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Terrible news about your carrier, but a big thanks for providing photos. Back when I was tracking down the low recoil barrel, customer service confirmed two port barrels were not available anymore, but assured that I could use any 2-3/4" or 3" shells in the 4 port barrel (#81246). I always had some question in my mind that a system which was designed for rugid military use with two ports, could now handle any loading with those two extra ports added. I really interpreted that barrel marking to mean "low recoil only", which is what prompted me to call Benelli a few months back. I can't recall if they had the verbage about the modified gas system on their website, but I also have two of their print catalogs showing this statement. As for the website, I see they've made some very recent changes. Due to the possible legal issues of the mag extensions, the extension info and pic are now missing from the M4 page. They've gone so far as to remove all info/pics on the entire line of mag extensions from their accessory page as well. A quick browse using Google's cache function or web.achive.org will return views of the old web pages in all their extension toting glory. Good luck in repairing your M4 and please let us know what you hear back from Benelli.

Last time this ran, someone asked about the mount and vertical grip. The vertical foregrip is the Crimson Trace VF-302M. This uses an ARMS-mounted grip structure covered with the LG-302 Beretta 92 lasergrips. A Laser Devices Las/Tac mounted on the side. The forearm mount is the Surefire M80 picatinny rail system. This is the first I've actually seen one mounted as it is not on Surefire's site and I haven't found any other pics of it on the web. I'm not sure how it handles the gases from the ARGO pistons as the rail system is open on the bottom. Looks like perhaps a secondary inner liner.

The Mail Call episode covering the M4 repeats noon tomorrow on the history channel. SA

Drats just missed this over the weekend. This week's Mail Call on the History Channel featured a segment on the M4. "Ep #78 Aired on Saturday, June 25 at 1:00am ET Host R. Lee Ermey shows off what he does best--shoot stuff! The Gunny's weapon of choice this week is the Marine Corps' brand new military shotgun, the Benelli M4." From past experience, I assumed this would air about 5 times this week, but as near as I can find, it won't repeat until Saturday, July 16 at 12:00pm ET. Also, next month on the Outdoor Channel, the American Rifleman Television show will run the feature "Benelli's U.S. M1014 Combat Shotgun". Air dates should be July 25, 27 and 30. Unfortunately I cannot receive this on my cable system, so some kind soul will have to let us know it is (and perhaps tape a copy for us poor souls).

Hi Warren, You may want to give D&R Sports Center a ring. They show the stock #80046 for around $81. M1/M3 Pistol Grip Also here. Long Island Shooting Center Cals lists the stock at $85, but show it as ou of stock.

More fun with Cust Svc. I called yesterday to try and get a better 'official' word on the barrel issue, and also try to get the missing chokes via warranty. I got a man this time who knew all about the port issue. He said the orig. 2 port was for the full power/magnum loads that the military would use and that it was modified to work with birdshot for us civilians. He also said there are no more two port barrels. OK so far (p.s. so what is used on the current military guns if NO more 2 port barrels are being made??? I know, I know .. just not for 'us' ) I asked about the few issues mentioned on the board and he said he knew there had been some problems with the 11707 and Law Enforcement guns, but that there shouldn't be any issues with the 11703s. What the huh?...other than the notched tube I didn't think there is any diff between the 11707 and 11703. He said it has been quite confusing with all the models and that they are working on ONE version for everybody. I asked about CA and he said 'oh we will still have a separate one for CA'. Doesn't sound too different than the sitution now ! I asked about getting the chokes thru warranty and he said the 11703 was only supplied with the one choke in place, and that the commemerative, limited-edition, flagged M1014 was the only one that was supplied with all three choke tubes. What the huh again ?? I thought it had only the fixed choke like the military barrel. I asked just that and he said no, it had the three choke tubes. Getting no where fast, I finally asked about the magazine limiter plug and if I can get one. I know some said they had the red plug, others not. He immediately said no limiters were available for the 11703. Thanks and goodbye were my thoughts. Like doctors, it's good to get a third opinion with cust svc. I called back today to take a chance and see if I could get yet another person. This time I got my third helper, Laurie. She knew about the ports - said only 4 ports are available now - said it should work with anything loads light to magnum .... I then asked about chokes and after asking what model, immediately said YES the 11703 should have 3 tubes. She asked for my serial # and address and said she'd ship them under warranty. Feeling lucky, I mentioned the limiter plug. She said it should have one ala the red plug, but on looking could find no part #. She finally said she would just send their general plastic limiter as she thinks it will work ... if it doesn't just call back. You bet if I need to, I will ask for her. One gun, 3 cust support reps, three different views of the same product. Fun, fun.

Pt 3 ... the end I promise. Low Recoil Rounds Guess I confirmed for myself that there are Four ports. From the photo, I tried to measure the ports in both areas. Based on the 12 ga bore diameter, I came up with 0.115" and 0.122" ... avg is 0.118" which happens to be 3mm. Looking in the tube, I would visually have guessed them at about 0.1". So somewhere in between could be a good guess ! All this info has me in a bit of an dilemna. I had wanted this M4 to be a rough, tough, no-nonsense shotgun where I could drop any reasonable 12 ga. load in have it come out shining. I wanted, no expected, it to handle birdshot, tactical, buckshot and slugs with no babysitting needed. Who could think any less with all the marketing hoopla in their magazine ads and website extolling the virtues of the ARGO system? Benelli's ads, website, owners manual and even customer service do NOT make any mention of special ammo requirements other than the generic "can use 12 ga. shells with 2-3/4" or 3" cases". I guess it's fine that they will warranty repair any M4s battered and broken with full power buckshot or slugs, but I would rather know up font from Benelli what the limitations are for their systems. Even from their own product liability standpoint you would expect them to offer guidance in a CYA fashion. After putting all the pieces together and reading those here who paid there dues by having their M4s break, I am wondering if I need to limit this M4/Low Recoil/Civilian friendly shotgun to only birdshot and tac loads from day one in order to prevent battering it apart due to the modified 4 port system. The best scenario may be to have the original two port barrel, but it doesn't seem like that is readily available from Benelli. At least you could switch barrels and use the two port bbl for full power loads and switch to the 4 port for lighter loads. I know it is not as sexy as having some self-regulating system with a nice acronym, but its better than the alternative of wrecking your bolt carrier or having to limit yourself to a narrower field of ammo choices. So ... Does the above info I've gathered make sense ? Are current M4 users limiting their ammo to low power/tactical loads only ? Does anyone know the part number of the original two port barrel ? Other than plundering an M1014, has anyone found sources for the two port barrels? I will contact Benelli again tomorrow to see if I can get a resolution to my concerns. I wish I could get a lead on that gunsmith or other technical contact that can advise, though like most firms getting past customer service is "not allowed" ... we are only the cash paying consumer after all. - Scott

Follow-up Pt 2 In my intial searches, I had come to the impression that the current 11707 offering was the solid pistol grip stock and the 11703 was the version with the collapsible stock. I thought these both had the notched stock housings, while the commemerative flag-marked M1014 had the solid housing which prevented it from working as all wished. Further comparison of facts seems to now show that the 11707 is intended as LE only (maybe the free states as well) while the 11703 still contains un-notched recoil spring / stock housing as was used in the M1014, making it "civilian" acceptable and sellable in CA. I also found another listing now on ImpactGuns which seems to wrap this all up. "Benelli M4 Civilian Model #11703 The M4 features a modified gas system designed to function with light tactical loads." I picked up my M4 yesterday and finally got a good look at all the box labels. The end label shows the 11703 prominently, yet it calls it the M1014 (Low Recoil). It also says it has the standard stock despite it actually coming with the pistol grip stock. The edge label shows it to be a M4(CIV) and lists the actual Rilsan pistol grip stock. And a look at what piqued my curiosity in the first place ... -Scott

Some more follow-up ... Pt 1 After searching online, I found more references to a M4 'tactical' barrel, with Cal's Sporting Armory and D&R both selling them for ~$430, Part # 81246. I called Benelli customer service on Monday to ask again since she didn't know anything about a low recoil system when I called last week. She read back from some generic data sheet saying the M4 will take 2-3/4" and 3", full power, magnum, no need for low recoil/tactical only, etc. I then asked about this specific barrel being sold at these vendors. She found some other docs which now showed two part numbers and when she read 'tactical' out loud to herself, she paused then said she would email their gunsmith to find out what was really going on. I reiterated that this was a serious concern since some users have reported problems on this forum that could be attribulted to use full power/magnum loads in a barrel system that has been modified for low power tactical loads only (the wondrous self-regulating ARGO system notwithstanding). To her credit, she returned my call on Wednesday, and said yes there had been two barrels in the past, but now only 'this one' was being offered and is used for repair. "Which one" was my thought and I asked if she meant the low recoil barrel to which she replied yes. I asked if the smith clarrified about 2 vs 4 gas ports and she said there were no other details in his email. Ho-hum. I also asked about chokes, as I had come under the impression that 3 were supplied, while mine only had the one in the barrel. She checked and said yes there should be 3, and said if I call back with the serial # she can try to get the other two as a warranty issue. -Scott

I just purchased a M4 and noticed a barrel marking I don't recall seeing on the demo M4 I shot at a sport's fair. I have to wait another week to pick it up (thanks CA !) so from recollection, it says "Lower Recoil" or words to that effect above the left handguard in front of the receiver. Are all M4s marked as such, or are there various versions of it ? Was this specifically made to cycle with lower power loads ? I called Benelli, but the lady was not aware of any special markings. I couldn't find any comment about it on this forum, but I did find a marketing blurb on the M4 in the 'New Products' section of an old Guns&Weapons for LE magazine from July 2004. It says "Benelli's M4 now comes with a modified ARGO system for shooting tactical loads" (emphasis mine). I have read here that some say newer guns have 4 ports as opposed to older guns with two gas ports. Can anyone actually confirm this? Again the lady at Benelli hadn't heard this, but she did think they made changes in late '03. If true, this would all seem to add up neatly that the M4 was modified when it was launched to replace the commemerative M1014 for civilian sales. If there were mods to make it reliable with lower power tactical loadings, hopefully the ARGO system is still robust enough to handle full power 3" loads as well (referring to the few bolt carrier peening and piston breakage problems I've read about here).