[cslinger]

I have been doing some trading and ended up with this basically brand new Beretta 1201FP for what amounts to about $450 bucks, maybe a little less.

I don't feel like I did too bad, what do you think?

Chris

http://www.hunt101.com/img/053046-big.jpg

http://www.hunt101.com/img/053045-big.jpg

[Blain]

That's, ahhhh, that's quite a side saddle you've got there! Where can I buy an 8 round side saddle???

[cslinger]

The previous owner had it custom made for the gun.

Chris

[Darrin]

Chris, you must bring that next time we have a 'recoil therapy' session!

8 shot side saddle? Yeah, that'd almost reload my 590. :D

[Dorian]

Darrin... You saw the +2 sidesaddle on the other side didn't you?

[Darrin]

Darrin... You saw the +2 sidesaddle on the other side didn't you? *scrolls back up to pictures*


Son of a ... :banghead:


:)

[Dave McCracken]

Nice looker, Chris, now BA/UU/R amd tell us how it shoots!....

[dport]

If I'm not mistaking, you can get sidesaddles like that from an outfit called 3gungear.

[cslinger]

Since I always have at least some 12 gauge fodder lying around a range session came fast.

I ran cheap Wallmart bulk stuff for it's first time out with me since I wanted to see if it would function with the side saddle loaded to capacity and light cheap ammo.

I have to say it is the smoothest shotgun I have ever shot. Recoil was negligible, lighter then the last Benelli M1 that I shot but I am not sure why. Maybe I was just having a bad day with the M1.

Functioning was perfect no malfunctions at all with cheap ammo and a decent amount of weight on the gun. The gun is fast, like really fast. Six shots are gone before you know it if you keep squeezing and once again recoil seemed downright non-existent. Maybe it is because of all the time I have been putting in with the wife's Nova with 3.5 inch shells. Maybe those big beasts have taught me to be a better shotgun shooter.

Anyway I put about 75 rounds through it and I am very happy with everything about it. This one is really just a toy for me. I wanted a fun indoor evil black long arm. My 870 and the wife's Nova are still the go to home defense guns.

Anyway after my 75 round range session I would definitely say the Beretta 1201fp is a darn nice shotgun and well worth the money you can find them for. The only two major distinctions I can see between the M1/S90 is the magazine tube is a fixed 5 shot 3inch tube that cannot be modified since the barrel attaches to the end of it and the barrel is not set up to take chokes like the Benelli. Based on those two thing I am glad I didn't pay 1000 bucks for a Benelli. Now if you plan on using the gun as an all around hunter, toy, defense, trap whatever the Benelli with it's chokes is a better way to go but as a toy/SD gun this thing is hard to beat.

I have regular stock coming in the mail so I can try it out both ways. I will let everybody know how it goes.

Chris

[00-Guy]

First post.

Actually the price is not bad. I recently acquired a very slightly used 1201FP for $499. (I have the standard stock without the pistol grip) I had shopped around and had settled on either the Beretta or the Benelli M1. Since they both function similarly I too went for the price point. I have put about 150 rounds through it mostly 00 buck. I have tried several varieties of buckshot from the major manufacters, Winchester, Remington and Federal. My choice of the bunch was the Federal Tactical Low Recoil buck. At 15 yds on a standard Q target, the pattern was a tight 12 inch max spread on the COM Q with few, if any flyers.
I would also like to concure with the original poster as to the recoil. Hardly noticeable (as compared to my JC Higgins 12 pump!). BA/UU/R

00-Guy

[OEF_VET]

Very nice Chris. I look forward to seeing it in person the weekend of the 9th-10th.

Frank

[Correia]

www.3gungear.com makes both the 8 round side saddle, and the 2 shot side mount. Really nice guys too.

[Dave McCracken]

It shoots, so it's a good deal. Enjoy!!