Panzer Arms M4 PAM4TSDGNWS 12 Gauge

Benelli’s patent on the M4 semi-automatic shotgun’s ARGO gas system expired around 2021, while Benelli’s inertia systems patents expired in the mid-2000s. This allowed other shotgun manufacturers to produce their own M4 and M2 clones. We have had numerous readers email us asking for a review on Benelli M4 clones, so we acquired three lookalikes: the 1014 Wood from MAC, an M4 from Panzer Arms, and the Gatlander from GForce Arms. These shotguns are made in Turkey by Özerbas Makine, Panzer Arms, and Radikal, respectively, and look like Benelli M4 shotguns. The Panzer Arms and MAC use the ARGO (Auto-Regulating Gas-Operated) system, while the GForce Arms shotgun looks like an M4 due to the fake extended magazine tube and ghost ring sights on an 18.5-inch barrel, but uses an inertia recoil system like a Benelli M2. We thought this would be a good opportunity to compare the M4 gas action to the M2 inertia action as well as assess the guns side by side. 

The ARGO system uses dual short-stroke pistons that operate on gas from a fired shell. Benelli located the gas ports just forward of the chamber, because, in theory, the gases are hotter and cleaner so there is less fouling, and the shotgun will cycle more reliably. Inertia systems use the shotgun’s recoil to cycle the action by employing a bolt head and a bolt body connected by a stiff, internal inertia spring. There are pros and cons to both systems. Inertia systems run cleaner and are ultra reliable, but produce more felt recoil. The ARGO system is also reliable and produces less felt recoil, but requires more maintenance because it runs off gases from a fired shell.

All three of these copycat shotguns are designed for defense work, though we could see using them for turkey and deer hunting. They are chambered in 12 gauge with 3-inch chambers, 18.5-inch barrels with screw-in choke tubes, and are equipped with traditional-style stocks made of polymer or wood. Capacities are 5+1; their extended magazine tubes are just for looks. Sights are also similar across the three shotguns: adjustable ghost ring rears, windage-adjustable post front sights with protective wings, and Picatinny/Weaver-style rails to mount red dots. Mounting a red dot means your cheek weld will be slightly higher so your eye can align with the dot. We opted to test these guns without a red-dot optic because the sights are very user friendly and robust.

The first thing we noticed is that the true M4 clones — the MAC and Panzer — are heavier and have thicker fore ends. The M2 clone — the GForce — is slightly lighter and has a much thinner fore end. The reason for the chubby fore end is because the dual-piston gas system is located under the fore end. There is nothing under the GForce M2 clone’s fore end except a magazine tube.

We read the manuals and found different ammo recommendations for each shotgun. The GForce recommended a break-in of 150 to 200 rounds and to only run ammo with a velocity of 1250 to 1400 fps. The MAC recommends a break-in of 100 rounds at 1350 fps and suggests using only ammo with 1350 fps minimum velocity and minimum of 11⁄8 ounce payload. Panzer states the shotgun may not run on light target loads, and no specific minimum-velocity recommendation was stated, but the manual did state not to exceed 1600 fps with any weight load or 13⁄4-ounce loads at any velocity. Despite the warning, we still fed these guns a light load to check for function. We saw the Fiocchi Shooting Dynamics target load clock in at 1165 fps, and the result was the shotguns had FTE jams. We also used shells with muzzle velocities within the guidelines of the manuals: Federal’s Game Load (1290 fps), two buckshot loads, one from Panzer Defense (1350 fps, and not related to the gun) and one from Hornady Critical Defense (1600 fps), and slug round, Federal Tactical Low Recoil ammo (1300 fps). We also threw in a bunch of orphan/widow hunting and tactical loads that were left over to see what kind of mischief they caused.

To check pattern sizes, we placed NRA D-1 tombstone-style targets at 15 yards and fired rounds off hand. For slug data, we moved the targets to 25 yards and used a rest to fire groups. Full-choke tubes were installed in each shotgun. We fired the shotguns from the shoulder and from the hip. We wanted to see if the lack of resistance when shooting from the hip would trip up the shotguns, and it did initially. The GForce inertia gun and the MAC and Panzer gas guns jammed with light loads early in the testing, with failures to eject or feed when we fired them from the hip. When fired from the shoulder, the guns ran perfectly. So we followed directions and ran a few boxes of higher-velocity Federal Game Loads and then went back to the light loads. All the shotguns cycled the light loads fired from the shoulder or hip. We also fired the shotguns so ejection was straight up or straight down. We didn’t baby these shotguns at all. After the very few initial jams with light target loads, the shotguns ran perfectly. There were a few pinched thumbs during loading, and we really appreciate the oversized charging handles. The shotguns were loaded from underneath with our support hand while grasping the pistol grip with our firing hand as well as flipped so the loading port was facing up. Trigger-pull weights were awfully heavy across all the shotguns, and we have come to dislike small bolt-release buttons. We also noted that the magazine caps loosened under heavy shooting, which is to be expected. In the end, we feel any of these shotguns would be a good home-defense option. We like the ability to get an M4-style shotgun for a song, and in our opinion, the manufacturers produced decent shotguns, but they missed an opportunity to improve on the classic M4 design. Here are the details. 

Panzer Arms M4 PAM4TSDGNWS 12 Gauge,

$537

Gun Tests grade: A-

The Panzer M4 clone offered more bells and whistles than the other clones with a rail for a tactical light and the ability to swap the charging handle on the left side of the receiver.

Panzer Arms’ take on an M4 clone is different. It still uses the dual-piston gas system, but Panzer cuts a slot in the left side of the receiver so users can swap the charging handle from the right side to the left side. This helps left-handed shooters more easily operate parts of the shotgun — the safety and ejection port are still right-hand friendly — as well as allows right-handed shooters to load and operate the shotgun with their support hand. Our staff thought the slot can allow more debris into the mechanism, though we don’t think the open slot poses much of an issue unless the shotgun was dropped into dirt or sand. Overall, we liked the option to choose what side the charging handle protruded from.

In the plain cardboard box were three choke tubes and a manual. According to the company’s website, parts are 100 percent interchangeable with the Benelli M4. The buffer tube on the Panzer is notched in three positions, which means it is supposedly compatible with adjustable skeleton stocks.

Our sample wore a distressed gray Cerakote finish on the metal and satin finish on the traditional wood stock. The Panzer looked great. The butt stock was press checkered at the pistol grip and was fitted nicely with a soft-rubber recoil pad. The two-piece fore end was ribbed with stippling between the ribs. The trigger-assembly group was black polymer with an oversized trigger guard that is glove friendly. We liked the oversized trigger guard. We also liked the short section of rail on either side of the shotgun to attach a tactical light. There is a sling loop on the magazine tube, but no sling swivel stud on the stock. That was a miss, in our opinion.

The adjustable rear sight was similar to the others, with white dots straddling the aperture. It also had white paint in the serrations, which we would black out with a Sharpie in a New York minute.

The bolt cycled smoothly, and the round and oversized charging handle was comfortable and smooth to manipulate. The tiny bolt-release button was textured on the top and easy to press, but we would have preferred an oversized button. We also slammed our fist on the button to close the bolt. The loading port was standard size, and we feel it should be beveled to allow for smoother and easier loading. We did not pinch our thumb on the carrier, which was a plus.

The balance was forward due to the dual gas pistons, and the fore end was chubby. The recoil pad had less of an edge and did not snag when we shouldered the Panzer.

Running birdshot through the Panzer, we found the Full choke threw the tightest patterns with bird shot, 10 inches with Federal and with Fiocchi. We literally shredded a slot in the tombstone target from top to bottom. We did encounter a few jams with the Fiocchi shooting from the hip, which disappeared after a box of Federal Game Loads. Whatever we shoved into the magazine tube thereafter, the Panzer chewed through it. With the hot Hornady buckshot, the average pattern measured 7 inches, while the Panzer Defense buckshot load averaged 9.5 inches. With slugs, the Panzer averaged 2.8-inch groups. Recoil was modest, and dare we say pleasant. Trigger-pull weight was not so pleasant at 7.6 pounds.

Our Team Said: The Panzer ran well after a brief break in and chewed through shells. It was reliable and performed well. We liked the added rail for a tactical light and the ability to swap the charging handle. The performance was similar to the MAC, and if the slot in the left side is a must have, then you will pay more for the Panzer.

To collect pattern data with shotshells, we fired offhand at 15 yards using a Full choke tube. With slugs, we fired three-shot groups from a bench using a rest at 25 yards with Cylinder choke tubes.

Written and photographed by Robert Sadowski, using evaluations from Gun Tests Team members. GT