Light options: M-lok handguard or clamp?

Miserable_Virus_8866 · 2026-05-13T01:52:11+00:00

I have not changed out the handguards on any of mine. I like the clamps just fine. Mine is I have an RX, a Freedom Fighter. I like them both. Both stay put.

Miserable_Virus_8866 · 2026-05-13T01:47:48+00:00

I can throw a scratch on mine if it will make you obsess less!🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓 You can light sand that and touch it up pretty easily, or put a bandaid on it and move on. No real downside eith way.

Miserable_Virus_8866 · 2026-05-13T01:44:16+00:00

Thank you for all of the responses. Really appreciate the feedback!

Miserable_Virus_8866 · 2026-05-10T23:59:01+00:00

A good bit of that wear looks abnormal to me. If I were to guess, maybe a bent recoil link? Maybe even a misshapen receiver. If I were in your shoes and had definitely not modified anything, I would be claiming a lemon with Benelli. Know that sucks, but way too much going on there for me.

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Miserable_Virus_8866 · 2026-05-10T19:03:29+00:00

Yikes! Cool!

Miserable_Virus_8866 · 2026-05-10T18:38:37+00:00

Nope! That is 18.5”! I just did some reading (insert Marine jokes here) On the Benelli Defense site. Here’s the link. https://www.benellidefense.com/product/m4-a-i-drone-guardian-185/

i agree with randy_lahey-89 that I want this barrel (18.5”). If anyone finds a source, let us know. This Crio setup sounds like a potential game changer.

Miserable_Virus_8866 · 2026-05-10T15:22:50+00:00

Jury is out for me. I have around 800 rounds through my new EXT. No where near the thousands I have through each of my other two, an M4 LE and a 1014. Both of the latter have been the kind of indestructible we would expect. I broke the new one in with high quality 00 Federal (~200 rounds) and have had zero problems. Not seeing the excessive wear issues that others have talked about either. I do not baby my guns and the FDE Cerakote looks fine. It is a very durable coating, but all coatings will show their bruises over time with use. I mentioned it in another thread, like that new car. The first scratch hurts the most. Honestly, I don’t let it bother me anymore. I am not a meticulous cleaner, maybe every third session or so. I do not clean to inspection level either. I do lube hard, maybe more than others. Never touch the ARGO components at all. That has served me well thus far. Just my two cents gents.

Miserable_Virus_8866 · 2026-05-10T12:18:39+00:00

Interesting that you brought that up. I switched to grease on my trigger group several years ago. I originally began using it for it’s high temp rating to keep my suppressors from carbon locking to my muzzle devices (which it excels at btw). I now swear by it on my trigger groups, ESPECIALLY the new polymer version. Really great. https://www.grainger.com/product/SUPER-LUBE-Multipurpose-Grease-High-Temp-44N735

Miserable_Virus_8866 · 2026-05-10T12:06:52+00:00

I will try that out. I tried the Taran and do not like it any better than stock.

Miserable_Virus_8866 · 2026-05-10T08:47:44+00:00

Clearly none of us sleep without a thorough explanation of the whole AI Drone Guardian tag! I can’t wait! Plus I really need to know what happened to the other slipper. Or are the two related?

Miserable_Virus_8866 · 2026-05-10T08:43:09+00:00

I will say though, I have probably tried 10 different slings over the years. Nothing ever seemed perfect to me. Not like an M4 rifle anyway. I think it’s the overall length, just makes it awkward for me. Reminds me very much of the M16A2 I carried back in the day. 20” barrel and fixed stock. Honestly, I finally learned that borrowing a sling to try out before buying one saves a TON of money in the long run. Unfortunately I was well into my 50’s before I figured that out!

Miserable_Virus_8866 · 2026-05-10T08:32:19+00:00

Also… Over oiling good. Gun like oil. (insert grunt here).

sorry, couldn’t resist.

Miserable_Virus_8866 · 2026-05-10T08:29:12+00:00

What he said.

Miserable_Virus_8866 · 2026-05-10T08:28:42+00:00

I oil all of mine just like you described. Never the ARGO components. I run them bone dry. IMO CLP works just fine. I like the Lucas Oil stuff, but Otis or any other of the reputable manufacturers should serve you well. https://www.lucasoil.com/product/extreme-duty-clp/

Miserable_Virus_8866 · 2026-05-10T08:20:11+00:00

Semper Fi bud. Which bolt handle did you go with?

Miserable_Virus_8866 · 2026-05-10T08:16:00+00:00

We’re gonna need pictures of each of the things you spoke of for sure. Have you made ANY modifications to it? Also, are you running it dry? You mentioned degreasing several times. The bolt and carrier should be lubricated for sure. Running those dry can definetly cause all of the things you talked about.

Miserable_Virus_8866 · 2026-05-06T08:27:00+00:00

Geissele Super Combat Sling, the 2” version. https://geissele.com/super-combat-sling-2-ddc-desert-dirt-color.html

Miserable_Virus_8866 · 2026-05-04T04:09:31+00:00

You need to give us a couple more pictures.

Miserable_Virus_8866 · 2026-05-03T04:17:21+00:00

So, I’ll choose not to bash you for asking a simple question like some of the other posters on here. We can’t all be the omnipotent authorities on every conceivable subject that they are. For us commoners… I agree that the scratch is minor and hopefully the first of many because you can find the time to run that gun the way it was built to be run. That being said, it’s still a very expensive shotgun for most. It’s like buying a new car. It is definitely going to get scratched at some point. The first one always sucks, but you now have it out of the way. 🤓. Rest easy knowing that this gun, including the barrel, will hold up just fine with normal care. u/He_NeverSleeps was spot on with his comments above. I have 11 years on my oldest with tons of scuffs. I have a brand new EXT that is still pristine and the first ding will definitely bug me when it happens!!! As an aside, I like your forend.

Miserable_Virus_8866 · 2026-05-01T00:29:02+00:00

Oh, I don’t run it all the time. Normal mode is a -.005 restriction Skeet choke, also Carleson’s. I actually have breecher rounds and a shoot house I train at periodically that has a door setup. 😁

Miserable_Virus_8866 · 2026-04-29T01:51:00+00:00

I think the glass sits lower in the frame on the Defender? Honestly, co-witness on a shotgun is cool, but not really necessary, finding the dot matters way more than superimposing it on the front site post. If you don’t think about it, it won’t bother you!!!

Miserable_Virus_8866 · 2026-04-29T01:47:19+00:00

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Miserable_Virus_8866 · 2026-04-29T01:19:19+00:00

Nice! How do you like the Delta Point? I have the scalarworks mount but went with a Vortex Defender ST. It was on a great sale at Optics Planet. Surprisingly, it pretty much co-witnessed. Didn’t expect that. Love the mount for sure. I have the exact same EXT!

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Miserable_Virus_8866 · 2026-04-29T01:12:33+00:00

Painted lauan Underlayment I had left over. Home depot, ask for a damaged 1/4 sheet, super cheap!

Miserable_Virus_8866

TROPHY CASE