Maynard Posted September 8, 2013 Share Posted September 8, 2013 I'm new to the forum so I hope this is the right place for the post. Anyway I replacing the link on my Benelli M4 that is attached to the bolt carrier. Is it as simple as removing the pin and putting the new one on? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
truckcop Posted September 8, 2013 Share Posted September 8, 2013 (edited) Yep, it's that simple. The real question is; why do you need to replace it? I've never seen one break. Just curious. I've seen the older-style cast metal links break on SBE's when shooting 3/3.5 inch shells but they redesigned the link to the current style found on the M4. Edited September 8, 2013 by truckcop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maynard Posted September 8, 2013 Author Share Posted September 8, 2013 I will post a pic of my recoil link tomorrow it almost looks like it was welded together or rusted. The gun has performed flawlessly, but the link just doesn't look right. Maybe you can shed some light on it. I thought I had a picture of my phone but I guess I deleted it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benelligunny Posted September 8, 2013 Share Posted September 8, 2013 The bolt links are riveted and silver soldered together for extra strength so it can look tarnished, rusted or whatever. Italy does not clean them up to the highest quality because they are inside the gun and no one would be staring at them anyhow. Ever heard the saying "if it aint broke, don't fix it"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maynard Posted September 8, 2013 Author Share Posted September 8, 2013 Here is a pic of my link. I was just worried that I might start experiencing failures in the future. I'm taking a defensive shotgun class at the end of the month and we will be shooting 500 rounds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaegerbataillon511 Posted September 8, 2013 Share Posted September 8, 2013 It looks weird and this big welding can flake off by time and damage the weapon, I think. My link is flawless and has no trace of welding between. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maynard Posted September 8, 2013 Author Share Posted September 8, 2013 It looks weird and this big welding can flake off by time and damage the weapon, I think. My link is flawless and has no trace of welding between. Yeah I was thinking the same thing. The gun has been flawless through about 200 rounds of birdshot and probably 50 rounds of buckshot and slugs. The new link I ordered should be here tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benelligunny Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 Seen the same thing in SBEII's with thousands of rounds of stuff heavier than that shot through them with one's that look like that and no problems. Never seen it an issue after being through thousands of Benelli's. If you want to change it, go ahead, it's you're gun. Just make sure you restake the bolt body after doing that or the link will drift out and destroy the bolt rails in the receiver...then you'll have real problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maynard Posted September 9, 2013 Author Share Posted September 9, 2013 Seen the same thing in SBEII's with thousands of rounds of stuff heavier than that shot through them with one's that look like that and no problems. Never seen it an issue after being through thousands of Benelli's. If you want to change it, go ahead, it's you're gun. Just make sure you restake the bolt body after doing that or the link will drift out and destroy the bolt rails in the receiver...then you'll have real problems. This gun was used when I bought it, but it was only owned for about 6 months. What do you mean by Restake the bolt body? I'm new to the m4 so maybe I should not mess with it if it's not broken and just hang on to the new part in case I ever need it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigDeeeeeeee Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 so maybe I should not mess with it if it's not broken and just hang on to the new part in case I ever need it.That's what I'd do. Give it a once over with a wire brush to knock off the rust, lightly coat it with oil, and put it back in service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maynard Posted September 9, 2013 Author Share Posted September 9, 2013 My new link came in the mail today. I think I'm going to put it on. I just don't like having a rusted part in my gun. I bought this gun used but every other part looks immaculate. The guy never shot the gun much. I don't know how the link got like that, but the new one is flawless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StrangerDanger Posted September 10, 2013 Share Posted September 10, 2013 The pin is staked in place. Once replaced, I'd recommend staking the carrier to prevent the pin from walking out. I know a guy who took his out and never restaked it. It has not come out on its own. Another option is to have it refinished. I had mine coated in Nickel Boron with excellent results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maynard Posted September 11, 2013 Author Share Posted September 11, 2013 The pin is staked in place. Once replaced, I'd recommend staking the carrier to prevent the pin from walking out. I know a guy who took his out and never restaked it. It has not come out on its own. Another option is to have it refinished. I had mine coated in Nickel Boron with excellent results. Thanks Stranger for all the help. I think I have it staked in place pretty good. I test fired with 8 rounds of cheap birdshot before work and she ran like a champ. I'm going to keep an eye on the pin though especially in my defensive shotgun class coming up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unobtanium Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 This gun was used when I bought it, but it was only owned for about 6 months. What do you mean by Restake the bolt body? I'm new to the m4 so maybe I should not mess with it if it's not broken and just hang on to the new part in case I ever need it. Be sure to correctly re-stake things or you will have more functional issues than the cosmetic one you started with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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