The COMBAT SHOTGUN Of Tomorrow

Guns Magazine, Nov, 2000 by Scott Farrell

As the U.S. Armed Forces searches for a viable new combat rifle (see "Phase IV: The OICW Rifle" GUNS April 00) and struggles to evaluate the practicalities of the recently adopted SOCOM pistol, they've also been quietly pushing ahead with a project to design and create the ultimate combat shotgun. Now, the army has unveiled what it thinks is the perfect candidate for that title.

Labeled the Model M1014, this high-tech Benelli shotgun is a gas-operated semiauto which holds nine rounds of 2 3/4" 12 gauge ammo, or eight rounds of 3" shells. The gun operates with a new Auto-Regulating Gas Operating system, which uses dual gas ports, pistons, cylinders and locking lugs, and which Benelli claims is "self-cleaning and requires very little operator maintenance."

The M1014 comes with a collapsible stock, ghost ring sights, and a top-mounted accessory rail for lights, lasers and/or red-dot sights. Unloaded, the gun weighs 8.4 lbs.

Benelli's importer, HK, was awarded a $2.8 million first-year contract for 3,977 guns at the beginning of this year, and delivery was scheduled to begin in September. The gun is expected to be deployed by the Navy and Coast Guard as well between now and 2003.