To SBS or not to SBS... M4

[wdritchey]

I have one of the updated M4 LE and I don't mean to sound like a total wimp, but dang this thing gets pretty heavy after awhile. I'm not sure if it's the multi rail or the fact I also have a light on it. There's of course the dual gas pistons and all that weight is biased up front since I have the telescoping stock. Recently I saw one of these with a 14" barrel and it got me thinking... the tax stamp drops to $0, why not buy a second barrel and a 5rd mag tube to convert it? The range of buckshot is already a bit limited - how much range am I giving up with slugs? Changes to felt recoil or how loud it is? I see those Genesis shotguns now with I believe 5" barrels, so in comparison, 14" doesn't seem bad. And if I ever wanted, I can swap it back.

I realize how over priced Benelli barrels are and it almost makes sense just to buy a second shotgun in 14". Another thought is changing the factory 7rd mag tube with a titanium one to save some weight - I think half a pound is the difference. Almost contradicting that, I could add some sort of a vertical grip to change my leverage on the gun - I had a SCAR17 for a while and it felt a lot more maneuverable with a vertical grip. It doesn't help that my last tactical shotgun was a 1301 which weighs all of 6-7lbs... and I also have a M1 Super 90 which is also super light. I love the M4 though and don't plan on moving away from the system. Worst case I would just deal with it.

[ThisShouldDoTheJob]

I almost spit my coffee out laughing as I can relate with my own M1014 (and other things around the house) suddenly feeling a lot heavier than they used to. In my case, it's due to age/health issues, but I know what you are saying. I used to be a really strong guy, but not any more. I just had some cancer removed from my forearm that left a good-sized hole there that is finally healing, thank you Jesus. Age/health issues are truly the great equalizers. Anyway, it's such a great gun that my advice is to just deal with it. Or at least that is what I have decided to do. Best wishes. 🙂

 

[filthy phil]

Damn barrel was $900. Much cheaper to just buy a factory sbs. Cant hardly sell the oem bbl

[challer]

But your round count is so low

[StreetSweeper56]

4 hours ago, challer said:

But your round count is so low

Low round count goes with shotguns due to size and weight of the rounds, 5 + 1 is pretty average. The only real solution is keeping the gun loaded, topping off at every opportunity from spares either on your gun or body. Gun courses often emphasize practicing fire and reload drills. You can do practice drills on your own at the range or with dummy rounds at home. You may surprise yourself how quickly you pick up topping off on the fly, there are people who are amazingly fast at it. 5 + 1 also aids in keeping the gun lighter and more easily swung to acquire targets. As with anything, practice improves performance, good luck!

[KiloEcho6]

SBS, no question. Plus if you have a factory 18.5 and a 2-shot extension, you have more options. 

[alpha 33]

On 9/25/2025 at 10:29 PM, wdritchey said:

Almost contradicting that, I could add some sort of a vertical grip to change my leverage on the gun - I had a SCAR17 for a while and it felt a lot more maneuverable with a vertical grip.

Too bad there is no way to attach a vertical foregrip to the factory grips without changing out the factory grips with something that has rails, mlok or the like.