Creeper

Are you referring to an M2T, or something else? It sounds like you have either a stock M2T... or another gun with an aftermarket 2 shot extension tube. An M2 Tactical, with the two shell extension that comes installed as original equipment, is a 5+1. If you remove that extension and replace it with a DMW 7+1, that adds two shells (or two more) to your previous capacity. Not pokin' atcha... just trying to "clarificate". C

I do believe Tucker's quote is for the Vinci Tactical.

If you hunt around, you can find all sorts of firearms related testing of Ballistol... it's been around longer than most of us, and a product many consider the first modern "CLP". Here's a rust prevention test. Here's a semi-detailed document about Ballistol, including it's history. It is a rather unique product. I don't know if H&K still recommends it specifically (I don't think they recommend anything specifically any more... liability, Magnuson-Moss, bla bla bla) but at one time it was recommended in the owner's manuals of the H&K P7, P9S, G3 and MP5. I still have a can or two of Ballistol around somewhere... although lately I've been experimenting with a Canadian product called "Jig-a-loo". Cheers, C

It's prominently displayed in the '09 Benelli website, so I think your GB auction seller is blowing smoke to move his gun. Just a thought... why on earth would Benelli discontinue their only inertia operated tactical shotgun? That would make even less sense, at least to me... unless there's a fabulous replacement coming down the line at some point. Got a link to this auction? I'd like to read it. C

Sling from any number of makers... I use a Specter Gear SOP. Side saddle from Mesa Tactical... but there are some issues regarding the 1913 rail on the version that comes with that feature, so you might want to go with the thru bolt mounted unit. Don't know about the stock. C

Everyone has a pet program for cleaning a trigger group. I used to shoot benchrest, so I'm in the habit of using lighter fluid to flush out the grit. I'm sure the assorted "plastic safe" gun scrubbers would do just as well if not better. Lubrication is a individual thing too... as many lubes as there are opinions about lube. I've been experimenting with a Canadian product called "Jig-a-loo". Works pretty well and it's inexpensive. The owner's manual for your particular M2 can be downloaded here. C

I don't think you're getting any answers for 2 reasons. One you put your inquiry in "Shotgun Sports"... the tactical guys tend to hang in "Benelli" and many of the three-gun guys use belt "speed strippers" instead of side saddles. Two, I'm sure there are guys with TacStar side saddles on their M4s, but based on what I've read, most run Mesas because they have (quasi) 1913 rails and use the factory screw mounting. So consider this a bump to get your inquiry another look. C

Your money. I tried an 1100, a 11-87, an FN SLP and a 930... didn't like any of them for various reasons. YMMV. C

You can't do much better than an M2... but you can do a lot worse. Money, much like food, is overrated... get the M2 and stay lean and mean.

I've used both and prefer the GR for my needs... but I'd try both if possible. It's not so much a case of one being "better" than the other, but which works best for your friends eyes. How he processes what he sees... and which allows a more rapid and accurate sight picture for him. C

Sometimes a customer will really get on my nerves with dumb questions and what I perceive to be a "smarmy" attitude. I make custom motorcycle seats, entirely by hand... so I have what you might call an "artistic temperament". I have to remember (sometimes not so easy) that although I've heard dumb questions and comments a thousand times, the customer is asking it for the first time, and although it's dull to me, it's completely valid and important to them. So I put on my best smiley face and give them a complete and friendly answer. The "I'm more important than your other customers" attitude... well, that's a different story. The folks that are appreciative and considerate... and aren't even thinking about how they are going to get over on me, those folks get the preferential treatment. The "I'm special" customers go to the back of the bus... so to speak. C

There is one just for the SNT. C

Sounds like everything that happened to you happened just before the finally realized the issue was theirs and not Benellis. Sure, there might be a small variation in the receivers, but not several thousandths from one to another. It's always hard to admit that your product has some problems and needs to be revised. When I got my carrier in late November, between the forum threads and the not all too impressive screws that came in the kit... I didn't even bother to mount it. Instead, I communicated with Mitch via the MT forum and got the whole story... which was right on the leading edge of their becoming aware of the issue. I boxed up the carrier and sent it off in December. As I never had it on in the first place, I didn't miss it much while it was gone. Sounds to me like you figured out exactly what your issues were and took steps to correct them of your own accord. I'm sorry you had to go thru the ringer with MT. I agree that they aren't the most communicative bunch of boys, but I own a (very) small business myself and can understand how you can develop a mindset that makes you want to limit communication... just the opposite of what you should be doing, but it's a path many small businesses (and large ones too) walk down at some point. MT, in general terms, makes a unique and good quality product, but I suspect they can be stubborn and obstinate when it comes to customer service. We often expect the best from companies that make a good product, but because they are run by humans, with a whole litany of human failings, you quite often get the worst. Best 'O Luck in the future... C

I'm not a shill for Mesa Tactical... but I've never had any problems with them or with the person I most often have communicated with, Mitch Payton. I contacted them prior to mounting my carrier, to find out what the mounting issues were that I'd been reading about on the forums... specifically those that caused the carrier to come off, or to strip the screw threads in the receiver. I knew that some issues were going to be caused by customers that over-tightened the screws... but not everyone that had a problem could be discounted as being a ham-fisted orangutan. They determined that the issues they were having with the rail/shell carriers were, most often, related to both screw and countersink inconsistencies. They took steps in (what I consider to be for a production change) a timely manor to improve the mounting system and shipped me my updated unit within a few days of putting the new mounts into production. This all took place over about a 75 day period from early December to a few days ago. What specifically was your issue (not assuming it was the mounting... ya' never know), and what was the time frame that your difficulties occurred? C

No problemo...

You will need to pull the trigger group to get to the last two plastic plugs nearest the rear sight. Just use a small, adequately long philips screwdriver, or a punch if you have one. Mesa Tactical makes a 1913 rail, or 1913 rail/shell carrier that will bolt right on. C

Measured the screw shanks... they varied about .004" in length to start. I measured how far the screws protruded thru the action (when fully torqued) with a dial caliper. You could "eyeball" and "finger micrometer" them to length if you take your time. The shortest screw was .007" too long, so I removed .007" from it, then matched the rest for length, +/- a thousandth. Sorry... I don't recall the finished length. The way I ground them down without damaging them was to find the appropriate nut that was thinner than the shank, run a screw in until firmly seated, clamp the nut in a small vice-grip and then just "nick" the end on a fine finish wheel. It's not that much to remove, so a file or hard stone... perhaps with the screw in a vice with aluminum soft jaws, that'd be a way to do it fairly quickly and accurately without damaging the screws. All kinda depends on what tools you have available to you. C

Got my updated Mesa Tactical shell carrier in the mail today... fits my M2 receiver like a glove and all the mounting holes line up perfect. The new screws and washers are not quite what I expected... actually a lot tricker and fancier than I expected. Mesa went with slotted screws this time around... might prevent (reduce?) over-torquing by them what don't have inch lb. torque wrenches. The screws have a very shallow countersink and come with very trick, countersink matching, "toothed" lock washers. I understand the screws are identical to what's used in the M4 1913 rail, but I don't have an M4, so I don't know. Installed the carrier "snug" and checked my barrel fit. Had to buzz about .007" off the end of each screw for adequate clearance. Barrel "just" drops in without contact and I have full thread engagement to the receiver inner surface. A dab of 242 Loctite, 15in.lbs. of torque in a 3 pass, 5in.lb. sequence and it's rock solid. Thats it, C

Mesa is in the process of revising the mounting for their M2/M4 1913 rail/shell holder. They had some occasional issues with screw engagement and countersink depth, sufficient to warrant a redesign... and the carriers were temporarily removed from the market. They should be within days (or weeks at the most) away from shipping the new version. This version will be using a flat counterbore instead of a taper countersink, with custom made screws identical to what Benelli uses for the standard M4 mounting rail. The goal of the revision is to insure consistent and complete thread engagement in the short but critical mounting holes. I'll be installing a 6 shell on my M2, when it returns from Mesa with the upgraded mounting scheme. Contact Mesa directly for further and more current information. C

Why would you be concerned about the legal ramifications or perceptions of "12"... if your weapon is set up (and loaded with ammunition) the same way as Benelli shotguns used by respected law enforcement agencies across the country? Is a stripped down SNT any more "court friendly" than one with accessories such as a dedicated light, that would be considered (at least to me) entirely defendable in the sense that you went out of your way to absolutely, positively identify an intruder? If anything, a side saddle would be the most glaringly aggressive and least court defendable accessory you have. C

None of your arguments make much sense to me... but they are your arguments, from your perspective and your situation, so you do what ever you think will work for you. Taking pot shots at your logic, using my logic as point of reference is a waste of time. What other's think, including myself, isn't that relevant... because we don't live in your world.

Thousands of rounds thru my M2T, in every kind of ugly condition... never a bobble, never a hiccup. Goes bang every single stinkin' time you pull the trigger. Of course, keeping it clean and properly lubed is a small price for 100% reliablity. IMO... If it's a Benelli, and it has the letter 'M' in the model designation, you can pretty much count on it to defend your life and the lives of your loved ones. C

Tried one on a friends gun... I liked it quite a bit. No need to shift your cheekweld, due to the low sight line. C

I suppose my question would be, have you contacted Meprolight? Perhaps there are multiple versions, and you have the "other one". C

I know what you mean. 4-40 is tough, 4-40 CS allan is tougher, and a choice between stainless and black is even tougher still. I have a Ace Hardware nearby that usually (and amazingly) carries 4-5 versions of 4-40. The texture or grit finish is something that you started to see a decade or so ago on Glocks. Typically, the frame is heated or chemically (temporarily) softened and the texture is "embossed" into the plastic. I wouldn't want to experiment with it on a gun frame, but on a zero cent piece of plastic, you can play with it and not be out anything for the experiment. Chances are, I'll be following in your footsteps with a similar project. Good show. C