Creeper

Looks pretty good! The only thing I can suggest to make it look better is to get yourself a nice countersunk allen head screw. OK... one more thing. If you know how to groove or checker, that'd be nice on the plastic, or perhaps you might want to try grit surfacing it... warm the plastic until pliable and press it into course grain sandpaper, preferably in a vice, until cool. Instant rough texture surface. .22 cents... that'd be what, 568 of your bolt releases for $125?

The gun closer to the SLP in price is the M2 tactical, but if you're comparing gas gun to gas gun, then the comment is moot. I looked at the SLP, M2 and M4... I bought the M2 for my needs, and no, price was not an issue. C

I tripped over an Insight Technologies M3X (long gun version with "rail grabber" option) for $120... so that's what I've got. So far, no problems... solid, bright and a well defined beam. C

There's a mint M1 Super 90 for sale at the Firing Line Forums... only $950. Not my gun, but a smokin' deal IMO. C

So I can infer from your comments that what you have is not a tactical? The extension on the tactical is original equipment Benelli. As far as accessory tubes, Nordic, SureCycle and Dave's Machine Works (DMW) seem to be the most popular here, followed by Tacstar and Choate for the more budget conscious. There doesn't seem to be a cantilever rifled barrel available. C

You've pretty much answered your own question. I can't think of any other options than the ones you've already discovered. IMO... the B-square stuff never has blown my skirt up, so if I was in your shoes, I'd go the gunsmithing (or DIY if you have the skills and tools) route to have a clean, rock solid 1913 rail set-up. C

If you don't mind me asking, why do you want to put a heat shield on it? I assume you mean one of the clamp-on to the barrel, WWI Winchester trench gun looking kinda deals. C

Ah well... to paraphrase tactical1, that's about par for a inertia guns. You can only go so light a load before they won't cycle. Never considered that one before cleefurd. Good to know... and log into one of the few functioning brain cells I have remaining. C

Your first sentence leads me to believe that you recently bought this gun... is this a new or used gun? Have you taken it apart, including the spring recoil tube, cleaned everything and properly lubricated it? (Proper meaning proper for an M1... as in lightly lubed) Also... it cycles everything with a light hip-side hold? Have you tried a "combat shotgun" hold instead of a typical rifle hold? Meaning, with body more square to the target instead of angled? Lame discription, but this hold tends to put the butt more in the meat instead of the bone. Just tossing 'em out to see if anything sticks. Happy New Year! C

Kafasi... Just to clear away one possible cause, what specifically are you using for a cleaner and/or a lubricant/rust inhibitor? It's a long shot, but I just wanted to eliminate any potential chemical issues from the equation. C

The common and accepted "trick" to pulling the bolt handle is to wrap a shoe string or camera leash string (or what ever other sturdy string thing you have) around the bolt a few times and give it a sharp tug. Pops right out... no tools needed. C

According to Mitch Barrie at Mesa, they're in the process of changing over from the common taper countersink screws to... essentially, the same style of application specific screws Benelli uses on the M4. The idea is to improve the quality of thread engagement at the tip of the screw, and improve screw depth consistency in the counter-bore. C

Mesa Tactical M1/M2 rails fit the M3. #92390. MSRP is $45.00. C

I was considering reducing the LOP about 1/2". Has anyone attempted shortening the butt on a pistol grip stock M2 Tactical? If so, how'd it turn out for you? Thanks, C

I was killing time at the grocery store, looking at the new Guns & Ammo magazine (M2 Tactical on the cover) and saw a Benelli add for the M2. In the add photo, there was a three picatinny rail - mag tube clamp that I'd not seen before. Then... while looking for mag tube clamps in general, I came across what I imagine is the three rail from the Benelli add. It's a KZ piece, sold by Botachtactical. Anyone actually use one of these? Comments? C

Some sling makers, Specter for example, make slings specifically to fit the Benelli 'M' line of shotguns. Specter "SOP" sling. Note the step-down from 1.5" to 1.0" for the sling plates. C

I'm not sure why you need to carry a rifle and a shotgun at the same time... unless you're walking a distance to a shooting area, but... chances are, what you want is either a Giles (Wilderness) Tactical Sling or a Specter CQB. Depending on the weapons you carry, a Giles single point might work for at least one gun. C

Go to the Mesa Tactical Forum, sign up and ask... Mitch answered the questions I had within 24 hours. C

I've spoken to Mitch Barrie at Mesa regarding the occasional screw depth/engagement issues, and they are in the process of revising the Benelli M2/4 SureShell/Picatinny rail. According to Mitch, they are going to make their own custom screws (rather than a standard screw) and revise the mount's countersinks to ensure consistency and optimum thread engagement. Figure on at least the first of the year before you see the revised units in production. C

Check with Mesa Tactical. C

In a plus 3 extender, I'm thinking DMW, Nordic or SureShot. Nordic may be the better "deal" as it's a few bucks more than a DMW but comes with their groovy "spiral" nut. C

Scroll down a bit in the Benelli forum, both Michael Palombi and Super M4 have ones for sale. C

I tried it on a friends Franchi... just a few shots, but because it's free of parallax, and subtends your existing bead, it's very natural to use. They aren't terribly expensive either at about $380 mfg. retail. C

DMW and SureShot both make nice ones... Nordic's are nice too, but I believe their shortest is a 3 round. If you're looking at Mesa Picatinny rails for an M2 (or a M4 replacement), or a shell carrier/rail, it's in your best interests to contact Mitch Barrie at Mesa directly, as there are changes afoot. A Mesa image. C

I don't know about a picatinny rail for the Supersport... but Burris makes a "SpeedBead" for it. C