Tonybrownie Posted November 22 Share Posted November 22 Hey guys! I recently purchased a Benelli M4 LE (Gen 2) from XtremeGuns.com. This is my first shotgun, so I’m still learning the ropes. Honestly, I was so excited about getting the M4 that I barely even slept last night. Today, I went to my FFL for the transfer, and let’s just say the experience wasn’t great. The dealer was moody as hell—not that I’m here to complain about attitudes. The bigger issue was the condition of the shotgun when I saw it. The gun felt sticky and looked like it had been dipped in Coca-Cola or something. I’m not sure if it’s just factory grease or if the shotgun is in rough shape.(Especially the bolt release) XtremeGuns claims to only sell brand-new guns, and I even called them beforehand to confirm this, so now I’m doubting things. Plus, I also noticed that the bolt release is a different color than what is shown on Benelli’s official website. I'm new so please humor me. Really appreciate all your help, thanks! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StreetSweeper56 Posted November 22 Share Posted November 22 Honestly, those problems sound minor and well within normal variation. I imagine the stickyness is due to manufacturing oils not being throughly cleaned before shipment and will vanish with its first cleaning. The variation in color of parts is also within normal parameters. Not long ago some M4's were shipped with a bluish sheen. Though I never saw one in the wild; I consider those very desireable though some were less than happy. Function is paramount and I expect none of those "faults" will impact operation at all. The M4 is, IMO, The King of Shotguns. I am sure you will love it as 99% of us do, congratulations on your purchase! 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonybrownie Posted November 23 Author Share Posted November 23 8 hours ago, StreetSweeper56 said: Honestly, those problems sound minor and well within normal variation. I imagine the stickyness is due to manufacturing oils not being throughly cleaned before shipment and will vanish with its first cleaning. The variation in color of parts is also within normal parameters. Not long ago some M4's were shipped with a bluish sheen. Though I never saw one in the wild; I consider those very desireable though some were less than happy. Function is paramount and I expect none of those "faults" will impact operation at all. The M4 is, IMO, The King of Shotguns. I am sure you will love it as 99% of us do, congratulations on your purchase! Thank you so much for your response! I really appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts. I’ve also posted about this on Reddit to get some additional opinions, and the feedback has been split. Half of the folks said it’s just factory grease, nothing to worry about, and that the color variation is normal. But the other half suggested something more concerning—they think the shotgun might actually be an older, used Benelli 1014 version with an extended mag tube and updated release button, made to look like the new LE version. I’m honestly really confused at this point but I hope it's just factory grease. I’m super excited about this shotgun and really want it to be the real deal. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StreetSweeper56 Posted November 23 Share Posted November 23 1 hour ago, Tonybrownie said: Thank you so much for your response! I really appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts. I’ve also posted about this on Reddit to get some additional opinions, and the feedback has been split. Half of the folks said it’s just factory grease, nothing to worry about, and that the color variation is normal. But the other half suggested something more concerning—they think the shotgun might actually be an older, used Benelli 1014 version with an extended mag tube and updated release button, made to look like the new LE version. I’m honestly really confused at this point but I hope it's just factory grease. I’m super excited about this shotgun and really want it to be the real deal. I do not own a 1014 but I believe they are marked a certain way though it escapes me at the moment. Your foregrip is certainly new, those have only been out a couple of years. Here is an old thread about using the serial number to date the gun: Please do keep us informed what you find. We are a friendly group and most everyone is happy to help new members. Welcome to the forum! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Rose Posted November 23 Share Posted November 23 The "IT24" near the serial numbers tells us the gun was manufactured in 2024. The splotchy oil/grease in the factory packing lube that should wipe off with CLP or gun oil at the first cleaning. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BamBam Posted December 2 Share Posted December 2 So if that is a brand new M4, did it come from the factory with that fore-grip and the round oversized bolt-release button? If the gun did not come that way from Benelli, someone installed the items after the fact. If it’s brand new, the model # & serial # will be printed on the identifier-label on the Benelli box, and the serial # number is also engraved on the gun/receiver..you can go online and submit the serial # to Benelli and inquire if it included that foregrip & oversized bolt release button. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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