Benelli M4 +1 mag extension

If it's legal to load as many 2-1/2" Aquila shells into a 2-3/4" only chambered shotgun, by deduction, you can install more than five 2-3/4" shells into a 3" chambered gun. They both equate to more than the allowable 5 shell law.

Trust me, old guys know stuff.

Only supposition though. gun is marked for 2-3/4" and 3" shells, not the 1-1/2" or 1-3/4". That's why the mossberg can get away with it and the benelli Can't, or else there would be a +1 extension for it looong time ago.

If I turn out to be wrong, I'll GLADLY eat my own words, maybe I'll even get my machinist to look into making a +1 for the Benelli M4 (only part I'm not sure about is the square thread pitch) But until then I'm erring on the side of caution, until I get that email back.
 
Only supposition though. gun is marked for 2-3/4" and 3" shells, not the 1-1/2" or 1-3/4". That's why the mossberg can get away with it and the benelli Can't, or else there would be a +1 extension for it looong time ago.

If I turn out to be wrong, I'll GLADLY eat my own words, maybe I'll even get my machinist to look into making a +1 for the Benelli M4 (only part I'm not sure about is the square thread pitch) But until then I'm erring on the side of caution, until I get that email back.

Can we see a picture of the cartridge length marked on the gun?
 
I have been trying to get a firm answer on this for a while now, with no luck. Today I spoke to a technician on the phone in Miramichi and they said the Benelli M4 had a factory magazine designed to hold only 4 rounds of 3". They would not give me anything in writing and advised me to contact the "real" technicians in Ottawa tomorrow, which I will do.

Here is a pic of the markings. Bottom line is the shot gun is a 3" chambered gun, designed to fire 3" shells and I should be allowed to load a tubular magazine with five 3" shells!

BenelliM4BarrelMarking.jpg
 
I have been trying to get a firm answer on this for a while now, with no luck. Today I spoke to a technician on the phone in Miramichi and they said the Benelli M4 had a factory magazine designed to hold only 4 rounds of 3". They would not give me anything in writing and advised me to contact the "real" technicians in Ottawa tomorrow, which I will do.

Here is a pic of the markings. Bottom line is the shot gun is a 3" chambered gun, designed to fire 3" shells and I should be allowed to load a tubular magazine with five 3" shells!

BenelliM4BarrelMarking.jpg

I'm no lawyer, but the way I read that is that the M4 is chambered for the 12gauge 3" or 76mm(2.99"), but it is safe to fire both 2-3/4" and 3" in the firearm.

The fact is, that the chamber is 12gauge 3", I don't see how it can be interpreted any other way than to expect to be able to hold 5 rounds in the magazine. What I could see as possible, is that the magazine be required to be long enough to accept (5) 3" rounds but no more than (5) 2-3/4", if that is physically possible. If it is not possible, I still think that the chamber size should be the default criteria to measure the magazine by.
 
A letter directly from the RCMP would be the best course, and obviously the only sure way to defend yourself, and considering I'm curious about it now, I sent off an Email asking for clarification.

Be careful what you ask for.. You might get it.
Do you really want to be regulated in minutia over every little detail..?
The perceived ambequity in the regs serves (us) as much as it appears to enslave.

I mean really... It's not like court dockets are crammed with sport shooters answering to charges regarding over cap. mags.

And I don't know if anyone's realized...
That stamp on your shotgun that lists shell sizes....
It's on the barrel... Not the mag tube.

It tells you what the gun is chambered for.. Not how many rounds fit the mag.
 
I'm no lawyer, but the way I read that is that the M4 is chambered for the 12gauge 3" or 76mm(2.99"), but it is safe to fire both 2-3/4" and 3" in the firearm.

The fact is, that the chamber is 12gauge 3", I don't see how it can be interpreted any other way than to expect to be able to hold 5 rounds in the magazine. What I could see as possible, is that the magazine be required to be long enough to accept (5) 3" rounds but no more than (5) 2-3/4", if that is physically possible. If it is not possible, I still think that the chamber size should be the default criteria to measure the magazine by.

Guaranteed the limit is 5 shells of either size as that's what the law reads. However, just because you can fit 5x3", doesn't mean you can fit 6x 2 3/4".
5x 3"= 15"
5x 2 3/4"= 13.75"
6x 2 3/4"= 16.5"

Just make damn sure your mag tube is pinned a good deal less than 16.5".
 
The way I interpret the law is that you can have 5 3" shells and that is what the RCMP is concerned with only. If you could fit in 6 2 3/4" shells it is unimportant because the gun is made for the larger size and is stamped (more so) that. Ghost loading also does not matter. My view is that it goes the way of 12-13 9mm rounds in a 40 cal mag of which there is documented proof that the RCMP doesn't care. Again you have to play to your comfort level but I'd feel comfortable with 6 2 3/4" and any fall out that came from-I also carry that RCMP letter in my range bag just in case the old guys at the range like to debate (weekly conversation).
 
OK so here it is. From the Firearms Technology unit of the RCMP in Ottawa. I acquired this information over the phone and have sent them a follow up email to get it in writing.

According to the RCMP, the Benelli M4 Super 90 has a factory magazine capacity of 4 x 3" shells (The Benelli USA website also lists it as 4+1). The law states that a magazine for a centre fire semi-auto is limited to 5 rounds.

Legally you are allowed to increase the capacity of your Benelli's factory 4 round magazine to allow it to hold 5 x 3" shells. So long as it does not hold a 6th 3" shell, you are in compliance with the law.

When I receive the email I get back regarding this, I will post it in this thread so there is no doubt.
 
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OK so here it is. From the Firearms Technology unit of the RCMP in Ottawa. I acquired this information over the phone and have sent them a follow up email to get it in writing.

According to the RCMP, the Benelli M4 Super 90 has a factory magazine capacity of 4 x 3" shells (The Benelli USA website also lists it as 4+1). The law states that a magazine for a centre fire semi-auto is limited to 5 rounds.

Legally you are allowed to increase the capacity of your Benelli's factory 4 round magazine to allow it to hold 5 x 3" shells. So long as it does not hold a 6th 3" shell, you are in compliance with the law.

When I receive the email I get back regarding this, I will post it in this thread so there is no doubt.

Thank you for that and your efforts to setting the record straight. :) Because this is going to be argued again probably next week, there should be a Q and A forum for such proven law facts to refer to.
 
Guaranteed the limit is 5 shells of either size as that's what the law reads. However, just because you can fit 5x3", doesn't mean you can fit 6x 2 3/4".
5x 3"= 15"
5x 2 3/4"= 13.75"
6x 2 3/4"= 16.5"

Just make damn sure your mag tube is pinned a good deal less than 16.5".

Your numbers above are a bit skewed. For instance, 2 3/4" shells measure closer to 2.25", not 2.75".

As far as your guarantee of what the law reads as you see it of "5 shells of either size", well, I think you know better now. :D
 
Might be cheaper to import the full length mag tubes from the US and modify them. Full length it holds 7-2 3/4" and 6-3".

Not sure what the legalities are on importing though. Steel ones are available for $75.

ht tp://davesmetalworks.com/ben4.htm

I would love to figure out a way to have a full length tube that holds the maximum 5.9 x 3" shells in a one piece design. Maybe it would have to be blocked internally? OR a custom long follower could be used somehow? Trying to think outside the box here.

I like the carriercomp tubes that are made from Titanium Alloy. They are half the weight of the factory steel tube and extension. A little price but it would be worth it I think.
 
Your numbers above are a bit skewed. For instance, 2 3/4" shells measure closer to 2.25", not 2.75".

The size of a shell is taken when the husk is fully opened. So in actuality a 3" round measures approx 2.5".

2.5" actual length x 5.9 max rnds allowed = 14.75"

That's 14.75" of actual usable magazine tube. Not taking into account the follower length, spring compression and spring retaining clip.
 
As far as your guarantee of what the law reads as you see it of "5 shells of either size", well, I think you know better now. :D

When a cop shoves 6 rounds into the tube of your M4, you can have a printout of this CGN topic handy. Good luck!

I like the carriercomp tubes that are made from Titanium Alloy. They are half the weight of the factory steel tube and extension. A little price but it would be worth it I think.

Perhaps if they're stronger. I don't think the little bit of weight loss will make a difference on the M4, it's a hog.
 
When a cop shoves 6 rounds into the tube of your M4, you can have a printout of this CGN topic handy. Good luck!

I will forward the email from the RCMP Technician to anyone who would like it.

Perhaps if they're stronger. I don't think the little bit of weight loss will make a difference on the M4, it's a hog.

In my experience, every little bit of weight savings counts. Perhaps the weight I save with the titanium tube will offset the weight of one more 2 3/4 shell. ;)
 
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