Best Benelli M4 Recoil Tube

The Best Benelli M4 Recoil Tube: A 6-Position Upgrade Worth Making

If you run a Benelli M4 or M1014, the recoil tube is one of those parts you don't think about — until it's the reason your stock won't adjust the way you want. Whether you're stuck with the OEM 3-position tube or the fixed single-position tube found on civilian M1014 models, Shell Tactical's Benelli M4 Recoil Tube is a direct-fit upgrade that solves both problems — and looks better doing it.

Six Positions Instead of Three (or One)

The biggest upgrade here is simple: more adjustability. This aftermarket recoil tube gives you six length-of-pull settings, each spaced about 0.75" apart, plus a dedicated take-down notch for stock removal. Length of pull (LOP) is measured from the center of the trigger to the center of the stock:

• Position 1: 9.25" LOP — Fully Collapsed. For compact transport and storage.
• Position 2: 11.25" LOP — Shortened length of pull for close-quarters use.
• Position 3: 12" LOP — Intermediate setting, useful with body armor or added gear.
• Position 4: 12.75" LOP — Intermediate setting for a range of body types and stances.
• Position 5: 13.5" LOP — Near-full extension for most standard shooting.
• OFF (Take-Down Notch) — Sits between positions 5 and 6, used for removing the collapsible stock.
• Position 6: 14.25" LOP — Fully extended, maximum length of pull.

Compare that to what you're working with today:

• OEM 3-position tube (Part# 70130 & 70043): Only three settings — fully collapsed (9.25" LOP), a mid position (12.25" LOP), and fully extended (14.25" LOP). That's a lot of ground to cover with very few stops in between.
• OEM 1-position tube (M1014 civilian models): Fixed at 14.25" LOP. No adjustability at all — the collapsible stock on these guns literally can't collapse.

Going from one or three fixed positions to six evenly spaced options means you can actually dial in a length of pull that fits your body, your stance, or your gear setup (like body armor) — not just pick the closest of two or three compromises.

Precision-Machined Positions That Actually Lock In

Each of the six positions is marked with a clear indicator line and an engraved number (2, 3, 4, 5, OFF, 6) so you always know exactly which setting you're on at a glance — no guessing, no counting clicks. The notches themselves are precision machined, so when the stock locks into a position, it stays there with little to no play or movement. That kind of positive, repeatable lockup matters when you're transitioning between positions in the field and need the stock to feel exactly the same every time you set it.

A Finish That Actually Matches Your Receiver

One of the most overlooked details on OEM recoil tubes is the finish — it often doesn't quite match the anodized black finish on the M4/M1014 receiver or the collapsible stock, leaving a visible mismatch where the stock meets the receiver. This tube is finished in a deep black nitride coating that's not only durable and corrosion-resistant, it also matches the anodized receiver finish far more closely than the OEM tube does. It's a small detail, but it makes the whole gun look more cohesive instead of like it's wearing mismatched parts.

Solves the M1014 "Won't Collapse" Problem

If you own a civilian M1014 — identifiable by the American flag engraving on the receiver — you've probably discovered that your "collapsible" stock doesn't actually collapse. That's not a defect; it's by design. Benelli ships these guns with a single-position recoil tube fixed in the fully extended position to comply with 922(r) regulations for import into the U.S. Swapping in this 6-position tube restores full stock adjustability. Just make sure you're compliant with 922(r) parts-count regulations before making the swap.

Build Quality and Installation

The tube is machined from high-quality steel and finished in black nitride for long-term durability and wear resistance. The retaining ring comes pre-installed, so it's ready to go out of the box, and all of the internal parts from your old recoil tube (spring, buffer, etc.) can be reused — the new tube ships without internals besides the retaining ring. Installation involves heating the thread locker to remove the old tube and nut; detailed instructions are available as a PDF from Shell Tactical.

Compatibility note: This tube is designed specifically for the Benelli M4 and M1014. It is not compatible with the Benelli M4 EXT collapsible stock which uses a different style of recoil tube, and it will not fit clones.

The Bottom Line

Whether you're upgrading from a limited 3-position OEM tube or unlocking a fixed M1014 tube for the first time, this 6-position recoil tube gives you meaningfully more control over your stock's fit, a finish that actually matches your receiver, and positions that lock in tight thanks to precision machining. For a reasonable price, it's a straightforward upgrade that fixes multiple annoyances in one part.

You can find it here: Benelli M4 Recoil Tube — Shell Tactical