The hosts introduce the Benelli M4 as an iconic semi-automatic shotgun adopted by the United States Marine Corps and used by the United Kingdom and other countries. Designed in 1998 and entering service around 1999, it is described as battle proven, with tens of thousands of rounds through the platform. The shotgun shown features the Benelli M4 tactical stock, which is adjustable, and a restricted magazine tube holding five rounds to comply with import regulations, though extensions can increase capacity to seven plus one. They note the gas piston operating system, emphasizing that it tends to run a wide range of 12 gauge loads while maintaining reliable function and familiar ergonomics.
With the expiration of the Benelli M4 patent, several Turkish-made M4-pattern shotguns have appeared. The hosts lay out three examples: the Hermox X Defense, the Military Armament Corporation MAC 1014, and the Panzer Arms M4. The Hermox X Defense closely mimics the Benelli layout and includes an adjustable comb tactical stock and a collapsible AR-15 style stock, with a five-round tube that can accept extensions. The MAC 1014 uses a traditional fixed stock similar to early Marine Corps-issue Benelli M4s and also ships with a five-round tube that can be extended. The Panzer Arms M4, shown in a gray finish, offers an adjustable comb, options for both a tactical and a traditional stock, and a five-round tube with available extensions. Minor differences include a more robust charging handle on the Panzer and fiber optic sights on the MAC, but overall controls and layout remain very similar to the Benelli.
The range portion begins with the original Benelli M4, priced at about $2,000. The hosts discuss why shooters might consider clones, mainly for a lower purchase price, while acknowledging the Benelli’s long-standing reputation. The Benelli is ghost loaded to hold seven rounds: five in the magazine tube, one in the chamber, and one on the loading gate. Firing 12 gauge buckshot at a moderate pace, the shooter comments that recoil is noticeable, as expected from a 12 gauge, but manageable. A second shooter runs the shotgun, starting with a couple of slower shots and then dumping the remaining rounds. Both note that the gun functions properly and delivers predictable recoil and handling, setting a baseline for comparison with the Turkish clones.
Next, the Hermox X Defense Turkish clone is loaded and fired. The host demonstrates ghost loading again, explaining that the shotgun’s five-round magazine tube can be supplemented with one round in the chamber and one on the loading gate for a total of seven. The Hermox X Defense is then fired rapidly to get an impression of its feel and reliability. The shooter reports that it feels about the same as the Benelli M4 in terms of recoil and operation. A second shooter repeats the process, also ghost loading and then dumping the magazine. The hosts emphasize that this is a short, informal test—only a handful of rounds per gun—intended to get an initial sense of function and handling rather than to serve as a long-term durability or high round-count reliability evaluation.
The MAC 1014 from Military Armament Corporation is tested next. It is another Turkish M4-pattern shotgun, this time with a traditional fixed stock similar to the configuration originally issued with some Marine Corps Benelli M4s. The host again ghost loads the shotgun, placing one round in the chamber and one on the loading gate in addition to the five in the tube. This is the first time they have fired this particular MAC 1014 on camera. After running the shotgun, the shooter notes that it performs well, with no malfunctions observed. A second shooter comments later that the traditional stock seems to provide a bit more stability on the shoulder, possibly due to the way it fits his build. Functionally, the MAC 1014’s loading and firing characteristics appear very similar to the Benelli and the other clones tested.
The final shotgun is the Panzer Arms M4, another Turkish clone, shown with a gray finish and referred to jokingly as “Camera Daddy.” It features an adjustable comb and can be configured with either a tactical or traditional stock, with a five-round tube that can be extended. The host again uses ghost loading to increase capacity beyond five rounds, noting a preference for more than five shots for evaluation. The Panzer Arms M4 is then fired rapidly. The shooter remarks that the performance matches expectations, with the gun running smoothly and without issues during this brief test. A second shooter also runs the Panzer and comments that it “shoots like Camera Daddy,” reinforcing that, in this limited session, it behaves comparably to the other M4-pattern shotguns on the line.
After firing the Benelli M4 and the three Turkish clones—the Hermox X Defense, MAC 1014, and Panzer Arms M4—the hosts share overall impressions. They agree that all of the shotguns feel very similar in recoil, trigger feel, and basic handling during this short range session. The main difference one shooter notices is the sense of stability provided by the MAC 1014’s traditional stock, which seems to seat more solidly on his shoulder. Otherwise, loading procedures, including ghost loading, and general functionality appear nearly identical across the original and the clones. The hosts emphasize that, based on this limited number of rounds, they cannot clearly distinguish one as shooting better than the others, and they suggest that a more extensive, high round-count test would be needed to draw firm conclusions about long-term reliability and durability.
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