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Looks like OEM to me. Quite possible the recoil tube wasn’t installed properly aligned on the reciever. Some collapsible stocks have different tolerances than others. Have you tried your H2O stock on your black gun and vice versa?

The receiver extension was installed wrong. Those notches on the extension should be facing top dead center. From the photos it appears to be canted about 10-15 degrees to the right. The extension will need to be removed with heat assuming they applied thread locker to the components, chemically cleaned and retimed correctly. You’re also missing a snap ring in the end of the extension. *Edit, never mind, I see it in one of the photos above. *When the extension is being instead, it has a tendency to turn when tightening the jam nut. Happens to me all the time during my installs. You have to apply counter torque to the extension with a 19mm wrench on the flats while tightening the jam nut. If you aren’t checking the work with a collapsible stock afterwards, this alignment issue can present itself.

Don't remove the tube from the Supernova. Not only is the plastic in danger of being heat damaged, but the receiver is difficult to hold in a vice. What you want to achieve is basically the New Zealand M3 configuration: You would want: 70136 (or 61364), 70078, and 61171 (Supernova Plastic stock assembly). The plastic stock doesn't have a public part number, so you will even up with a extra pistol grip.

The wings of the carrier are likely bent. I've fixed a few of them by putting them in a vice and whacking the elevator with a rubber mallet. It doesn't take much force to tweak it.

I don’t notice the same thing with notches and dead center. For me, the top notches are a bit off center when the buttstock is centered.

Honestly, if it were me, I would not modify a mint M1. As you've said, those are long out of production and quite collectable. That's like trying to touch up a Picasso that has a paint chip. BUT, it is your gun so do as you will. If you want to sell it, let me know!

You'd think they'd at least load a magazine full of snap caps into the mag, and cycle them through to make sure it fully loads, and manually cycles if they aren't going to do live tests. I've been a Benelli fan for nearly 30 years but man, trying to crank out as much as they can during COVID and buying panic has left me shaking my head at them. I understand making a profit, but if they are doing so at the sake of their previously well-earned reputation, it could come back to bite them. I certainly hope not...

I'd still follow up with Benelli. If you can send them the bent one, maybe you'll get a replacement for a spare. And, vertigo's comment regarding the plastic trigger guard was just to differentiate that it was a newer production gun versus the original release of the gun in the 90's that had a cast trigger guard. While both M3's are largely the same gun, there are some nuances between the two that can cause compatibility issues if you try swapping parts over, such as putting an original folding stock on the newer model.

- UPDATE I received the rail earlier today. It was unboxed and inspected. First impressions was that it felt really light in weight. The rail looked good, there were no sharp edges or machining/finishing issues. I unloaded my M4, disassembled it and proceeded to follow the instructions. The instructions are very basic but I had no problems following them other than having one question. I called Midwest Ind. and spoke with Sean (Ext. 226). I felt that they left out one step that might have the end user questioning the instructions. I would've changed step #5 to read unscrew the 4 mid collar screws and the 2 rear collar screws and remove both the mid and rear collars. Again, it was easy to figure out but it would've saved me a call. The installation required a torx and socket key which was included. Once I got everything lined up and tightened down it felt rock solid. I checked for any flexing of the rail and it didn't move. At this point I backed out the screws, hit them with a dab of blue locktite, torqued them to 20in lbs and gave them some faint witness marks. Now that it was installed, I took a few minutes to do some presentations from both the low and high ready just to get a good feel for it. I have average sized hands and it didn't feel to fat or bulky so this was a plus. I then added some Magpul rail covers that I had laying around and it felt even better with the texturing. Again, it didn't feel bulky with the rail covers. I threw on a modlite but have to wait for the mod button mlok adapter to come in. My concerns about the pistons being exposed were put to bed. Most of the pistons are housed inside the rail. In regards to disassembly/reassembly, nothing will be as fast as removing the mag cap and popping off the forearm panels but I realized that I don't normally disassemble often so the necessary bits will be added to my range bag just in case. To be honest, I probably have about 400ish rounds through this entry barrel and I've yet to clean it. It just gets some lube from time to time. Over the next few range trips, I'll monitor if there's any issue with fit or function, If the screws start to walk and just overall the performance. First impressions for me are positive and it will stay on my M4 unless something changes. Attached are some pics. These are just my opinions so hopefully this helps some. I'm off to the range

You can get a factory Benelli pistol grip stock or if you want a shorter length of pull, you could get a mesa tactical urbino. As far as a side saddle goes, you’d probably be best served with one of the shotgun cards velcro type setup to avoid any cycling issue’s. I use Esstac but there are also a couple other quality manufacturer’s people also recommend.