benelliwerkes

As a general rule, when installing the bolt on a modern shotgun, you will want to have the hammer in the cocked position, particularly with an auto-loader, as the rear tip of the action link (that has a slot for the hammer to cycle within) will be blocked from moving fully rearward because an uncocked hammer will be in the nearly upright position. For similar reasons, a cocked hammer is down and out of the way when removing the bolt, however, usually there is enough vertical room for the action link to move up and over the cocked hammer, as the bolt is withdrawn from the receiver. This is why the owner's manual recommends cocking the bolt prior to withdrawing the bolt while the trigger group is installed.

Alternatively, one could review the owner manual prior to disassembly.

Bob Dunlap demonstrating the flexitab..... The advantage of the Mossberg design.

The purpose of design for an open center of a shotgun carrier is to allow for the operator to manage a cartridge loading malfunction; specifically, rapid re-loading of the magazine risks a cartridge not being captured in the magazine by the primary cartridge stop.......the result being, the magazine spring then drives the non-captured cartridge back onto the carrier and beneath the closed bolt......this will completely jam the ability to cycle the action with pump shotguns and most autoloaders. In order to clear the malfunction, one typically has to remove the magazine cap, magazine spring, all the cartridges in the magazine tube and then jiggle out the cartridge jammed under the bolt !.....Not good for a tactical shotgun. Remington 870 carriers were re-designed with a Flex-Tab carrier that would provide some downward room for the radius of the cartridge lip to deflect when the operator vigorously cycled the action to clear the malfunction.....in 1-2 quick strokes, rather than disassembling the gun. Often called the the fastest pump auto, the Winchester 1200 - 1300 series (and FN Tactical shotgun clone), suffer from the same carrier design disability. I modify my carriers to make sure that a single cartridge cannot transform the gun into a 26" baton. The Mossberg is cleverly designed in that it has a central open style carrier that is also in the "up" position when the bolt is closed, which prevents the problem from occurring whatsoever; it's Benelli heresy, but if I had to choose a pump action, my 14" M590A Mossberg is pretty sporty. The Benelli carrier is designed in a similar spirit in that it allows for managing misfed cartridges; the design of the carrier mechanism also allows for the ghost-load as a secondary bonus.

It is easier to NOT try and lift the snap ring off the bushing, but rather just expand the ring slightly in place and PUSH the bushing inward just enough to release the snap ring. Upon re-assembly, align the snap ring over the aperture on the surface of the trigger group, slightly spread the snap ring and push the bushing into the open snap ring, release the pliers. Photos with permission: Benelli M4 Anatomy Series Manual

Placing the thin-walled magazine tube in a vise (not vice) is generally a bad idea, unless it is splinted internally with a correctly sized extension socket wrench, as it will easily deform, ruining it. Securing the receiver in a well-protected vise, employing heat to release the factory thread locking material and "spinning" the magazine tube is usually a safer plan for its removal and re-installation.

Carrier Comp charging handle enhanced with rubber outer grip...... maybe for sweaty 3-gun competition or duck hunting ? I use it to protect other guns in the safe from being marred by the charging handle. It fits nice & snug........it's even metric !

The rail screw topic has been discussed many times and not all screws that look alike are the same on close inspection. Combine steel versus aluminum with incorrect screw thread pitch = rail misery. Photos by permission: Benelli M4 Anatomy Series Manual

Some may find this 2011 ATF study of interest. http://www.atf.gov/files/firearms/industry/january-2011-importability-of-certain-shotguns.pdf

Correct ammundo SD, The salesman at the store said the original designer ran out of start-up funding, so TD apparently bought the licensing rights and made the device out of a little stronger polymer than the original design.

Finally, a complete polymer cover for the AimPoint Micro series......with integrated flip covers. Made by Tango Down. Strip those bikini's off your M4.

SD, Beautiful gun art. Fabulous photos.

I use trigger pull weight gauges......I don't know of specification that identifies the M2 recoil spring as a failure; they are inexpensive to replace if they seem to be the source of a action cycling problem. Photos with permission: Benelli M1 / M2 Anatomy Series of Manuals

I think I have every QD LaRue mount they have ever made....the low profile is too low for my optical line of sight registered off the cheek weld. The Daniel Defense is also a low mount, with an open see-thru mount style to view the stock iron sights.....but the optical axis is again too low for my needs.

I like the Micro T-1 too; also using SureFire Dueck off-set BUIS. Finally, Tennebraex just made the ARD kill flash for the T-1 available.

YES. IF you would like more information on the Anatomy Series of Manuals send me a PM.

Another way to simply disassemble / assembly the M4 Gas Plug components. If you don't have a vise, a sturdy C-clamp would work as well. Photos by permission, Benelli M4 Anatomy Series Manual.

A home invader dissuader rig ! I want to clearly see the threat.

Shot my Rem 870 7" and M4 -14" this weekend; about the same felt recoil.

Here's an Israeli Defense Force 12" M4.

a full strip ?.........looks like you took the shirts off your back for the photo ! Welcome aboard.

I tried using the industrial strength clear polyester "helicopter" tape, I didn't like the appearance. The bolt release button is not flush on the backside, that's why I chose the shrink tubing, which also is durable to cleaning solvents / lubricants that will get on the receiver with normal use.

SD, might consider protecting that new finish on the receiver from the bolt release by applying a little electrical shrink wrap.