Tacman

javven, How about on-line at: 1. GunsAmerica: http://www.gunsamerica.com/catlist.cgi?type=shotguns or at 2. FirearmsAmerica http://www.firearmsamerica.com/sell/ or 3. GunBroker.com - http://www.gunbroker.com/ Hope that helps, Tacman

StarLynx , The other difference I have heard is that the M1014 has a thicker barrel than the M4... Stay safe, Tacman

Standard model M4 will come with IC, M, F chokes; M1014 does not - it is the military barrel in modified without screw in chokes. The military barrel is thicker and meant for the variety of ammo used in military / tactical situations and the thicker barrel will likely hold up better to large number of rounds per session without over-heating. No time there to be messing with chokes for the most part in this scenario - just feed and shoot... Interesting that the M1014 is almost 6" longer than the M4 despite the same barrel length in the non-collapsible stock version (from website specs). Could the M4 stock be that much shorter? Wonder what that will do to the balance and feel of the gun? Could really make it fore-end heavy. Wonder if the website specs are wrong - the pictures show guns of same length? Stay safe, Tacman [ 10-28-2003, 09:46 AM: Message edited by: Tacman ]

Try this web-site for oil options: http://hunting.about.com/cs/guncleanrev/. I use the Pro-tec and it is really good. The syringe applicator works exceptionally welll and keeps you from over-oiling. I understand the Militec-1 is also very good and one of these days I will try that. Good luck, Tacman

HI5-O, Have you purchased any of the Gunners Choice chokes from Brownell's? Which ones and do they work well? Which choke did you receive with the M1 Practical that will work with the Benelli-supplied compensator? Thanks, Tacman

TH3, Don't know the length officially, but sounds like you need a new spring. A recent American Handgunner article stated that the biggest action to cause shortened spring life is to stretch springs as you did. Your "pull" is likely only a temporary remedy. Stay safe, Tacman

greybeardjac, According to Benelli - A Cylinder choke is recommended for shooting rifled slugs in a smooth bore barrel. Sabot slugs should be shot through our fully-rifled slug barrels. Interested if Benelli customer service says any different. You may want to try them or keep with the Benelli guidance... Stay safe, Tacman

Try to twist it before turning it. Sometimes you need to twist it a bit, give it a tug, try a small twist (90 degrees each time) and tug again. Hope that helps... Tacman

Model is Super Black Eagle, M1, M4, etc. Serial number is the obvious other one. Benelli will figure it out if you do not... Stay safe... Tacman

10mikeymike, The Practical compensator attaches to a choke which your M1 would need to have to accommodate. The choke is "special" in that it has threads on the outside of the choke (once it is screwed into the barrel) that accept the compensator. The parts are likely purchased separately from a Benelli dealer, but that can be like pulling teeth. Find a good strong volume Benelli dealer and ask them to order it. The Benelli European Website has detailed manuals with parts numbers and you can specify English - what a concept!. Good luck. Tacman [ 10-19-2003, 09:16 PM: Message edited by: Tacman ]

Scatterton, What did you mean by, "Well since customer service doesn't want to answer my message"... Had you tried Benelli directly via phone? Good luck on your problem - try a little penetrating oil to help it out, too... Tacman

David, Try this site for basics: http://www.angelfire.com/tx/ShotGun/INFO/AllOutdoors/choke_tubes_r.html Do a Google search on shotgun choke tube function and read up - you will understand more in no time. Stay safe... Tacman

Like our friend M1014, I too own the M4 and have also been looking at the M3. The lure of "just one more Benelli" and all that... My thinking is that simpler is better and there are more things to malfunction on a dual purpose gun, so buy it after you have a dependable single purpose one you are in love with, but that's me. Could be you get the M3 and never want another. Part of the decision is what you will be shooting. Do you anticipate the lighter loads that will require the pump action? Do you train for tactical situations where the pump might be preferred by some instructors / techniques? The semi M4 can be recycled manually, of course but is that much more of a handful in a fast tactical environment let's say with light loads than the M4. I personally don't envision those cases and am willing to learn the drill to cycle the action with the M4. Besides, isn't a great attribute of the semi and the Benelli the smooth and FAST semi-auto capability? Seems like that capability is the highest priority - but to each their own. Good luck... Tacman [ 09-30-2003, 10:20 PM: Message edited by: Tacman ]

SF, Super 90 is a designation given to a whole series of Benelli's including the Montefeltro, M1, M3, M4. The best explanation is found on the European website: http://www.benelli.it/Storia/ Here is the euro site home address in english if it get confusing: http://www.benelli.it/Home.asp E-mail the moderators where to get the gun or check the dealer locater on the sites. By the way, in the US, the gun is sold with the folding stock but it does not fold! Has to do with our assault weapons laws and having a pistol grip and other features at once. If you notice the euro version has an expanded mag tube as standard, not the dinky US version. Not sure on Canada's laws - you need to check it out. Hope this helps... Super 90 explnation from site: In 1985 Benelli introduced Super 90 model which can not be considered a new gun even though it differs in some mechanical and operational details of great relevance. It is a step further in a process which takes into consideration incessant demand from the shooting public. On the whole, it is more versatile and safe, highly reliable and practical. In the earlier auto Benelli shotguns, the cartridge in the barrel could be replaced with another not stored in the magazine by actioning the bolt manually, as the magazine is blocked by an inertia lever. Only a fired shot allows a cartridge to come out of the magazine, it is deposited on the carrier latch and onto the barrel. As a result it is not possible to load the barrel with the first cartridge of the magazine, unless it is previously manually extracted. Super 90 adopts a different solution: a magazine stop, mechanically operated, is controlled by a second cartridge drop lever which compels the first one to lock the receiver. When firing, the hammer spring swings the cartridge drop lever upward disengaging it from the carrier latch. The cartridge, as it is deposited on the carrier, presses against the carrier latch, thus rotating it in the opposite direction and blocking the exit of any other cartridge. This mechanism, so complex when it has to be described, is extremely simple when it operates. Tacman [ 09-23-2003, 06:53 PM: Message edited by: Tacman ]

I hit targets with slugs at 100 yards and that is plenty for my tactical purposes. I don't plan to engage at distances farther than that with a shotgun. I would switch to my AR. I also own the M1 Practical and that is a great gun, too - a lot longer barrel with increased capacity in the mag. Will get you more range and velocity, but harder to deploy tactically because of the longer barrel. I looked at lots of optics and decided to get a Hakko for now. Japanese company that makes the ACOGs for Trijicon at a more reasonable price. I got the single power BED-24 with multiple reticles it is basically a red dot with optional reticle shapes that mounts to the M1014 rail. http://www.hakko-japan.co.jp/optical/english/dot.htm It is really meant for close to mid distance engagements where speed is important, though the red dot may be sighted in for distance. I chose it because the others were more of looking through "a tube" mounted on the gun which would take longer and mean I had to conform to a specific position to sight properly. With the Hakko, I can actually see the sight more quickly and readily from a variety of positions. The optics thing is a real personal choice, so look around at all ther is to offer. If you want a scope with power, try the variable Leupold CQ/T, but watch out for the cost. Good luck. Tacman

Shotgun Freak, I have the M1014 (M4 limited edition) and LOVE it. It is versatile, works across various loads, and is accurate as heck. It is a great tactical gun for me and I enjoy using it at the range or in tactical training / deployment. My next step is to try some new optics on it for faster target acquisition. You would enjoy this one if you buy it. Get a good tactical sling and enjoy! Stay sfae, Tacman

DMC46, A coouple of suggestions on handling recoil: 1. make sure your bend of the elbow is at 90 degrees to your body to create a deep "pocket" at your shoulder and make sure you mount the gun firmly in the fleshy part of that pocket on your chest muscle (not on the collar bone!) 2. try a Browning Reactar Shooting Harness - It has a 5mm thick, lightweight Beta Gel that forms to your body in the harness or you can buy an individual pad to sew in clothes. It claims to reduce peak recoil by up to 30 percent. Heree is a link with both. Note, the harness already includes a pad. http://www.wholesalehunter.com/product/browning/brngdes/Shootingwear.HTM 3. Try some yoga stretching exercises for your shoulder to add flexibility and strengthen. Yoga did wonders for my chronic shoulder problems Hopefully that is a different spin that is helpful. I shoot my M1 Practical and M1014 and have no issues now. And that can mean 75+ slugs in an afternoon. Good luck, Tacman

Shotgunner, Try the Blue Book of Gun Values: http://www.gunshop.com/blubook1.htm Happy hunting at the auction. Tacman

SBEM3. What's the trick for 3 shell to go to 4? Stay Safe, Tacman

reconabe, Try CQB - http://www.cqbsolutions.com/index.html . Their products are great. I have the SOP Universal and it is a dream. The wider web is very comfortable. They are also available through Botach. Stay safe, Tacman

Anyone have experiences they want to share about tactical optics for an M1 or M1014? ACOG, Leupold, Aimpoint, Trijicon, others? Any preferences or things you really like or really hate? Stay safe, Tacman

Paolo, New Benellis need the break in period to go from smooth to really smooth. Have patience. And pay attention to the loads as Flattop says. Benellis just do not like light loads and will not cycle properly if you are too light. Hope you enjoy it. Stay safe, Tacman

Here is another option from GGG: http://www.gggaz.com/products/benelli.php Stay Safe, Tacman

Treeman, Thanks for the BC-CAM tip - looks great. When I decide what optic, I will likely get one. Appreciate the tip. There is just so much out there, especially with the AR... Let me know how the 3 gun goes. Interested in your feedback. SHoot well. Stay safe. Tacman

Rescue 14, I have the Insight Technologies M3 with tactical LED on my M1014 mounted to a 1" ring that attaches to the tube extension. The light is nice and lightweight and has built-in shock isolation. It is 90+ lumens for 60 minutes in standard bulb. The tactical light is nice at night to keep your night vision - it switches between two strengths and comes in blue, red, white, green, IR, or UV options. If you go with a Surefire (very good product too looks like that is what M1014 has), the 6P (600) line is the classic choice. They are 65 lumens for 60 minutes standard bulb or 120 lumens for 20 minutes high intensity bulb. There is also a 900 series with its own specs. You really need to research and match to your expected uses. There are all types of mounting hardware available from Surefire and GGG. On both Insight and Surefire, you can get a rear cap adapter with different length tape swithes to mount a pressure switch on the forend somewhere. These just replace the back end of the light. Again the M3 is a bit less expensive. Just make sure you get the extra option shock-isolated bezel if you get the Surefire as the shotgun can soon take out the bulb without it. It is standard on the M3. Good luck. Hope you found this illuminating. Tacman