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I agree, the Cerakote version isn't worth the cost. If you're getting cerakote, get one that is a color that works for camo in your area of use. Unfortunately there aren't any options for getting NP3 done on existing parts at this time. Fortunately, the Benelli in black should last several lifetimes without any exotic work being done.

The Cerakote models start out as a black phosphate finished barrel. The. The barrel is media blasted to rough up the finish for Cerakote adhesion. I’d say the Cerakote is a superior finish from a protection and abrasion standpoint. Then again, I’ve worked on a lot of Benelli M4’s and I have never seen a barrel with surface rust on it.

I’m often seeing around 1,150 with shipping back from Wright. I charge 300 to tear down and reassemble. It’s about 6 hours of work to do both correctly. Then whatever return shipping charges back to you. Since I hold a FFL, it can be returned directly to you under gunsmithing rules. Right now I’m expanding my equipment to be able to handle Cerakote services. That way we aren’t all stuck with silver shotguns. One less trip in the mail, and willing to do complicated painting operations for cosmetics. Like painting just the visible area of the bolt carrier.

No negative issues with getting a Cerakote model aside from the extra cost. I’ve broken down several of them to have them plated in actual NP3. Wright Armory is the place to go for the NP3 process to be applied. However, I can not recommend their disassembly and reassembly services. A forum member had them do it recently and had a bad time.

You won’t like the price on a NP3 plated M4. I’d buy a black model and upgrade as you can. You can send it to Wright at some point and have it plated in NP3 if you want. It’ll be far cheaper than the premium they’re going for right now. The Cerakote H2O is a bit disingenuous in my opinion. Benelli bait and switched this one with a lot of customers. I’ve met countless buyers who assumed it was Np3 plated since it had the H2O moniker. With the Cerakote model, you’re buying the look, not the performance of the NP3 original model.