BigHat

Saw it today too for the first time in awhile. Like that new 1/2 handle? Has that been out for awhile and I just missed it? I like their effort to explain to those that don't hangout here how to stay 922r compliant if that's important to you.

By the way, I was just on the FFT website and they now make a 1/2" diameter charging handle. Looks ideal. Think I'll replace my 3/4" model. Just an FYI you you and others that may not be aware of it.

Congrats on the pistol. As far as the M4 optic, tried the T-1 and well as nearly everything else. Suggest you look at a 4 MOA RMR (battery model), or better yet, the 7 MOA dual illum. version. Even less obstruction than the slight T-1. I actually prefer the Burris FFII over the AP T-1 for those on a budget.

Good luck. The M4 does attract mods. When I started doing some drills to remove a buckshot round and insert a slug, I sometimes got hit by the handle. The THING you really need more than an aftermarket charging handle is a bigger bolt release. That button is small. Getting ready to install mine (GG&G) shortly.

It's what I use, very good piece of gear. My only reservation is that it might be a tad too big.

I think that guy hangs here. Lives in fear as his irons aren't co-witnessed to his red dot.

I too have the proper tools. Still waiting for mine to arrive.

Now that I've been trying some of the drills from the MagPul course, I realize THIS might be the most important modification one could make to an M4, especially if you're running a larger charging handle. Time to start working up my courage to buy one and DIY.

I like the OTIS kits thought they aren't cheap. That said, you don't need a kit. Buy what you need ala carte and start with a high quality rod, patches, lube, etc. Personally, not a big fan of CLPs. CLP works, but I'm not under any requirement to have an all-in-one mediocre solution when I can buy bore cleaners, carbon cutters and lubes, etc that are optimized for a specific function rather than a "Jack of all trades" CLP and thus work better or at least faster. Like all gun sites that have cleaning threads, there is no universally accepted way to best clean, lube or store a firearm so you aren't going to discover a consensus here or anywhere else. That said, it's hard to F-up if you're paying attention. You Tube has thousands of cleaning videos for all types of weapons. Check a few of them out and decide what approach you're most comfortable with. The Otis videos adhere to generally accepted cleaning tenets and are useful even if using other cleaning gear. Brownell's website has videos too.

Look into Extreme Ratio knives. They have a number of models designed for the same use and they're tough too.

Hookster, Thanks for posting. I had missed this but TIVO'd the show based on your first post. EXCELLENT show. Surprised to see a VERY positive Washington Post review of the series after the first two shows. I enjoyed them both. AMC threw some serious $$ at this. Guess they used Mad Men $$

I use the Freedom Fighter Tactical. I like it because it's well made and was the added surface area most of us seek and prefer over the OEM handle.

No expert either, but I do own a few custom knives and many others. Have studied the qualities most deem to be the hallmark of an excellent knife. S30V is excellent steel for a blade used as this one was designed. Decent thickness for a heavy duty knife. Understand they triple heat treat these which is also good. Isn't Trident out of business or bought by Crusader Forge? In the $375 range if they haven't gotten more expensive. Have you looked on You Tube for tests / torture tests on these knives or at least this brand?

I use a Burris FFII on my M4 but after mounting the FO RMR on an FN FNP 45 Tactical I may upgrade. It's a REALLY nice optic. The battery powered units have smaller MOA dots which are probably better for an M4, especially for slug shots at range, but checkout both options.

Just goes to show how hard it actually is to make those videos with a bunch of amateur actors. Saw Travis in a documentary the other day. He must have done a stint with Blackwater, etc after leaving the Corps. Apparently he was in the biggest Iraq gun fight with between contract security forces and insurgents. Please chime in when your copy arrives. Looks like the regular version may be shipping. Wondering why I opted for the Blu-Ray now. Not like an epic movie or anything. Just spring loaded to going that way, and I now I get to wait a bit longer I guess.

I have one like Tucker suggests and it's pretty good but I also have a better one (for me anyway). http://www.aimshot.com/boresight.php Buy the laser and then arbors of the different chambers. I have used it for .223, 243, 308 and 12 gauge. I've been amazed about how close I am at 50 yards. May have been luck, but when I last used it to bore sight a Swarvoski Z6i 1-6X on an AR I didn't even need to make a windage adjustment until confirming at 200 yards and then it was only 2-3 clicks.

Yet again some nice work 45 ACP. Would have mind sharing your estimate of turnaround times for the M4? How are you dealing with the FFL issues? Is it handled like a repair or modification or are you needing to do a transfer in and out of the work? Thanks, Matt

Sorry for the double post. System was slow earlier, either on my end or the site's. Didn't even think one of the posts took.

Can someone (with experience) please explain to me why an optic / irons co-witness on a tactical shotgun is even remotely important or desirable? I'm truly at a loss to understand. Comments that if it makes sense for carbines it must therefore make sense for a tactical shotgun have yet to convince me.

I'd disassemble, clean, LUBE and reassemble. Really hard to see a causal link to your mods and this. Maybe something not fully seated or sticking when you put it all back together. I know, very little help but this is a strange one. If you said, rounds were't feeding that might be a different story. You sure it sounds like the hammer is falling?

Shoulder will fail before you overheat the shotgun. If I was going to make that journey, at that expense, I would certainly bring along a backup gun. You never know when a minor part might fail during long days of shooting. The last thing you want is down time with a broken shotgun. Enjoy the trip. You have some great steaks in your future.

Thinking of adding an RMR to an FNP 45 Tactical. Leaning toward the FO/Tritium so interested in your review too. What size dot did you get? Leaning toward the 13 MOA reticle for a pistol and probably the best on a shotgun too. If any of you are thinking about the battery model, you might wish to hold-off. Trijicon is releasing a new model with adjustable illumination at the AUSA Army equipment show here in DC the week of 25 Oct. http://militarytimes.com/blogs/gearscout/2010/10/06/youre-going-to-want-to-pinch-the-new-trijicon-rmr-as-cheeks/

Phil, I know this is your new "hobby" but do yourself a favor, run a piece of fishing line, etc through the rear sight to the top of the front sight and see for your self. Your height distinction between the AP and low LaRue mount is a meaningless one.

Asking over and over again isn't going to change the facts. Nothing sits lower than a Burris FFII that I've ever seen and it doesn't co-witness. Not only that, if you look through the rear sight you cannot see the front sight, PERIOD. You're staring at the back of the FF. While it was a waste of time to do so just mounted a T-1 on a LaRue that's just the mount (see their site w/it on an M4, no riser) and it's not even close. Even the AP T-1 std mount elevates it a bit as well, Fact of life. By the way, I do agree the full rail doesn't obscure the sight, but Sidearmor sells their rail with the cutout option under the rationale that it offers more space for sighting. Of course, why the heck you want to co-witness an optic and iron sights on a combat shotgun still puzzles me.

Replace the rail and open up your options.