There’s also the issue of 18 USC 922R compliance if you intend to modify the gun for competition. The problem is however that the Benelli M4 can run between $1,500.00 and $1,800.00 depending on where you buy it. So for a couple of years, I’ve had it in the back of my mind that I wanted to pick up a Benelli M4, take some tactical shotgun training courses with it, keep it as home defense option, and perhaps look into 3 gun competition.
Again, I love my Saiga 12, but most of the knowledgeable and experienced individuals I’ve talked to about a shotgun for defensive applications frown on the Saiga 12 and tend to advocate simply getting a Remington 870 pump….but will also say that the Benelli M4 is the preferred option for a semi-auto defensive shotguns. Most tactical shotgun training courses I’ve looked into also seem to focus their training techniques on traditional semi-auto or pump shotguns. For instance, while the Saiga 12 is making more strides in acceptance in 3 gun/multi-gun competition, traditional style semi-auto shotguns (like the Benelli M2, Benelli M4, FN SLP, and the venerable Remington 1100) are still the defacto choice among top competitors.
But as much as I enjoy my Saiga 12 at the range, there are some problems in using one for some applications. I performed my own pistol grip conversion on my Saiga 12, and have been greatly enjoying in since. It wasn’t until 2010 though that I bought a tactical shotgun for myself – a Saiga 12. He bought us matching Remington 1100’s – my father had a 12 gauge., and I had a 20 gauge. I grew up shooting clay pigeons with my father and his friends – treasured memories for me. Let me say for the record that of all the weapon systems I regularly train and practice with, the shotgun is the platform I’m least practiced and trained using.