m4prime

Hey all. So I ended up getting a free Benelli M4 field stock from a neighbor. It is obviously of some vintage or... just something different, as the plastic is obviously totally different. The buttpad says Benelli Spa Armi, which is kinda cool. Anyways, on closer inspection and trying to install it on my shotgun, I quickly realized it didn't have the internal hardware to thread the stock on. I then took my pistol grip stock and tried removing the innards to transplant them over, and ran into an issue getting the main metal plate as well as what appears to be many washers to slide off of the screw in there. I tried pushing from both sides with a long tool to see if I could wiggle it a bit, to no avail. Before ooga booga'ing it, I wanted to consult the forums first. Current State of the OEM pistol grip stock. Locking nut removed, and now I'm stuck. New (to me) field stock innards: Thank you for the help in advance!

Thanks for your input, that comment was all I need to put my order in!

Hey all. I am the owner of a Benelli M4 that has been in my beloved hands for several years. My issue with it has always been the length of pull on the standard fixed pistol grip stock. I learned to just work around it. Recently I had the opportunity to shoot my buddies Agency Arm's Benelli M2, and wow. I LOVED the feel of the field stock. With the extended safety, I could actually functionally use the cross bolt safety quickly, unlike with the pistol grip where it is pretty tricky to reach the safety quickly on and off, at least for me... all personal preference I know, but regardless, I loved the feeling of it. I did ask ChatGPT, and it spit this out: So in theory, LOP should be identical to the field stock equipped M2 (chopped barrel, extended mag tube). As we all know these LLM's make mistakes, so I wanted to hear it from someone who owns both (I know you exist and are in here lol). Do they feel the same? Is the length of pull functionally the same in real life? Does the M4 feel strange compared to the M2 with the field stock, or if I LOVE the field stock on the M2, I will as well on my M4? Thank you all in advance!

I actually have your charging handle (I love it by the way, have beaten on it hard and it has held up great). I bought a second one because I thought perhaps the cut out was worn as the charging handle was beginning to spin out when charging aggressively with gloves. It even came out on accident a couple times while being carried to the car. I put the new one in, nothing really changed. What direction would you suggest I go next? I know it's not your charging handle due to trying another brand new one as well as the OEM one.

BUMP. Still for sale, open to offers.

BUMP, still available. Open to offers.

For anyone of you running rifle style optics on your M4's, you'll probably be aware that the rail that comes stock is not true mil-spec picatinny. This is freedom fighter tactical's rail that is true milspec. I ended up going down a slim route with stock hanguards and an RMR (from an Eotech which I was originally running with this rail) so no longer need the rail. Doesn't have a ton of time on it, but it's a thick piece of pic rail, so not much to wear. -$105 shipped

As stated. Purchased from another user here, I ended up going back to my stock stippled handguards. Really liked how you can get a C-clamp without burning yourself, and of course, TOOL-LESS takedown is preserved. Couple small blemishes here and there, but nothing deep or nasty. Easily covered with aluminum cold blue if you so desire. $250 shipped C

Just an update to this. As of this posting, still have not heard anything from Mounting Solutions Plus. No ship, no contact.

Yup.

Just a heads up to everyone excited to place an order... they're sent me this message after ordering. A bit annoying as I hate when companies have an item not in stock, but make no mention of backorders all through the checkout process. I'll patiently wait, just wanted to put it out there for anyone wanting to order right now.

Well damn. Look at that. Looks like someone hopped in to fill the insane demand for the IWC mount. Just ordered one, will update when I have it in hand. It looks like MSP literally is producing the IWC mount, I'll bet they bought the IP as the owners son couldn't get manufacturing back into gear.

I think a wave washer is fine. I don't think anyone who is concerned about tool-less take down is going to complain about one extra part, considering it still requires no tools to take down.

Just installed a Briley 8" handguard, and wanted to give some thoughts. I have ran the OEM handguards, and Midwest Industries rail. Initial impressions, the thing is very very sturdy. Weight is not really a concern, when I received the box in the mail the box basically felt empty prior to opening. Installation is super easy, as is removal. It just slots right in like the OEM handguards, but in a single piece. I mounted an Arisaka 600 series with a Malkhoff head and Surefire DS00 with a TRex Arms / Arisaka extended scout mount, on the farthest Mlok slot. I put a modlite modbutton just below it, will need to play around with mounting positions before I decide on a final spot and do some cable management. Impressions once installed... the thing is girthy, and slick. The midwest industries rail was far far easier to get a c-clamp on, just like the OEM handguards. Of course, that is going to result in high heat and not being able to do that very long without gloves. The Briley is difficult to get a c-clamp on, and I'm sticking to a more traditional grip with it. It's slick, and really needs some added traction on it. I tried an Emissary handbrake, but that's not really conducive to making it more grippy with the traditional grip as opposed to the C clamp. I think I'll try out some 2 slot Irregular Defense MLok panels, one on each side of my support hand, and one on the underside. They're polymer and the most aggressive rail covers I've tried. Overall, very happy in the absence of the IWC scout mount. The light placement with the Malkhoff head gives a ton of spill and throw. There is some degree of barrel shadow of course, but it's dumping so much light, it's a non-issue. I would say in use, I like the Midwest rail more. It can get the light way further out (for less weight than even the 8" Briley rail, let alone the full size one), and feels way more ergonomic to grip. That being said, I don't like the set screws, and I had trouble taking it off the barrel to clean the ARGO system without taking my MLok attachments off. As of now, (without the rail covers, will update with those later) I can easily remove the handguard with the light and pressure pad from the barrel just by lifting it off. So from my experience, pros of the Briley are tool-less takedown, very solid. Cons, price, poor ergonomics, very slippery and hard to get a solid grip. Midwest, pros - cheaper, lighter, MUCH more ergonomic and grip forgiving due to the ability to C-clamp. Cons, a pain to take down.

I have one I'm about to list up for sale if you decide on ordering one. As far as the inconvenience, it's only a pain when it comes to cleaning the pistons (which I pretty much never do). When cleaning the pistons, some MLok attachments might need to come off as they get in the way. As far as field stripping the shotgun, you back out two set screws (allen keys, just need to back them out, not fully remove), and then the barrel comes off the receiver as normal, but with the handguard still around the barrel. You can then access the bolt housing, and of course removing the bolt and cleaning the barrel and chamber. I don't love the set screws, but I will say the handguard is mega tight and stiff to the shotgun. It's definitely well made.

My OG M4 most definitely does not have that. I assume it interfaces with the new railed handguard in some way? I'd say remove it and install the new forend and shoot it. It definitely isn't an energy bearing part judging from it's construction. Looks more like a way to clamp / compression fit the new foreend.

I've literally never heard of this company until now, which makes sense as they're based in Europe. Had I not bought a Briley just now I probably would have been after this right away. It's lightweight, strong, tool-less, and looks like it has really nice texturing built in. If you can get ahold of one, the TRex Arms extended scout mount for Arisaka lights might make this work. You could shove the light very far forward off the handguard, and actuate it with a clicky tail cap press. Your hand would probably still hit it, but you'd be hitting the small low profile MLok mount instead of a large light body. Thanks for sharing, I think this is a great option for everyone seeking light mounting solutions with the IWC mount off the market, while maintaining tool-less take down and a negligible weight change from the stock plastic handguards.

PM'd.

Love to see the progress! How much weight is this expected to add to the gun?

Here's some discussion on my thread about the Agency rail. I really really disliked the Midwest Industries rail, although the function was there. Takedown was too difficult and required set screws that did leave marring on my titanium mag tube. I'm back with the OEM handguards, but I'm probably going to head the Agency route soon. RX Arms is also coming out with a highly anticipated heatshield / MLok rail, but there isn't a solid ETA on it yet.

Thanks a bunch for sharing. I think I'm going to order the 8" and see how I like it. With the Trex Arms / Arisaka extended scout light mount I can get the light out pretty damn far, so I'll try to save on some front weight with the shorter handguard.

Thanks, interested to see. How does the handguard feel to hold? It looks really bulky compared to the stock plastic ones. The more I shoot the gun with the stock handguards, the more I love them...

I took a look at the handguard and I'm not sure if I'm looking at the right one. The install videos I watched for this one didn't use any screws at all, it just slides over the barrel like the stock handguard. Is this the right one? If so, I really like the look of the install. https://www.briley.com/p-63643-briley-3gun-m-lok-handguard-benelli-m4.aspx

I don't necessarily mind needing a screwdriver to break down the gun, as I find the gun rarely needs a full cleaning anyways. I just hate the way the Midwest rail goes on, with the big lugs that have to be inserted and lined up with the magazine tube. I find it extremely cumbersome and it frequently jams on itself. If it was actually just a handful of screws and the thing just came right off, I'd be fine with that. I'll take a look on YouTube of how it installs.

It's something I did look at. I didn't really like the install being full of tools to get the screws off, but I will say it's a much nicer install than the Midwest one. How many screws are required to field strip it? Do you have to take them all out? I also don't like how it, like most of the MLok handguards, leave the pistons exposed.