Beretta 1201FP and Benelli Super Black Eagle Questions

[4552ZULU]

I bought a Beretta 1201 FP with a 20" barrel in 1993 and I was always going to buy a 28" barrel but my job got in the way.

I just retired and now am able to devote more time to my guns.

I just bought a Benelli Super Black Eagle II and then I started to remember that I was going to get a longer barrel for my Beretta.

While looking for a longer barrel for the Beretta today, I found out that most people are saying that they can't get any barrels for the 1201FP.

I guess you can tell that I don't know much about shotguns.

Maybe I should just keep the 1201FP around the house for personal protection.

Even with a longer barrel, the 1201FP probably couldn't keep up with the Benelli Super Black Eagle.

Should I have bought the Benelli Super Black Eagle - American Series?

I would appreciate any help or suggestions I can get.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Congrats on your retirement.

You have two good shotguns. I'd skip a longer barrel on the Beretta and use the Benelli for most stuff. It's been a while since I shot a 1201 and can't recall the controls.

If they share ergos, shoot the SBEII and keep the Beretta for defense.

If they do not, shoot the Beretta frequently to keep your "Chops" up.

HTH...

 

[4552ZULU]

Dave,

Thanks for your advice.

I didn't realize that so many years had passed since I bought the Beretta and I didn't realize that a high tech gun might ever go out of production … silly me.

When you drive a big truck all over America, it's pretty tough to find time to shoot.

Before that, for 2 years I used to load up the motorhome and go up to the high desert south of Barstow, CA and shoot for the whole weekend. I got pretty good at shooting shotgun hulls that were charging at me.

I have a .22 Rimfire in all the different actions and I used to go through a brick every weekend. By shooting so much .22, recoil was no longer a factor when I picked up bigger stuff like my .454 Casull … I just concentrated on the release and didn't give any thought as to what would happen after I pulled the trigger. As they say, "If the recoil is going to kill you, there is no sense in flinching."

As a bonus for helping me out, here's a cute story that I heard 30 years ago.

“I want to tell you about the 45-52 Zulu Gun. It’s the most amazing gun you’ll ever see. You’d have to see it to believe it. It’s a 45-52 Zulu Gun built upon an automatic frame. It’ll shoot nine times before you can cock it and ten times before you can stop it. If you hold it on the left it says, “If you hold me square, I’ll shoot him fair.” If you hold it on the right it says, “If you hold me level, I’ll shoot the Devil.” Then he would move his hand in a snake-like fashion forward and back again when he said, “It shoots the bewitching cannon ball. If it goes by and misses you, it’ll back right up and hit you. Don’t allow you no chance at all!”

 

[dogsoldier0513]

Two AWESOME guns! I have both a 1201FP and a Benelli M1 Super90. They are ALMOST the same guns, with only the shell carrier activation button location being different.

The 1201FP developed from the Beretta 1200. The 1200 was originaly marketed toward waterfowlers. IF you were to change the barrel on your 1201FP, you'd also have to change the magazine tube, as the one on your 1201FP is too long.

www.gunparts.corp may have the parts for your 1201FP, should you want to pirsue the change. HOWEVER....I'm with the others in advising you to keep the 1201FP AS IS for home defense.

ONE possible change, though...and I HIGHLY recommend it: install a pistol grip buttstock on the 1201FP. The one for the Benelli M1 Super90 fit, and MidwayUSA sells the Choate stock, which is EXCELLENT! Your shoulder will thank you!

 

[FAS1]

Two AWESOME guns! I have both a 1201FP and a Benelli M1 Super90. They are ALMOST the same guns, with only the shell carrier activation button location being different.

The 1201FP developed from the Beretta 1200. The 1200 was originaly marketed toward waterfowlers. IF you were to change the barrel on your 1201FP, you'd also have to change the magazine tube, as the one on your 1201FP is too long.

www.gunparts.corp may have the parts for your 1201FP, should you want to pirsue the change. HOWEVER....I'm with the others in advising you to keep the 1201FP AS IS for home defense.

ONE possible change, though...and I HIGHLY recommend it: install a pistol grip buttstock on the 1201FP. The one for the Benelli M1 Super90 fit, and MidwayUSA sells the Choate stock, which is EXCELLENT! Your shoulder will thank you!

I have the 1201FP w/the Choate stock and it is a great HD shotgun and has been my choice for many years now. I also have a Benelli Super 90 with a 28" barrel for my all around field gun. I love both guns for their purposes and never feel like I need to upgrade to something newer. I vote to keep the 1201FP for personal protection and I do like the combo stock on mine.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Thanks for the story. If your local range allows short barrels, shoot some skeet with the 1201. When you can hit doubles, you're probably good enough with that for HD....

 

[4552ZULU]

Dave,

I hate to admit it but the only time I ever shot skeet was with my 1201 and I was 3 for 20 or 25 … whatever the number is supposed to be.

I am just terrible at shooting stuff that moves but am great at stuff that stands still.

Now that I'm retired, I promise to buy a clay pigeon thrower and practice, practice, practice.

I went to the gun store today and was able to change my order from the Benelli Super Black Eagle to the Benelli Super Vinci.

I think I will follow the advice of dogsoldier0513 and FAS1 and get a pistol grip stock for my 1201.

Hey guys, thanks for all the good advice!!!

 

[Dave McCracken]

You're very welcome. Enjoy your fine guns.

As for shooting skeet, your problem would be hardware or software.

Software, work on your swing and keep your focus on the leading edge of the bird.

Hardware, your gun doesn't fit you. Read the stickies about that and make it so.

 

[FAS1]

Hardware, your gun doesn't fit you. Read the stickies about that and make it so.

Great point. When I purchased my Benelli I went to several gun stores and shouldered several shotguns I was interested in. This one just felt natural to me. That was the deciding factor when I made my decision.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Works for me, Fas1. Feel is entirely subjective, but important.

A quick check for fit....

Make sure your shotgun is unloaded, then check it again. Focus on the corner point where the ceiling and walls meet. Close your eyes and mount your gun. Open your eyes and see if it's pointed where you were looking.

 

[4552ZULU]

Dave and the guys,

It is definitely a software problem!!!

I pitched fastpitch softball 3 to 5 times a week for 20 years. I have very good eye to hand coordination and with a little practice, I have no doubt that I will get a whole lot better.

The reason I chose the Beretta and now the Benelli was that, when I held them up to my shoulder, they just seemed to become part of me. The Remington and Browning shotguns that I tried seemed bulky and my head didn't seem to naturally line up with the sights.

When I was up in the desert area south of Barstow, CA, I would occasionally go to an area where there were a bunch of jack-rabbits. I had a Ruger 10/22 and a Bushmaster AR-15, both outfitted with red-dot scopes. It didn't matter which gun I used, when a jack-rabbit starting running, I could empty a 30-round magazine and never hit a thing. Those jack-rabbits were a whole lot faster than Mr. bunny-rabbit and as long as those jack-rabbits didn't come to a complete stop … they were safe. When I got home after the first time, I got out my calculator and realized that I wasn't leading them enough. Their zig-zaging running made it really tough to follow them let alone lead them enough.