Benelli M4 -- carriercomp Picatinny Rail

**StrangerDanger** · 02-20-2011, 04:38 AM

I finally got around to upgrading my Benelli M4 to one of carriercomp's Picatinny top rails.

I've used almost every rail system available for the M4;

Factory
Mesa Tactical
SideArmor

Recently, I had been using a Mod 1 SideArmor top rail system. While the SideArmor was far better than the factory rail, the design raised the Picatinny rail higher than the factory and carriercomp's. This had the negative aspect of obstructing the FOV of the iron sights. This aspect was compounded by the longer top rail. This crowds the iron sights and FOV somewhat. The added weight and bulk of the full top rail was a negative aspect. It significantly slowed the speed in which you could "snap" the barrel onto a target. The Mod 2 is even worse due to the higher weight. The bulk surrounding the handguards also obstructed the users ability to roll the weapon in the palm of your hand. These type of handling techniques help when short sticking the shotgun, or rolling to reload. Shell change overs...

If I recall, the Mesa Tactical unit also rose the rail slightly to accommodate their receiver plate for mounting their shell carrier to the extrusion.

The fit and finish of Kip's rail is as expected, perfect. It's beveled where it should be to reduce snag hazards. The screw holes are properly cut so the factory screws seat properly. The rail itself is true spec. No BS cuts down the center. They're honestly not needed with this low profile rail.

The fit with my LaRue mount on my Aimpoint T1 is solid. I would highly recommend using blue locktite to attach the mounting hardware. Great care should be taken to avoid stripping the fine threads in the thin aluminum receiver.

The carriercomp rail uses the existing Benelli hardware to attach the rail to the receiver. I did no have my original hardware anymore. Luckily I was able to purchase the set from a fellow member here. This hardware cannot be sourced at the usual places like Brownells or Numrich.

My wife stole my camera this week, so I do not have any photos of the unit installed. You can see several photos at the carriercomp website here:
http://shop.carriercomp.com/product....6&categoryId=5

If you intend to mount anything to the M4's top rail, do yourself a favor and pick one of these rails up. It's one of those small upgrades that make the weapon "the way it should have been" from the factory.

Now, we just need to get Kip to release the following items;
1. US made Disconnector
2. US made Hammer
3. Titanium Bolt Handle

**SweetM4** · 02-21-2011, 01:16 AM

Originally Posted by StrangerDanger

Now, we just need to get Kip to release the following items;
1. US made Disconnector
2. US made Hammer
3. Titanium Bolt Handle

3. "hybrid titanium/steel" tactical charging handle (bolt handle)
(apparently titanium is not the optimal material for the bolt handle)

**Duggan** · 02-21-2011, 01:49 AM

I actually spent the better part of an hour today trying to find my rail from Kip. It appears to have been lost during my move, tragically. I am still hopeful that I will find it in one of my yet to be unpacked boxes.

I can't help but laugh that the part that got made largely because of my thread is now eluding me once again. ****.

**StrangerDanger** · 02-21-2011, 02:48 AM

Yeah, the base of Kip's charging handle is steel. The worry is titanium will be damaged by the steel detent. Even with the steel, it is still a very light weight option. It's on par with the Design Concepts.

At least you didn't loose the mounting hardware. I just went through that pain in the ass. Might be blasphemy to have had the replacement rail for 6 months or so and not mounting it the day you received it.

Even if you don't mount anything to the top rail, the replacement is a visual enhancement.

**StrangerDanger** · 02-28-2011, 09:05 PM

**StrangerDanger** · 02-28-2011, 09:08 PM

**adamlau** · 03-01-2011, 11:32 PM

Nice bandolier. If only the CC rail supported the Mod 2 Sidearmor shell holder. I'm holding out for a center cut Sidearmor short rail unless CC can come up with something to accomodate the Mod 2 holder...

**StrangerDanger** · 03-01-2011, 11:52 PM

If I dead set on a shell carrier, I'd use this:

http://3gungear.corecommerce.com/Sho...addle-p23.html

It's cheap. It weighs nothing. It squishes flat when not in use. I have the SideArmor rail and shell carrier. The full rail crowds the iron sights. The rail is also raised higher than the factory and carriercomp unit. This exasperates the crowding.

The SideArmor carriers are heavy. Even the 4 shell unit I have weighs like 4 or 5 ounces. Then add the weight of each shell to that. 2 ounces each. So if you're rocking a larger 6 or 8 shell carrier, you're looking at a pound in bullets, and probably half a pound in carrier. Then a few additional ounces for the SideArmor top rail. It's quite wide too, it nearly doubles the thickness of the receiver. When carrying slung, this can be less than ideal.