Panzer M4 Speed Pro: A Budget Benelli Clone That Runs Reliably

The Panzer Arms M4 Speed Pro is a Turkish-made semi-auto 12-gauge built as a near-direct clone of the Benelli M4, the shotgun the Marine Corps adopted in the late '90s and still carries as the M1014. In a video from PSR, the host runs the Speed Pro through a reliability test and breaks down why a clone that shares roughly 97 percent parts compatibility with the Benelli is worth a look at under half the price.

Key points

• Price and parts: PSR says the base Panzer M4 runs around $500, with the tactical Speed Pro tested here closer to $650, far under a Benelli M4, while still accepting most Benelli parts.
• Gas system: It runs a dual-piston, self-regulating and self-cleaning gas system, which PSR says tears down into about four parts for cleaning.
• Break-in required: PSR notes the shotgun needed hotter, high-brass ammo to break in before it would reliably cycle low-powered target loads, something he says is also true of the Benelli.
• Reliability results: PSR reports zero malfunctions over roughly 150 rounds in this test, with the gun now around 500 rounds total and running everything from hot loads to cheap target ammo.
• Minor issues: The adjustable cheek riser loosened and popped off during testing, and the Picatinny rail backed out and needed retorquing.

Quick take

PSR's takeaway is straightforward: once broken in, this clone matches the reliability reputation of the gun it copies, with only small fit issues that didn't affect function. For shooters priced out of a Benelli M4, he calls it the budget clone to get.

Watch the full video: PSR