The story of the M1014 is fascinating. The Marine Corps rarely gets to be the lead on a joint service project. The small size and limited resources of the Marine Corps often make them second to the Army when it comes to searching out new small arms. However, in 1998 the USMC got their opportunity, and as the Marine Corps tends to do, they charged forward, ready to deliver the best possible option.
The U.S. Army Armaments Research, Developments, and Engineering Center, aka ARDEC, put out the solicitation for a new semi-automatic combat shotgun. The Marine Corps was tapped to lead the project and quickly developed a set of requirements. Benelli, an Italian shotgun firm well known for its shotguns, submitted their newly developed M4 shotgun.
The USMC put the gun through the wringer, and the M4 proved successful. The M1014 killed it and won the competition. Subsequently, the Marines order 20,000 of them.
Enter The M1014
The Benelli M4 became the M1014 Joint Service Shotgun. Shotguns in the military were traditionally manually operated designs. With these other shotguns, troops have to manually operate a pump-action between shots. The Benelli M1014 changed the game by being a semi-auto design.
Like the rifles issued to troops, the weapon fired once per trigger pull and did not require a manual action between shots. The M1014 did not fully replace pump-action shotguns in military inventories but augmented it. A pump-action shotgun can handle less-lethal loads due to the manual operation. These less lethal shells are not powerful enough to cycle the semi-automatic M1014.
The M1014 is a pure combat shotgun designed for fighting in close quarter’s situations. Benelli built the M1014 from the ground up to meet the Marine Corps requirements. Marines wanted a shotgun that could reliably function and work with various optics and attachments. Benelli’s previous shotguns, the M1, M2, and M3, were inertia-operated.
Inertia-based guns are fascinating and are very capable weapons. Inertia-based guns fail when users start adding weight in the form of optics, accessories, and so forth and so on. Gas-based guns, like the M1014, are not affected by the addition of weight.
Gas-based shotguns existed before the M1014, but and Benelli did things differently. Benelli invented the ARGO gas system for the M4 series guns. ARGO stands for auto regulating gas system. As the name implies, the ARGO system automatically adjusts to varying power levels and lengths.
Gas drives two stainless steel pistons to operate the action. These pistons drive the bolt rearward and eject the fired shell, cock the hammer, and loads the next round. It stays cools and shooting gloves are not required here.
Trial By Fire
The M1014 hit the fleet in 1999, and two short years later, the Global War on Terror kicked off. Marines deployed with a wide variety of weapons, and the M1014 was one of them. Pictures from the GWOT started showing the M1014 in action. Shotguns rule close-range fighting, so they are somewhat niche.
Troops often carry a rifle and shotgun, something I did when issued a Mossberg 590A1. In the Battle of Fallujah, shotguns cleared rooms, breached doors, and worked checkpoints.
The United States isn’t the only user of the M4 shotgun. The SAS also issue the weapon, and famously the gun eliminated five ISIS insurgents in mere seconds. The SAS partnered with MI6, and Iraqi Special Operation pulled off an early morning raid on a bomb-making factory. The pointman entered and quickly took down five armed insurgents.
Shotguns in close quarters absolutely dominate. Semi-automatic shotguns dominate close-quarters combat, and while that role is small, it’s important. The Benelli design has proven to be extremely popular and more than capable in that role.
How It Handles
As a Marine, I only handled the M1014 as a familiarization exercise. The Corps gave me a Mossberg 590A1, and the M1014 was a pipe dream. However, I’m a free man and a gun nerd, so I did the American thing and purchased one.
You can read all about a piece of gear, but until you experience it’s tough to grasp. That’s especially true with the Benelli M4/M1014. Once you handle the gun you know why the USMC chose it.
Firing a shotgun means getting a beating most of the time. However, the gas-operated design reduces recoil significantly. Firing accurate and fast follow-up shots is boringly simple. That’s critical for close quarter’s battle scenarios that rely on speed and decisive action.
The ARGO system allows for reliable operation that’s not ammo picky and does require constant cleaning. It can take a real beating and not be fouled by dust, carbon, and whatever else the world throws at it. Semi-auto shotguns are ammo picky and often unreliable in harsh conditions. The M1014 changed that perception and became the king of combat shotguns.
The M1014 has been successful now for more than two decades. Deployment of the M1014 is rare, but when it’s needed, there is no better option. The Marines do most things well, and the M1014 exemplifies that.
Great article.
Just desire to say your article is as surprising.
The clarity for your publish is just great and that i could think you are a professional in this subject.
Fine with your permission allow me to grab your RSS feed to
stay updated with imminent post. Thanks one million and please keep
up the enjoyable work.
I think this is one of the most important info
for me. And i am glad reading your article. But should remark on some general things, The site style is great, the articles is really great
: D. Good job, cheers
I every time used to study piece of writing in news papers but now as I am a user of internet therefore from now I am using
net for articles or reviews, thanks to web.
Great article.
This post is genuinely a nice one it helps new web visitors,
who are wishing for blogging.
This is the right blog for anybody who would like to find out about this topic.
You understand a whole lot its almost tough to argue with you (not
that I personally will need to…HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a subject that has been written about for a long time.
Wonderful stuff, just wonderful!
Spot on with this write-up, I actually believe that this web site needs far more attention. I’ll probably
be back again to read through more, thanks for the
information!
Excellent blog! Do you have any tips and hints for aspiring writers?
I’m planning to start my own site soon but I’m a little lost on everything.
Would you recommend starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option?
There are so many options out there that I’m completely overwhelmed ..
Any suggestions? Bless you!
Remarkable! Its truly remarkable piece of writing, I have got much clear idea regarding
from this paragraph.
Wow, awesome weblog layout! How lengthy have you ever been blogging for?
you made blogging glance easy. The entire look of your site is fantastic, as neatly as the content!
Every weekend i used to visit this web page, as i want enjoyment, for the reason that this this web page conations truly fastidious
funny material too.
Saved as a favorite, I like your web site!
Hmm it looks like your blog ate my first comment (it was extremely long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I submitted and say,
I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I too am an aspiring blog blogger but
I’m still new to the whole thing. Do you have any tips for beginner blog writers?
I’d certainly appreciate it.
Why viewers still make use of to read news papers when in this technological world
everything is presented on web?
I could not resist commenting. Perfectly written!
Your mode of explaining the whole thing in this
post is actually pleasant, every one be capable of simply know it,
Thanks a lot.
Wonderful blog! I found it while browsing on Yahoo News.
Do you have any tips on how to get listed in Yahoo News?
I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there!
Many thanks
Highly energetic post, I loved that a lot. Will there
be a part 2?
Fantastic post however , I was wanting to know if you could write a litte more on this topic?
I’d be very grateful if you could elaborate a little
bit further. Thank you!
I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was
good. I don’t know who you are but certainly you are going to a famous blogger if you are not already 😉
Cheers!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on bestmotorcycles2020.blogspot.com.
Regards
It’s truly very difficult in this active life to listen news on TV, therefore I simply use
the web for that reason, and obtain the
most recent news.
Good day very nice web site!! Guy .. Beautiful .. Amazing ..
I will bookmark your website and take the feeds
additionally? I am satisfied to search out so many
helpful info right here within the put up, we need develop extra techniques in this regard,
thank you for sharing. . . . . .
Fabulous, what a blog it is! This web site presents useful
data to us, keep it up.
I was recommended this website by my cousin. I’m not sure whether this post is written by him
as nobody else know such detailed about my problem. You’re incredible!
Thanks!
Nice post. I was checking constantly this blog and I’m impressed!
Extremely useful info specially the last part 🙂 I care for such info much.
I was looking for this certain information for a long time.
Thank you and best of luck.
Hi there, just wanted to tell you, I enjoyed this blog post.
It was helpful. Keep on posting!
My developer is trying to convince me to move to .net from
PHP. I have always disliked the idea because of the expenses.
But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using Movable-type on numerous websites for about a year and am concerned about switching to another platform.
I have heard excellent things about blogengine.net.
Is there a way I can transfer all my wordpress posts into
it? Any kind of help would be greatly appreciated!
I’m no longer certain the place you’re getting your information, however good topic.
I needs to spend some time finding out much more or figuring out more.
Thank you for wonderful information I was looking for this info for my
mission.
I’m amazed, I have to admit. Rarely do I encounter
a blog that’s both equally educative and interesting, and
without a doubt, you’ve hit the nail on the head. The issue is something that not enough folks are
speaking intelligently about. I’m very happy I came across
this during my search for something regarding
this.
Why users still use to read news papers when in this technological world
all is existing on net?
What’s up, after reading this remarkable paragraph i am
also delighted to share my know-how here with colleagues.
Pretty! This has been an extremely wonderful post. Thank you for providing this information.
Everyone loves what you guys are up too. This kind of clever work and reporting!
Keep up the excellent works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to blogroll.
I’ve been surfing online more than three hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours.
It’s pretty worth enough for me. In my opinion, if all web owners and bloggers made good content as
you did, the net will be much more useful than ever before.
Admiring the time and effort you put into your website and detailed information you
provide. It’s nice to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same outdated rehashed material.
Excellent read! I’ve saved your site and I’m adding your RSS feeds to my Google account.
I am sure this piece of writing has touched all the internet users, its really
really good piece of writing on building up new web site.
I love it when folks get together and share opinions. Great site, stick with
it!
Greetings from California! I’m bored at work so I decided to browse
your website on my iphone during lunch break. I really like the info you present here and can’t wait to take a
look when I get home. I’m amazed at how quick your blog loaded on my cell phone ..
I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, very good
site!
Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wished to
say that I have really enjoyed surfing around your blog posts.
After all I will be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again very soon!
magnificent publish, very informative. I wonder why the opposite specialists of
this sector don’t realize this. You must proceed your writing.
I’m sure, you’ve a great readers’ base already!
Hello there! This blog post could not be written much better!
Going through this article reminds me of
my previous roommate! He constantly kept preaching about this.
I most certainly will forward this article to him. Fairly certain he’s going to
have a great read. Thanks for sharing!
certainly like your website however you need to check the spelling on several of your posts.
Several of them are rife with spelling problems and I to find it very troublesome to inform the reality then again I will
definitely come again again.
It’s truly very complicated in this active life to
listen news on Television, so I only use the web for that purpose,
and obtain the hottest information.
Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is
an extremely well written article. I will make sure to bookmark it and
come back to read more of your useful information. Thanks for the post.
I will certainly return.
I’m really loving the theme/design of your website. Do you ever run into any
web browser compatibility problems? A small number of my blog readers have complained about my
site not operating correctly in Explorer but
looks great in Opera. Do you have any recommendations to help fix
this problem?
Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your web site and
in accession capital to assert that I acquire actually enjoyed account your blog
posts. Anyway I’ll be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement
you access consistently quickly.
Hiya very cool blog!! Man .. Beautiful .. Wonderful .. I’ll
bookmark your site and take the feeds additionally?
I’m satisfied to seek out a lot of helpful info right
here in the put up, we’d like work out more strategies
on this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .
you are truly a excellent webmaster. The website loading
pace is incredible. It kind of feels that you are doing any unique trick.
In addition, The contents are masterpiece. you have done a great
task on this topic!
Excellent web site. Plenty of useful info here. I am sending it
to some pals ans also sharing in delicious. And obviously, thanks in your effort!
I was extremely pleased to uncover this site. I need to to thank
you for ones time just for this wonderful read!!
I definitely liked every part of it and I have you book marked to check out
new stuff on your site.
What’s up to all, since I am genuinely keen of reading this web site’s post to be updated regularly.
It includes fastidious stuff.
Hello, Neat post. There’s a problem together with your site in web explorer,
would test this? IE nonetheless is the marketplace leader and a good component to other folks will leave out your fantastic writing due
to this problem.
Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you penning this article plus the rest
of the site is really good.
Hi there, just became alert to your blog through Google,
and found that it is truly informative. I am going to watch out for
brussels. I will appreciate if you continue this in future.
Numerous people will be benefited from your writing.
Cheers!
I could not resist commenting. Well written!
Incredible! This blog looks just like my old one! It’s on a entirely different topic
but it has pretty much the same layout and design. Outstanding choice
of colors!
I constantly emailed this webpage post page to all my associates, as if like to read it then my contacts will too.
Hmm is anyone else experiencing problems with the images on this blog loading?
I’m trying to find out if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
For latest information you have to pay a quick visit internet and on internet I found this web page as a best web page for hottest updates.
Heya i’m for the first time here. I found this board
and I find It really useful & it helped me out a lot.
I hope to offer something back and help others such
as you aided me.
Hi it’s me, I am also visiting this website regularly, this web page
is in fact nice and the viewers are actually sharing
pleasant thoughts.
It’s actually a great and helpful piece of information. I’m glad
that you just shared this helpful information with us. Please stay us up to date like this.
Thanks for sharing.
Hello there! This blog post could not be written much better!
Looking at this article reminds me of my previous
roommate! He always kept talking about this.
I most certainly will send this information to him.
Fairly certain he’s going to have a great read.
I appreciate you for sharing!
I’ve been exploring for a little bit for any high quality articles or blog posts on this kind of area .
Exploring in Yahoo I ultimately stumbled upon this site.
Reading this info So i’m satisfied to exhibit that I have
a very excellent uncanny feeling I came upon exactly what I needed.
I most for sure will make certain to don?t omit this
site and provides it a look on a relentless basis.
Great article. I will be dealing with some of these issues as well..
I enjoyed this article. It was straightforward and answered the questions about the shotgun. Job well done.
Great to hear a brother Marine put this info out there about the Benelli Shotgun! Now I’m sure that I have to buy one. Semper Fi Travis
cialis without a doctor prescription [url=https://cialiswithdapoxetine.com/#]buy cialis online[/url]
For 25 years a .45 and modified short barreled 12 ga pump served me very well in clearing rooms, sweaping thick vegetated areas, vehicle stops, crowd control, getting dinner, etc, ect.. What ever new package the 12 comes in is just a plus for us good guys.
How many shells does the magazine hold?
Last time I looked 5. That was the M4 available to the public starting @ $1800.00
I am curious about whether the shells the Marines use are 2 3/4″ or 3″. Benelli says it is chambered for both. And what shot type is it, #00 buck or #2 buck, something more esoteric?
The optics look like ghost ring in some photos but there is an optic setup of some sort in one too. I wonder what would work best. My Beretta Silver Pigeon will have to do for sporting clays…
What is wrong with the author ? This article is clear, concise, informative, engaging and well written…and it’s about an infantry weapon. Usually these articles are long winded love stories or hate novels, but this one is “just the facts, M’am” reporting. Shotguns during my service time were pump action and effective, but an auto would have been nice. Well done Gyrenes.