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Greetings all, Although I've frequented---and enjoyed---the forums in the past few months, this is my first post... It's a pleasure to be joining the community! After a lot of research and a long wait, I will finally be picking up my new Benelli M4 this week and can's wait! I am trying to understand what type of coating is on the barrel of the M4 because I want to know how to care for it properly. I've searched quite a bit, but the only information I have been able to find is that the barrel is coated with "heavy phosphate" (see pg 14 of the M1014 operator manual, available by googling "farrarsodfarm" and "USMC_M1014.pdf"....(I can't post links yet)) but not what specific kind of phosphate coating is used. There are many different types of phosphate coating, each of which requires different care. Google, for example, "heavy phosphate" and read about the different types at "engineersedge") In particular, phosphate coatings are quite porous, and will (generally speaking) easily wick moisture in the air and rust accordingly. The phosphate is designed not as an end-all protective coating against corrosion, but rather a medium in which the *real* anti-corrosion coating can be easily suspended. For parkerized finishes (which encompass many types of phosphate coatings), it is cosmoline or grease, suitably wicked by the porous phosphate finish, that prevents against corrosion. Google, for example, "xavierthoughts" and "parkerizing". So does anybody know exactly what type of phosphate coating is used on the Benelli m4 barrel? (e.g. Type M, Class 2 or Type Z, Class 1, or....) What are you M4 owners doing to care for your barrels, especially those of you who use them in moist environs? The M1014 manual linked above recommends light oil like CLP or MILITEC (see pg. 60). Is anyone slathering their barrel in cosmoline or axel grease and baking at 350 F? Thanks all for the great posts and for the help.