re: Benelli M2 or Beretta A400

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If you plan to do a lot of shooting the A400 is definitely the softer recoiling gun. I've run hundreds of shells through my A400 in a day shooting clays and the gas piston had hardly any fouling on it. Utterly reliable, swings like the barrel is 4" shorter than it is,

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This. ^^^^

I've never shot the M2, so don't put too much weight on my opinion. But I typically shoot 5-6 cases of shells (sporting clays) thru my A400 before I bother to clean it.

I have two of them - one for the kids to shoot. If both were to disappear tomorrow, I'd go buy two more. I wouldn't even stop and consider anything else.

I don't have the opportunity to do much duck hunting, but have carried the 400 twice on duck hunts. It kills ducks just fine.

Before the A400's came out, I shot Beretta 391's. Excellent shotguns, but the 400 weighs less. The 400's and the 391's have shims that let you adjust the cast (left & right) and "drop" (not sure that's the right term). Picking one up in a gun store may not tell you if it fits well -- especially if you're left handed (they are delivered with a right hand shim installed).

Anyway .... the 400's are expensive, but they hold their value well. I think they're worth it compared to the cost of other shotguns.