Re: Benelli M4 or Mossberg 590
Previously I posted this about a similar debate:
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: viav13</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I own a lot of shotguns and have been a long time fan.
Here's my thoughts on the different shotguns:
A pump gun is a good multi-purpose tool. You can use it for many different things. Feed any number of rounds through it and it won't give you much trouble. As far as the 870 vs 500 series war, I lean on the 500 series a lot more than my 870. I just prefer it. Its safety is ambidextrous, and slide release doesn't require me to move my hand to engage it. People complain it feels sloppy, but I Think it adds to its reliability. It still patterns well.
If you get a 500 you can use it for everything with just a change of barrels. Slug barrel, Long bird barrel, a short 18in home defense barrel. I even have a muzzle loader barrel for mine. It doesn't have a 6+ round tube option, but if you want that there is the 590. Same gun with more rounds.
My new 590 did come with a bayonet and lug so that it can be attached.
The one thing the 870 does have over the 500 is the ability to add mag extensions. I do appreciate this greatly and have added a +3 round tube on mine. Now it looks cooler but is a bit long to be swinging around indoors without a pistol grip to short stock it.
Like I mentioned before though, I feel that pumps are more a multi-purpose gun than a offensive weapon. A short pump makes a wicked secondary weapon. Breaching, less-than-lethal, and other specialty rounds have made the pump a hard to beat. (dragons breath)
Semi-auto guns are more offensive oriented I think. They don't offer the flexibility that a pump gun has but they do have fire power on demand. I own a 930 spx and have fired just about all the major brands under the sun. 930 is a great gun, lots of fun, I just wish it had a pistol grip stock available for it. I feel that the semis benefit a lot more from one than a pump. It adds to the offensive side of things.
The 1100 is a great gun with a long history and lots of options. Can't really go wrong with it. Especially the one in the link mentioned above.
The Benelli's are amazing guns. They can take a beating and keep moving. There not as sensitive to ammo changes as some other semi shotties are. The one I would say is most note worthy is the Super Black Eagle. You can put any conventional shell through it and just fire away. 2 3/4" - 3 1/2" magnums. You can even miss match loads in the tube without issue. Just load it and shoot. It feels great, has low recoil, and is well balanced. It is more of a sporting gun, but since you didn't mention your purpose I threw it in here because its on my short list to buy.
As for 18-20in, 2in is not really going to make a huge difference in anything. In fact I would just go with the 18in and save myself the hassle of 2in.
And go with a 12ga. tons more ammo options and its the same price for more shot in the air. You can't buy 00 buck for 20ga. </div></div>
To sum up what I think more on the basis of this conversation:
Keep both. You may need a pump someday because a semi-auto is not the end-all-to-beat-all of guns. If that was the case we would all be running around with semi-auto sniper rifles. A pump(IMHO especially Mossberg) is going to run anything because it is not sensitive to powders or ammo types. Clean ammo, dirty ammo, smelly ammo, it don't matter. As awesome as the Benelli is, because of it moving parts, you cannot guarantee the same reliability.
And yes I have shot plenty of Benelli's and love them a lot.
Its like a revolver vs a semi-auto pistol. Mechanical action vs gas blow back. Both have there fans for a reason.
