Mufasa Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 I was looking at getting a local engineer/gun smith to lighten my Benelli M2 bolt carrier. As I don't live in the U.S. sending it off to Triangle/Taran/AI etc isn't an option. I was wondering if anyone has done it themselves and has any tips, dimensions or pictures of a lightened bolt that I might give the gun smith to minimize risks. I do have a spare bolt carrier group in case of a catastrophic failure but it would be desirable to learn off others the correct way rather than the more expensive learn as you go path. Cheers for any help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ltdmstr Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 I use a carbide end mill and very light cuts. Basically just square it off. Takes a while but comes out real nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mufasa Posted February 16, 2014 Author Share Posted February 16, 2014 Cheers thanks for the reply, it gives me somewhere to start from. I remember someone mentioning to take about 2 ounces off but that was about the limit of the information I had on the process. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P.E. Kelley Posted February 16, 2014 Share Posted February 16, 2014 Do you have a reason for wanting the bolt lightened? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mufasa Posted February 17, 2014 Author Share Posted February 17, 2014 I would say that goes without saying. If you mean do I have a reason that is worth the hassle of doing it? meh, maybe. The normal functional ones of changing the cycling speed of the action etc, but probably more importantly I would like to see if it can be successfully done here. Call it an experiment if you will; as I said I have spare parts so am willing to absorb the hit if it goes wrong, but that is not to say that I desire to invite failure due to a lack of information. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P.E. Kelley Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 Truth is...very little (if any) performance is gained via the lightened bolt. I have many in various weights and only after lots of experimentation with weight and spring combinations did I see any performance advantage. Even those were minor. Just not wanting a fellow competitor going down a road for naught. So much of this "bolt lightning" is for show not for go. AKA all the cool guys do it so it must be good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PackerBacker Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 I sent my M2 off to C-rums for some modifications and he talked me out of the bolt lightening... Said the same thing as Pat. All show and no go. There were more important items to spend my money on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkCO Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 Listening to the advice of Patrick Kelley is highly recommended! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ltdmstr Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 I agree. I did mine just to see for myself and with standard loads, I can't really tell much of a difference, if any. I also wanted to see if it would make a difference with really light loads, but haven't had time to mess with the SL900 a friend gave me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WillM Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 ?..haven't had time to mess with the SL900 a friend gave me. I'd say that was a pretty good friend!... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mufasa Posted February 17, 2014 Author Share Posted February 17, 2014 Truth is...very little (if any) performance is gained via the lightened bolt. I have many in various weights and only after lots of experimentation with weight and spring combinations did I see any performance advantage. Even those were minor. Just not wanting a fellow competitor going down a road for naught. So much of this "bolt lightning" is for show not for go. AKA all the cool guys do it so it must be good! I sent my M2 off to C-rums for some modifications and he talked me out of the bolt lightening... Said the same thing as Pat. All show and no go. There were more important items to spend my money on. Taken under advisement. I'll put that project on the back burner. Like I said it was as much to see if it can be done as for performance increase, but I can always find projects to see if it can be done. Cheers for the input, it is much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike cyrwus Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 Ive been known to talk a client out of lightening the bolt of a benelli, as has C-rums. I will say the difference is subtle, but I disagree that its "all show and no go". But C-Rums and I, and others still provide the service, its popular, and i do recommend it often, as what Im building are primarily race shotguns. The key word being race! Many times the average shooter (and race driver) is better off taking his time, going around the track in a controlled manner. But we all know that its no fun if you dont lay down the pedal to the floor (or trigger finger!) A good gunsmith needs to gauge his potential client; both in ability (current and future), as well in budget. Suggestions to shooters are not all the same. Take a look at an average club 3g match? Are there some folks that have other things to worry about than lightened carriers and gamey ammo? yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhill Posted March 8, 2014 Share Posted March 8, 2014 Mike has summed it up pretty well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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