Which Mesa Tactical Side Saddle Should You Buy for a Benelli M4? 4-Shell vs. 6-Shell vs. 8-Shell
One of the questions I answer most often is which Mesa Tactical Side Saddle is the best choice for a Benelli M4 shotgun. Should you choose the 4-shell, 6-shell, or 8-shell model? In this article, I explain how I help customers decide based on weight, balance, intended use, and personal preference. Whether you're building a home defense Benelli M4, a duty shotgun, or simply upgrading your shotgun with quality accessories, understanding the advantages of each Mesa Tactical Side Saddle will help you build a shotgun that fits your needs.
Jump to Mesa Tactical Side Saddles
One of the questions I receive all the time is which Mesa Tactical Side Saddle I recommend for the Benelli M4: the 4-shell, 6-shell, or 8-shell version.
Personally, I'm not a big fan of carrying a lot of extra ammunition directly on the receiver. If I'm going to carry spare shells, I actually prefer side saddles that mount to the stock, such as those available for the Urbino stock.
That said, if you're going to mount a receiver-mounted side saddle, my personal choice is the 6-shell model.
For me, it strikes the best balance between carrying enough ammunition without making the shotgun feel unnecessarily heavy.
The 8-shell version gives you the most onboard ammunition, but it also adds the most weight to the receiver.
The 4-shell version is lightweight and simple, making it a great choice for shooters who only want a few specialty shells readily available.
If I had to rank them based on my own preferences, I'd choose the 6-shell first, the 4-shell second, and the 8-shell third.
Interestingly enough, the 8-shell model is actually the one I sell the most.
People like having maximum onboard capacity, and I rarely hear from customers who regret choosing it.
Ultimately, there isn't a wrong answer.
If you like having eight shells immediately available, you'll probably be very happy with the 8-shell model.
If you're looking for the best compromise between capacity and weight, I think the 6-shell side saddle is the sweet spot.
If you simply want a few specialty rounds available, such as slugs for select-slug drills or longer-distance shots, the 4-shell model makes a lot of sense.
At the end of the day, the best Mesa Tactical Side Saddle is the one that fits your shooting style and how you intend to use your Benelli M4.