Stevens S1200 opinions

[Schwing]

I was at my local LGS over the weekend and did a double-take after seeing a 12-gauge semi-auto shotgun on clearance for $210. I know Stevens are made by Savage but that is about as far as my knowledge base goes. A quick google search revealed some pretty mixed reviews but it seems that retail is in the mid $400s so I had to look. Of course, I walked out with it.

Has anyone here had personal experience with these? I am a big handgun guy and, aside from the two or three times per year skeet/trap shooting, I don't ever use shotguns. I have never even owned a semi-auto shotgun so that is where my interest is. Basically, I want to know if it is worth keeping. I figured, if it isn't, it won't be too hard to get my $210 back if it is still NIB.

 

[paulsj]

If it works like it supposed to you got very good deal. Shoot some shells out of it and tell us how it functions. The tougest test would be least expensive Winchester shells from Walmart someti.es referred to as promo loads.

 

[cdb1]

They were discontinued after less than a year. That would give me some pause.

 

[MAKster]

These are inertia actions. Recoil spring around the mag tube like the Stoeger. I believe this Stevens is made in China like the Stevens pumps.

 

[cdb1]

The shotgun is made in Turkey. They quickly developed a reputation for not cycling light target loads. It might cycle 1 oz loads, it might not. So for shooting clays it is not the cats meow - possible cycling issues and too light. For hunting I'd say keep it for sure.

The reason I believe the shotgun was discontinued has nothing to do with reliability and quality. Any inertia gun is not optimal for shooting light loads. Stick to 1 1/8 oz loads and you'll be fine. Savage was trying to break in to an already hyper-crowded and competitive market segment and sales volume was lower than anticipated. That's my theory.

You got a great deal on a good hunting shotgun, not a sporting clays gun.