As for HD, not sure why you would say that...it is an awesome combat shotgun used very well by the USMC. And the LOP on my stock is very nice.
No need for the silly remark about Call of Duty. I do not play video games.
I smell the distinct odor of Benelli envy!
If you reread my post, you'll see I said the M4 is not at the top of
MY list. At no point did I say it's a bad gun or a bad choice for other people.
To reiterate, my biggest issue is with the stock. Many people (including myself) think a squared-up stance is better for tactical purposes, because it allows a person to walk more naturally with the gun mounted and allows better balance and a wider range of upper body motion while on the move. For this type of stance, a shorter stock works better, because your shoulder is farther forward. A longer stock is fine if you plan to use the same mount and stance that you'd use for hunting and clays.
Sorry if the Call of Duty comment offended you (and I didn't intend to lump you in with that demographic), but it's that cheek piece that put the thought in my mind. It gives the gun a distinctive, aggressive look, but I'm in the "less is more" crowd. If the gun needs that extra comb piece to get the eye to the proper level, I'm not sure why Benelli didn't just make the comb on the stock higher to begin with. The extra piece just adds more "snaggable" surfaces to something a person never wants to get snagged in a HD situation.
Sorry to disappoint, but I'm not too envious of your Benelli. I may have been several years ago, but my tastes have changed as I've used more guns. But as long as you can get what you like and I can get what I like, that's what's important.