DC DOG

Hi All: Came back to this forum to update an old post, but figured I’d share something new as well. Lots of posts on optics for the M4, so I’m posting what I did with mine when I got a little “crazy,” (LOL). Originally, I purchased EOTech optics, the EOTech EXPS3-0 (holographic sight) and EOTech G33STS (3X magnifier) to mount on a Fulton Armory M14 custom build (300 yard intended range, chambered in 6.5 CM). Then COVID-19 happened, and Fulton supply chain stretched to 8 months or more. I instead went with a Cadex Defense R7 Sheepdog bolt action (also 6.5 CM) with a Vortex Razor HD Gen II 4.5-27x56 FFP and RRS rail set. It’s a tack driver out to 500+ yards (easy) and I love it. With the tuned muzzle brake, a 10 year old kid can shoot this rifle and get amazing results. I kept the EOTech gear because I got great pricing (shout out to EuroOptics) and because I still want to get that M14. Then one day I was working on my Benelli M4 and just happened to notice the EOTech optics and said, “what the heck!” So, I mounted them. Now, I’m NOT a fan of optics on a shotgun, especially for defense, but I had the time and gear so I did it anyway. The EOTech optics are VERY high profile, so there’s no “through the iron sights” alignment. It turns out that’s a GOOD thing. To align optics sighting, I started with an in-the-bore laser shot shell at an outdoor range. I tuned the holographic sight at 20 yards first (precisely) then expanded to 50 yards (using slugs) by adjustment shooting. I then added the 3X magnifier and sight tuned precisely out to 100 yards (again using slugs) by adjustment shooting. Probably used 50 shells total to get what I wanted, and locked everything in. The EOTech holographic sight has an outer ring and a centered point. Using it on a rifle, the point is sighted at the intended range, with measured “drops” below it. Using it on a shotgun, my sighting was 100 yards (point) and 50 yards (ring), specifically for two shot shells: the Hornady SST slug (2,000 FPS), and the Hornady Heavy Magnum “Coyote” BB (1,300 FPS). Without violating forum rules, let’s just say these shot shells are “very effective” for their intended purposes. I got everything fixed and loaded up the good stuff. WOW. Just, wow. Even though the SST slug is a “blast” to shoot, I was getting 3 inch groupings at 50 yards (standing) using the 3X magnifier. The magnifier flips up and down, so you can use just the holographic sight or both. At 25 yards using the BB shells (also standing), I had about 12 inches of spread, mostly centered at 6 inches, using just the holographic sight. I’ve seen people call it “the donut of death,” and I can attest to that name: if your target is in that ring and you can see it, regardless of how you are holding or sighting the gun, THAT’S WHERE THE ROUND GOES. My friends laughed at me when I told them what I fixed up. Until they tried it at the range… So, am I trying to “sell you” on EOTech rifle sights for a shotgun? NO, absolutely not. I did this just for fun to see how it worked. The mount profile is ridiculously high, LOL. Practically, and for defensive use, I don’t use optics on a shotgun, especially the Benelli M4. Hope you enjoyed this read…

Hi All: It’s been awhile since I posted, so I wanted to make sure people still have access to these manuals. I get Google requests occasionally and it’s unclear if people can actually get to the files. The sharing is set as “viewer,” so you can see them. I do not approve “editor” requests, because that means people could add other stuff to the folder. Included in the folder is the Benelli OEM manual and the USMC manual. The Benelli M4 product manual is linked here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxN5CusgXy6nNmlRcGxjWEpOaXM/view?usp=sharing&resourcekey=0-BngltgbH1bK4yPj3RGjEUQ The USMC M1014 manual is linked here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxN5CusgXy6nbm1udXh5dzYyYUU/view?usp=sharing&resourcekey=0-XUTOPgDtyc3Orz9E7imIbg Please advise if the links above don’t work and I’ll try to fix.

The above should now both work.

Hmmm… both should be public access links. Typical. The USMC M1014 manual is linked here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxN5CusgXy6nbm1udXh5dzYyYUU/view?usp=sharing&resourcekey=0-XUTOPgDtyc3Orz9E7imIbg The Benelli M4 product manual is linked here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxN5CusgXy6nNmlRcGxjWEpOaXM/view?usp=sharing&resourcekey=0-BngltgbH1bK4yPj3RGjEUQ

Hi All: Google changed security settings sometime back, and I didn’t update the public link. It should now work. Could someone please click on the original link above and test? THANKS!

Sure. They are EOTech 500 series holographic sights. However, the better version is EOTech EXPS3-0, current issue.

So, by NO means am I an “expert” sporting clays shooter (I dust 20 or more of 25 clays in trap, 25/25 in wobble, maybe 18/25 in 5 stand), but I do enjoy the heck out of it. GREAT way to learn your gun. I regularly use my M4 (tactical/straight stock and the standard/modified Benelli black choke tube) for sporting clays (which raises some eyebrows at the range). I shoot Winchester “AA” Super Sport 2 3/4” 3 1/4 Dram, 7 1/2 Shot 1300 FPS shells, which I’ve found to be my best “go to” round when shooting my Browning Citori White Satin Hunter (it’s a “fast” round which produces results). It works equally as well in the M4. Never a jam or failure, the gun always cycles it. Thing about sporting clays is “reaction time.” In my experience, if you don’t pull the trigger in 1 sec or less, you have less than a 50% chance at hitting the clay. I usually “point and shoot,” using the “relative position” of the barrel end alligned with the clay, my arm and shoulder. I’m right handed, so I have about a 10 to 20 degree inward (left) rotation when shooting, swiveling on my hips. I watch other shooters try to “aim” on clays, sometimes not engaging until 3 sec. Low probability of dusting, based on distance. For doubles, I do “aim” on the second shot and for trap and wobble, if the clay is in the ghost ring on the M4, it’s dust. Here’s a video of my nephew on the M4 (first time) shooting wobble (high stand). He learned on my Browning, which the other shooter, also my nephew, is using: Benelli M4 Range Day

QUOTING: A member of the breach team fired at them with his Benelli M4 Super 90 semi-automatic shotgun, first killing three would-be bombers. Our source said: “The terrorists were no more than a few feet away when the SAS team came face to face with them. They had just finished morning prayers and were loading weapons into a vehicle. We now think they were about to carry out an attack. One of the breach team opened fire with a shotgun and shot dead three before they could get a shot off. Another two terrorists appeared from a building and he neutralised them as well. It was a case of bang, bang, bang, then bang, bang. It was over in seven seconds. Several other terrorists emerged from the building but immediately surrendered and began panicking as two of the bodies DIDN’T HAVE HEADS – they thought they were about to be executed.” 7seconds. DAMN... SAS Breach Team Engages Tangos with Benelli M4 Shotgun

I keep searching for the Bailey rail without success. Any information? THANKS!

I keep searching for the Bailey rail without success. Any information? THANKS!

Glad to see that manual on my G-Drive is of use to people! ?

+1 for Stranger Danger. I’ve used him for my M4 work. VERY reasonable pricing, quick turn-around, OUTSTANDING work. A+++

First, thanks for the great post (with pictures no less). I really enjoy it when members take the time to create informative posts, then follow up by answering questions. Have to say, “reasonably priced” fore ends (that work well) seem to have become a thing of the past with M4s. I almost ordered this product on-sight after reading your post and seeing that it was available in FDE. But then I saw (for lack of a better term) “set screws” holding the fore end in place. That gave me pause. I regularly shoot my M4 (now, 2000+ rounds), so using it, breaking it down, and cleaning it is a regular issue. Looks like the product video shows applying mild loctite as part of the install. Here are my concerns: (1) Given that the product uses “set screws” to maintain position, have you had any problems with fore end rotation or movement after the install, especially after a “range day” of shooting? (2) If you’ve shot your M4 regularly after the install, have you noticed any issues with the “set screws” moving, creating damage, or otherwise causing a nuisance after the install? (3) Do you use a mild loctite with the “set screws” and, if so, have you had any complications when removing the fore end for cleaning? Advice appreciated and respected!

Respectfully, I’m just curious. What “lawyer” suggested to you that you have any more liability selling gun parts (which uninstalled CANNOT harm you or anyone else) than say, a car? I’m not asking the individual be identified, but please pause for a moment and consider what I just said. Just saying...

Hi OP: Like you, I encountered the same problem after replacing the stock 5 round mag with a 7 round Freedom Fighter Tactical mag. It really is ammunition manufacture dependent, because not all shot shells are the same “exact” length. Even individual shells (by the same manufacturer) can vary. So, here’s how I fixed it (there is no “replacement” mag cap “modification” that I know of, BTW). There are essentially 2 springs for the Benelli, “long” and “short” (count the coils, don’t measure how long it is). The long spring takes up more room in the tube. The “short” spring (which comes with the 5 round) takes up less. I use the “short” spring. Then, if you remove the srew-on mag cap, you will see a snap ring “cap” or “seat” (don’t remember the part name) that retains the mag spring in the tube. This “seat” is NOT indexed to the tube, meaning it can be seated deeply or at the very end of the tube and can be moved in or out. Using snap ring pliers, you can “back” this seat out some (it’s about 3/4 of an inch long). You DON’T need to back it out much, just enough so you see the end of it outside the tube (about 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch, if necessary). BE WARNED, backing it out too much will cause it to violently fly out of the end of the tube when you release compression, then you need to go looking for it (good luck with that, BTW). My seat is about 1/16 of an inch outside the tube. Those two together “fixed” the 7 round “problem” for me. I use Hornaday “Critical Defense” 00-BUCK (2 3/4). Last thing - and this is also important - if you shoot your gun at the range, MAKE SURE you occasionally crank down on the mag cap until it clicks. The cap has a tendency to loosen when shooting many rounds. I’m not sure if the cap actually retains the end of the “seat,” but I don’t chance it. Hope this helps. Good luck!