It was cold in Cleveland today, but the snow had melted off. So, being off work today, I snuck out to try my new shotgun at my rifle club.
This Beretta 1201FP is Detroit Police surplus, and came from Robertson Trading Post.
I had already installed the Choate PG stock i bought, before ever trying the standard stock. The standard stock was too long for me, and it just had a rubber butt plate, not a recoil pad.
I shot about 100rds. I used a few low recoil Federal FC 00 buck and Truball slugs, as well as Winchester, Remington, and S&B 00 standard velocity 00 buck. I also shot a few brenneke slugs, and some heavy birdshot.
Recoil was not bad at all, though I was wearing a GI field jacket with the button in liner installed...a T-shirt might be different.
The 1201FP worked perfectly...not a single issue whatsoever. Function was brisk, and fast.
I shot at both 25yds and at about 30ft.
I'm really happy with this shotgun...very light and quick handling. It is my goto HD gun now. I'm really impressed with the smooth action of the bolt and shell lifter.
If you are thinking about one of these, don't let the stories about horrible recoil scare you. It is a light weight 12ga (about 6.5lbs). The stock, as issued, is too long for most people, and it has a hard rubber buttplate. The Choate stock has a thick, wide recoil pad. It also is adjustable for length of pull. I left the two extension spacers off. BTW, choate does not list this stock on their website. But when I called, they still had them.
Here are a couple pics.
First, the 1201FP on the stand:
This target shows 6rds of Remington full powered 00 buck fired rapidly at 30ft (the large holes are from the shotcup/wads):
