Another Benelli m4 thread

[CandG]

Wanted to share something with M4 owners, that some of you might know, and others may not. But since I hadn't noticed it brought up already:

I use my M4 as my primary HD weapon. I load my mag tube full, place a shell on the carrier, and close the bolt on an empty chamber. So, for anyone else who might store their home defense M4 in this condition, you might have noticed that when you try to rack that shell into chamber with the charging handle, the charging handle locks in the rearward position, every time, whether the action is cocked or not. Pull the charging handle a second time (or push the bolt release button), THEN it loads the shell. It actually apears to be part of the design, not a malfunction.

Anyways, I was trying to figure out how in the world to store my M4 in this condition, without having to perform 2 steps to get it in ready-to-fire condition. The answer that I finally figured out, after half an hour of messing with it, is quite simple. After loading the M4 in the full mag / carrier load / empty chamber condition, and closing the bolt, simply push the bolt release (yes, even though the bolt is already released). You'll feel a very subtle click. Now try racking the charging handle, and you'll see that you get a shell chambered every time!

Hope this helps somebody

[Thefeeder]

><

I'm going to recommend more training

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1081488

[CandG]

I'm going to recommend more training

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s....php?t=1081488

Never hurts!

But I'm not sure what you're implying... that the condition I leave my M4 in is incorrect, or that I'm an idiot for not already knowing the technique I posted in the OP?

[Thefeeder]

><

Not implying nether of the above I assure you. What I am suggesting is that if a person owns a SG and would like to learn how to shoot one , there is a ton of info to be learned at these Clinics. Before there was HD and self defense classes---there was put food on the table....all shooting used today is rooted in those shooting fundamentals.

So if you,and others, would like to learn more about making shots on target, what makes shells different , proper shouldering, follow up shots, multiple target techniques, target focus....and that is just a few...step out of the HD box and learn the basics

Yes, the Benelli thing is well known, well to the ones that know. Other shotguns have the same feature also...we all had to find it and learn how to use too.

We all start from the same starting line...even I had to. Again if you can make it to the clinics, it a great expandtion of shotgun knowlage

[CandG]

Definitely agree with the above, I just had never heard of this specific thing before from anyone, despite 18 months of ownership and lots of range and forum time, so thought I'd mention it in case others are curious. It's not very obvious, as one would typically not think to press a bolt-release button on an already-released bolt. I didn't.

[Thefeeder]

><

How did you make your gun "safe" (unload, actions open) without touching the trigger ?

[mavericksun]

The procedure to load a round from the tube is to press the cartridge drop lever (which puts one round in the carrier). Rack the shotgun and the round goes into the chamber. You are set. You don't need to press the bolt release.

Or just ghost load with the safety on.

[Need More Ammo]

Or just leave one in the chamber.

Everyone does it differently.

[usclee]

I ghost load to hold the max.

The procedure to load a round from the tube is to press the cartridge drop lever (which puts one round in the carrier). Rack the shotgun and the round goes into the chamber. You are set. You don't need to press the bolt release.

Or just ghost load with the safety on.

[Corbin Dallas]

Not all M4s can ghost load.

Cruiser ready us what you want. Full tube, empty chamber, hammer down.

When needed, rack bolt and go.

[rubbman]

Not all M4s can ghost load.

Cruiser ready us what you want. Full tube, empty chamber, hammer down.

When needed, rack bolt and go.

??? Explain please.

[CandG]

What M4's can't ghost load? To not be able to have a shell on the carrier would require some pretty serious design changes.

Anyways, given that all M4's can carry a shell on the carrier (unless someone else can verify that some of them can't), it seems wise to go ahead and store the weapon with a shell on the carrier. But when you do so, you might have the problem I described in the OP, which you can solve by doing what I also suggested in the OP.

Ugh this thread is far less useful to everyone than I envisioned when I posted it...

[laurelpark]

I love my M4, but the idiosyncrasy that you pointed out did confuse me a few times. The gun does require some training - it's definitely not a Rem 870

I've handed the M4 to some people when we're out shooting, and if they're not accustomed to it, about 50% of them get into a situation where the gun either can't be loaded (shell lifter is locked down), or they can't figure out how to get it into firing mode (the combination of the cartridge drop lever, the bolt release button and the safety seems to confuse people).

I never spent time figuring out what they were doing to get so confused, but I think they pressed the cartridge release lever button at the wrong time - thinking it was part of the safety mechanism. Or, they didn't press it and they couldn't get a round to chamber. It does look kind of like a safety with the red paint on it.

Anyhow, just thought I'd chime in with that - and thanks for writing your original post. It is helpful.