Educated M4 Upgrades

[BM4robbins]

A forum member well versed in basic search procedures compiled this thorough and much appreciated list. For members who appreciate Benelli forum member's objective reviews of the sources listed, you have come to the right place. Special thanks to Unobtanium for offering to help a "noob" discern how to wade through these links without blinders.

 

Arredondo - http://www.arredondoaccessories.com/...?cid=1004,2008

(Tactical bolt release bar, tactical bolt handle)

Good stuff, but mainly for M1/2 owners who 3-gun.

Benelli – http://www.benelliusa.com/

(Collapsible stock, +2 magazine extension)

Mesa Urbino will be better, cheaper, and the +2 mag extension is pointless when full-length tubes exist.

Briley - http://www.briley.com/brileybreachbuster.aspx

(Many chokes including tactical / breeching choke)

Highest quality chokes I have found.

Brownells - http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/sid=44598/pid=20384/sku/Browning_A_5_Follower__Alum__Black__12_Ga_

(Aluminum / Stainless Steel follower (red or black finish))

Made in the USA

Get the aluminum one.

Brugger & Thomet - http://www.brugger-thomet.ch/en/manufacturing/handguards/shotgun.php?pid=359

(Aluminum four (4) picatinny rail hand guard)

I have no experience with this part.

 

Carlson’s Choke Tubes - http://www.choketube.com/mobilchoke.html

(Many chokes including tactical / breeching choke)

 

Good cheaper chokes.

 

CarrierComp - http://shop.carriercomp.com/category.sc?categoryId=4

(Titanium full length magazine tube (various finishes), M1913A mil-spec replacement rail. Hybrid bolt knob, Muzzle Brakes, Pioneered W.C. Wolf Spring for M4)

Made in the USA

 

Excellent R&D/QA-QC, wait-times can be long (this is reportedly a thing of the past), responds directly to customer demand for specific products and can/does 1-off parts.

 

CMM – (can’t find manufacturer’s website)

(Bolt release pad)

 

CMM is now known as Tac2, www.tac2.com and they make 2 kinds of bolt-release pads, one flush-fit, and one where the bolt protrudes. Be sure to CALL AND SPECIFY AND DISCUSS WHAT YOU WANT!

Dave’s Metal Works - http://davesmetalworks.com/ben4.htm

(Oversized safety, +2 magazine extension, full length magazine tube, tactical bolt handle, speed bar (bolt release))

 

No Experience here

 

EGW (Evolution Gun Works) - http://egw-guns.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=39

(Aluminum picatinny rail (for scope mounting))

 

Kip's/CarrierComp's will be better. EGW's offers NO improvement over OEM.

 

Fab Defense - http://www.fab-defense.com/en/weapon-benelli-m4.html

(Polymer four (4) picatinny rail hand guard)

 

No personal experience, have read they require some lovin' to get to fit correctly.

 

Freedom Fighter Tactical - http://www.freedomfightertactical.com/products.php

(Titanium full length magazine tube (various finishes), +2 magazine extensions, tactical bolt handle)

Made in the USA

 

Less R&D goes into products than CarrierComp based on what I have seen from them, similar products with higher prices. Wait-time is virtually 'nil and ships with a T-shirt and other schwag. Avoid their steel stuff and buy only the Ti gear.

 

GG&G - http://www.gggaz.com/index.php?cat=63&parents=60

(Tactical bolt handle, tactical bolt release pad

 

Very good part,but can tear the side of your finger or skin on knuckle depending on how you rack the bolt. Will scratch reciever during normal usage.

 

KZ (Kley Zion / BoTach Tactical) - http://www.botachtactical.com/kzm4.html

(Aluminum four (4) picatinny rail hand guard, several bolt handles, +2 magazine extensions)

Made in the USA

 

No experience with their rail, but there are better tubes and bolt handles to be had. Pass.

 

Meprolight - http://www.meprolight.com/?catid={A1CC7186-A683-4876-99AA-1C0FE320AAC8}&itemid={ECA215F2-EB0E-4AFD-BB0D-428164F6C310}

(Tritium ghost ring night sights)

 

The only players in this game. Finding a 5.5 wrench is a PITA! Buy an extra nut from Brownell's as it is a nylon-locking 1-time use item. It rounds off easily.

Mesa Tactical - http://www.mesatactical.com/

(Shot shell carrier / picatinny rail combo)

 

The only product I want from them is the Urbino. Based on my interactions with them, if something goes wrong with their stuff--it's your fault, Benelli's fault, the wind/sky/moon's fault, because MESA doesn't make mistakes.

Edited June 11, 2010 by BM4robbins

[BM4robbins]

Continued;

Nordic Components – http://shop.nordiccomp.com/Shotgun_c4.htm

(Follower, +2 magazine extension, tactical bolt handle, tactical bolt release button)

 

The button is supplied with a 3-36 screw. This is too large to drill and tap the OEM bolt-release for (yes, it can be done, but it's not a great idea). Pass. Also, better extensions/handles available. If you want a circular bolt-release, keep tuned for a thread of mine coming next week. It will detail how to achieve it.

 

SideArmor - http://www.sidearmor.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7&products_ id=46&zenid=1efnl9l6828osb862bnnivfqc6

(Aluminum up to three (3) picatinny rail / shot shell carrier (4 shells) combo)

 

Oink Oink. It looks rather heavy and mall-ninja.

 

Surefire - http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main.pl?pgm=co_disp&func=displ&strfnbr=6&prrfnbr=2 4259&sesent=0,0&search_id=2091368

(Aluminum three (3) picatinny rail hand guard)

 

I have heard mixed reviews about piston-interferance.

 

TacStar - http://www.tacstar.com/

(+2 magazine extension, shot shell carrier)

 

I guess, but there are better options.

 

Teague Precision Chokes - http://www.teagueprecisionchokesltd.co.uk/

(Various chokes)

 

Good luck getting them in the US. I got one in MOD constriction, and it was MURDER! to get. It patterns with buck/slug about the same as conventional MOD chokes I have tried.

 

Trulock Chokes - http://www.trulockchokes.com/cgi-bin/eShop/index.cgi?choke_info=yes&cart_id=2860355.55017

(Many chokes including tactical / breeching choke)

 

George Trulock is a pleasure to speak and do business with. His chokes perform just as well as Briley's, but the fit/finish doesn't QUITE equal them in my experience.

 

TSG (TacticalShotgunner) – http://www.tacticalshotgunner.com/one-piece-replacement-tube-for-benelli-m1014-m11707-shotguns-p-196.html

(Full length magazine tube)

Made in the USA

 

I have dealt with these people before and they are EXCELLENT! However, I feel there are better mag-tubes on the market from Carrier Comp and FFT.

 

 

Vang Comp Systems - https://vangcomp.com/gun_accessories.html

(Stainless Steel follower, Standoff device (breeching))

Made in the USA

 

SS followers add unnecesary weight and corrosion liability. Stick with Aluminum. How many doors have you breeched lately?

 

Wolff Gun Springs - http://www.gunsprings.com/index.cfm?page=items&cID=2&mID=10#470

(Magazine spring, recoil spring, hammer spring)

Kip did the leg-work for you and had custom springs made and you can buy springs from him for your 7-shot mag-tube.

 

There, all the BS, murkiness, and ambiguity removed and replaced with my indisputable opinion.

[BM4robbins]

Special thanks to quad-44 for the original list

[1811]

Awesome thanks!

[1811]

Brownell's says to use:http:

 

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/sid=44592/sku/Benelli_Follower__Alum__Red__12_3__Ga_

 

for the M4

[quad44]

Brownell's says to use:http:

 

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/sid=44592/sku/Benelli_Follower__Alum__Red__12_3__Ga_

 

for the M4

 

Thanks. Link corrected for Brownell's Follower.

________

Extreme vaporizer review

Edited May 12, 2011 by quad44

[BM4robbins]

Meprolight - http://www.meprolight.com/?catid={A1CC7186-A683-4876-99AA-1C0FE320AAC8}&itemid={ECA215F2-EB0E-4AFD-BB0D-428164F6C310}

(Tritium ghost ring night sights)

 

The only players in this game. Finding a 5.5 wrench is a PITA! Buy an extra nut from Brownell's as it is a nylon-locking 1-time use item. It rounds off easily.

 

Unobtanium... Is the 5.5 (mm???) wrench for the front sight nut? Do you have the tritium sights?

[Unobtanium]

Meprolight - http://www.meprolight.com/?catid={A1CC7186-A683-4876-99AA-1C0FE320AAC8}&itemid={ECA215F2-EB0E-4AFD-BB0D-428164F6C310}

(Tritium ghost ring night sights)

 

The only players in this game. Finding a 5.5 wrench is a PITA! Buy an extra nut from Brownell's as it is a nylon-locking 1-time use item. It rounds off easily.

 

Unobtanium... Is the 5.5 (mm???) wrench for the front sight nut? Do you have the tritium sights?

 

Yes and yes. It is a PITA! to line it up and put it on. I recommend using loctite on the flat bottom of the sight. Lining it up, letting the loc-tite dry, and then installing the front-sight post and nut. That way you aren't trying to hold 3 pieces in alignment and torquing on them etc. while trying to keep the front-sight dead-center.

Edited June 11, 2010 by Unobtanium

[BM4robbins]

FFT makes a Ti extension....

 

 

BTW the FFT is OK if you don't mind being duped. An active duty friend of mine in California has an FFT and he likes it though [his gun his call]. What they call a "beautiful match" is complimentary at best, but not a match. He was disappointed at first but CC was back-ordered so he took a chance with FFT. It does not match the parkerizing at all, in any way shape or form. It looks and feels like some form bare titanium, with the luster removed. That is why I am leaning towards Dave's or Socomguy's if I ever get one.I am leaning towards steel so I can weld a mount to it, that will protrude through the handguards by way of a cut out, but I do not... DO NOT want mine to be made from 12L14, my welder is not hip to it. Do you have an email or web address for Socomguy??

[Unobtanium]

BTW the FFT is OK if you don't mind being duped. An active duty friend of mine in California has an FFT and he likes it though [his gun his call]. What they call a "beautiful match" is complimentary at best, but not a match. He was disappointed at first but CC was back-ordered so he took a chance with FFT. It does not match the parkerizing at all, in any way shape or form. It looks and feels like some form bare titanium, with the luster removed. That is why I am leaning towards Dave's or Socomguy's if I ever get one.I am leaning towards steel so I can weld a mount to it, that will protrude through the handguards by way of a cut out, but I do not... DO NOT want mine to be made from 12L14, my welder is not hip to it. Do you have an email or web address for Socomguy??

http://www.benelliusa.com/forum/member.php?u=14026

 

Like I said, FFT does not put as much R&D QA/QC into their stuff as CC.

Edited June 11, 2010 by Unobtanium

[h.bowman]

Like I said, FFT does not put as much R&D QA/QC into their stuff as CC.

 

Please forgive me for always playing Devil's advocate, but how in the world do you know this? I mean, you say it like it is absolutely 100% true.

 

I've been buying and shooting guns for years. I buy lots of stuff from various manufacturers to accompany my guns, but I have no idea how much time ANY of the companies that made my guns, components for my guns, etc., spent in R&D. I have no idea how detailed their QA/QC is.

 

But you talk about it like you have first-hand knowledge and what you say is absolutely true.

 

Is this another assumption?

 

And get this, I only play Devil's advocate because so many people say things that they act are true yet I'm not sure how they got their information. Uno, you do this constantly. I mean, do you spend time with all these manufacturers and watch over their operations, or are you just guessing?

[Unobtanium]

Please forgive me for always playing Devil's advocate, but how in the world do you know this? I mean, you say it like it is absolutely 100% true.

 

I've been buying and shooting guns for years. I buy lots of stuff from various manufacturers to accompany my guns, but I have no idea how much time ANY of the companies that made my guns, components for my guns, etc., spent in R&D. I have no idea how detailed their QA/QC is.

 

But you talk about it like you have first-hand knowledge and what you say is absolutely true.

 

Is this another assumption?

 

And get this, I only play Devil's advocate because so many people say things that they act are true yet I'm not sure how they got their information. Uno, you do this constantly. I mean, do you spend time with all these manufacturers and watch over their operations, or are you just guessing?

 

FFT blamed paint thickness on their bolt-handle messing up a guy's finish on his Camo (factory) M4.

Edited June 12, 2010 by Unobtanium

[BM4robbins]

FFT blamed paint thickness on their bolt-handle messing up a guy's finish on his Camo (factory) M4.

They (FFT) still warn (last time I checked their listing) that their knob may compromise or otherwise disfigure the factory Benelli finish on a camo gun if the paint is too thick. I saw this on a friend's gun in an area chipped by the FFT knob that proper clearance (R&D) would have prevented. It even shows on their web-site samples. Nothing that can't be remedied, with a little MORE R&D.

 

Good call Uno. This is the type feed back a "noob" really needs. Much appreciated.