Upgrade Options for Benelli M1 Super 90

[Wasn'tMe]

I've got an HK branded Benelli M1S90, with straight stock, 18.5" barrel, 5+1 magazine, and ghost ring sights. I'm looking to make a few modifications for home defense and would like to get some feedback.

After owning this shotgun for 20 years, I just learned about 922r compliance. WTF???

So if I had purchased a mag extension and installed it, I would've unintentionally broken the law??? I wonder how many people have done this without knowing it was against the law?

Anyway, from what I've read, not all HK branded M1S90 are exempt from 922r. Since Benelli referred me to HK, and HK has ignored my inquiry, I figure it's better to just swap out a few parts for 922r compliance so that I don't have to worry about it.

So... Does anyone have first-hand experience with any of the following? Or any other suggestions/comments?

Trigger group for 922r compliance

Mag extension with rail for flashlight
I think this will extend past the barrel by a few inches, but from what I've read, I don't think it should be a problem. Am I wrong?

For the optic, I'm trying to decide between a top mount rail for an EOtech or Burris red dot, or the Burris Speed Bead.
It looks like the Speed Bead may require removing the ghost ring sights, while Aimtech looks like it's designed to fit around the ghost ring sights.

Anything else I should be considering?

[hoss_hk]

Other options are aftermarket follower and a new or old style surefire forearm, Some reading on the subject ymmv
here
here

[Wasn'tMe]

Hmm... the links aren't working for me.

Is there a new surefire forend? The reviews I read were for the one from almost 20 years ago, and people didn't seem to like it (heavy, not LED, some complaints about the activation switch).

That's why I was looking at a rail mounted light. Also, it seemed a rail would give more options for the type of light, and you're not locked into Surefire. If the new forend is fairly lightweight, I may have to reconsider, since it's a simpler setup.

Also, I didn't want to spend $130 for a FFT forend and mag follower just to get 922r compliance. It seemed better to spend a little more and get a (hopefully) better trigger.

So no one has experience with the Aimtech mount?

[hoss_hk]

links fixed.
Doubt the trigger is better than the Benelli parts, which have been around for decades- aftermarket trigger parts exist so people can work around 922r.

[hattles]

The Magic Number 10
This is an attempt to offer a better understanding of the 922r rule and is by no means an attempt to give official legal advice.

http://www.tapco.com/section922r/

Title 18 Chapter 44 Section 922(r) of the United States Code, defined further by Title 27 Part 478.39 of the Code of Federal Regulation (CFR), ambiguously restricts semiautomatic rifles and shotguns to no more 10 imported parts from a list of 20 parts.



This one section containing a few paragraphs creates far too much confusion. This short synopsis is an attempt to clarify, in simple terms, the 922r regulation. Hopefully this can offer a simple way to evaluate your rifle or shotgun in order to easily assess what you need to do to ensure your rifle is compliant.



When considering compliance the big thing to keep in mind is the magic number 10! The infinite wisdom of the federal government has decided that it is unlawful for your semi-auto rifle or shotgun to have more than 10 imported parts from their select list of 20 parts. Many describe this in terms of U.S. parts count, but in reality this should be the foreign parts count. Now this is where the debate occurs.



27 C.F.R. 478.39 lists 20 parts:


(1) Frames, receivers, receiver castings, forgings or stampings

(2) Barrels

(3) Barrel extensions

(4) Mounting blocks (trunions)

(5) Muzzle attachments

(6) Bolts

(7) Bolt carriers

(8) Operating rods

(9) Gas pistons

(10) Trigger housings

(11) Triggers

(12) Hammers

(13) Sears

(14) Disconnectors

(15) Butt stocks

(16) Pistol grips

(17) Forearms, hand guards

(18) Magazine bodies

(19) Followers

(20) Floorplates



Of these twenty parts, the laws states that you can have NO MORE THAN 10 imported parts on your semi-automatic rifle or shotgun. These twenty parts are meant to cover all platforms, and as you know all platforms are not the same. Without getting into specific platforms, starting out you know that you will not have to change more than 10 parts to ensure your rifle is compliant.

[hattles]

Calguns discussion - 922r compliance burden and enforcement question

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=551298

[hattles]

This page provides information regarding the "922(r)" parts count for a variety of imported weapons. It is primarily of interest in determining the number of "US" parts required when assembling a legal firearm from an imported parts kit. There are no parts or products available on this site-- it is strictly for educational purposes.
In some cases this information has been directly provided in documents received from the BATFE; in other cases it is simply a 'best effort' put forth by enthusiasts to fill in the blanks. As with any information on the internet, take the following with a grain of salt-- when it comes to legal matters consult the BATFE directly for clarification.

http://922r.com/