AK_SBE

Is this the reply from the Benelli customer service rep?

I don't see where it says you can't mod the factory stock to telescope. It only says you can't install an imported telescoping stock.

I don't understand why you would not send the whole gun back. If I had a new gun experience a catastrophic failure like that, it would be back so quick it would make their head spin. Keep in mind the ARGO System was developed to make the weapon more reliable. Let's hope the ones shipped to our troops are not as "reliable" as yours was.

I had an Auto-5 that unfortunately picked up a little surface rust while in unheated storage. I used the fine steel wool and CLP trick, and you would not be able to see where unless I pointed it out. On a matte blue gun, it would not be visible at all. If it is a polished blue barrel, then I would return it, then coat the replacement barrel with Flitz metal polish with carnauba wax. Water will just bead up and roll off of that stuff. I used to use it on my Guide gun until I had it Parkerized. Now I just soak the Parkerize in Breakfree Collector every now and then.

If geese are not in the equation, I would take a look at the M1 Field. If you plan to do any goose hunting, then the Super Black Eagle would be worth looking at. With all the fuss over the SBE II, you can likely find good deals on an SBE.

SBE with a LimbSaver works just fine. You can get a mercury-filled recoil reducer for it as well, but in my opinion, this ruins the balance of the gun.

One more thing, soak the barrel real good with CLP, then lightly buff the rusted areas with fine steel wool. Use a very light touch. You don't want to remove the bluing, just the rust. After that is done, lay the barrel on several layers of newspaper on your cleaning bench, and saturate the heck out of it with CLP (or Collector) and let is sit for a day or two before wiping it down.

I use BreakFree Collector on all my non-stainless weapons for rust prevention. It works especially well on Parkerize and matte-blue finishes, as it soaks into the pores and stays there. I would contact Benelli about your barrel rusting. It seems odd that a barrel that was wiped down with CLP after a hunt would have any rust problems. BreakFree Collector is the preservative component of CLP.