tight (I know the benelli folks will complain) but look at the mossbergs 500s for your defensive needs. They make good guns at a reasonable price.

 

 

hmm 30 rounds of .223 vs. 81 oo pellets in my M4 ? think if you have to double tap each bad guy withthe 223 the M4 will 9-tap them.

 

If I had three intruders breaking down my door I would grab my Benelli M4 over my AR anyday.

[M1014]

hmm 30 rounds of .223 vs. 81 oo pellets in my M4 ? think if you have to double tap each bad guy withthe 223 the M4 will 9-tap them.

 

If I had three intruders breaking down my door I would grab my Benelli M4 over my AR anyday.

amennnnnnnnnnn

[Hogslayer]

hmm 30 rounds of .223 vs. 81 oo pellets in my M4 ? think if you have to double tap each bad guy withthe 223 the M4 will 9-tap them.

 

If I had three intruders breaking down my door I would grab my Benelli M4 over my AR anyday.

Truer words have never been spoken!

[daniel333]

I was asking myself the same question 2 months ago. Spend the extra money and get the M4. You wont regret it.

[saym14]

but the m4 is not a hunting or clay guns. most trap clubs wont let you shoot 18 Inch tactical SG's.

 

there is no one gun does it all. why I have a M4 and a O/U.

[BM4robbins]

I would imagine you could get a field M2 with 28 inch barrel for trap and hunting. put on a mag tube extension and then get a 18 inch barrel to put on for HD.

+1 on this approach.

[m4wielder]

Despite the fact I have three short barreled "defensive" shotguns, including an M4 Shotgun, they're second or even third tier weapons for that use. At least in my neighborhood.

 

Leaving aside their weight and length for a moment they're not magic area weapons and need to be aimed with at least as much accuracy as you would a M4 Carbine, a much handier weapon in every environment. At 15 yards my M4 pattern with 00Buck shows below. Beyond that range there are pellets running uncontrolled down range.

 

You never, ever want to have to clear your house of intruders alone. After running live fire drills in closely controlled training exercises my shotguns are the third thing I'd want to do this with!

 

Add to this the low ammunition load you have. 0330 bump in the night scenario calls for a high capacity weapon. A 30 round magazine in my M4 Carbine tops my list. Juggling sidesaddle reloading in the dark takes more skill than I have the practice time to master.

 

I'm not sure who said it, the it's true: If you're carrying a shotgun you need to either be firing it -- or loading it!

 

-- Chuck

 

Chuck you sound like you have experience with this sort of thing so I'm hoping you will explain a few things I dont understand. If during a 0330 bump in the night scenario you decide to go "clear" your house, if not alone, who is going to lend assistance? Wife, GF, Kids?? Just curious. Or are you going to wait for the police to show up and then ask if they want help? You mentioned uncontrolled pellets down range right before you said how much better 30 high powered long distance rifle bullets are. why 30? how many people are you expecting in that "bump in the night" ? I'm guessing the national average for break ins involves 1.1 people or so. So again, 30 bullets for 1.1 persons? sounds like a lot of uncontrolled lead down range to me.

 

"Juggling side saddle loading, in the dark". Not that I think you would ever need to with a 6-9 round capacity benelli, but if so it's really not hard, at all. the amount of light available matters not. very stinking unlikely to be reloading in a home defense situation though.

 

shot guns need to be aimed with at least as much accuracy. That's interesting as all ****. for what reason, are we talking about probability of a hit or concerned about damaging some sheet rock?

 

a carbine is a much handier weapon in any environment. thats Interesting to say the least. So like in trenches or for hitting moving targets or for breaching doors or firing a vast assortment of projectile types....?

 

sorry but most everything you said is nuts.

Edited December 31, 2010 by m4wielder