Benelli M3
| Benelli M3 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Shotgun |
| Place of origin | Italy |
| Service history | |
| Used by | See Users |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Benelli |
| Produced | 1989 |
| Variants | See Variants |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 3.27 kg (7.21 lb) |
| Length | 1200 mm (47 in) 1040 mm (41 in) (stock folded) |
| Barrel length | 500-660mm (20-26 in) (average length, depends on model) |
| Cartridge | 12 or 20-gauge shells or slugs |
| Caliber | 12 or 20 gauge |
| Action | Pump action or recoil operated |
| Rate of fire | Semi-automatic |
| Feed system | 7+1 round tubular magazine (Military) 5+1 round (Civilian) |
The Benelli M3 (Super 90) is a dual-mode (both pump-action and semi-automatic) shotgun designed and manufactured by Italian firearms manufacturer Benelli. The M3 holds a maximum of seven rounds and uses the proprietary Benelli semi-automatic system first showcased in the M1. The M3 is notable for allowing the user the choice of semi-automatic or pump-action operation. It is reliable and versatile, and popular with military and police forces as well as civilians.
Background
Pump-action operation is employed when shooting less powerful shells—such as rubber bullets—that do not generate enough recoil to operate the semi-automatic mechanism. Conversely, the semi-automatic mode can be employed with more powerful shells, absorbing some of the recoil. Switching between the two modes is done by manipulating the ring located at the front of the forend grip.
The Benelli M3 also features a removable stock allowing the user to choose one of two styles, the traditional shotgun stock or a stock with a pistol grip.
The Benelli M3 is an updated version of the Benelli M1 shotgun. The M3 uses the same inertia recoil semi-automatic system as the earlier Benelli M1, but adds another Benelli-patented feature, which allows the shooter to lock the semi-automatic action and switch to the manually operated pump-action mode and back in the matter of seconds. The action type switch is located at the forward end of the forearm, and is formed as an annular knurled ring. Rotation of this ring either engages the action rods of the pump system and locks the semi-automatic recoil system, or disengages the action bars, locks the forearm and allows the inertia recoil system to operate the action automatically. This greatly improves the versatility of the shotgun, allowing it to fire low-powered ammunition (mostly of special purpose, such as less-lethal rubber or tear-gas projectiles) in the manually operated pump action mode, and to fire full power combat loads with slugs or buckshot in rapid semi-automatic mode. An underbarrel tubular magazine usually holds 8 rounds for police or military versions, or less in some civilian models.
The M3 Super 90 is available with various barrel lengths and stock options, with fixed butt and semi-pistol or pistol grips, or with top-folding butts and pistol grips. Sight options include shotgun-type open sights, rifle type open sights, ghost ring (diopter) sights and various mounts for reflex or low magnification telescope sights and tactical flashlights and laser pointers.
Variants
The Benelli M3 comes in several variations, most notably the M3 Super 90, which features a smaller body. There is also a shorter version—which is easier to transport—used by law enforcement officers.
While other Benelli self-loading shotguns have the recoil spring inside a tube in butt-stock, in the M3 the recoil spring is placed around the magazine tube. This is an interesting feature for weapon modification, since other shotguns (such as M1, M2 and M4) attach the butt-stock to the recoil spring tube. The M3 has a dummy tube just for stock attachment.
Benelli's M3T is an OEM variant, where the butt-stock and dummy tube have been replaced with a pistol grip and up-folding skeleton butt-sock.
Benelli's SuperNova pump-shotgun and MR1 self-loading rifle have similar butt-stock attachment to the M3, so this adds two new butt-stock options to M3.
The M3 butt-stock and dummy rod can be replaced with a "Benelli Supernova Tactical Collapsible Stock". The collapsible stock allows 5-position draw length adjustment, so a shooter can compensate the effects of thick winter clothes or body armor by adjusting the stock length. The required spare parts are: adjustment rod, pistol grip and collapsible butt-stock.
A rare modification is to replace the M3 butt-stock and dummy rod with a "Benelli SuperNova Handle Grip". The "handle grip" is just the pistol grip attached to the receiver with a screw.
Users
Canada: Joint Task Force 2.[1]
Czech Republic: The M3T Super 90 is used by special units of the Czech Armed Forces.[2] Used by operators of the 601st Special Forces Group.[3]
Estonia: Estonian Defence Forces.[4]
France: Select units of the French Army.[5]
Indonesia: M3T is used by the Komando Pasukan Katak (KOPASKA) tactical diver group and Komando Pasukan Khusus (Kopassus) special forces group.[6]
Ireland; Irish Army Ranger Wing, Garda; National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Special Detective Unit, Emergency Response Unit.[7][8]
Japan: M3T model used by the Maritime Self-Defense Forces.[9]
Luxembourg: Unité Spéciale de la Police of the Grand Ducal Police.[10][11][12]
Malaysia: Pasukan Gerakan Khas (PGK) counter-terrorism group of the Royal Malaysia Police.[13]
New Zealand: NZ Defence Force;[14] initially introduced in Army service in 2006.[15]
Philippines[citation needed]
See also
- Benelli (firearms)
- Benelli M1, predecessor
- Benelli M2
- Benelli M4, successor to M3, adopted by U.S. armed forces as the M1014 Combat Shotgun.
- Combat shotgun
References
- ^ "Canadian Forces - Small Arms - Specialist Weapons - Index - CASR DND 101 - Visual Guide - Canadian American Strategic Review - Side Arms - Automatic Pistols - Submachine Guns - Tactical Shotguns". Casrca.nationprotect.net. Retrieved 2012-02-22.
- ^ RUČNÍ ZBRANĚ AČR
- ^ "601st Special Forces Group official website". 601skss.cz. Retrieved 2012-02-22.
- ^ "Kaitsevägi - Tehnika - Pumppüss Benelli M3T". Mil.ee. Retrieved 2012-02-22.
- ^ "Benelli M3T (Tactical) Super 90" (in French). Defense.gouv.fr. Retrieved 2012-02-22.
- ^ "Kopassus & Kopaska - Specijalne Postrojbe Republike Indonezije" (in Croatian). Hrvatski Vojnik Magazine. Retrieved 2010-06-12.
- ^ Leroy Thompson. "SPEC-OPS SPAS-15". Tactical Life. Retrieved 2011-05-24.
- ^ "Garda College Yearbook listing weapons training on page 66" (PDF).
- ^ http://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/ccf1/1ed/hyuga/topic/20100308/index.htm
- ^ "Unofficial Shotguns Page, Equipment". http://USP.lu - Unofficial Website of Unité Spéciale, Officially Endorsed. Retrieved 2009-10-06.
{{cite web}}: External link in|publisher= - ^ "L'Unite d'Intervention de la Police Luxembourgeoise" (PDF) (in French). RAIDS Magazine. March 2006. Retrieved 2009-09-23.
- ^ Lasterra, Juan Pablo (2004). "UPS Unidad Especial de la Policia Luxembourguesa" (PDF) (in Spanish). ARMAS Magazine. Retrieved 2009-09-23.
- ^ "Benelli M3 Super 90 Pump-Action / Semi-Automatic Shotgun (1995)". Militaryfactory.com. 2013-03-26. Retrieved 2014-07-27.
- ^ "New Shotguns for Defence" (PDF). NZ Army News. NZ Defence Force. September 2011. p. 5. Retrieved 31 January 2012.
- ^ "Heed The Need". NZ Army News. NZ Defence Force. 14 November 2006. Retrieved 31 January 2012.
The Army is purchasing a small number of Benelli M3 Tactical shotguns, which are expected to deploy with 1 RNZIR and 2/1 RNZIR soldiers on stability and security-type operations.