I have a Benelli M4 (and an M1S90 FWIW) but it does have the fixed length pistol grip stock. I wanted the field-style stock, but as you said, choices are limited. All I’ve found in those were full length, 14”+ LOP and that’s not gonna do it in a defensive shotgun.
Cutting the field stock gets complicated because it’s hollow with nothing to attach the buttpad to after cutting. You have to make a filler from a block of wood or something.
I got a Mesa Tactical Urbino which has a 12.5” LOP.
https://mesatactical.com/urbino-stocks/
I’m not a fan of the pistol grip stock, but in all honesty it works OK for me. When I’ve done matches with doors to open, the PG has made it easier to handle one-handed to deal with the doors or ports or whatever. That’s me, and it may be the opposite for the next person.
I helped teach a shotgun class in March (link below) and loaned it to a guy to finish the day. He liked it and said he was going to get one with a PG stock, so other people have been converted too. At least partially.
Whoever posted before that the M4 won’t run with light loads should tell mine. Most of what I’ve shot has been the cheapest 100-rd packs I can find, but it’s had a good share of Winchester AA Lights, Federal Low-Recoil buck, and some of my reloads from my trap days which are super light. I don’t remember a single malfunction.
If you keep your eyes open, there are deals to be found on Benellis. I got mine of Gunbroker, used but like new, for less than what 1301s were getting, and less than a lot of A300s. It might take some patience, but they are out there.
Shotgun class
https://www.indianagunowners.com/th...ders-basic-defensive-shotgun-mar-21st.574273/
