New Benelli M4s (2022 or newer) have an Upgraded Gas System

[Blain]

Found out an interesting tidbit of information the other day, called into Benelli customer service for something, was speaking with one of the product techs and asked him about the M4 gas system.  I wanted to know if there was a "mil spec" port size and if all commercial M4s produced have the same gas port sizing as I keep hearing stories of some people's M4s not being able to run light birdshot where as other people's can.  I told him that without a break in period, mine ran very light birdshot right out of the box.  I also told him that the gun did recoil a hair more than I was expecting it to, not that it recoiled bad (maybe a bit less recoil than my M2), I was just expecting very light recoil from what I had read about the M4.

He informed me that a couple of years ago, Benelli optimized / improved the gas system slightly on the M4 in order to help it run more "efficiently".  He said they (Benelli Italy) don't really communicate with Benelli USA, and that Benelli USA doesn't really notice any changes until they actually have the guns in hand.  That's how they found out about the gas system changes, after noticing and contacting them about it.  He said any change to the M4 is still mil spec as everything has to be approved by the US mil and meet their specs before being adopted.  He then told me that another change they made was there was an adjustment to the anodizing process to the receiver that was done at the request of the US military.  This change gave the receiver a more "blued" look.  I guess customers were noticing and calling in about it.

Anyway interesting stuff.  It makes me want to shoot my M4 side by side with an older model to see what recoil differences I can notice.

Edited August 4, 2024 by Blain

[John Doe]

Thanks for the info, that is very interesting that they did that. 

[Unobtanium]

My slightly blue looking m4 Entry will not run le13300 reliably. My older one, will. Both now and when nib. I borescoped them and nothing looks different about the ports internally, although spring pressure in the caps may be different?

[John Doe]

14 minutes ago, Unobtanium said:

My slightly blue looking m4 Entry will not run le13300 reliably. My older one, will. Both now and when nib. I borescoped them and nothing looks different about the ports internally, although spring pressure in the caps may be different?

Really? That sucks, have you tried running the critical defense rounds from Hornady?

[Unobtanium]

3 hours ago, John Doe said:

Really? That sucks, have you tried running the critical defense rounds from Hornady?

No, but those are pretty hot.