Shotgun dilemma

charger arms · Feb 16, 2013

Ok, Here is what I am up against. I currently use my Benelli M4 for 3 gun, I have extended the tube well past the muzzle and I can hold about 12 rounds total with ghost loading. I was going to send it down to Mike at Accurate Iron for port work but I have decided against it for this weapon.

Here is where I am at: I can either pick up a new M2 with a 21" barrel and comfortech for a little over 1k and send it down for the work or; I think I have the skinny on a H&K M1 with a 28" barrel for right around $600. I am really not wanting that long of a barrel. I was hoping to stay in the 21-24" range. Would I be money ahead getting the M1, having the barrel cut down and rethreaded for choke tubes and the port work or just going with the M2 and having the port work done?

I know I should have just bought Jesse's camo 21" that was on the exchange last week but I was too busy sitting squarely on my nuts.

Thanks in advance for answering the questions that have been asked 1000 times before.

Matt1911 · Feb 16, 2013

The M1 would probably be the cheaper route, but you would have to use thin wall chokes and I have no clue what those run price wise.

jtischauser · Feb 16, 2013

Get the M1. Sell it to a new shooter for $700-750. Then buy an M2. Once you shoot an M2 and M1 will never will be good enough.

I cut down two barrels and both times it was a money losing deal. I wouldn't recommend it. Every barrel I cut I used Briley cause they are a big name. Anybody can call and order chokes any day of the week. Thin wall chokes will run you $15-20 over a standard choke price. Having Briley cut and thread a barrel was $150 last time I had one done.

Accurate Iron has a guy that can cut and thread your barrel for less & and make chokes for the barrel but if you go that route order all the chokes you might want cause getting more wont be as easy.

charger arms · Feb 16, 2013

Adding a +8 or +7 shot extension would end up at the end of the 28" barrel anyways, so it wouldn't be much of an issue getting it in and out of a dump barrel. Outside of the comfy stock, and the shorter factory barrel, what other advantage does the M2 have over the older M1? (asking because I am ignorant)