If you’re a proud owner of a Benelli M4, you know it’s not just about the thrill of shooting. It’s also about the satisfaction of maintaining your firearm in top-notch condition. That’s why I’m here to guide you on how to clean your Benelli M4 effectively.
Cleaning your Benelli M4 isn’t just a chore, it’s a necessity. A clean firearm ensures reliable performance and extends the life of your weapon. In this article, we’ll delve into the step-by-step process of cleaning your Benelli M4, ensuring it’s ready for your next shooting adventure.
Why Cleaning Your Benelli M4 is Important
You may be tempted to think of cleaning your Benelli M4 as a tedious chore. Yet it’s crucial not to overlook this key aspect of firearm maintenance. Here’s why.
Inevitably; grime, dust, and powder residue accumulate when firing rounds. Failing to clean, this will lead to your firearm’s degraded performance over time. Don’t you want to rely on your M4 to perform flawlessly on your hunting trips or shooting events? That’s what I thought!
Sticking to a regular cleaning routine ensures dependable performance. Essentially, it keeps your M4 running smoothly, just as its manufacturers intended. You own a Benelli, which only means you don’t merely settle for anything less than top-quality performance and reliability.
Preventative maintenance is your best ally against potential damage. If left unattended, the build-up of grime and residue can cause excessive wear and tear on your M4’s vital components. Over time, this could lead to malfunctioning or damage that may require costly repairs or even a new firearm.
Extend the lifespan of your Benelli M4. Regular cleaning does more than just boost performance; it lengthens the lifespan of your firearm. By treating your M4 with care, you’re effectively preserving your valuable investment.
Gathering the Necessary Cleaning Supplies
Before we delve deeper into the cleaning process, let’s first gather all the necessary supplies you’ll need for a successful Benelli M4 cleaning session. From my experience, I’ve found that having all the supplies I need right from the start not only makes the whole process smoother, but it also saves me a ton of time.
So, what are these cleaning essentials? Let’s break it down:
- Cleaning Solvent: This is the most critical part of your cleaning arsenal. My advice? Opt for a quality cleaning solvent specifically designed for firearms. This will ensure it adequately dissolves grime, dust, and powder residue without causing any harm to your Benelli M4.
- Lubricant: Gun parts rub against each other, creating friction that can cause significant wear and tear over time. Quality firearm lubricant helps to reduce this friction, offering smoother operation and adding to the lifespan of your firearm.
- Cleaning Rods and Brushes: You’ll need these to pass the cleaning patches and solvent through the gun barrel. Brushes made from brass or nylon are my personal favorites . They’re strong enough to scrub away any stubborn grime but gentle enough not to scratch the inside of your barrel.
- Cleaning Patches: The patches are to mop up any solvent or oil that remains in the barrel following cleaning.
- Gun Mat: A good gun mat offers a clean, scratch-free surface where you can disassemble your Benelli M4 and lay out its parts.
- Disposable Gloves: These offer an extra layer of protection for your hands from harmful chemicals in the cleaning solvent and lubricant.
Although these supplies can easily be found either online or in local hunting and shooting sports stores, I find it more convenient to buy a pre-assembled gun cleaning kit. Aside from being user-friendly, these kits often come with all the essentials we’ve just discussed in one handy package.
Now we know what we’ll need for a successful cleaning, it’s time to talk strategy and get into the nitty-gritty of how to clean your Benelli M4.
Step 1: Unloading and Safety Precautions
When you’re preparing to clean your Benelli M4, the first and most crucial step is ensuring safe handling. Prior to commencing the cleaning process, make it a rule to always unload your firearm first. I can’t stress enough the importance of this safety measure.
Begin by double-checking the chamber and magazine. This step guarantees there are no remaining rounds in the firearm. Overlooking this vital precaution could lead to unintended discharges.
Another critical aspect is picking a well-lit, distraction-free environment for cleaning. It’s easier to spot critical elements and potential issues in a clean, well-lit space. Remember, a well-maintained firearm not only extends its lifespan but also ensures it functions at peak efficiency.
Next, let’s tackle the task of dismantling or field stripping the shotgun. The Benelli M4 is designed to be easily deconstructed for cleaning. This breakdown process isn’t as intimidating as it might seem, especially once learnt.
However, every firearm is unique. Before disassembling, I recommend a quick review of your firearm’s specific user manual to familiarize yourself with the proper disassembly procedure.
To protect your hands from cleaning chemicals and to avoid leaving oils from your skin on the firearm, wearing disposable gloves is considered a good practice. The gloves you’ll find in our recommended cleaning supply list should fit the bill nicely. Referring back to this list would help streamline the preparation process.
Follow these safety precautions at all times when cleaning. It’s not just about maintaining your firearm’s condition – it’s also about securing your safety and the safety of those around you in the process. And don’t worry – we’ll delve deeper into the details as we walk through the remaining steps in this guide. It won’t be long before cleaning your Benelli M4 becomes second nature.
Step 2: Disassembling Your Benelli M4
Starting with the disassembly of your Benelli M4, it’s necessary to break it down into its main components. This process isn’t as daunting as it might seem. If followed carefully, ensuring each piece gets the attention it deserves, you’ll not only elongate the lifespan of your firearm but also improve its performance and precision.
First off, you’ll need to remove the magazine cap. This is done by rotating it counter-clockwise until it comes free from the rest of the device. It’s of utmost importance to keep track of each part removed, organizing them in a manner that allows for easy reassembly.
Next, comes the removal of the barrel. With the magazine cap off, I find that the barrel and forend come off quite freely. Again, store these pieces where they will be out of the way but also where they’re certain not to get lost.
Following the barrel and forend, comes the breech bolt and breech bolt slide. Here’s a quick overview of how to handle this:
- While maintaining a firm hold on the cocking handle, slide the breech bolt to the rear and unscrew the cocking handle by turning it clockwise.
- After removing the cocking handle, compress the breech bolt and breech bolt slide inward and remove them together.
zThis disassembly process ensures we have individual parts segregated and ready for the cleaning that follows.
As we move forward in this detailed guide, the next section will take you through the necessary products and tools for efficiently cleaning your Benelli M4. Remember, every step taken is an investment in the firearm’s reliability and lifespan. Let’s ensure we’ve got the right tools on hand when we delve into the cleaning process.
Step 3: Cleaning the Barrel and Chamber
Once you’ve disassembled the Benelli M4, you’re all set to start cleaning the individual parts. The barrel and chamber usually require detailed cleaning due to the build-up of residues from fired rounds. You’ll need the right cleaning tools and products for this job; let’s look at those first.
Gun cleaner or solvent plays a significant role in any gun cleaning job. There’s a variety available in the market, but make sure the one you choose is suitable for a Benelli M4. A high-quality gun cleaner can penetrate the setbacks and residues effectively and loosen them for removal.
Another essential tool is a cleaning rod with a bore brush. A set of differently sized bore brushes could come in handy for cleaning varying diameters within the gun. The rod moves the bore brush back and forth inside the barrel and chamber, effectively scrubbing off any residues.
A supply of cleaning patches is also necessary. After using the bore brush, push a cleaning patch soaked in the gun cleaner through the barrel and chamber, and follow with dry patches until they come out clean.
With the right tools and cleaner in hand, we’re ready to clean the barrel and chamber. Firstly, thoroughly spray the inside of the barrel and chamber with the gun cleaner. Let it sit for a while to allow the cleaning solution to dissolve greasy residues.
Next, use the cleaning rod and bore brush to scrub these regions. Make multiple back-and-forth passes until you’re confident all residues are loosened.
After scrubbing, soak a cleaning patch in your gun cleaner and push it through the barrel, followed by dry patches. This process will ‘swab out’ the loosened filth, and the dry patches absorb any remaining cleaner.
Repeat this scrubbing and swabbing process a few times until a pushed-through dry patch comes out clean. Once that happens, you’ll know the barrel and chamber are spotless.
The process of cleaning the barrel and chamber can be tedious and time-consuming, but it’s all worth it: a clean gun is a reliable, safe, and more accurate gun. Let’s move on to cleaning the other parts of your Benelli M4. After all, we’re not done yet. The next part we’ll tackle is the breech bolt.
Step 4: Cleaning the Action and Bolt Carrier Group
Now that we’ve finished cleaning the barrel and chamber, the next key component we’ll tackle is the action and bolt carrier group. This is a crucial area of the shotgun that ensures smooth and functional operation of your Benelli M4.
Firstly, start by disassembling the action and bolt carrier group. It’s simple – just follow your Benelli M4’s user manual. If you find it complex, there are numerous videos online that guide you through the process. Once you have disassembled the parts, get ready to rid them of all dirt, carbon deposits, and any potential rust.
To clean these components effectively, I recommend using a high-quality gun cleaner or solvent. Apply a small amount of solvent on a clean, soft patch or cloth, and gently wipe each component. It’s vital to reach all the corners and crevices where grime and debris tend to accumulate. Brushing the bolt carrier group lightly with a quality gun brush will loosen stubborn contaminants.
Moving forward, let’s talk about the gun oil. This isn’t just a typical lubricant. The best gun oils will provide rust prevention and superior lubrication ensuring peak performance of your firearm. Apply it sparingly at the bolt carrier group and action. It’s enough to keep your firearm lubricated without attracting dirt and dust, significantly reducing the wear and tear.
One last important note – when reassembling your action and bolt carrier group, ensure all parts align properly. A misaligned assembly won’t just affect your firearm’s functionality but could lead to long-term damage.
We’ve only got a few more crucial components to clean, starting with the shotgun’s gas system. Stay tuned as I’ll gradually guide you through each step, ensuring you maintain the optimal performance and longevity of your Benelli M4.
Step 5: Cleaning the Stock and Magazine Tube
Just as it’s paramount to maintain the action and bolt carrier group in tiptop shape, attention must also be paid to the stock and magazine tube of your Benelli M4. Over time, grime and residue can accumulate in these parts, impacting the smooth action of your shotgun.
To clean the stock, it’s always good to use a cloth soaked in a decent gun cleaner. Brush off large, noticeable debris with your hand or a dry cloth before starting. Resident dust particles can often be shaken loose but stubborn areas may require a light scrub. Avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive materials that could potentially harm the stock’s finish.
The magazine tube, on the other hand, necessitates its own special cleaning regimen. It’s not as straightforward as wiping down the stock. Before you start, ensure that the magazine tube is unloaded. Safety should never be compromised during the cleaning process.
To clean the magazine tube:
- Use a shotgun-cleaning rod with a brush attachment and a high-quality gun cleaner. The brush should match the tube’s diameter or be slightly larger to ensure all residue is removed.
- Carefully insert the brush into the tube and scrub in a back-and-forth motion, twisting the rod occasionally to get at gritty particles clinging to the sides.
- Following this, it’s a good idea to wipe the inside with a dry cloth to remove any remaining dust, debris or solvent.
After cleaning, apply a thin layer of gun oil on the outside of the magazine tube. This acts as a protective layer against rust and other elements. Remember, too much oil can attract dust and dirt, so usage should be sparing.
This step in the cleaning process is fundamentally important. Now that you’ve got your stock and magazine tube shining like new, it’s time to move on to the final parts. The trigger assembly and barrel await our dedicated attention. All these steps ensure that your Benelly M4 remains dependable, efficient and ready for anything.
Step 6: Lubricating Your Benelli M4
Before we move on to cleaning the trigger assembly and barrel parts, lubricating the Benelli M4 is crucial. Not only does it help reduce friction between moving parts, but lubrication also protects the firearm from corrosion, helping to prolong its life. Let’s take a look at the easy steps to effectively lubricate your Benelli M4.
Firstly, I’ll prioritize the high-friction zones. These areas include the bolt carrier, the slide rail, and the hammer track located inside the trigger assembly. Use a high-quality gun lubricant and apply a minimal amount using a small brush or a dropper. It’s best to keep it light – over-lubrication can cause blockages or attract unwanted dirt and particles, leading to poor firearm performance.
After applying a layer of the lubricant, remember to spread it evenly across these parts. You can use a soft, lint-free cloth or patches to do this. Make sure the lubricant covers the parts entirely but isn’t dripping off. You want a nice, thin film of oil – not a puddle.
While this process focuses on lubrication, it’s important to note that certain parts of your Benelli M4, like the choke threads and magazine tube from outside, require greasing instead of oiling. You should apply a small amount of gun grease to these parts, again ensuring that a thin, consistent layer is achieved.
Finally, after application, don’t rush to assemble the firearm. Instead, give it some time. Let the lubricant absorb into the metal for optimum protective benefits. Instantly putting the firearm in use might not give you the desired reduction in friction or corrosion protection.
Alright, you’re done with the lubrication part now. The next thing I’ll guide you through is cleaning the trigger assembly and barrel, so stick around.
Step 7: Reassembling Your Benelli M4
The path to successfully maintaining any firearm lies in mastering the art of reassembly. And it’s no different with the Benelli M4. We’ve lubed up and perfected our parts, now comes the meticulous task of putting it all back together.
Let’s dive right in.
Start from where we took off. Reinstall the trigger assembly first. Align the assembly keyholes with the connecting pins on the gun’s frame. Once they’re aligned, push firmly until you feel it click into place. A well lubricated gun assembly will fit back together comfortably, so don’t force it.
Next, refit the bolt carrier and slide it backward until it’s all the way in. The process is somewhat intuitive, just reverse the disassembly process. But remember, patience and precision are key components of successful firearm reassembly.
While reassembling, keep a watchful eye out. Random leftover parts are a no-go in this process. If any parts are left, you’ve missed a step, backtrack and fix it. This process needs perfect execution, the smallest miss could affect the functionality of your firearm.
To install the barrel, we’re back to the reverse of disassembly. Align it right, then twist and push it forward till it locks up with the rest of the gun assembly. Then match the handle of your bolt assembly to the hole in the bolt carrier and fix it. Make sure it’s on the right groove to avoid damage.
Lastly, lock the end cap back into position and fasten it securely. You’re nearly there, just a few more steps to go. We’ll unleash those secrets in the upcoming paragraphs.
Get ready to delve more deeply into the process, ensuring your firearm remains at optimum for a long time to come.
Step 8: Final Inspection and Function Check
Alright then, now that we’ve gotten to this point, it’s necessary for me to emphasize the utmost importance of a thorough inspection and function check. Not only for ensuring that I’ve assembled my Benelli M4 correctly, but more significantly for ensuring its optimal performance and safety.
First thing’s first: I make it a point to do a swift visual examination. Checking the bolt’s operation, making sure it slides smoothly and locks firmly when closed, is always part of my regime. If, upon inspection, there are issues like the bolt not closing properly or any visible damage to its parts, disassembling and checking for the culprit remains my best option.
After that, I typically carry out a function check as follows:
- Ensuring the bolt remains locked back, I examine whether the bolt release functions as expected with a mere push of the button.
- I check to confirm that when I pull the trigger, there’s a crisp break.
- Finally, I examine the trigger reset mechanism.
Remember, any issues found during the final function check might indicate a need for a detailed trouble-shooting or a professional’s intervention. There might be a chance that some parts may not fit perfectly, remember the golden rule: do not force them. Try a different approach, or seek the help of an expert if necessary. While it may seem tedious or seem to stretch your patience thin, ensuring safety truly comes down to this final diligent inspection and function check.
Continuing this comprehensive guide, I’ll delve deeper into maintaining a Benelli M4 in the subsequent sections.
Conclusion
So, we’ve walked through the process of cleaning a Benelli M4, emphasizing the importance of a thorough inspection and function check during reassembly. Remember, it’s crucial to visually examine your firearm and check the bolt’s operation. Don’t skip the function check, which includes verifying the bolt release, trigger break, and trigger reset mechanism. If you’re ever unsure or feel like you’re forcing parts, it’s best to seek professional help. Keep following my blog for more tips and insights on maintaining your Benelli M4. With the right care and attention, your firearm will serve you well for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is a thorough inspection and function check important when reassembling a Benelli M4 firearm?
A: A thorough inspection and function check ensure that all parts are in proper working condition, reducing the risk of malfunctions or accidents when using the firearm.
Q: What should be included in the visual examination?
A: The visual examination should include checking for any visible damage, ensuring proper alignment of parts, and identifying any missing or loose components.
Q: What is involved in the function check of a Benelli M4?
A: The function check of a Benelli M4 includes checking the bolt release, trigger break, and trigger reset mechanism to ensure they are functioning correctly.
Q: What should I do if I encounter resistance or difficulty during reassembly?
A: If you encounter resistance or difficulty during reassembly, do not force any parts. Seek professional help or consult the manufacturer for assistance.
Q: Are there additional maintenance tips for maintaining a Benelli M4?
A: Additional maintenance tips for maintaining a Benelli M4 will be provided in the subsequent sections of the article.
Recent Comments