truckcop

M2, without question. Field, 21" barrel to begin. Checks all your boxes.

If the gun is used like it's meant to be used it's going to get dings, scratches, rubs, nicks, etc. Get over it. If you want to keep it pristine, keep it in the safe.

The bolt head rotates about 1/8th a turn into recesses in the barrel extension. First, your picture indicates that it hasn't rotated after going forward. The bolt has to go forward with enough force to cause the head to properly perform this rotation. Are you riding the bolt forward with your hand or letting it go under it's own power of the recoil spring? If you're babying it forward, quit doing that. Let the recoil spring perform as it is supposed to. Give it all a liberal spray/squirt of a good firearm lubricant. Run the bolt back and let it go on its own a bunch of times and see if the head starts rotating into position indicating the bolt has closed completely. You won't see the lugs on the head like in your picture and the extractor will appear closer to the top of the receiver, further up in the ejection port. If it still doesn't work, call Benelli customer service and send it to back to them.

Well, the reason I have that M1 pad laying around is I replaced it with a limbsaver so it stands to reason that if my old M1 pad will fit on a newer M4 stock, a M1 limbsaver will fit on the M4. At least I think my logic is correct there although my wife would probably tell you that logic and my thought processes are mutually exclusive.

If you're looking to change out the one on your M4 w/standard stock, I believe the M4 pad is the same as the older M1's. They're both screw-on and looking at mine they're the same dimensions and the screw holes seem to be in the same places. Top pad in each pic is off an old M1 standard plastic stock. Bottom pad is off a new plastic pistol-grip M4 stock (non-collapsible). I can put the new M4 pad on the old M1 stock and vice-versa. If you're looking to change to something like a limbsaver I don't see why the one for a M1 wouldn't work. (these are take-offs I have laying around. I prefer not to take them off my guns willy-nilly since I believe the plastic stock screw holes have a finite number of screw-ins/screw-outs before the threads blow out)

I have Nordic and OEM. In terms of quality and function, there is no discernable difference. A new follower isn't really needed but not necessarily a bad idea. Not sure what you mean by "cut the spring". Not sure about the SN but the +2 OEM extensions on my M1's use the standard spring. Aftermarket springs are usually way too long and would require cutting to proper length.

Also, try low recoil buck/slugs. Still kicks. M1's will usually cycle these but it's really gun-specific. If it doesn't cycle the low recoil stuff initially, break it in with a few boxes of the hard stuff then try it again. It's a light gun and there's not much there to tame the recoil other than your shoulder. If you want to shoot it you'll just have to get used to the recoil. I shoot skeet with mine and use full power field loads. Yep, it kicks like a mule. I've gotten to where I can't shoot real low-power loads in other shotguns because it doesn't feel like I'm getting smacked around enough when I pull the trigger.

Never a bad idea to go to the source. However, all Benelli snap-on butt pads I have encountered are on field or non-collapsible pistol grip stocks. None of those have little holes at each end. Those holes being present are probably a good indication of screws back there. However, I have not encountered every Benelli out there and they have been known to change things without telling us.

If it's a 26" barrel, it isn't rifled. Any of the slugs you mentioned will work. IC choke is fine with slugs. You're not going to damage anything unless you use a really tight choke. "Right" and "correct" shells are dependant on what you're going to do with them and how they group or otherwise work out of your shotgun. Just about every shotgun shoots different than the next, even one that came off the line before or after yours. Sabot slugs are made for rifled barrels and for your gun I would consider NOT right. Otherwise, the only not-right or incorrect shells would be 20ga., .410, 28ga., etc.

Yes, it's a phillips head. I always use a medium size screwdriver, large enough to engage the head properly, small enough to get into the holes of the pad. Rub a little oil/vaseline/grease on the screwdriver shaft. It will go in and out easier without damaging the pad.

He doesn't say in the whole video. Could be TruGlo Turkey sight set. Why don't you ask him: http://www.facebook.com/Official.Chris.Costa

Well, you're kind of jumping all over the place and you're probably confusing a couple of things but I'll try. First suggestion: find somewhere else to shoot. Otherwise; A change in barrel will not require a change in recoil spring, regardless of the configuration. Not sure where you read that there's a difference in springs from field to tactical. Adding a mag extension shouldn't be an issue either. Any M2 should function just fine with whatever combination of barrels/mag extensions you put on it unless you're shooting very light target loads. Heavier field loads and buck shouldn't be a problem. Regardless of the version you get, be prepared to shell out another 400 bucks for the additional barrel. Drilled/tapped receivers are no different from non-d&t except for the holes. Not an issue based on what you've stated above.

On the Brownell's site, once you go to the Benelli schematics you then have to click on "Shotguns". That will drop down a list of shotguns. Their site only lists M2 bolt and trigger assemblies specifically but an M2 is pretty much the same as an M1 internally if you're just looking to see the relationship of the different parts. Numrich schematic, M2 field: http://www.gunpartscorp.com/Manufacturers/Benelli-33150/Shotguns-35372/Semi-AutoShotguns-40729/M2Field-40591.htm

Hey guys, pay attention. That thread is from 2006. That's why you can't see the images. They don't exist any more.

Owners manual on the Benelli website: http://cdn.benelliusa.com/assets/manuals/Benelli_M2_manual.pdf Relevant to any M2. Internally, an M2 is an M2 regardless of the configuration. Schematics can be found on Brownell's and Numrich websites.

Yep. Simple. That's why everybody does it.

Not everything that could be made out of titanium SHOULD be made out of titanium. I have a very high-end AR that came with a titanium firing pin. After several hundred rounds it started having malfunctions; failure to eject mostly. Once the expended case was stuck in the bolt. I looked at a bunch of the ejected brass and the primers had holes punched in them. WTF?? Took the bolt apart and the end of the firing pin had chipped and was now a sharp spear rather than a rounded striking surface. It was actually punching holes in the primers and was getting stuck in the hole as the case was extracted. BTW, that maker no longer installs titanium firing pins in his guns. Back in my mis-spent youth I worked in a motorcycle shop. Titanium stuff was just getting out into ordinary folks hands from the aerospace industry. They started making motocross handlebars out of titanium. Stronger and lighter than steel, they said. Expensive as all get-out. We put a set on the owner's motorcycle. One hot day, the kickstand dug into the asphalt and the bike fell over. That handlebar folded up like a cheap pocket knife.

It really depends on what "reduced recoil" ammo you're getting. If you're talking about Federal LE12300 reduced recoil w/flite control wad, there is no downside. Patterns are much better than the same exact ammo that has a higher velocity.

I have the Sidearmor version. It does not come in contact with the side of the receiver.

Nope, you did just fine. If it's primarily a fun gun then it's not necessary to hang a bunch of stuff on it. You don't need lights, heavy rails, etc., etc. I've used M1's for years in 3-gun, skeet, and hunting. I've got receiver mounted shell carriers on a couple of guns and have never had a function problem. The M2 is going to be a lot lighter than the M4 and, in my opinion, is a more versatile shotgun.

Ordinary folk can't just buy one and slap it on your receiver. First of all, it would make it a short barrel shotgun (SBS) which requires federal approval (fingerprints, background, etc.), and payment of a $200.00 tax stamp and a 6-8 month wait. You become the manufacturer of the SBS so you'll have to have the receiver engraved with your name and location. And that assumes that your state allows possession of short barrel shotgun. You indicate NYC as your location. Good luck with that.

Yep, the T-1 is a great, rugged sight. Although for shotgun use, I would go with the lowest Larue mount. It's specifically designed for use on a shotgun.

Well I can tell you without fear of contradiction that the dual illuminated version is actually TOO bright in bright sunlight. I do live in FL and we do have a few sunny days. In very bright sunlight the dot actually flares badly. There's no real modulation function at the higher end. If you look closely at the picture, you'll see that I've actually taken a black sharpie and blackened the fiber optic cover. Under bright sunlight it cuts down the flare and is still opaque enough to light up on cloudy days or under ambient inside light. Darkness is not a problem because of the tritium. The real problem I've heard regarding the dual illuminated versions, especially on pistols with mounted lights, is that the dot washes out when illuminating a close-in target with the light and I agree that this is an issue with handgun/light combos. With a shotgun that has a light mounted, if you're close enough to light up the target and the sight dot is washed out, it doesn't matter because you're probably close enough that you don't need the dot anyway. At such a distance, it would also act as a large ghost ring.

If she's got upper body strength issues, the M4 is way to heavy. Any of the 20 or 28 ga. Benellis are too long (IMO) for close quarters. My opinion based on the criteria you have provided: http://www.stoegerindustries.com/firearms/stoeger-coach-guns.php Gotta have "tactical"? Try this: http://www.stoegerindustries.com/firearms/stoeger-double-defense.php Both come in 20 ga. Or go 12 with low recoil buckshot or slugs.

Aimpoint T1 or Trijicon RMR (I prefer the dual illumination versions)