H&K Benelli M1 Super 90

[Agent Akin]

Greetings all!

I bought one of these in the early nineties, and after reading another thread here, I've a few questions.

First, what exactly is 922 compliance? I never heard of that before I started actually hanging out around here, and I'm not really sure what it is. Does it have something to do with where the parts were made? I've no idea... I put on a factory pistol grip stock and a factory extended magazine tube, both of which I bought from the dealer who sold me the weapon, so if there were anything I needed to watch out for, in theory, he would have mentioned it...

Also, is it supposed to be able to handle light loads? I've tried "tactical" reduced recoil loads in it, and they won't cycle, and forget about birdshot.

Finally, at some point in the mid-nineties, two scratches appeared on the receiver above the trigger guard. I may post a pic later today... it's something I always wanted to get "fixed", but I just never got around to.

Does anyone know any place in SoCal that could refinish it, or should I maybe look for some "touch-up" stuff? The bright metal showing through just annoys me...

Thanks!

[SamIAm]

Greetings all!
Also, is it supposed to be able to handle light loads? I've tried "tactical" reduced recoil loads in it, and they won't cycle, and forget about birdshot.

I can answer this question because I have the same shotgun, but without the pistol grip, and also purchased in the early 1990's. Mine is able to handle reduced loads and birdshot, and has never had an issue with cycling or FTF such rounds. You may want to get it looked at. I would add that the M1S90 also came in hunting configurations, so the fact that yours won't cycle birdshot shells is odd.

Hope this helps

[Agent Akin]

Any idea of any kind of shop that might be able to help out? I know of several shops that sell guns, but I've no experience with shops the work on them...

[The War Wagon]

You want to use HIGH BRASS loads, no matter what you use, so the extractor doesn't tear the hull apart and lock up the works with a FTE.

After pining away for one for TWENTY YEARS, I recently got one, too.

[Agent Akin]

Oh, I've never had any problems like that, it just won't cycle. Basically, it's kind of like a bolt action... fire, pull lever back and release, fire, pull lever back and release...

[Bladewurk]

Have someone like Crums, Melhorn or Triangle/Benny look at it. Seems common for the factory to put random weight springs in the bolt, these can be switched out to run lighter loads.. If the gun is setup right it should run. Also ditch any excess weight above 6 oz or so. That means no sidesaddle etc. And make sure if it has a PG stock it is not too tight. If it is if will distort the recoil tube and it won't cycle

[Bladewurk]

922r ?? Forget it. And the dings on the receiver will happen it's soft aluminum. I'd just Bevel the magwell and carry on

[Agent Akin]

Crums, Melhorn or Triangle/Benny? Bevel the magwell? Ditch the sidesaddle?

Well, I like the sidesaddle, and I've known other folks who had M1s and sidesaddles, so I'd rather not get rid of it if I can avoid it... and, I've no idea what the other things you're talking about are. I assume the names of guys who do weapons work?

[chaseface]

[Agent Akin]

huh. I think I bought it in like 1992, and the place I bought it from didn't mention anything about any of that. I have no idea where each part in it was made. Is there any way to find out? I think even though it was imported by H&K, it was made in Italy, but I'm not a hundred percent sure...

[chaseface]

Did you receive it in a sporting configuration, including no pistol grip? You have to assume its all factory if you don't know. And if that factory is in Italy then it is all imported. but like I just posted in another thread

"Do you know ANYONE who has ever had an issue with it? Most cops have no idea about 922r, and even if they did, how would they have any idea how many parts are in each foreign made rifle/shotgun they come accross? And then how would they know whether or not you changed internal parts like the trigger group, gas puck, piston, etc (was talking about a saiga shotgun). It's a joke law. I follow it, and I suggest that everyone does for peice of mind, and incase you do come accross someone who really knows their ****, but I just doubt that is ever going to happen to me."

I'm not an expert but I suggest you look into it more if your concerned about it.

Here is a calculator I use for my Saiga shotgun and rifle. I don't know where one is for benelli but this should help you figure out your total http://jobson.us/922r/

Edit, I can't tell you if a pistol grip takes it out of sporting configuration because i'm not an expert, but I do know that they can not import Saiga shotguns with a pistol grip because the ATF considered that a non-sporting configuration. But pending the release of their findings on the study on the importability of certain shotguns I guess we won't know. However in the case of my Saiga shotgun, to change the magazine to be able to use high cap (over 5 round) shotgun mags I had to get some 922r compliant parts.

[Ding126]

Try some different loads..it could be that simple..some load bases are steel with a brass coating..which can make ejecting a problem..

If you Benelli has HK markings..I wouldn't worry about 922r..it was imported before that regulation went into effect...it basically limits a imported shot gun to 5 rnd for sporting purposes and if you were to reconfigure the shotgun from 5 to 7 rnd tube..you may also need to ADD a few more US made parts to comply with the 922R import requirements.
IMO I wouldn't worry about it...I'm not aware of anyone being stopped, questioned or jailed for this reg.

[Agent Akin]

Aye, it's an "H&K Benelli"... so, there's no need to follow these rules, then?

[Quiet]

AFAIK...
The H&K marked Benelli M-1 Super 90 and M-3 Super 90 were imported before Fed 922r went into effect, therefore they are exempt from it.

[nitroxdiver]

Hi,
Are you currently running a side saddle shell holder? They are notorious for causing failures to cycle in the M1. They can be too tight and cause binding in the receiver. Also, because of the inertia recoil system, stuff bolted onto the gun, can cause issues. I have an HK M1S90 also, and mine runs anything I feed it. However, it is without side saddles, flashlights, bayonets etc. ;-)

For the bare aluminum scrathes, try some Birchwood-Casey aluminum black. Dip a qtip in the liquid, and rub it into the scratch. It will start to blacken. Wipe off with rag. I've used it on steel and aluminum with excellent results on small scratches.

Good luck. A most excellent shotgun.