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Just installed a Briley 8" handguard, and wanted to give some thoughts. I have ran the OEM handguards, and Midwest Industries rail. Initial impressions, the thing is very very sturdy. Weight is not really a concern, when I received the box in the mail the box basically felt empty prior to opening. Installation is super easy, as is removal. It just slots right in like the OEM handguards, but in a single piece. I mounted an Arisaka 600 series with a Malkhoff head and Surefire DS00 with a TRex Arms / Arisaka extended scout mount, on the farthest Mlok slot. I put a modlite modbutton just below it, will need to play around with mounting positions before I decide on a final spot and do some cable management. Impressions once installed... the thing is girthy, and slick. The midwest industries rail was far far easier to get a c-clamp on, just like the OEM handguards. Of course, that is going to result in high heat and not being able to do that very long without gloves. The Briley is difficult to get a c-clamp on, and I'm sticking to a more traditional grip with it. It's slick, and really needs some added traction on it. I tried an Emissary handbrake, but that's not really conducive to making it more grippy with the traditional grip as opposed to the C clamp. I think I'll try out some 2 slot Irregular Defense MLok panels, one on each side of my support hand, and one on the underside. They're polymer and the most aggressive rail covers I've tried. Overall, very happy in the absence of the IWC scout mount. The light placement with the Malkhoff head gives a ton of spill and throw. There is some degree of barrel shadow of course, but it's dumping so much light, it's a non-issue. I would say in use, I like the Midwest rail more. It can get the light way further out (for less weight than even the 8" Briley rail, let alone the full size one), and feels way more ergonomic to grip. That being said, I don't like the set screws, and I had trouble taking it off the barrel to clean the ARGO system without taking my MLok attachments off. As of now, (without the rail covers, will update with those later) I can easily remove the handguard with the light and pressure pad from the barrel just by lifting it off. So from my experience, pros of the Briley are tool-less takedown, very solid. Cons, price, poor ergonomics, very slippery and hard to get a solid grip. Midwest, pros - cheaper, lighter, MUCH more ergonomic and grip forgiving due to the ability to C-clamp. Cons, a pain to take down.

Not me, I don’t buff my shotguns after every ranger trip. I run a bore snake and spray some lube every now and again. I have a nova that has just over 10k rounds on it and I think I’ve cleaned it 2-3 times. Benelli’s just run. 25k rounds no cleaning is what I think the M4 did to get the military contract. YMMV

So @bambihunter these are normal blemishes then ?

I've found the camo wrap on these blemish WAY easier than the actual metal finish. It makes sense though since it is effectively a wrap. At least on the old SBE's, they are standard finished parts underneath so the wrap can be removed and either run bare metal with the matte black look, or have it hydro-dipped to reapply a camo (or other) pattern.

it is 1 year old

Just say no to set screws 😉

gone!

I have one I'm about to list up for sale if you decide on ordering one. As far as the inconvenience, it's only a pain when it comes to cleaning the pistons (which I pretty much never do). When cleaning the pistons, some MLok attachments might need to come off as they get in the way. As far as field stripping the shotgun, you back out two set screws (allen keys, just need to back them out, not fully remove), and then the barrel comes off the receiver as normal, but with the handguard still around the barrel. You can then access the bolt housing, and of course removing the bolt and cleaning the barrel and chamber. I don't love the set screws, but I will say the handguard is mega tight and stiff to the shotgun. It's definitely well made.

That's a damn shame. They were the only ones making a detachable saddle built for the M4 platform. I wish I'd bought more of the attachments, though putting them on is a bit finicky, so it doesn't really work as a quick saddle reload solution. But it would've been nice for generally swapping saddle loads as easily as swapping cards. Generally, the best things about it is 1) you're not committed to have a side saddle mounted on all times and 2) due to the aluminum construction/detents, it will never fatigue and wear out like the plastic shell holders This is the next closest thing, but you have to frickin 3M tape it to your receiver which I hear works fine, but is still kind of sad to me https://www.gunsamerica.com/digest/aridus-industries-qd-c-universal-side-saddle/

Two posts above yours: "My friend put one on his MAC clone and likes it. I was avoiding it solely because I don’t like how much work it takes to take it off for cleaning and put back on." You have no problem with the above inconvenience?

Looks like they've stopped making rails and Asgard Defense is down too. Anyone ever try making or have seen a similar rail or sidesaddle system?

Briman, there are links posted in one of the threads above. That aside, places like Gunbroker.com has a ton of accessories and there are places like MidwayUSA or Brownells that sell various factory replacement parts such as mag extensions, barrels in different lengths, etc. Then, there are also places that specialize in shotgun work for 3 gun competition. They can flare the mag well and remove those sharp loading port corners, replace or reweld the carrier (the ramp you push up when you load shells) to eliminate the area that can catch your thumb during speed reloads. You might also check out places like Taran Tactical, RXArms (from Canada), Freedom Fighter Tactical, and there are many others. Searches will find these and the places I mentioned above.

How old is the M2? Just a guess: this will not be covered under warranty. Call Benelli customer service and ask.

So I was gonna have JK Armament make one but decided not to since their suppressor mount is made to be thread locked on and only adds about a half inch to the length. A cursory glance at other thread protector manufacturers didn't turn up anything. Maybe try McMaster Carr.

Is the uneven wear and tear on the barrel normal of this M2. It is on the area that is covered by the fore-end when assembled. The gun has never been misused and has been mostly used for trap/skeet. Wondering if I can claim my warranty for this?

Thanks for suggestion. I looked at Trex mount you’ve mentioned but it’s kinda putting the light further away from the gun and light that I have is not Surefire. If I’ll use a ligh, ideally I want it or it’s mount to have a quick release so I can attach it whenever I need to and be mounted as close to the barrel as possible for better weight balancing. Since there is no substitute for IWC mount, maybe I can tey creating one, say a newer version. But I need an IWC mount still to take some measurements.

you mind providing links to the mods. Would love to replicate this!

I just did mine with a butane touch, took about a minute of flame and virtually no force. It looks to be 24 tpi. Does anybody know of a thread protector to put on it? I would like to be able to run it with or without the breacher.

My OG M4 most definitely does not have that. I assume it interfaces with the new railed handguard in some way? I'd say remove it and install the new forend and shoot it. It definitely isn't an energy bearing part judging from it's construction. Looks more like a way to clamp / compression fit the new foreend.

I've literally never heard of this company until now, which makes sense as they're based in Europe. Had I not bought a Briley just now I probably would have been after this right away. It's lightweight, strong, tool-less, and looks like it has really nice texturing built in. If you can get ahold of one, the TRex Arms extended scout mount for Arisaka lights might make this work. You could shove the light very far forward off the handguard, and actuate it with a clicky tail cap press. Your hand would probably still hit it, but you'd be hitting the small low profile MLok mount instead of a large light body. Thanks for sharing, I think this is a great option for everyone seeking light mounting solutions with the IWC mount off the market, while maintaining tool-less take down and a negligible weight change from the stock plastic handguards.

Very valuable advice, thank you. SBR are not allowed in country where I live and 1301 wasn’t available. Beside, I bought M4 because I wanted M4.

If your worried about a m4 weight.You should have bought a m4 sbr or 1301

Just a quick review. Main idea is to decrease the weight. Stock aluminum T Pro handguard is 323gr, new TST is only 92gr giving 231gr of weight reduction. It’s made of polymer with aluminum Mlok inserts screwed in. Handguard is installed tight, zero rattle or play. Just what I would expect from Toni System. Elevated top end covers the barrel almost to the top. There is a texture on the surface, so there is no way your hand will slide on this thing in any condition. It looks very sturdy. It’s questionable how usable would Mlok slots be in the place they are as my hand covers them all. I assume front one could be usable with a forward extender for flashlight installation. All in all I’m very happy with it and can’t wait to give it a go at the range.

Oh, I see now. Factory forend is all aluminum and pistons could very well be hitting it as tolerances are tight. Very nice, so I can remove it using new forend. Thanks!

What about a qd mount on the top rail in front of the ghost ring sight.