# New Law Enforcement/Military Shotgun? (pics from Navy Yard shooting) **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 16, 2013, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-law-enforcement-military-shotgun-pics-from-navy-yard-shooting/669013 "2013-09-16T23:04:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-law-enforcement-military-shotgun-pics-from-navy-yard-shooting/669013/1 "2013-09-16T23:04:39Z")
In today’s shooting at the Washington Navy Yard, several law enforcement types were carrying what I think is a shotgun. It’s not like anyone I’ve seen before (mind you, I don’t have a helluva lot of familiarity with shotguns or firearms in general). What caught my eye, in particular, was that it seems to have a retractable or foldable stock. Does anyone recognize this weapon? I can’t find it at either the Global Security or FAS sites\*. \*unless it’s a variant of the [Remington 870](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remington_Model_870), in which case it is, indeed, at FAS. If it is the 870, can just anybody buy the retractable stock version (i.e. what I _think_ is a retractable stock)? Here are two photos of it: [Pic 1](http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/7e5b23a437cf062f96f86c6e969ecdd9fd03798b/c=102-57-1865-1384&r=x513&c=680x510/local/-/media/USATODAY/USATODAY/2013/09/16/1379349312001-EPA-USA-SHOOTING-NAVY-YARD.jpg) [Pic 2](http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2013/09/16/us/20130917_dcshoot_hp-slide-12J9/20130917_dcshoot_hp-slide-12J9-articleLarge.jpg) Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-law-enforcement-military-shotgun-pics-from-navy-yard-shooting/669013/2 "2013-09-16T23:21:06Z")
First one looks like: > **[Benelli M4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benelli_M4)** > > The Benelli M4 is a semi-automatic shotgun produced by Italian firearm manufacturer Benelli Armi SpA, and the fourth and last model of the Benelli Super 90 line of semi-automatic shotguns. The M4 uses a proprietary action design called the "auto-regulating gas-operated" (ARGO) system, which was created specifically for the weapon. Designed in 1998, the M4 was adopted by the armed forces of Italy, the United States, and United Kingdom, among others, and has been used in a variety of conflicts. > On... Second one, dunno. The second picture seems to be a picture of a policeman. Police departments have a lot more diversity in the shotguns they use than the military. Hardly new though, I recognized the Benillli from playing Counter-Strike in the late 90s. In the US, retractable stocks are usually not a problem. ---
**Author:** ![Capt\_Kirk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@Capt\_Kirk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt_Kirk)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-law-enforcement-military-shotgun-pics-from-navy-yard-shooting/669013/3 "2013-09-16T23:34:17Z")
Here is the Remington 870 with a 7 position retractable stock [http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/tactical/shotguns/model-870-express-tactical-blackhawk.aspx](http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/tactical/shotguns/model-870-express-tactical-blackhawk.aspx) I can’t tell if either of the photos match, they look to be different shotguns to me $599.00 and it is yours [http://www.cabelas.com/product/Remington-Express-Tactical-Home-Defense-Shotguns/709955.uts](http://www.cabelas.com/product/Remington-Express-Tactical-Home-Defense-Shotguns/709955.uts) **Capt** ---
**Author:** ![toofs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4491bb/32.png) [@toofs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toofs)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2013, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-law-enforcement-military-shotgun-pics-from-navy-yard-shooting/669013/4 "2013-09-17T00:45:31Z")
That Marine is holding a [Benelli M4](http://www.benelliusa.com/m4-tactical-shotgun). The police officer might be holding a Mossberg variant. I think I see the safety on the top rear of the receiver. Not sure on this one. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2013, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-law-enforcement-military-shotgun-pics-from-navy-yard-shooting/669013/5 "2013-09-17T02:03:02Z")
To my knowledge, there are only 2 restrictions on civilian owned shotguns: 1. The barrel cannot be less than 18". The shortest barrels they sell at stores are 18.5" long. B. The overall length cannot be less than 28". Oh, a gamewarden might have an issue with you if you remove the plug from a pump magazine. Or add a magazine extension. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2013, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-law-enforcement-military-shotgun-pics-from-navy-yard-shooting/669013/6 "2013-09-17T02:41:29Z")
As noted, the first is a Benelli M4. The cop looks to me to be holding a pistol-gripped Mossberg 500 with a sighted slug barrel. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2013, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-law-enforcement-military-shotgun-pics-from-navy-yard-shooting/669013/7 "2013-09-17T02:56:55Z")
Thanks all! I had never heard of the Benelli M4. Wicked looking weapon. ---
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2013, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-law-enforcement-military-shotgun-pics-from-navy-yard-shooting/669013/8 "2013-09-17T03:36:25Z")
> [@KarlGauss](#): > > Wicked looking weapon. [![](https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/5f2ec917-b20a-472f-b9f2-bb66ba40a061/dj96jw-d55ead7e-010a-422a-9d15-572ac62cdaff.jpg/v1/fill/w_1040,h_720,q_75,strp/spas_12_by_einhandermkii.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJpc3MiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwic3ViIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsImF1ZCI6WyJ1cm46c2VydmljZTppbWFnZS5vcGVyYXRpb25zIl0sIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiIvZi81ZjJlYzkxNy1iMjBhLTQ3MmYtYjlmMi1iYjY2YmE0MGEwNjEvZGo5Nmp3LWQ1NWVhZDdlLTAxMGEtNDIyYS05ZDE1LTU3MmFjNjJjZGFmZi5qcGciLCJ3aWR0aCI6Ijw9MTA0MCIsImhlaWdodCI6Ijw9NzIwIn1dXX0.MifoqfZGs-o-qO0Mhtse2MnHGPyTlgbUsvVyp3hmfcQ) ](https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/5f2ec917-b20a-472f-b9f2-bb66ba40a061/dj96jw-d55ead7e-010a-422a-9d15-572ac62cdaff.jpg/v1/fill/w_1040,h_720,q_75,strp/spas_12_by_einhandermkii.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJpc3MiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwic3ViIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsImF1ZCI6WyJ1cm46c2VydmljZTppbWFnZS5vcGVyYXRpb25zIl0sIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiIvZi81ZjJlYzkxNy1iMjBhLTQ3MmYtYjlmMi1iYjY2YmE0MGEwNjEvZGo5Nmp3LWQ1NWVhZDdlLTAxMGEtNDIyYS05ZDE1LTU3MmFjNjJjZGFmZi5qcGciLCJ3aWR0aCI6Ijw9MTA0MCIsImhlaWdodCI6Ijw9NzIwIn1dXX0.MifoqfZGs-o-qO0Mhtse2MnHGPyTlgbUsvVyp3hmfcQ) Known to be ineffective against clever girls. [![](https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h82/albertohart/Spas1.jpg) ](https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h82/albertohart/Spas1.jpg) For the Emperor! [http://www.finesenses.com/content/noticias\_fotos/foto\_big\_751.jpg](http://www.finesenses.com/content/noticias_fotos/foto_big_751.jpg) This kind of gun can cost as much as a car or a house. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2013, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-law-enforcement-military-shotgun-pics-from-navy-yard-shooting/669013/9 "2013-09-17T15:00:44Z")
You’ll also hear the Benelli M4 referred to as the M-1014 as well (the US military designation).