A shotgun is generally a smoothbore firearm, which means that the inside of the barrel is not rifled. Preceding smoothbore firearms, such as the musket, were widely used by armies in the 18th century. The direct ancestor to the shotgun, the blunderbuss, was also used in a similar variety of roles from self defence to riot control. It was often used by cavalry troops due to its generally shorter length and ease of use, as well as by coachmen for its substantial power. However, in the 19th century, these weapons were largely replaced on the battlefield with breechloading rifled firearms, which were more accurate over longer ranges. The military value of shotguns was rediscovered in the First World War, whenAmerican forces used 12-gauge pump action shotguns in close-quarters trench fighting to great effect.
Benelli Nova
The Benelli Nova is a pump action shotgun, popular for hunting and self-defense. Its most innovative and distinguishing feature is a one-piece receiver and buttstock, made of steel-reinforced polymer.
Hunting
This model is available with a variety of barrel and sight configurations, most intended for hunting and/or trap/skeet shooting. It is made in both Matte andcamouflage finishes. Due to the polymer coated receiver and stock, along with proprietary coatings on the action and barrel, it is considered impervious to the elements. Barrels may be rifled or smoothbore, and are usually 24", 26", or 28" long. This model is available in 12 gauge or 20 gauge. Five types of chokes are available. Typically sold with improved modified and full, internal chokes. extended aftermarket chokes available.
Supernova
This model incorporates a number of recoil reducing features, and has a removable stock that can be replaced by a pistol-grip stock. This model has a bigger trigger set.
Tactical
This model is intended for defensive purposes. With an 18½" barrel, and rifle or ghost- ring (diopter) sights, it is easier to wield and quicker to sight than hunting models. This barrel is smoothbore, and not tapped for chokes, reducing its versatility and rendering it less accurate at longer ranges. A slightly different model labeled the H2O Nova is similar, with the exception of an electroless nickel finish replacing the standard black coating, presumably with corrosion resistance in mind. This model is 12 gauge only.
Benelli M4 Super 90
(M1014)
The Benelli M4 Super 90 is an Italian semi-automatic shotgun manufactured by Benelli Armi SpA.
On May 4, 1998, the United States Army's Armaments Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC) at Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey issued Solicitation #DAAE30-98-R-0401, requesting submissions for a new 12 gauge, semi-automatic combat shotgun for the U.S. military.
In response to the request, Benelli Armi SpA of Urbino, Italy designed and built the Benelli M4 Super 90 Combat Shotgun. On August 4, 1998, five samples of the M4 were delivered to Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, and after intense testing, the M4 had beaten the competition. In early 1999, ARDEC awarded the M1014 Joint Service Combat Shotgun contract toHeckler & Koch, American subsidiary for importation of the Benelli M4 Combat Shotgun. The first units (count of 20,000) were delivered to the United States Marine Corps in 1999. During testing, the prototype was namedXM1014, but after adoption, the 'X' was dropped, and the weapon was officially designated the M1014.
The ARGO incorporates only four parts: two symmetrical shrouds containing two small steel gas pistons.
Additionally, the weapon is self-regulating for use with cartridges of varying length and power levels. It can fire 2.75 (70 mm) and 3-inch (76 mm) shells of differing power-levels without any operator adjustments and in any combination. Low-power rounds, such as less-lethal rubber pellets, must be cycled manually.
The sights are military-style ghost ring and are adjustable in the field using only a cartridge rim. The MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny sight rail on top allows use of both conventional and night-vision sights, while retaining use of the original sights.The modular basis of the shotgun means many of its features can be reconfigured as needed. It allows a user to quickly exchange the various assembly groups (barrel, buttstock, forearm, etc...) without the use of tools
The M4 was the first gas-operated shotgun produced by Benelli. Its function is designed around an entirely new method called the "auto regulating gas operated" (ARGO) system. The short-stroke design uses two stainless-steel self-cleaning pistons located just ahead of the chamber to function opposite the rotating bolt, thereby eliminating the need for the complex mechanisms found on other gas-actuated automatics.
SRM 1216 Tactical Shotgun
There are two common complaints shooters lodge against smoothbores: low magazine capacities and long overall lengths. Well, that isn’t a problem anymore! With the advent of SRM Arms second generation of its unique 1216 semi-auto shotgun, the company continues to put these complaints to rest.
The result is a shotgun capable of delivering a hail of lead on target.
It can also be reloaded just as quickly by yanking out the empty magazine tube and snapping a full one into place. The bolt will drop automatically, putting the SRM 1216 Gen 2 back in the fight.
The shotgun features an 18-inch barrel, a top Picatinny rail for mounting optics, side forend rails for mounting accessories, a Zytel polymer stock with an in-line design to help reduce muzzle rise and an unloaded weight of 7.25 pounds. A lever in the magazine hanger, which doubles as a front-sight mounting base, makes for fast magazines swaps.
The SRM 1216 Gen 2 is as fun to shoot as it is effective, and it will handle just about anything you feed it. In fact, a visit to the range is one of the most enjoyable ways I know to blow through a case of shotshells quickly!