The Bernardelli B4 Series Gas Tactical Combat Shotgun is a 12 caliber ammunition semi-automatic system designed for military and security forces combat. The B4 emerged in response to the United States' Joint Services Small Arms Program (JSSAP) specification, which called for a new type of semi-automatic shotgun.
Dating back to the 1970s, the program was designed to coordinate weapons standardization among major branches of the U.S. military.
The final B4 demonstrates high quality and durability, and differs from other combat shotguns in that it operates from a detachable box magazine instead of a tubular magazine. Additionally, the B4 can be operated as a self-loading weapon or manually using a pump slide. The semi-automatic action is meant to provide a higher chance of a "second hit", allowing the operator to start subsequent rounds without pulling the slide, possibly losing sight of the target (if only for a second or two). The shotgun also comes with a full carry handle, a folding stock and a premium steel barrel with a fully anti-reflective coating.
Ammo types are all conventional, and the gun can be fired from a curved, detachable 3, 5 or 8 round magazine.
This series and its semi-automatic bolts have been banned from import into the United States, along with several other potential boxed shotgun systems on the civilian market (including the Italian Beretta M3P and the French SPAS-15) - by Assault in 1994 Arms Ban Act provided. B4 also appears in the pump-only model, designated B4/B.
Visually, the B4/B retains the stock and body of the B4 with some minor changes to the pump mount and front.
- Close Combat (CQB) / Personal Protection
950 mm (37.40 in)
3.45 kg
Before and after ironing.
Pneumatic semi-automatic/hand pump action
B4 - Basic model; automatic loading or pump loading via selector switch.
B4/B - Based on B4 without self-loading action and selection; lighter than standard B4 model.