Question about opening a gas port

[vaeevictiss]

I bought a Franchi 912 probably about 8 years ago simply because i wanted a semi shotgun and I got it for a great price (~$400). Last year i was invited to a 3gun shoot, so i took it along as its the only semi I own. I have since machined some "ease of use" parts for it like a larger bolt knob, extended mag release, and also made a mag follower and polished the hell out of it so theres no drag to it at all. I even pulled the trigger group out and polished the hell out of that. All in all the gun runs great, super smooth, and i like having a shotgun that says benelli on the side haha. Topped it off with a 5+ Nordic extension and fiber optic front sight.

My only problem with it, and its probably because its a 3 1/2" gun, is that it cycles so slow. I only run 2 3/4 low brass through it so i should probably just find a 3" shotgun, but money is tight at the moment. Ive heard of people drilling the gas port a little larger and using a heavier spring, but how much does that really help? Im not expecting versamax or SX3 cycle speeds, but just a little faster. I was also curious, since it is a 3 1/2" gun. Would there be some way to put in a buffer behind the bolt at the back of the receiver (something like a ruger 10/22 has that you can replace with the rubber one), to limit excessive rearward travel?

Eventually, ill end up replacing it, but i really want to get an actual Benelli...just need to save up.

Alternatively ill trade this if someone is looking to get rid of an M3K lol.

Edited May 29, 2015 by vaeevictiss