Full review of the Panzer M4 (Benelli M4 clone) 

Been a full-time gunsmith since the '90s. Worked on a boat load of tube fed shotguns. It's a FREAKING MIRACLE that any of them work with ALL makes of shotgun shells. The rim diameter varies a CRAP LOAD from make to make, batch to batch. The reason this matters is that MOST tube fed shotguns have a shell latch and an interupter of some kind on opposite sides of the receiver at the mouth of the magazine tube. A small diameter rim shell might slip right through and tie the gun up with a double feed (Remington) or shoot out of the bottom (Benelli & Mossberg). A large rim diameter shell might not feed at all, just stay in the magazine tube. The interceptor and shell latch have to be timed together, one catches as the other lets go, they alternate back and forth. They just engage the back of the rim of the shell head. The adjustment is usualky a matter of bending them to make adjustments. Most autoloaders use some kind of leaf or coil spring on the shell latch on the right side. That spring has to have enough tention to engage AND hold its positive against recoil and general handling. The latch and interceptor also have to be smooth enough on their face to slide across. and off of, the rim. This is made harder by the shell itself being rough, beat up etc. Take a look at a variety of shells and you'll find quite a few with a concave rim tapering in towards the primer. This changes the geometry of the catch and interceptor from a neutral angle to a positive engagement which makes it harder for them to release which ALSO brings the strength/weight of the MAGAZINE SPRING into play. THEN, on Remington autoloaders you have to account for the CARRIER LATCH which the feeding shell has to hit hard enough to operate. AHHHHHHHH!!!!!! Welcome to the world of GUNSMITHING!!!!!!

When I saw the video was 30 minutes long, I didn’t bother watching. Then when I finally had the time I thought there was no way I’d get through all of it. Well, I watched every minute and it was totally worth the time. Very informative, honest, and helpful. Thanks man!

Wonderful video with the gun on a mattress full of "strange circular stains," accumulated from many years ago.

Biggest regret I have is selling my Panzer M4. I made a few upgrades, like a Masa Tactical side saddle and a adjustable stock. I had plans to add the two round extension. A guy at work was looking for a shotgun and I mentioned I had a M4 clone. He ended giving me $650, so I sold it. Now I'm looking to buy another shotgun and I'm looking at the Panzer M4 or the Mossberg 590. I liked your video very much. Keep up the good work.

One of the best reviews on this gun yet.

You don't have to replace the spring or shell stop. Get a punch set, push out the roll pin and take out the shell stop. Bend the part that contacts the rim of the shell slightly towards the middle of the loading port. Don't bend it too much or the shells won't load and be careful not to break it. I'd recommend the GG&G bolt release button that comes with the shell stop.

Great review. Very thorough. I just bought a benelli m4. Didn't know they made a clone.

This was one of the best reviews I have every seen. Great job.

We're did you by the magazine extension

After Benelli fired Tom Knapp when he got sick, I decided I would never buy anything from them. I like the M4, so I might have to grab one of these.

Rear sight on mine also off to the right. took measurements to find holes in sight are off 15 thou. Ugh. Fix is of course to buy the Benelli lpa rear sight. Otherwise have 500 through mine without a stoppage. Great honest video!!

I just bought a Panzer M4 and waiting for delivery. I plan to leave it as-is. If I like it, I’ll buy a Benelli M4 and leave it as-is. Over the years when I’ve attempted to “upgrade” a stock firearm on my own, I encountered issues. I know some folks who have tested the Panzer and Benelli side-by-side and were impressed how comparable they were performance wise without enhancements to either one. One individual mentioned that his Benelli encountered some hiccups with cycling but cleared up after a break-in period of about 100 or so rounds and was absolutely reliable afterwards. I’ll take reliability with as-is factory configuration after a reasonable break-in over two additional rounds of magazine capacity and other accoutrements that may compromise reliability and require more tinkering. Just my opinion and experience. But nice review nonetheless.

Also: big thing it appears you need to watch for abnormal wear is the two surfaces that get contacted by the pistons.

Excellent vid man! I was thinking of buying one of these and I’m a bit hesitant now because of the QC issues you mention. Very very good review.

I asked Mesa tactical if the 15inch truckee handguard would fit the panzer m4. They responded with they haven’t tested it but based on what other customers say it will go in but will be a little loose fitting. Does your 11 inch hangaurd fit well? Basically i need to know if I should just go with the 11 inch or get what I want and do the 15inch?

There are two companies that produce this type of gun in Turkey....one is very reputable, the other is new entry. I wonder which one produces this gun...

Good review, excellent video. First video I've watched in a while where the presentation of information was perfect, didn't fast-forward through it any of it.

On we great review and passing of information!!! Thanks for your work.

Looks like a better option than the Chiappa clone (pretty sure it's called the Charles Daly or something, and I don't think that they use the same magazine tubes as Benellis so getting 8 round capacity would probably be difficult)

Definitely liked your reference to a Kit Gun, sounds about right

I had fte fails with a new Mossberg 930. The brass was swelling n sticking in the chamber tight enough for the extractor to pull off the brass. Took out the barrel, ran a drill n brake hone in the back of the chamber. Issue gone, runs like a race horse.

Nice honest review and thanks.

How did you mount the inforce light to that handrail, is there a mlok pic rail adapter?

Thanks for the honest review. Many ppl have reviewed this gun and said it's just as good as the Benelli M4. I believe they were paid off to say so.

All this about trigger not resetting, I heard from classic firearms that you need to use high power/high velocity rounds like slug shot when your breaking it in or the firearm won't function correctly

Rail-Estate. I like it hahah nice video man; thanks for the review. I own a benelli m4 h2o I’ve shot but I haven’t trained on and I want to get one of these to beat up and train with.

I bought a tube mag extension from Brownells for mine and had to do serious modifications just to get it installed, so not a 100 percent clone. Hopefully mine will run at least

Great review! I got the same one from panzer. If I can choose again, I would go for a 1301 or m2 since I have put more than $500 upgrade kit to make it run fine

Great review, Wonder who has the most rounds through one without any failures or parts breakage. Over 400+ rounds on this one, I think is the highest I've seen. Looks great inside and sounds like a great deal.

Classic firearms has clone stock and grip for 42$ this morning. Still need the tube.

Awesome setup you put together!!!

Where dod you get that hamdguard? Just looking to do something similar to my m4

Did I see correctly that you have a crack formed in the bolt face? I realize you said it looks fine but it looks like a crack to me.

Just pick up one of these and have ran 200 rounds so far through it with no issues what so ever.

I'm buying one.

Thanks for the video. Thinking I’ll go with and A300 patrol.

We need updates on the Panzer.

This video should have been called "full breakdown of everything i did to my panzer m4"

Thank you for the review.

Does anyone know which which full size mag tubes fit the panzer m4? Just bought one last week. He mentioned Daves metal work but they’re sold out

Great review!

So after the break in (minus the issues caused by the extended tube) it ran fine? Any other issues with this gun after 1000 rounds?

Informative video. Thank you!

I heard that it’s just made in turkey but the parts are quality from…🤔😬 somewhere else! Good review bruh!

The failure to extract happend to me a few times due to shooting club or target load but with higher fps shells like 00 buck in 1350 1450 fps she was smooth as silk and slugs no problem but lighter loads id have that issue but i dont mind it its another training aspect

Ok so,, where do you purchase the magazine extention, and the AR style stock, and the bolt charging handle, because the GG&G does not go in. if yku get it in you won't get it out. I returned the one I bought as the pinched bolt handle has a spot that the end meets the detent and you twist it a little and then the handle pops in. they want to call it anti spin virus the spin one. thats not what the two hatchet marks are at the end of it are for. they are there to meet and make a small place so that it pushes the detent in enough so the handle does not pop out. I am amazed I cant find that AR style stock. thats totally cool and handy. also the magazine extention that would fit, rather than getting rapped for an entire tube. yes a tube with some threads on end. A lot of money for a whole tube. any help you can give let me know. Bennelli snobs that sell parts are not very nice. treat you like crap. well mine shoots great, no FTF or FTE not a problem finding after market parts. and it is very reliable. And btw, please you dont have to curse so much guy. come in your a grown up.

May I ask what hand guard that is? I have a M4 myself I was wondering if it would fit mine As it is a clone I would think it would work on mine

You put a grand into a 450.00 shotgun? or is that total which means that you put the cost of the shotgun on top of the price you payed? I am confused as to where the aftermarket items like the mag extension, large charging handle, and the AR style butt stock? I can't find them. but I'm old so nit a tech guy when it comes to internet😂. I like that butt stock as long as it's not real expensive. did you say that the recoil spring tube is plastic as well as the butt parts? Mine came with three grooves and I told there is a kit for butt stock and grip that goes right on? thanks.

Does ANYONE know if this is a rifled barrel or a smooth bore. I want to know before I start buying slugs for it.

Very good and informative video👍

What red dot do you have on? Great vid.

It's funny. Same Turkish company, dozens of branded imports and yet they all seem to be hit or miss. I've had ZERO issues with 3 different "brands" of Turkish shotguns and I have a friend who hasn't had a single success with any.

Love this video and review. I followed the advice and have changed several parts with benelli originals and others (Mesa foregrip, classics adjustable stock, ect) . Benelli springs (extractor and shell stop) have more tension, though could be due to panzer springs being used, not sure there. Extractor was miserable to remove. Broke 4 punches and I've been doing this a few years. Hardest removal I've ever done. Had the Panzer pin snap off twice when trying to pull it out with vice grips after it was punched out a bit. Benelli's extractor is curved while panzer is more of a right angle. I was not having extraction problems but want this to be as reliable as possible for home defense. Anyway, in hindsight I would not have replaced the extractor, at least until if/when problems arose.

Great review.

Subscribed. Great review.

I just got one. Haven't even shot it yet and I'm hearing something rattling in the recoil tube/stock. Sounds like a washer or screw rolling about. Any idea as to what it could be? I just don't wanna tear it down unnecessarily

Can the stock be removed, leaving just the pistol grip ?

Just ordered my stock from delta mike today. Any tips to avoid the customs issue? How long did it take for you to receive your stock the second time they had to ship it?

Will the tactical stock for the panzer work on the Benelli m4 reliably?

How did you get the stock tube Because all I can find is that adjustable stock but it says I need the tube

Looks good man!

the issue's are 2 years ago? they ate no more issues

Thanks, great video. Lots of good info. I recently purchased a Panzer M4 as well. I'm looking to do some upgrades on it. What exact 7rd tube did you purchase from Dave's? I didn't see the Panzer listed on his website for Turkish clones.

Appreciate the video. Decided not to get one.

I own basic version and it s a great gun......

Did you have to change the recoil tube to put the stock on? I tried to put the “delta mike” turknelli fixed(field stock) and it wouldn’t fit with the panzer arms recoil tube.

Excellent video btw

I think it is important to note that, as an imported shotgun to the US, to add the collapsible stock and magazine extension you will need to replace a number of components from a specific list with American made parts to be legal. Do your research.

I do not "Understand?" when you bolt on, add on, hubcaps and spinners? How do we Know the Item is the "Problem?" or the Hubcaps and spinners changing the ENGINEERED Weights and throws? Are The Problem? AND did "We" do a COMPLETE TEAR DOWN clean and Oil? to Have a Good Bass Line to Start our quality control point?

Whats a Vepr 12 doing in a Panzer M4 Full Review??? Slip that in for fun or just an editor error? Shouldn't a full review have a disassembly/assembly section? Did have some good info, bolt carrier, GG&G info, trigger issue, and the buttstock upgrade. Shot shells are rated by the drams equvilent in powder and the weight of the payload. 7/8 oz, 1 oz, 1 1/8 oz, etc. heavier loads cycle more reliably as their dwell time feeds a bit more gas to the system. 3 dram load with 1 1/8 oz of shot (any shot) hits the 1200 FPS muzzle velocity. Most shell manufacturers adhere to this pretty closely. Some lower dollar shells seem to be a bit short on the powder charge or inconsistant. If your on the edge of cycling, this will present an issue. Some good info.

I would love to have a John Bargain Wick 😂

I had both and actually had more issues with the real M4. Actually bought my son a Panther as and both have not had a single issue. I have about two thousand rounds through the Panther, his about 400. I stopped shooting the real M4 after about 700 rds and sold it. Our club has a number of Military that use them to train with and all speak highly of the Panther with no complaints. I did not buy the Panther or the real m4 for home defense. It is more of a range toy and trainer. There are better smaller/lighter shotguns for home defense. I highly recommend the Panther. I am wondering after reading your review that wise to not use the extended magazine. Stick with stock.

I've heard that a bead sight is better than Ghost Ring Sight, is it possible to remove the GRS?

Tap out the pin holding the shell stop and stretch your spring and give it a try. If it fixes it just order a new M4 spring. I've heard the stops on some Turks won't swap with aftermarket & Benelli part. I had to stretch my spring a bit and she's been banging away great ever since. I have the Copolla T4, and yes, it's my "project gun" but it's been running great except that one problem. (I did get a replacement bolt carrier from them to replace a soft carrier that started peening tho)

Holy hell I don’t got time to deal with QC issues. Seems like more of a project than a serious defensive tool.

Militec ! oil will change your mind about oil/ protection

Keen shot like commander Keen?

Can you post where you got everything from in the comments?

Link for the tube plz. Thanks!

It is a 1:1 clone.

Thats txrange in midlothian

Has the holosun survived the shotgun recoil?

I plan to run brand name 00 buck, you think it would run okay?

Is there a need to get around 922r with this shotgun? I’m wanting to pick one up

Why are there so many videos of this thing sucking ass but I see Classic Firearms video showing not a single malfunction

Nice

gun is right handed

Any problems running mini shells?

Does anyone have a link to purchase this shotgun? I cannot find one anywhere.

Is this worth it over something like a Benelli Supernova

So basically it’s nothing like the original gun. Except for the mechanism.

Does the Panzer screw on and off like the Benelli?

I really think it's just eating itself alive the bolt carrier is not hammer forged the pistons hit on a weak corners of the carrier the pistons will eventually get jammed in the track as it hammers those eyes off...it's a poor design by benelli that was an issue in the military testing the real deal has a specific mtal to survive the abuse ,the Turkish are using cast at first and it was disappointing but now they are steel but it's not hammer forged!! Same problem will occur within 500 rounds!

Thanks for doing this and giving a good review on it. I will agree what piece of shit gun, good to see you are cool with it and willing to try and make it better. No fluff just real talk here.

Just picked up a Panzer M4 from Palmetto State Armory. Low 2021 serial number. The bolt release is a bitch to depress. very stiff spring on there. Im hoping a GG&G enlarged bold release will remedy the problem. Have Mesa GG&G enlarged bolt handle and Urbino stock on order as well.

I have a real Benelli M1014 and I have 3k invested in mine... :(

That's what you call a democrat shotgun, you don't get what you pay for. I'm going to go ahead and buy the real deal. I'm voting for President Donald J Trump.

What happened to the corner of that bench sir? 🤣🤣🤣

hoping panzer got the kinks out. just ordered one lol

What sort of ammo where you using?