Beretta A300 vs Benelli M4

Overview: Benelli M4 vs Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol

The video opens with a comparison between two well-known gas-operated tactical shotguns: the Benelli M4, also known as the M1014 in Marine Corps service, and the Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol. The Benelli M4 is described as a long-proven combat shotgun with a strong service record. The Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol is presented as a newer, versatile option in Beretta’s lineup. Both platforms are positioned as tactical-style shotguns intended for roles such as patrol or defensive use. The hosts plan to move beyond specs and actually shoot the guns side by side to see how they perform in practice and which one feels more precise and controllable on the range.

Specs, capacity, and pricing differences

The Benelli M4 is highlighted for its military pedigree and durability but also for a key limitation in its civilian configuration: a 5+1 magazine capacity unless a tube extension is added. It includes a Picatinny rail on top, standard peep sights, a high-visibility front sight, and a fully adjustable rear aperture. The shotgun uses a traditional pistol grip and an adjustable stock that can be collapsed for a more compact profile, paired with an 18.5-inch barrel. In contrast, the Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol is described as a jack-of-all-trades platform that can serve in patrol roles or as a more traditional hunting-style shotgun. Out of the box, it offers a 7+1 capacity and comes in at roughly half the price of the Benelli M4, around the $1,100 range compared to approximately $1,900–$2,000 for the Benelli.

Range setup and shooter experience

At the range on a cold day, the hosts introduce Eliza, who has limited shotgun experience. They start her with lighter birdshot loads to get comfortable with the Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol and the Benelli M4 before moving to heavier ammunition. The A300 Patrol is described as a tactical, everyday, jack-of-all-trades shotgun with a street price around the mid-$800 range. The Benelli M4, again referred to by its M1014 designation, is noted as the most expensive option on the table at about $1,800. The plan is for Eliza to shoot each platform and provide impressions on recoil, comfort, and overall handling, while the more experienced host observes and compares her reactions.

Comparing recoil and shootability

After initial familiarization with birdshot, Eliza compares the Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol and the Benelli M4. She notes a clear difference between the two and initially favors the Benelli in that direct comparison. The hosts then transition from birdshot to buckshot to see how the guns behave with heavier loads. Eliza immediately feels the increased recoil and comments on the difference. Despite the added kick, she continues through the sequence, gaining a better sense of how each shotgun manages recoil and how controllable they remain under more demanding loads. This segment focuses on practical shootability rather than features on paper.

Panzer M4 clone enters the lineup

A third shotgun is introduced: the Panzer Arms M4, a more budget-friendly clone of the Benelli M4 design. The host explains that once Benelli’s patent expired, other manufacturers began producing M4-style shotguns, and the Panzer M4 is one such example. It is described as significantly more affordable, with a street price around $500, compared to the high-end Benelli and the mid-priced Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol. Eliza had already tried the Panzer M4 with birdshot and found it to be her favorite at that point, calling it a good balance between cost and ease of shooting. The hosts now want to see if that preference holds when using buckshot and slugs.

Host shooting impressions with mixed loads

The more experienced host takes over and runs all three shotguns with a mix of birdshot, buckshot, and slugs loaded together. Starting with the Benelli M4, he notes that the gun can be ghost loaded and that this process feels easier on the Benelli than on the A300. He fires through the mixed ammunition, observing that the Benelli does rise under recoil but remains very manageable. Moving to the Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol, he repeats the same mixed-load sequence, describing it as very capable and effective. Finally, he shoots the Panzer M4 clone under the same conditions, treating it as the “Benelli-style shotgun at home” and evaluating how closely its performance and recoil impulse track with the original M4 at a much lower price point.

Capacity, ergonomics, and final preferences

In closing, the host emphasizes that all three shotguns are versatile but that capacity and cost are major differentiators. The Benelli M4 and the Panzer M4 both ship with a 5-round magazine tube, leaving the user with five shots unless they invest in extensions. The Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol stands out by offering an 8+1 capacity out of the box, which the host considers a meaningful advantage. He notes that the A300’s stock feels better in hand and that its overall ergonomics suit him well, even though Benelli offers various stock options, including more traditional pistol-grip configurations. Eliza ultimately chooses the Panzer M4 as her favorite due to its balance of affordability and shootability, while the host leans toward the A300 Ultima Patrol as a strong middle-ground option between price, capacity, and handling.