As Foghorn predicted, in strict accordance with firearms industry practice, gunmakers’ marketing mavens are busy playing variations on a theme; working hard to up the new product round count for the SHOT show. Benelli’s latest stock in trade: the M4 H2O. No it’s not a double-barreled homage to the Australian mermaid saga which has so captivated my 8-year-old. It’s Big Ben’s Marine-compatible scattergun which includes (“for the first time ever”) a factory-installed telescoping pistol-grip stock, a full-length magazine tube (7+1 capacity) and NP3 coating. What kinda player is that? Read on McDuff . . .

Benelli’s presser says NP3 is a “seriously rugged weather-proofing that will withstand all the elements.” Why so serious?

NP3 is an electroless nickel-based finish, which gives the metal’s surface an attractive satin gray, non-reflective finish. All active surfaces including the M4 H2O’s entire bolt assembly, trigger group, magazine tube and follower and barrel are evenly plated with a true composite coating of sub-micron particles of PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene)—also known as Teflon with electroless nickel co-deposited into the nickel matrix.

Every metal part of on the M4 H2O is completely protected from rust and corrosion, even when exposed to marine environments with salt spray, rain, and high humidity. This degree of protection is 10 times greater than standard electroless nickel finishes.

Not only is NP3 extremely corrosion resistant, but it also provides high lubricity and a low friction co-efficient, which greatly increases the life of a firearm. Furthermore, as wear occurs on the surface of the finish, fresh particles of PTFE are exposed to maintain consistent lubricating qualities of the coating.

In addition to its self-lubricating rust-proofing (sounds so dirty), the $2269 M4 H2O comes with a Picatinny rail, pistol-grip stock, fully adjustable ghost-ring aperture rear sight and windage-adjustable front sight. Benelli says the M4 H20 will only be available for a limited time (i.e. it may be boat compatible but they won’t be selling them by the boat-load). Off you go then.

SPECIFICATIONS:

  • Gauge: 12-Gauge
  • Barrel Length: 18.5”
  • Sights: Ghost-ring
  • Metal Finish: NP3
  • Stock: Telescoping
  • Average Weight: 7.8 lbs.
  • Overall Length: 40”
  • Length of Pull: 14 3/8”
  • Drop at heel: 2.25”
  • Drop at Comb: 1.5”
  • MSRP: $2269

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21 COMMENTS

  3. I own a Benelli H2O and it is a great shotgun. I do not think I would spend $2300. for that unless I worked for the Government, LOL!

  4. Teflon? Seriously? Ptfe is the least effective of the dry lubricant nickel additives. Why not nickel-boron like literally EVERYONE else is using? You know. Cause it works. Teflon is great for frying pans because it doesn’t contaminate food, but I dont eat off my shotgun, so I’ll take boron nitride or tungsten disulfide thanks.

    Also, LOL at 2300$. Is the marketing department not aware that semi auto shoguns have only about 10 more parts than regular ones?

  5. Robert,
    Is this verified for commercial “civilian” sale? As someone who has been keeping an eye on M4’s for quite some time I was under the impression that the greater than 5 capacity & collapsible stock ran afoul of the quagmire that is 922r, and therefore precluded civie sales. Any additional info would be much appreciated.
    Thanks

  6. $2,300? I’m better off spending $650 on a Mossy 930 SPX and IF it happens to get rusty, I’ll just buy another one. And I’ll still have enough to buy a third one if the second got rusty.

    • Agreed. I like some of the Benelli shotguns, but they’re just so expensive. It’s not like with a rifle where you might be paying for an excellent quality barrel or scope for long range accuracy, it’s just a shotgun.

  8. I do believe every current item Benelli produces is imported into this country, I know for a fact that those collapsible stocks aren’t made here in the U.S., same goes for there magazine extensions. So actually trying to get a standard M4 turned into a configuration similar to this “with all factory parts” will generally cost at least a couple of hundred dollars more than the above mentioned $2300 and you will be left with a firearm in violation of 922r.

    ETA, this was meant as a reply to HSR47 “must of clicked the wrong button”

  9. They re-manufacture them here in the states. Meaning a standard M4 is imported, then they disassemble, coat all the parts, change the tube for greater capacity, then put it back together.
    Apparently, that makes it legit, though I’m not sure I can get one in NY.
    It’s pretty damn sexy though!

    • NY is fine, they sell them at a shop in my town. $1680 plus tax(not h2o version) Im on Island tho, can’t say about the city, I sure they gota have some kind of crazy rules there about them.

  10. Can the M4 H2O be purchased in the socialist Republic of California? If Yes I’m ordering one when I get home…

    • Just not Illonois or Hawaii for Benelli M4. I checked a handful of websites to see which states they would ship to. Majority of them said IL & HI no sale.

  11. “it may be boat compatible but they won’t be selling them by the boat-load”

    I’m not sure how much a boat load is but there is a minimum 6 month wait to purchase one (and they are selling for more then the $2269). Demand is high enough for Benelli that they are increasing the production run above the original “limited” quantity (not that I have any idea what that was).

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