jsn124

On the subject of securing a rail, e.g. Mesa or SA, I had a quick thought. In the 1911 world a common issue is loosening grip panels (especially with G10-material grips). One of the often recommended tricks to reducing this is to use these small black rubber #60 o-rings typically found in most big box home centers. This is an alternative to a compound like Loctite, Vibra-tite, etc. I'm wondering if anyone has tried them on a shell carrier installation? I'm looking at the screw and it should get enough purchase in the receiver while allowing the head to sit flush with the bottom of the channel in the picatinny rail. The only part that would concern me is the weight difference since, as SD pointed out, imagine an 8-shell carrier + optics, etc. Forgive me as I'm quite new to this and perhaps this idea was blown apart in other applications outside of securing rails to the M4, e.g. ARs, etc.

Thanks SD! I agree that the effect is nice and I was only ever concerned since I installed the hammer myself. But in the end it was a very easy procedure. Btw your step by step pictorial thread was amazing and really a great contribution to the Benelli forum community. Again, I appreciate everyone's feedback. If anything I hope this thread serves as a simple reminder: 1. Installing aftermarket hammer is straightforward: http://www.benelliusa.com/forum/showthread.php/29526-Benelli-M4-Trigger-Disconnector-and-Hammer-Disassembly 2. Wear on the hammer face / bolt bottom is burnishing and normal / desired. 3. Keep it greased. 4. Enjoy!

M4D C - I also have the SA short rail with detachable 6-shell. Love it. I was very curious about Creeper's post because I didn't torque mine to any spec but I did use the supplied loctite that came with the rail. I know this particular instruction set applies to the MT holder but I assumed the torque would apply relatively close to an SA rail since it goes into the same aluminum receiver. No screws came with mine so I used the stock screws but they protrude every so slightly into the receiver; enough to leave some light markings where the black is rubbing off the screws on the top of the barrel flange going into the receiver / you can catch a fingernail on them every so slightly. Thankfully I can seat the barrel in without any unnecessary additional downward force so I'm not concerned the ever so slightly protruding screws are going to cause a problem. I've thought about gently taking material off of them but I can't see how they would be a problem in this state if I am able to get the barrel in without issue. I do plan on taking mine out, cleaning off / scraping off the loctite, and re-setting the screws to ~15 in-lbs of torque with the supplied loctite. I guess I'm pretty obsessed about making sure I don't strip the holes in the future or twist the receiver with excessive torque. I also really like the Sidearmor and for the price its a fantastic upgrade.

Creeper: this is very helpful. By the way is there any particular degreaser you prefer that can be picked up at a typical local auto or home store?

Yes, at this point about 25 00 buck shells? sad I know! It's been a busy month. What concerned me was the wear on the hammer in the picture is the Giessele I installed late last night and only hand cycled the bolt maybe a dozen or so times. I probably should have lubed much more than I did which is probably a culprit as already pointed out by XTrooper.

Thanks XTrooper! Yes, I agree with that for sure. I'm not gunsmith by a long shot but I consider myself competent enough to do this replacement (still waiting on other 922 parts). Appreciate the feedback as always!

Thanks Unobtanium. I'm holding the trigger group right now. Its definitely not a chip but I see how it would come off that way in the photo. Sorry for the bad angle. That silver spot is perfectly smooth with the face of the hammer and rest of the surrounding area. In fact its polished perfectly smooth. If I run my finger nail over it it doesn't catch in any way. It basically looks like as the bolt runs over the hammer it is rubbing enough to polish away the black finish. I see wear on the stock hammer but not so much one sided which was odd. So I guess I can proceed as normal?

Hey All, I'm hoping to see if this "wear" is normal on a new hammer I'm installing. I don't have all my 922r parts yet but wanted to see how the Geissele install would work out. Unfortunately I've had some other fit issues recently so I hope this works out. After carefully installing the hammer (much thanks to StrangerDanger's very detailed thread with pics) I ran the bolt group back and forth maybe a dozen times carefully, well lubed on both the bottom of bolt group and hammer. Its odd because at first it kind of "stuck" as the bolt group ran over the hammer. After doing this a few times it smoothed out. However when I took out the trigger group I could see where the face of the hammer was rubbing the bottom of the bolt group on one side of the hammer only. Here are two detailed pics: 1. Hammer wear: 2. Bottom of Bolt group: Is this normal? Now the only thing I can think of is somehow I botched the hammer install but I doubt it. I was very careful and only moved the trigger pin bushing out just enough to slip out the stock hammer and slip in the Giessele. After assembly I noticed when the hammer is released it does wiggle side to side ever so slightly but I believe the stock hammer does this also. Finally the only other culprit I can even begin to imagine is that the Sidearmor top rail I have installed has the screws down too tight putting pressure on the bolt group downwards. But I don't see any unusual wear where the bolt group meets the receiver. You can literally see just the one side of where the hammer is rubbing the bolt group bottom. I doubt it will hurt things but I don't want to run this eventually and cause significant damage.

Great setup and welcome! I know a few of us have the FFT handles in both steel and titanium and really like them. Out of curiosity can you get a magazine extension or full length tube in NJ as a private citizen, i.e. non-law enforcement, just resident with NJ a firearms purchaser ID card? Or are you looking to simply replace the crimped limiter with another limiter that is less "sci-fi"? I guess this is answered based on the above. By the way not looking to ascertain or provide any legal advice. Just curious what the deal is with 7 round capacity in NJ currently. *** I'm also a former NJ resident now back in PA where I grew up. Just hoping to help a fellow M4 owner out with the best possible info.

+1 on RDA1's comment. Marcy e-mailed me back a few weeks ago for my order placed in late December. She estimated about a 3 month production time from that date. Not holding them to anything as I'm sure requests are flooding in. I'd be happy if my tube arrived by end of March / early April at this point.

As long as its the 12ga brush you should be fine. Its actually a phosphor bronze brush which has the copper color and its definitely made to safely clean your barrel. I've heard the barrel is "chrome" lined inside so I'm not sure if that makes a difference but I've used kleenbore bronze brushes on my other firearms with no issues at all. They work great!

Thanks XTrooper! I see them online and I'll have to pick some up. Great price I agree!

forzArmata - nice setup! Not to deviate from the charging handle but do you have some type of rubber / synthetic rail covers on your M80? A ladder type maybe? StrangerDanger - thank you for the detailed pics showing the wear on handle. That is exactly what I meant to convey! As I mentioned I'm very happy with the FFT but I'll keep an eye on the wear. Of course if anyone might be willing to sell me a gen 2 Carrier Comp Ti hybrid I'm all ears

That's a great find for $1799. I put my name on a list at a local shop but they have absolutely no idea when one might show up. In the meantime I was able to pick one up earlier in the month but at a premium. If it were me I'd definitely go pick that one up for $1799. I haven't seen a new M4 tactical for less than $2000 in the last month.

M4W did you unscrew the magazine cap / false extension and examine the magazine spring seal ring? I'm wondering if yours is seated in further than it should be. Also maybe your spring is somehow bent or deformed in such a way that the follower gets stuck prematurely?

I'm also a happy FFT 1/2" steel owner. But curious of others experience though... With minimal use (maybe taken in and out a dozen times for cleaning / inspection) the end that goes into the bolt group hole and engages inside has already shown signs of wear. Its as if the material is scraping off a bit as if the steel is "soft". Is this normal? My only concern is with continued wear the handle might "pop out" accidentally.

Interested in the M80. Sent you PM! Thanks!

Hey Unobtanium. For what its worth I can share my recent experience hunting one down in the last month. On the popular "auction" sites it seems that *new* M4's in black finish are selling in the range of USD $2,100-$2,600. The desert camo version appears to go higher anywhere from USD $2,500-$3,200+. However none of these in this price range come with any accessories let alone the very desirable CC Ti Tube or Hybrid Handle! Btw I'd be more than happy to make a generous offer for that Gen II Charging Handle if you ever decide to go that route selling off parts The current political environment appears to have impacted prices considerably. I think you'd be able to make money on top of what you originally spent assuming it was before the inflated prices.

Congrats and welcome! I am also a fairly new owner having searched for some time to acquire one earlier this month. Sounds like you're already planning out your M4 parts and good choices so far. I don't have a collapsible stock but I was able to pick up a 7-round carrier comp tube (very lucky) online. Its going to be some time before they are shipping orders since 25 December I'm told. Make sure you understand 922r compliance when you decide to change out the magazine tube and stock. You'll find lots of useful info here. Definitely search but feel free to ask if you need help. Lots of very friendly and helpful folks here as well! Good luck.

Hey XTrooper, I found Numrich to be pretty good with parts in stock. Some might be at higher premium but they have the recoil pad and the price doesn't seem too bad. Check them it out here: https://www.gunpartscorp.com/Products/740570B.htm Also, its odd because when I go to Super90 (M4) the actual listing says M1/M3. Maybe give them a quick call/e-mail to confirm. It looks correct though.

Sorry if this has been answered or obvious. If we took a factory new 11707 and swapped the pistol grip stock with a standard fixed synthetic (non-pistol grip) Benelli stock would we still have to replace three other parts with US made parts?

Red Ed, Fantastic setup! I'm definitely going to give the pistol grip stock a good run and really feel it out. I'm sure its fantastic and I appreciate the thoughts others have shared with their experience using both types. For some reason if the field stock ends up the right "fit" for me I'm going to watch the Benelli store as XTrooper pointed out.

Congrats on the new purchase! I'm also a new M4 owner although I'm still waiting for it to get shipped to my FFL hopefully any day now. Still don't have it in my hands yet But I'd also like to see what recommendations folks have. I went ahead and picked up some Federal 00 buck with Flight Control for home defense. I'm thinking about loading up some more of this as I've seen prices slowly go up over the past few weeks. I'm looking to take a course eventually and wondering what type of shells to use: including both buckshot and slugs. I'll probably need 150+ shells mixed buck/slugs. And like you I'm wondering what a good range ammo might be recommended. The local range (indoor) I go to only allows buckshot or slugs, no birdshot. Thanks all in advance.

Steve, thank you for writing this! Fantastic letter. I also submitted a note to my representatives and remaining hopeful for a positive outcome. Happy New Year.

Thank you Case and XTrooper. I'm going to give the pistol grip factory stock a good run and decide from there if a non-pistol grip would be a better fit. I'll keep an eye on the Benelli store as well. Thanks again!