BayouSlide

With the factory 7 round extended tube, it would fit (under 40"). But the Benelli I'm considering has a longer barrel, a 24 in., which would put the total length at around 44 3/4 in., with the +5 extension about 2 inches shorter than the barrel, if my math is correct, which it often isn't.

Shoulda know it...the bag would be two and a half inches too short. Maybe this should be a "What I hate" post. Seem to recall it was sold as a 44 inch but the tape measure says 42.

Thanks, buddy. Much appreciate the info! Curtis

Hey guys, looking to find the overall length of a Benelli M1 Super 90. If somebody could help out, I'd appreciate it. Just need the overall length (and what length barrel you have) and I should be able to figure out what I need to know as to whether the setup I'm looking at will fit in my current two-gun case. Curtis

Safety is better served by always keeping the muzzle toward the berm at 90 degrees to the 180 than pointed towards ground or sky. This will serve you well, especially in a courses of fire that have you moving directly left to right, or vice versa, along a course of fire, with movement between shooting positions. Hope my geometry makes sense...a video would make more sense than my explanation, probably To avoid the potential problems of sweeping yourself when opening a door or a port, I always try to make sure the gun, in my strong hand, is forward of the weak hand that is grabbing for the handle. Often you just have to angle yourself a little to make this happen...try it, sans gun, during the walk through until you've got it. Don't forget to plan for where your muzzle will be pointed. Slow down and stay safe as you learn...an extra second or two at this stage will cause fewer problems than a DQ or, heaven forbid, an injury to you or others.

I use 3.3 gr of Titegroup and a 147 gr Zero JHP with Federal SP primers. Checking my last batch at the range Saturday, I was getting five shots freehand groups inside an inch at 15 yards. This load chronos around 136+ PF. Soft shooting and quick sight recovery. Some free advice: don't chase minimum PF. It's risky (ain't nothing below minor except no score) and the Glock handles faster and functions better with additional slide energy, IMO.

Jeeper, if you haven't already, let me suggest a book that may hold special meaning for you. "Merle's Door: Lessons from a Freethinking Dog by Ted Kerasote. The author, a well-known outdoor writer, faces the same problem after a long and well-lived life with a friend that shared much of his adult life. It captures the joy of their life together, and the inevitable sorrow of impending loss. Wonderful book, with lessons we all must learn. Peace to you and to your beloved pet. EDITED: to correct spelling in author's name.

If you use the Q-tips with the long wooden handles and you rotate it with a little pressure when you first reach resistance, you will then feel the head of the Q-tip slip into the channel liner and right up to the striker hole. Give it a few spins, then repeat with new Q-tips until you no longer have any residue. I like to blow it out with a spray of Gun Scrubber using the red straw first, then use M7Pro on the Qtips. I prefer the polymer safe Gun Scrubber (the channel liner is plastic). Besides powder residue and gunk you'll probably get a few brass chips the first go-round. Works for me

This is why you are getting the light strikes. Either switch to a stock striker spring(won't help your trigger). OR use federal ammunition.(federal primers) CCI primers are hardest, followed by Winchester (softer), then Federal (softest). But until I began reloading, I shot WWB, Blazer and Atlanta Arms ammo, probably close to 20K rounds with the Wolff springs without any problems that couldn't be traced to a dirty firing striker channel or high round count springs. I can recall only 3 or 4 light strikes in the whole 42K rounds I've shot. The only significant light strikes I can recall offhand weren't in 9MM but one box of Blazer 40 S&W, a series of light strikes (maybe three or so in a box of 50) that disappeared when I cleaned the channel in my G27. But, as always, YMMV. For what it's worth, I now use only Vanek trigger kits (they have Wolff stricker springs) and my own reloads with Federal primers. Actually had a light strike last weekend during practice...bet when I finally get around to cleaning my gun, I expect to find some chips or gunk in the channel. Curtis EDITED: because I HATE typos!

One more thing to consider. Make sure your gun is going fully into battery (weak recoil spring). I've seen first hand that stove pipes can also occur when the mag springs or recoil springs are weak, throwing the timing of the ejection off.

Unlikely, unless it is chipped or broken and that would be easy to see. The one in my G34 is up to 42K rounds, with no appreciable wear. I've shot thousands of rounds of WWB and Blazer (aluminum or brass) without a problem. If you're using the Wolff kit, make sure to clean out any debris in the firing pin channel at least every 2K rounds and anytime you have a light strike. Make sure you're not over oiling and getting lube in the channel. Change the kit out every 5 or 6K rounds and you should be GTG.

That is just how the race to empty my wallet seems to be shaping up at the moment , Mike. Thanks for the comment. All this talk of beer makes me glad I've a Guinness or two in the fridge for post-lawn-mowing invigoration this afternoon. As of one of my favorite folk musicians, Tim O'Brien, says, there's a loaf of bread in every pint.

Bayou, The 1100 Tac 4 I just bought has a fiber optic front sight. In fact I just replaced the factory green light pipe with an orange one. They are HiViz sights. I'll put it up against any of the Benelli shooter's I shoot 3 gun with, anyday. I've had no problems with it. I paid $770 for it out the door from a local dealer. Green furniture/black receiver or the current black furniture/black receiver....still trying to convince myself re: deluded in extremis Bayou, Black/Black. Thanks, buddy. That's the current model. Got a possible chance on a used Benelli M1. If that falls through and Hank Ellis's FN doesn't end up winning me over, then I will probably reorder an 1100 but specify that it HAS to have the fiber optic front...just annoys me that their specs seem inconsistent and I'd end up having to throw in another $30 (inc. shipping) for something that should be...and is...on at least some of the guns Remington has shipped. Got a chance to handle a few M2s at a local shop, and they seemed pretty sweet. The shop had a new M2 Tactical (18.5 inch barrel, non-pistol grip stock, and ghost ring sites marked down to $889. Pretty fast handling and tacticool, but I'd prefer at least a 21 inch barrel and the ghost ring sights are not much of an advantage because our infrequent 3-gun matches are almost always birdshot only. Maybe an extended tube full of shells would put the balance a little further out towards the muzzle. Tempting price, though.

Bayou, The 1100 Tac 4 I just bought has a fiber optic front sight. In fact I just replaced the factory green light pipe with an orange one. They are HiViz sights. I'll put it up against any of the Benelli shooter's I shoot 3 gun with, anyday. I've had no problems with it. I paid $770 for it out the door from a local dealer. Green furniture/black receiver or the current black furniture/black receiver....still trying to convince myself re: deluded in extremis

On a second search of the FN site, I found a different page through a different link which showed four models, including the one with the standard barrel: http://www.fnhusa.com/le/products/firearms...amp;mid=FNM0019 in case anyone else wants to check it out.

If I buy a Benelli will someone take all the o-rings, parts and Remington tools I've been collecting off my hands at a fair price Hank has offered to let me try out his FN. But I forgot to ask him abut the whole rifled barrel thing. I wasn't trying to start Shotgun Wars III, but am really appreciating the alternative ideas. This forum is like a virtual 24/7 conversation over with buddies...including the good-naturing squabbling over whose iron is best! Curtis

Thanks, buddy, that does sound like a great setup. I guess I now have one more SG to add to the consideration list Originally, I was primed to pull the trigger on a 1100 Tac 4 purchase, and had been for a while. Advantages: familiarity with the Remington platform, plenty of info on how to avoid their shortcomings (maintenance and cleaning of gas system in particular), easy parts availability at low cost for a DIYer like myself, easy to come by, affordable, 22" barrel and other features pretty close to what I'd want out of the box. And, to repeat myself, the comfort of familiarity (sheesh, I must really be getting old ) Disadvantages: Need to stay on top of maintenance issues for reliability and parts breakage when put to heavy use. A wash: Remington supports our support...I just wish they also supported the quality they had in the old guns. I guess cost has reared it's ugly head again. Trapr and others on the board have always made a good case for the Benelli M1 (or M2). Advantages: modern, rugged action with proven track record for reliability under heavy use. Definitely kinda cool (heck, I used to have a garage full of both vintage and modern Italian motorcycles). Disadvantages: Cost (unless I can find a desirable gun like this used); lack of familiarity with the platform (different controls and maintenance compared to what I'm used to); don't like to support companies who don't support our sport. Neither here nor there: rep for heavier recoil...but I shoot and like a 870 pump now with no problem, so it can't be THAT bad. Now the FN is tossed into the picture. Seems like a nice setup from the box, price is about right, but utter unfamiliarity means a little discomfort...guess it's time for even MORE research. According to the FN Web site the current? model has a rifled barrel...I would definitely prefer non-rifled. Thanks again to all for the opinions...even if you made what was an originally simple decision decidely more complex...but that was what I was looking for so I make the right decision, ultimately. Curtis EDITED: because I hate typos...and obviously am a lousy proof reader when I lose sleep thinking about shotguns

I noticed on the forum that one of our local guys is running that same gun, IIRC, but I haven't heard a lot about them. Didn't get to see it in action at our latest 3-gun match because he was in a different squad. Are mag extensions and parts easily obtainable? Would be interested in your impressions about it. Curtis EDITED: because I hate typos!

Don't have the gun to check. I was going on the info in Patrick Sweeney's book so that info could be out of date. All I have here is an old 870 barrel with a bead that appears to be soldered or pressed in. Appreciate the info and I will check with Remington. Guess I'm going to pass on having the shop reorder a 1100 Tac 4 for the moment and reconsider my opinions, which at this point are leaning equally as much towards either a used 1100 (to build up) or a Benelli M1 w/ a 24" barrel. Thanks, all, for the ideas and info. I'll keep you posted how it all shakes out later. Curtis

Spoke like a true gentleman, Jim. I'll suss my thinking by the end of the evening, thanks to the Internet and a few glasses of wine Curtis

I hear ya, Jim. I like Remingtons. My Wingmaster 870 is a late fifties, early sixties pawn shop gun I picked up a few years ago. Well used slick action now sporting synthetic furniture, a Choate +4, Nordic clamp, six pack sidesaddle and 21 replacement barrel with rifle sights. It can carry me as far as mid pack against the semis. Got my first ruffed grouse with a Wingmaster 870 back when I was a lad. I'm really puzzling over this because the budget allows one acquisition for the foreseeable future and I want it to be a semi SG.

Thanks, trapr, I was just poking around on gunbroker in another browser window. From past searches on BENOS, I got the impression that a used Field with the 24" barrel would be a good base Benelli on a budget. I appreciate the advice. Curtis

Forgive the ramblings. Bummer of a day. Went to our local Sheriff's range for an open public practice and some nitwit had snuck in over the weekend and destroyed all the steel at close range with .223 rounds. Ergo, no more steel at the range for the forseeable future. Then I went to pick up the 1100 Tac 4 that came in for me at my local shop. Bummer #2. The oversize bolt latch broke off in shipping and...what the hey...it had a *#@&^ plain bead front sight! After scrutinizing the Remington Web site, I now realize that the spec sheets say bead, but the photos in the brochures and Web site show a fiber optic, like on the old CMs. From Patrick's book, apparently late model Remington vent rib beads are soldered, not screwed in. So some additional hassle and expense to change (either pay a smith or buy the tools for DIY). Since the gun has to be returned anyway due to shipping damage, I'm wondering whether I should just built a new comp gun from an older 1100 and get it the way I want it, rather than pay extra to fix a new gun the way I wanted it. Save a few bucks in the bargain. Or maybe just save up for a Benelli and go with the flow I've read on the forum here at least one person with a new 1100 Tac 4 saying it had fiber optics, as well as elsewhere IIRC. Anyone want to chime in or am I just deluded in extremis. Anyway, after having made up my mind, I now have a second chance to puzzle over the whole thing this evening and maybe change my mind...again...as long as I decide by Thursday morning when my local gun shop opens. Help a brother out, would ya, with some good advice and ideas. And you Benelli guys, when you chime in, and I know you will, what would be an economical setup...barebones is OK as long as I can add a Nordic tube. I can probably stretch as far as a grand, but $900 would feel a lot better if I give up on the new Tac 4 at $800. I've run my 870 pump up to it's limits so I looking to go semi-auto and soon. Thanks in advance and EDITED: because I hate typos!

Thanks, all. Appreciate the opinions and all the food for thought. I realize the easiest solution is velcro (especially when Benny chimes in on the same tune), but it offends my aesthetic sensibilities for some reason Really like the Lyman sidesaddle on my 870 and understand the potential problems in overtorqueing those screws. I certainly don't want to trade a stone-cold reliable 870 for a new jamomatic just to get a sidesaddle I prefer, but since experiences differ, I may test it out. Our twice a year 3-gun matches here often have short stages so it's not a critical issue one way or the other, especially since the new 1100 would hold 9 at the start...that would have covered the shotgun stages at our most recent match, with an extra round to spare. Might even consider the armband approach for a full reload on the clock.

Ouch...but, honestly, I thought I'd get that in the first reply Y'all are a tough, tough crowd. Besides, if I saved up enough for a Benelli, I wouldn't have a new shotgun until I was eligible for Super Senior More seriously, appreciate the responses, guys, and keep 'em coming.