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The MC M4 manual. Benelli M4 (USMC Manual).pdf

Keep searching and don't give up my man. I placed wanted ads online, did extensive Google searches, posted wanted flyers at the gun club, and inquired of vendors even if they were listed as out stock, in the hopes it paid it. It finally did and I found one last week for a very fair price, right in my own backyard. Don't get discouraged or give up because they are out there just waiting on you to find them ?. Good luck with your search!

While we are talking about tube weights.. the Socomguy thin wall steel 7 rd tube weighs 8.8 oz. . I wonder what kind of "heavy weight" stuff the OEM tube is made of at 10.5 oz.., pipe? Joe B

Yes

I'm going to take a minute to address what Shekkie said in his last paragraph and set a slightly different course: Shekkie said, "The biggest thing I’d stress is training. The best firearm/ammo does no good if you are fumbling and unsure of how the weapon functions. Getting to the point where everything is automatic is the goal." Break-in the gun with more powerful loads and break yourself in as well. I'd buy a box of dry fire Snap Caps to practice manual of arms. I purchased a box containing 9 rounds from "B's". One thing I don't like about them is they're about an 1/8" shorter than regular live rounds, but this doesn't pose a significant problem. Nine is a good quantity because you can have 1 chambered and 7 in the tube and another ready for a tactical reload. While boring, I'd read the manual thoroughly to learn the mechanics of the gun. If you can get a copy of the USMC M4 Operator's Manual, do it. OPERATOR'S MANUAL FOR THE SHOTGUN, COMBAT 12 GAUGE, SEMI-AUTOMATIC M1014 (1005-01-472-3147). Things you'll learn: a) You just can't rack a round from the mag tube unless you depress the shell release lever first to put a shell on the carrier. b) With a bolt locked back and empty chamber, you can insert a shell through the ejection port and momentarily press down on the round then remove your fingers. The bolt will run the shell home as soon as you release the pressure without snapping your fingers and you don't need to use the bolt release button. c) How to unload the gun without repeated racking and cycling each round through the chamber then ejecting. You can't just do that like Chuck Connors (The Rifleman) did to unload the gun, you have to hit the shell release lever every time before racking (see a) above). d) How to Ghost Load a round on the shell carrier. e) How to change-out a chambered round for a better option, e.g. changing out buckshot for a slug. f) And a whole lot more. I'd also look at some 3-Gun videos on Youtube to checkout their reload techniques. They rarely (if ever) use M4s, but some techniques translate well. I've been around guns for most of my life and thought I knew a thing or two about a thing or two, but you need to understand your Benelli M4 manual or arms. I learned the hard way after fumbling and bumbling. Of note: This forum is awesome for sharing lots of great info for maximizing the utility of the M4, but techniques for manual of arms is somewhat lacking. Maybe most members think that we all know our shit when it comes to running and gunning but I am witness to the fact that this is not always true! Best of luck. Sorry so long!

Congratulations on your new M4! You’re going to love that shotgun. I shot buck shot and slugs for the first 150 or so. The modified choke will work fine for home defense or at the range. First gun you said? You picked a sweet one!

As far as break in I got my M4 in December and have put about 100 shells thus far. Some were premium tactical buckshot and slugs and others were ancient “I don’t know what” shells I had in a drawer. I had one misfeed due to an obviously weak load. Otherwise it was flawless so I’m not sure how important the break in with higher power shells. Can’t hurt though and any range time is a bonus. If home defense is the purpose the included choke is fine. Pick up something like the Federal LE13200 buckshot. It is a bit pricey now so just try to find enough to have a full load in the M4 and train with something else. In a home what is your reasonable max range? 30’ maybe? Anything you use would likely be fine. I’d not use slugs unless you have no neighbors. Always be concerned of the backdrop. The biggest thing I’d stress is training. The best firearm/ammo does no good if you are fumbling and unsure of how the weapon functions. Getting to the point where everything is automatic is the goal.

Sling and light. A long gun sucks if you can’t sling it when you need your hands to do other tasks. Having to keep both hands on along gun without a sling is very limiting. I like the BlueForceGear padded two point sling. Sewn in QD sockets are nice. IWC makes a socket for the collapsible stock. Noveske makes one for the fixed oem stocks. I’d look at Modlite offerings for a light. The PLHv2 is very good for the shotgun. Put it on an IWC mount. I’d stick with the oem hand guards or get the FFT reproduction ones if you’re chasing 922 parts. Have them stippled by Tango Industries. Install either the Carriercomp titanium magazine tube or the Briley carbon fiber one. Briley will be the lighter of the two. Oem steel: 10.5 ounces Carriercomp titanium: 5.5 ounces Briley carbon fiber/stainless steel: 3.4 ounces Install a Limbsaver buttpad on the stock. There are various options depending on what stock you settle on. Replace the trigger frame with an A&S Engineering one. Have Briley install their trigger kit or install a FFT kit yourself. Add a FFT enhanced shell elevator. Replace the safety with a Dave’s Metal Works one. Add a GG&G oversized bolt release. Look at the new TTI stainless bolt handle. Consider deleting the iron sights to declutter your optics sight picture and to cut about 4-5 ounces of weight. From there, the only way up involved NP3 plating and loading port modifications.

Yup, got mine 2 weeks ago and it does. Anyone want to unload a collapsible stock??

I bought mine in June of 2020 and mine did.

At least they did a few months ago

Ditto. And well said. That Corps manual was the first thing I poured over- and it was thanks to this forum. Secondly, ditto on the big rounds through the break in period. After that, it’s just like anything else: Practice, and more practice. Next thing you know, operating that m4 will be like sliding into a good set of jammies (maybe a onesie) and getting a great sleep all night long. Edit to add: don’t worry about the cool kid mods at first. Get used to the base model, and then it will help you with the decisions down the line. Again, this forum is the go to with excellent advice all around.

That's like saying, "I got my first car, a Ferrari !" You are starting on top, good choice.

It may need some "break in" to shoot low power bird shot or reduced recoil buckshot. Run it wet with the included lube for the first few range trips.

Well my Winchester light loads jammed every other. Just get The barrel hot a few times with whatever rounds.

Really the only two must you have left are sling and light. Maybe a better oversized safety and a larger bolt release, but those and everything else is just nice to have.