BigHat Posted October 4, 2009 Share Posted October 4, 2009 (edited) Are you going to be using it as a mounting location for anything or just a 922r part? Hookster Hookster, Probably just for 922r purposes. I'm sort of a minimalist when it comes to shotguns. I went with an optic, but found the Burris FF the one I like best after trying a T-1 and EoTech prior. Not a big light or laser fan but to each his own. By the way, I have a SOCOM 16 mounted in a SAGE EBR stock. Pretty nice, but heavy. I'm almost positive you'll not get a co-witness on a M-1A. In fact, you need a cheek pad to get a comfortable cheek-wield and alignment with any optic. On my EBR stock, the cheek piece is fairly high. Just the way they're designed. Matt Edited October 4, 2009 by BigHat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeanGreen Posted October 5, 2009 Share Posted October 5, 2009 Hey Hookster, Well, I am returning my Surefire forend and going with the KZ forend instead after trying out the two. I don't know if it was having to pay $230 for it as opposed to $190 for the KZ forend or just the weird rubber upper on the forend. I truly like the fact that the KZ is all metal where the Surefire is metal and rubber. The Surefire forend seemed like it would wear out a lot quicker. I already noticed some wear on the rubber just from taking it on and off twice, so I am sure that would get worse with time. Anyways just my two cents if anyone gives a rat's ass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hookster Posted October 5, 2009 Author Share Posted October 5, 2009 I'm sure the KZ will work fine for you. Hopefully Mesa won't be too long getting the Urbino out (it sounded like they were motivated to get things moving) then we can go back to the stock grips. I'm keeping my KZ as well in case I run into any problems. Later, Hookster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StrangerDanger Posted October 5, 2009 Share Posted October 5, 2009 It's a shame the FCAM system from Mesa never materialized. The assembly system we developed was very inovative. I would have steered it in another direction now that I have a few more years of experience with the M4. Hookster, which of the two do you feel is more comfortable? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hookster Posted October 5, 2009 Author Share Posted October 5, 2009 For myself, I find the M80 slightly more comfortable. I believe because the side rails on the M80 ride lower down on the side so my hand is more in contact with whatever rail covering is used. The KZ side rails are higher so only my fingertips and thumb come in contact with an ergonomic covering. Really though, that's just me and the difference is only a few steps above negligible. I could easily deal with either one but the stock grips still rate #1. I gather from your post you have/had some involvement with Mesa R&D? Tell us more! Hookster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StrangerDanger Posted October 5, 2009 Share Posted October 5, 2009 Back in 2005 or 2006 I worked with Mitch over at Mesa Tactical. I pitched the idea and he liked it. So we collaborated on the design. I had some of the early prototype stuff to test the mounting system. Unfortunately, Benelli changed some things around the barrel between model productions and our original model was off. They mainly added that shelf to the base of the barrel that seats against the receiver. The original FCAM attached like the SideArmor does via the five top rail holes. Then a handguard portion slid into the top cover and engaged where the factory handguards seat (into the metal bracket retained by the magazine tube). The front of the handguard seated indexed with the forward handguard mount as the barrel was seated. The lock up was very solid and provided a tool-less disassembly. Overall concerns were always about weight, strength, ergonomics and providing an option that couldn't be achieved by other means at the time. I would advise that a more valuable product would be to simply produce a similar replacement handguard that is made in the USA that has a low profile pocket for tape switches. This would sell big because it would be a compliance part and have some added functionality over the factory handguards as well. Big full length top rails really aren't needed. They're simply extra weight. The only value on the Sidearmor is it acts as a bridge over to the side rails. Here is a thread about the FCAM over at Mesa's website with some really early prototype photos. http://www.mesatactical.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=41 Seems they're renewing interest in the project with some injection molding rather than aluminum extrusions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
axhoaxho Posted October 5, 2009 Share Posted October 5, 2009 I would advise that a more valuable product would be to simply produce a similar replacement handguard that is made in the USA... Bingo! Regards, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeanGreen Posted October 6, 2009 Share Posted October 6, 2009 If anyone is interested in getting one. I know that National Police Supply has a couple in stock. Sean is absolutely the best at customer service. Would love it if there were more people running businesses like him out there. Here is their website. www.nationalpolicesupply.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve1968LS2 Posted October 7, 2009 Share Posted October 7, 2009 I must of missed this.. how much was it and where can you get it? I like how the lite is tight to the weapon and doens't look "McGyvered" on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hookster Posted October 8, 2009 Author Share Posted October 8, 2009 (edited) Hi Steve, If you're asking about the price of the Surefire M80 forend they run about $230. The part of my M4 that you see the light attached to in the pictures is a Sidearmor rail. which run $329. The Streamlight TLR-1 that I use is low profile. If you use the site search for "Sidearmor" you'll find multiple previous threads with lots of info and pictures. Here's a few: http://www.benelliusa.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19550&highlight=sidearmor http://www.benelliusa.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19212&highlight=sidearmor http://www.benelliusa.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19419&highlight=sidearmor Take Care, Hookster Edited October 8, 2009 by Hookster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve1968LS2 Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 Hi Steve, If you're asking about the price of the Surefire M80 forend they run about $230. The part of my M4 that you see the light attached to in the pictures is a Sidearmor rail. which run $329. The Streamlight TLR-1 that I use is low profile. If you use the site search for "Sidearmor" you'll find multiple previous threads with lots of info and pictures. Here's a few: http://www.benelliusa.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19550&highlight=sidearmor http://www.benelliusa.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19212&highlight=sidearmor http://www.benelliusa.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19419&highlight=sidearmor Take Care, Hookster So what I'm seeing is the Surefire part, the Side armor part, and the seperate lite. Anything else? lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hookster Posted October 8, 2009 Author Share Posted October 8, 2009 Just the Benelli part... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon.benton Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 Not sure how many fore-grips National Police Supply has, but I ordered one and it shipped the next day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hookster Posted October 9, 2009 Author Share Posted October 9, 2009 Hey Jon, Let us know what you think when you get it. More opinions on products on the sight is a good thing. Hookster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon.benton Posted October 10, 2009 Share Posted October 10, 2009 (edited) Got it in the mail today, rapid turnaround. (I'd had one on order from OpticsPlanet for about a month.) Looks good on the gun...the lines against the barrel aren't as clean as the factory ones are. The metal mounting nubs are a nice touch, and the grip feels very solid on the gun. It also looks like the pistons have free range of motion. We'll see what a little heat and gas does for them. I'll let you know how it works on the range this weekend, and I'll post some photos as soon as I get through my probationary period. I also installed an aftermarket magazine follower from Brownell's. (Red Aluminium) I acutally think the quality is better than Benelli's. On another note...I got an unexpected notification from UPS that I have a package inbound...not sure, but I think the Benelli Bunny may have my Ti magazine tube from the Kipster... I am so pumped that I may just wet myself. *Update* Just returned from the range...shot about 30 slugs through the gun with perfect function. (The gun, not me...) There was no apparant gas leakage from around the handguard, and the pistons seemed to function fine. I was using a grip-pod system for stability, and it was rock solid. On another note, I did notice that shooting the cheap remington "Slugger" rifled slugs did not fair well past 25 meters. 2" groups at that range, but the round entered the paper sideways at 50. Edited October 10, 2009 by jon.benton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zee10103 Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 Are you still OK with the SUREFIRE? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon.benton Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 Are you still OK with the SUREFIRE? I am absolutely fine with the Surefire. I would buy it again... I would recommend purchasing extra "ladder" rail covers, though. The pack only comes with three, and (singly) they are not long enough to cover an entire rail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zee10103 Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 I did the Mesa 6 Shot Rail. Will I need to modify the Sureshot? Thanks, TDL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon.benton Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 I did the Mesa 6 Shot Rail. Will I need to modify the Sureshot? Thanks, TDL. It is going to be close, but you should be fine. (I did a side by side comparison....don't have my sureshot mounted.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zee10103 Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 Did you decide not to use the Mesa Mount? I ended up using the same five bolts and washers. No clearance issues with the removal or installation of the barrel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hookster Posted November 4, 2009 Author Share Posted November 4, 2009 Are you still OK with the SUREFIRE? Still Happy! Hookster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zee10103 Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 Cool, and thanks for kicking in. Do you have a perfered seller for this Forarm? Have not seen any @ feebay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon.benton Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 Did you decide not to use the Mesa Mount? I ended up using the same five bolts and washers. No clearance issues with the removal or installation of the barrel. Right now I have the EOTech EOLAD on my M4 which will not allow enough clearance (in my opinion) for the shells to be pushed up far enough to be secure. Another reason I didn't use it was an earlier thread that mentioned that heavier optics might be prone to causing the threads to strip out of the receiver...figure I'm pushing my luck with the sight, don't want to add the extra stress of the Mesa side saddle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hookster Posted November 4, 2009 Author Share Posted November 4, 2009 Cool, and thanks for kicking in. Do you have a perfered seller for this Forarm? Have not seen any @ feebay. 1st I'd call Sean at National Police Supply http://www.nationalpolicesupply.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=78_109&products_id=2745 Optics Planet would probably be choice #2 HDO Sports would be #3 Later, Hookster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon.benton Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 Cool, and thanks for kicking in. Do you have a perfered seller for this Forarm? Have not seen any @ feebay. Got mine from www.nationalpolicesupply.com that someone posted earlier in this thread. They shipped the next day. Not sure if they have any left. I dropped the order that I had with Optics Planet. (Stood for about a month.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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