BigHat

Have to say I think you're leaning in the right direction. The Benelli M4 would look perfect in that Urban Flecktran. All of your work looks very professional. Ever think of doing this work as a sideline business? Would love to have mine in that pattern.

I use a FFII on mine. Works great, don't care about co-witness on a shotgun -- that's good because nothing goes that low. They cut a notch in the RAIL to see the front sight. Doubtful anything on the rail will co-witness. Not going to happen with any optic and the stock sights.

Look at the MagPul XTMs or the LaRue Index Clips. I use the XTMs on my M4 with the same M80 setup and the Index Clips on piston ARs like LWRC where the XTMs need to be removed to access the piston area. The clips are lower profile. The both also sell ladders if you're really dead set on those. I think Flat Dark Earth (FDE) might be a nice match, but why not get a couple of colors and make your own "Camo" pattern. I use the urban gray and black XTMs on my black M4. You could try FDE and maybe OD or black as a contrast. Just a thought to share.

The 30 in-lbs was for steel to steel mounting. Agree, it's probably too much and based on how easily the stock rail comes off unlikely to be what the OEM rail was torqued to.

Saw in a scope mounting video that bases should be torqued to 30 inch pounds and a rail is a base in my view. Used some blue thread lock too. I was surprised to see how easy the OEM rail was to remove as well.

Wipe it down with a silicon cloth or spray/wipe it down with CLP. It's a phosphated corrosion resistant finish but treat it like bluing as an added precaution. This isn't hard to do.

I have an FFT charging handle and it's great. It's actually something you can buy in 2010... or 2011. Not an expensive part, if something better comes along it's not a problem spending a few bucks on a $1K+ shotgun to get the better item.

Same. But add a 4 days from order to ship notification in my case. Think I ordered about a week after KB. If it's a big deal, call and see what the availability currently happens to be. They sell a good piece of gear.

As noted in my post above I got the SHORT rail. As you can see on their site, there is no center channel option. Now the reason I don't like the Benelli OEM rail is that it has a center channel, so no way I'd buy what I'm trying to get away from. I wanted a solid rail that locks up optic mounts tight and can easily handle the recoil from a shotgun.

Just took three minutes (Yes, very easy) to install the SideArmor short rail. SWEET. Very well crafted. This rail isn't going to distort any mounts. P-rail every bit as nice as a Daniel Defense or LWRC rails I've used w/o issues. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED !!! Went with the 6 shot holder and that seems ideal to me as well.

Wasn't being critical, just wondered what you did since you appear to be among the first to share install details. I think the loctite is probably the key to it staying put. I have a inch lb torque wrench I bought for a M1A1 and Sage EBR project a year ago and haven't used it since. Figure I'd hunt for it for use on two projects next week. 1) This rail and 2) a Swarvoski Z61 1-6x joining a LaRue SPR mount on an AR. I think I'll try the 30 inch lbs unless feel I'm close to stripping. Can't recall how much force that is, but thinking not too much.

You just "torque" by feel? Read of a number of scope mount bases being torqued to 30 inch pounds. Think the rail rates the same? Assume no specs come with the rail.

Aggie, It's been awhile since I ran a T-1 with the low LaRue mount ( they're both on a FS90 now) but it wasn't of issue of where the co-witness occurred--it didn't. The iron sights set somewhere behind the mount. A VERY low sighting system (just look at a pic and you'll see) compared to an AR and thus not comparable to carbine co-witness preferences. I hope I'm not the only one who remembers it this way. Plus co-witnessing shotgun sights is just silly. The low mount (with a T-1) works well with the fixed stock. If you can wait a week I plan to reinstall this set-up with the good SideArmor rail and can correct the above if necessary.

KB, Thanks for taking and posting those great pics. I hope to have mine installed by this time next week.

Just start participating in your own education and we'll be fine. You obviously know very slightly more than "jack sh*t" about this shotgun and weapons/ammo in general. Happy to assist, but not spoon feed. Don't become a PITA.

You spend much time on the web? Sites like this are for help on things not easily discernible. It's getting to the point that one would think we're here to serve you or something with all your questions answerable with nothing more than basic web research. Get off your lazy ass and go to the LaRue site and answer your own question like any 10 year old could discover in 30 seconds. We have sent you there before so I know you've been there. Hint: it's called the "tall" mount and is the tallest.

FFT tubes are available now vs. 2-3 week wait at best (if past is prologue) from Carriercomp. This isn't a difficult part to make. FFT guys are good to work with as well. Agree, it's step number one on the M4.

Personally I'd go lever, especially with a new rail. Again, congrats on the new shotgun but let me share a thought with you. Seems like you're ready to go from 0-100 mph on this project. It might not hurt to take a pause a read up a bit. I speak from experience here so don't think I'm being critical. I have $4K+ in optics, stocks, rails, grips etc that were semi-impulse buys based on the advice of others. All very good gear that I'll use on other rifles etc, but not right away. For example, $250 for a MagPul UBR stock and then I realize I'm faster with the CTR that came on the rifle and changed it back. The UBR will go on a 16" or 18" AR eventually and the added weight will help with the balance, but in the interim it sits on a shelf. Total impulse buy w/o thinking it through. Super is right above, a shotgun used in self-defense is probably the last firearm you'd need an optic for. Of course, that doesn't mean it's a total waste, but give it some thought. It is NOT a light weapon as it comes, so watch the gear you hang on it. By the way, I'm going with the top rail SideArmor and not the $300+ part. I already use the Surefire replacement for the stock fore-end. Well you seem excited about your purchase. Enjoy !!

http://stores.homestead.com/Laruetactical/Detail.bok?no=149 LT 661 is ideal for a shotgun. Scroll down to see it mounted on the M4 shotgun.

Go to the LaRue site and buy the T-1 or H-1 with their mount. It's the best one and the overall price from there is a good one. I went with the 6 round holder. Just personal trade-off in size/weight vs. rds available.

There is a significant difference in a red dot sight like the T-1 and a flashlight w or w/o a laser. Overall the T-1 would get the nod from me, especially for the flexibility day and night. Most would say a flashlight in addition to a red dot is best and while the TLR-2 would work, I think it's best for a pistol. Browse around for awhile, plenty of thoughts on this in other threads..

Mine's on the way. Maybe will pick-up another T-1 for it too. Thanks for the pics. Finally, a rail solution.

Agree with Super's advice. After a long while and some experimentation I opted to stay with a Burris Fast Fire II. Especially nice on the M4 rail which isn't a true spec'd P-rail and some of the heavier optics used with QD mounts have f'd up the mount. Edit: With the new SideArmor rail I may revisit an AP T-1 on a low LaRue mount.

Good to know this swaps out easily.

Anyone remove the stock rail on the M4 yet? Any issues getting it off?