Need Help Picking Parts for Benelli M4

[Flying Bones]

I'm ready to spend some $$$ on my M4 to get an extended length magazine tube.
I've got a black M4.
I do like the FDE and have considered FDE Parts with this purchase instead of going all black.

Here's what I want:
CarrierComp Ti Tube (aware of the wait) FDE or Black? (+ Spring and Follower)

These things are up for discussion
Light: Thinking about another TLR-1 HL.
Light Mount: Need an option
Pressure Switch: ?
Forend:?
Sling Attachment:
or
Stock: (Pinned adjustable?)

I really like my M4 and I don't need to change it for no good reason. I think I can say money isn't really a concern, I'd like to finish this thing and walk away completely satisfied.

Sooo...how should i build this M4???

[Flying Bones]

Also want to add a sling

[mavericksun]

Why do you need a sling? Just gets in the way in term of home defense. I only have one because I take it to class and they require I have one.

Stock: Mesa Tactical Urbino stock with recoil pad (cheek riser if you are thinking of optics). Very good if you are under 6' tall.

mag tube: Dave's Metal Works has a steel one for about $75. If price and time are of no concern, wait for the carrier comp one.

bolt handle: the stock on is a bit small. a larger one is better.

bolt release button: Dave'e Metal Works has a speed bar that is easy to install and does not require drilling. Plus it's cheaper.

[CandG]

I've got a Surefire railed forend that I really like, and it will give you plenty of options for mounting a light. I'm not a big fan of pressure switches in general, I prefer to mount the light in a way where I can just click it on with my thumb of my forward hand, and click it off when I'm done. That way you don't lose your light when you have to take your hand off to open a door, etc., and also don't have cords dangling off your shotgun.

The Mesa Urbino stock is definitely popular, but I'm using a Benelli c-stock that I pinned, and I really like it. But many others prefer the Mesa, and it's also a better option if you're trying to be 922r compliant. With my benelli stock, I had to swap out a bunch of other stuff for USA parts to maintain compliance, and it was a pain.

I ordered a CarrierComp tube 3 months and 3 days ago, and I still haven't gotten any info about a shipping date. Since I haven't gotten it yet, I can't attest to the quality or value, but I hear both are excellent.

[CandG]

Also, I know you didn't ask about this but I thought I'd mention it anyways: I also have a mesa tactical 8-round sidesaddle, that looks really neat and is well-made, but it turns out I don't use it very often - they recommend that you don't leave shells in it for extended periods, and remove them at the end of the day so you don't wear out the gripper thingy, which rules out using it for a home defense gun. So that really only makes it useful for times when you know in advance that you'll be in a situation soon where you need 8 more shells as quickly as possible, which for me is basically never. I can see it being useful if you shoot competitively, though.

[eichenkay]

Surefire m80 handguard is gtg, Mesa Urbino stock with riser. surefire rail covers. For the lights/laser. I will pass if I were you. the M4 is heavy and that added weight from the accessories will make you not to use it anymore. You are gtg with 922r if you change the tube.

[NYT]

here is mine minus the surefire scout and mount as i was shooting out to 100 yards with the eotech.



mods:

comp carrier ti tube - best on the market
mesa tactical stock with riser
mesa shotshell carrier
freedom fighter tactical follower
geissele super 90 hammer
ava tactical light mount - best on the market
surefire scout light
surefire m80 forend - best on the market so far...
eotech exps3
tactical link bungee sling - best on the market
larue clips for rail

i think thats it but i am probably missing something.

the hydro-dipping sucked from benelli so i had my local guy strip it and then cerakote coyote brown.

as far as weight concerns, my bungee sling helps A LOT! it is a heavy weapon but totally understandable when you figure that it is throwing a sh_t-ton of lead downrange and is the cleanest, most reliable platform a civilian can buy.

[tomk556]

Some day I would like to understand the mystery of why Benelli makes combat shotguns with 5+1 capacity and doesn't sell extension tubes... I have an M1 and while it's different and I don't know jack about the M4 method of operation I've learned the following from buying and throwing stuff away.

1). This sling adapter did not work well for me: http://www.gggaz.com/benelli-m4-sing...nt-looped.html The change in the length of pull is way noticeable and I don't like messing with areas that seem like they could affect the inertia line; that's probably not an issue with the M4.

2). A simple pic rail screwed onto the front end or some other simple pic mount and a surefire x300 is nice for lighting.

3). Shotguns seem to sling better with a simple carry strap or V-tac, and single points are mehhh.

4). I like this shell carrier a lot: http://mesatactical.com/products/cat...ctical-stocks/. I like where the shells are on the stock. The elastic tensioning tubes do wear out, but mine lasted like 2-3 years loaded and Mesa will send you replacements for free. I didn't like the Mesa Tactical side saddles on my Benelli or my 590. It's probably okay, but it's big and I hate the nuts that stick out of the opposite side.

I think that's all the wisdom I have (other than to say I hate shotguns and would rather have a carbine any day of the week but shotguns are nonetheless fun to run and train with) and again, that's from a Super 90, not M4. Oh, and I also like this, fwiw it's worth: http://www.eagleindustries.com/produ...il.aspx?id=204 I'm a firm believer that there's no good way, nay, that it's physically impossible to carry extra shotgun shells in a manner that doesn't completely suck and make you want to kill yourself from frustration, and this thing just sucks a bit less than everything else on the market...

Good luck, godspeed.

[NYT]

Also, I know you didn't ask about this but I thought I'd mention it anyways: I also have a mesa tactical 8-round sidesaddle, that looks really neat and is well-made, but it turns out I don't use it very often - they recommend that you don't leave shells in it for extended periods, and remove them at the end of the day so you don't wear out the gripper thingy, which rules out using it for a home defense gun. So that really only makes it useful for times when you know in advance that you'll be in a situation soon where you need 8 more shells as quickly as possible, which for me is basically never. I can see it being useful if you shoot competitively, though.

the carriers come with extra rubber tubes to replace if shells start slipping through. i keep a good amount of these rubber tubes on hand because i use the carrier to stow my shells.

an m4 isnt the best for home defense anyway as it blows holes through walls a bit too easily unless youre using birdshot.

[CandG]

the carriers come with extra rubber tubes to replace if shells start slipping through. i keep a good amount of these rubber tubes on hand because i use the carrier to stow my shells.

an m4 isnt the best for home defense anyway as it blows holes through walls a bit too easily unless youre using birdshot.

Mine only came with 2 rubber tubes, one of them being a different color (and hardness) in case the first one isn't holding shells well enough. Good idea on stocking up on spares, I'll definitely do that.

To be fair, an M4 doesn't blow holes in walls with any more power than any other 12 gauge with the same ammo, it just does it faster

[NYT]

Mine only came with 2 rubber tubes, one of them being a different color (and hardness) in case the first one isn't holding shells well enough. Good idea on stocking up on spares, I'll definitely do that.

To be fair, an M4 doesn't blow holes in walls with any more power than any other 12 gauge with the same ammo, it just does it faster

haha yeah that is true, i just dont like shotguns for HD. much prefer an AR pistol or handgun. the racking of a shotgun slide is definitely a deterrent through but we dont get those cool sounds with semi autos.

[Flying Bones]

Update plan and odds of purchase. LOL
Magazine Tube: 75% Carrier Comp Ti
Light: 60% TLR-1 HL $115
Light Mount: 100% Surefire M80 $200
Pressure Switch: Talked me out of it for now
Forend:100% Surefire M80
Sling/Attachment:
or
Stock: 50% Pinned Adjustable

[Flying Bones]

Why do you need a sling? Just gets in the way in term of home defense. I only have one because I take it to class and they require I have one.

I like slings? Bad answer I guess.

I've got a Surefire railed forend that I really like, and it will give you plenty of options for mounting a light. I'm not a big fan of pressure switches in general, I prefer to mount the light in a way where I can just click it on with my thumb of my forward hand, and click it off when I'm done. That way you don't lose your light when you have to take your hand off to open a door, etc., and also don't have cords dangling off your shotgun.

The Mesa Urbino stock is definitely popular, but I'm using a Benelli c-stock that I pinned, and I really like it. But many others prefer the Mesa, and it's also a better option if you're trying to be 922r compliant. With my benelli stock, I had to swap out a bunch of other stuff for USA parts to maintain compliance, and it was a pain.

I ordered a CarrierComp tube 3 months and 3 days ago, and I still haven't gotten any info about a shipping date. Since I haven't gotten it yet, I can't attest to the quality or value, but I hear both are excellent.

I dig the surefire for end.
I also appreciate your pressure switch advice, I just got a new TLR-1 HL and that sucker is so bright and light i'm just going to get another. It's waaay better than my TLR-1 C4
I dig the C-Stock, where'd you get yours?
I think i'll wait for Carrier Comp

Also, I know you didn't ask about this but I thought I'd mention it anyways: I also have a mesa tactical 8-round sidesaddle, that looks really neat and is well-made

Is it hard plastic?

Surefire m80 handguard is gtg, Mesa Urbino stock with riser. surefire rail covers. For the lights/laser. I will pass if I were you. the M4 is heavy and that added weight from the accessories will make you not to use it anymore. You are gtg with 922r if you change the tube.

M80 +1
See above, thinking lightweight TLR-1 HL

here is mine minus the surefire scout and mount as i was shooting out to 100 yards with the eotech.



mods:

comp carrier ti tube - best on the market
mesa tactical stock with riser
mesa shotshell carrier
freedom fighter tactical follower
geissele super 90 hammer
ava tactical light mount - best on the market
surefire scout light
surefire m80 forend - best on the market so far...
eotech exps3
tactical link bungee sling - best on the market
larue clips for rail

i think thats it but i am probably missing something.

the hydro-dipping sucked from benelli so i had my local guy strip it and then cerakote coyote brown.

as far as weight concerns, my bungee sling helps A LOT! it is a heavy weapon but totally understandable when you figure that it is throwing a sh_t-ton of lead downrange and is the cleanest, most reliable platform a civilian can buy.

I dig your M4!
Using it as an example for my options in many ways!
How does the sling attach?

Some day I would like to understand the mystery of why Benelli makes combat shotguns with 5+1 capacity and doesn't sell extension tubes... I have an M1 and while it's different and I don't know jack about the M4 method of operation I've learned the following from buying and throwing stuff away.

1). This sling adapter did not work well for me: http://www.gggaz.com/benelli-m4-sing...nt-looped.html The change in the length of pull is way noticeable and I don't like messing with areas that seem like they could affect the inertia line; that's probably not an issue with the M4.

2). A simple pic rail screwed onto the front end or some other simple pic mount and a surefire x300 is nice for lighting.

3). Shotguns seem to sling better with a simple carry strap or V-tac, and single points are mehhh.

4). I like this shell carrier a lot: http://mesatactical.com/products/cat...ctical-stocks/. I like where the shells are on the stock. The elastic tensioning tubes do wear out, but mine lasted like 2-3 years loaded and Mesa will send you replacements for free. I didn't like the Mesa Tactical side saddles on my Benelli or my 590. It's probably okay, but it's big and I hate the nuts that stick out of the opposite side.

I think that's all the wisdom I have (other than to say I hate shotguns and would rather have a carbine any day of the week but shotguns are nonetheless fun to run and train with) and again, that's from a Super 90, not M4. Oh, and I also like this, fwiw it's worth: http://www.eagleindustries.com/produ...il.aspx?id=204 I'm a firm believer that there's no good way, nay, that it's physically impossible to carry extra shotgun shells in a manner that doesn't completely suck and make you want to kill yourself from frustration, and this thing just sucks a bit less than everything else on the market...

Good luck, godspeed.

Thanks for the insight!

[CandG]

I just bought my c-stock on eBay (or gunbroker? can't remember which) for like $350. It's a good time to buy, they were upwards of $700 not too long ago.

I just got an email from Kip, and he says the current lead-time on tubes is 3.5 months - I should get mine that I ordered 3 months ago in a couple weeks.

The Mesa sidesaddles (available in 4, 6, or 8 shell sizes... I have, and prefer, the 8-shell one), is machined aluminum. Very light but very sturdy, and the finish matches the gun fairly well. Unfortunately they don't package it well, they just throw all the bolts and tools and the shell carrier in a bag all together, I feel lucky that mine wasn't all scratched up when I got it.

Also, I know you didn't mention sights, but I can't speak highly enough of my red-ring sight... it's just a cheapo $100 one from Amazon, but it puts down 5" groups at 50 yards with slugs no problem. But if you can, go for an eotech! That's my next upgrade.

[CandG]

Also, if you do go for the pinned benelli c-stock, I can give you some good advice about how to pin it. Hint, it's not a pin at all, just shoot me a PM if you go that route.