[Kestrel]

I have 870s and 11-87s. I found a 1201 FP in a shop in excellent shape, with approx 18-20" barrel and rifle sights.

Does this gun suffer from the same shortcomings as the Benellis? Are the sights fragile? Is this a durable, reliable gun for home defense?

Thanks,
Steve

[mete]

Benellis don't have shortcomings. The 1201 is a benelli ( beretta owns part of benelli.

[Dave McCracken]

Little bad stuff is said about the 1201, Steve, but...

It has a different MOA than the 870. I vehemently urge people to use for defense what they're used to from practice and recreation. I use 870s for everything so practice with one is practice with all.

And with 870s in the house, you've one of the best HD tools ever made.

[4wd_diesel]

Benellis don't have shortcomings.

I have to chime in here. I have a little bit of a grudge against benelli and this is why. My brother and I both bought brand new super black eagles in about 1997 or 98. My gun patterned 12" low at 40 yards and my brothers patterned 14.5" low at 40 yards. I have talked to quite a few super black owners that experienced the same problem with their weapon. The early super black eagles had a design flaw that caused them to shoot low. This is FACT. Benelli changed the rib and stock configuration on the SBE about a year ago to correct this problem. I was very displeased when i shelled out over 1000 bucks for what was supposed to be the ultimate autoloader. It really leaves a bad taste in my mouth to know that benelli would engineer a gun---know darn good and well it has a flaw-- and manufacture and sell thousands and thousands of them anyway. It is no coincidence that my brother and I had this problem(along with dozens of other SBE owners I have spoken with). It is common knowledge that this problem existed. I called ballistic specialties shortly after I realized the problem existed with that gun. I asked the tech on the phone if they could do anything for a gun that shoots 12" low at 40 yards......his reply was "lemme guess............an SBE?" needless to say my brother and I traded off our SBE's and moved on to properly engineered weapons. Matt

[Andrew Wyatt]

Benellis don't have shortcomings. They don't like dirt.