Why exactly are they the "finest semi autos ever made" if they don't work all that great unless you're feeding them 3" mags? Any POS will work with that kind of power cycling it.
Probably a dumb question, but have you really, really cleaned them? I mean totally strip it and absolutely soaked it in solvent? They ship with that anti-rust crap that prohibits the semi-auto action from working well with lighter loads.
Fair question. But when I typed the bit about not reaching their full potential without the big loads ... it did not mean they fail to function when using the lighter loads ... with the exception of the cheap target 7.5 and #8 stuff from Wally World. I wouldn't trust them for that but then again, nothing will reliable cycle that stuff 100% of the time except for pumps, side by sides and over and unders.
What I meant with my comment was that the M4 is meant to be pounded ... so it does not reach its full potential unless you are pounding the crap out of them - which I happen to like. I feel good sending 3" double-ought down range as fast as I can pull the trigger knowing it'll keep going bang. It eats up the 2 3/4" stuff too, in double-ought, #1, #3, etc. And it is the finest slug gun I own in terms of accuracy. But me personally, I like feeding them the 3" mag loads - most of my own recipe.
And yeah, I've really really broken both of mine all the way down and cleaned them ... being ex-military we do stuff like that with all of our firearms. I love the design and the anti corrosion finish ... it's some kind of teflon or something. Mine came with bottles of teflon oil made specifically for them so I use it as the final coat once all the cleaning is done. I pull pistons, springs, extractors, etc., after a hard day at the range ... we live in a sand pit every bit as dusty as overseas where our combat troops are now. The thing always goes boom no matter how badly I abuse mine and I am prone to abusing my tactical stuff more than most. Now, if you are talking about the cosmolene like stuff that was on it when it shipped ... that came off about five cleanings and 2,000 rounds ago on the desert cammo and about fifty cleanings and 10,000 rounds ago on the swat black ... which I bought used.
Personally I'd say that an FN Herstal SLP is a more reasonable comparison.
I wouldn't disagree if the SLP was something new that was being touted as the lower price point equal to the M4, which it is not. It is lower priced, yes, but I am not sure it is an equal, speaking of the Mossey that it.
The SLP is sweet, no doubt about it, and most consider it the tweener between the two mentioned ... better fit and finish than the SPX and less expensive than the M4. But the thing I like about the M4, in terms of reviews and feedback, was that they are practically indestructible and can go upwards of 30,000 rounds with no problems ... firing hot loads. I like that a lot.
I'm going to go ahead and say this about the SLP too. First of all, I am a big fan of FN. They employ a lot of people, many of my friends around here. And they do a fantastic job on our service weapons. But when it comes to the SLP there were some issues when I investigated just a bit. Number one was poor customer service where the SLP was concerned. Number two, they have the same problems firing the lighter loads as the M4 if you get one with the heavy pistons. Number 3, and again I want to emphasize that they are made right here not far from my home, the SLP is considered the one market that FN probably shouldn't have tried to compete in because the Mosseys and Benellies totally dominate ... and subsequently, because of poorer than expected sales, there is little aftermarket offerings for them, even fewer spare parts just incase you needed them, and for that matter, unless you get lucky and catch them right after they've made a run over there you'll have problems finding one in the first place a lot of times.
Anyways ... just saying, since you asked.
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