Beretta 1201fp question
- Thread starter cmorath
- Start date
Can't help with the red dot, but slugs are so much an individual thing that the only way to find which one works best in your shotgun is to shoot some of each brand and find one that works well.
If that's a smoothbore, skip the sabots, otherwise buy a mess of 5 packs, and bench test until one shows best groups, then buy a mess of that one.
HTH...
If that's a smoothbore, skip the sabots, otherwise buy a mess of 5 packs, and bench test until one shows best groups, then buy a mess of that one.
HTH...
I have a pre-ban 1201FP with both the straight and Choate Adj. Pistol grip stock. It doesn't kick any harder than a Benelli M1 or even a similar weight pump shotgun, as simple physics would dictate. Proper mount, good stance, and a correctly sized stock make recoil quite managable, although the pistol grip tends to slap the palm and upper bicep from time to time. I probably wouldn't mount a red dot sight on it, but I think the mount intended for a Beretta Pintail would fit, as the receivers are the same. I saw some ad for an ATN Ultrasight reflex sight that featured a picture of one mounted on a 1201FP with PG stock. Seems like it was mounted a bit high for a good cheekweld using the PG stock.
My gun shoots to POA at 50yds with several brands of slugs, but I find myself using the 2.75" Brennekes. Not exactly a low recoil design, but its managable, reliable and you'll have trouble finding a better respected brand of slug in terms of terminal effect.
My gun shoots to POA at 50yds with several brands of slugs, but I find myself using the 2.75" Brennekes. Not exactly a low recoil design, but its managable, reliable and you'll have trouble finding a better respected brand of slug in terms of terminal effect.
Recoil tolerance is an open question. Most folks with good form and stock fit can handle some slug shooting. But, variances in build, style and committment can make results chancy.
There's some good stuff in the Archives on reducing felt recoil. A sampling...
A wearable pad like the PAST can really help even the most tolerant of us.
Heavy up the shotgun, and/or use one of the reducers we've debated ad nauseam.
The 1 oz slugs have less recoil than the 1 1/4 oz up jobs, and I know they work well when matched to a particular shotgun.Try the KO Brennekes, while no slug can be predictable in performance in a given shotgun, these get good accuracy in most shotguns they've been tried with.
As for sights, there's lots of choices, including learning to work the bead sight. I'd recommend a peep,tho,for more precise placement over 50 yards.
The red dots do work, and some folks praise them highly. That Leopold job gets high marks from users, but I've no first hand experience with them.
HTH....
There's some good stuff in the Archives on reducing felt recoil. A sampling...
A wearable pad like the PAST can really help even the most tolerant of us.
Heavy up the shotgun, and/or use one of the reducers we've debated ad nauseam.
The 1 oz slugs have less recoil than the 1 1/4 oz up jobs, and I know they work well when matched to a particular shotgun.Try the KO Brennekes, while no slug can be predictable in performance in a given shotgun, these get good accuracy in most shotguns they've been tried with.
As for sights, there's lots of choices, including learning to work the bead sight. I'd recommend a peep,tho,for more precise placement over 50 yards.
The red dots do work, and some folks praise them highly. That Leopold job gets high marks from users, but I've no first hand experience with them.
HTH....
Wish is wasn't so! Here is why...
Got my 1201 back from Gunsite from having GPS mods done (shorten stock, sights, actions). Was out back breaking it in. Wife (5'6" 110 lbs) comes out and wants to try it. OK I think... load it up with #7 shot. She shoots it saying "that isn't bad". I sense trouble here so I load up some 00 Buck for her. She shoots and starts smiling and noding her head. "OH OH Danger! Danger!" I think but I got just the ticket. SLUGS!
Load her up, she puts the four slugs into the target and say.. "I just got me a new gun.".
She got her a new gun... what about ME!?!? It was suppose to be MINE!
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
The original poster didn't mention anything about reducing recoil, but I felt inclined to mention that the 1201FP's reputation for being a nasty kicker is largely undeserved.
It is an inertia-recoil operated shotgun, so you are limited to stock mods, muzzle porting, and pads, either wearable or mounted to the buttstock, in terms of mechanically reducing recoil. Any substancial amount of weight added to the gun can affect reliability, especially with reduced load slugs and buckshot. Some Benelli's won't run with reduced loads if they are fitted with a side saddle and Surefire forend. Be sure that whatever sight and mount you add does not impair functioning with whatever loads you are going to use for 3 gun. I think the stock rifles are adequate, and allow very precise placement of slugs, should that be necessary. Good ghost rings/peeps would work well, and don't affect the weight to any noticible degree. If you'd still prefer some sort of optical sight, I'd look at an open optic device, like a Dr. Optic/Tasco 2000/ATN. They are light, and give a wider field of view vs a tubed red dot scope.
It is an inertia-recoil operated shotgun, so you are limited to stock mods, muzzle porting, and pads, either wearable or mounted to the buttstock, in terms of mechanically reducing recoil. Any substancial amount of weight added to the gun can affect reliability, especially with reduced load slugs and buckshot. Some Benelli's won't run with reduced loads if they are fitted with a side saddle and Surefire forend. Be sure that whatever sight and mount you add does not impair functioning with whatever loads you are going to use for 3 gun. I think the stock rifles are adequate, and allow very precise placement of slugs, should that be necessary. Good ghost rings/peeps would work well, and don't affect the weight to any noticible degree. If you'd still prefer some sort of optical sight, I'd look at an open optic device, like a Dr. Optic/Tasco 2000/ATN. They are light, and give a wider field of view vs a tubed red dot scope.
Dave,
She already has her shotgun! But thats all right. I'm taking her AR Ltwt and converting it into a CQ M4, don't want to mess up my Target Model. And even if she likes that I will always have one rifle she doesn't like - my Shiloh Long Range Express 45-110... barrel is a "tad" long and heavy for her. 
She already has her shotgun!
But thats all right. I'm taking her AR Ltwt and converting it into a CQ M4, don't want to mess up my Target Model. And even if she likes that I will always have one rifle she doesn't like - my Shiloh Long Range Express 45-110... barrel is a "tad" long and heavy for her. 
Thanks to Cthulhu !
Your comments are exactly what I was looking for. I researched the Beretta Pintail info and found an Aimtech mount that will work. I am looking at the ATN Ultrasight and will get a get a batch of the 2.75 Brenneke slugs to experiment with.
I agree that the 1201FP shoots well and does not have an unusual recoil - about the same as a pump - I used it this past season in the field on pheasant with good success.
Thanks for your help
Chris.
Your comments are exactly what I was looking for. I researched the Beretta Pintail info and found an Aimtech mount that will work. I am looking at the ATN Ultrasight and will get a get a batch of the 2.75 Brenneke slugs to experiment with.
I agree that the 1201FP shoots well and does not have an unusual recoil - about the same as a pump - I used it this past season in the field on pheasant with good success.
Thanks for your help
Chris.
BusGunner007
New member
BusGunner007
New member
That shroud covers the 'unsightly' dovetail filler where the original rear sight was
Strictly aesthetical, for looks.
It came out pretty good, I think.
We shimmed the front of the shroud up just a tad to keep it up and even.
If I were to add a forend light; large safety button and large bolt handle, I wouldn't have anything left to add...
I think I'll skip the forend light.
Anyway, the shroud is just to cover the hole where the rear sight was.
Strictly aesthetical, for looks.
It came out pretty good, I think.
We shimmed the front of the shroud up just a tad to keep it up and even.
If I were to add a forend light; large safety button and large bolt handle, I wouldn't have anything left to add...
I think I'll skip the forend light.
Anyway, the shroud is just to cover the hole where the rear sight was.
BusGunner007,
Thanks for the clarification on the purpose of the shroud. If I may ask a few more question:
Where did you buy the side saddle and shroud and how was it
shimmed?
Is that a Choate stock? Any problems adapting it to the 1201?
Where can I buy a larger bolt handle and do you know if the safety can be reversed?
Thanks for your time.
Mike
Thanks for the clarification on the purpose of the shroud. If I may ask a few more question:
Where did you buy the side saddle and shroud and how was it
shimmed?
Is that a Choate stock? Any problems adapting it to the 1201?
Where can I buy a larger bolt handle and do you know if the safety can be reversed?
Thanks for your time.
Mike
BusGunner007
New member
The SideSaddle is for a Benelli 90. It fits fine.
There is a slight scallop above the triggerguard on the Beretta, whereas the Benelli is a straight line. No problems fitting, though. Beretta owns Benelli, so they're 'identical cousins'.
The shroud was installed by a 'gunsmith' who is no longer in business. He used a dovetail blank and screwed it down into the rear sight base. The front of the shroud was shimmed with ???, coulda been pop can material wrapped in masking tape; not sure.
The stock is made by Choate, as far as I know, but, it has the Beretta logo on it. That's the only difference I can tell. If your gun is pre-ban, the Choate will fit perfectly.
No problem if your 1201FP was made prior to Sept. 13, 1994, the official 'pre-ban' date.
My 1201 has the letter code 'BC', indicating 1993 mfg. It came that way. Official designation: 1201FPG3.
Letter code dates according to the Modern Beretta Firearms book by Gene Gangarosa Jr. :
AP='86
AS='87
AT='88
AU='89
AZ='90
BA='91
BB='92
BC='93
BD='94
These date codes apply to the pistols, too.
Check the gun for mfg. date so you don't inadvertantly assemble an "assault weapon".
I had an unfired post-ban version I traded for a Beretta pistol. I wanted the pistolgrip version and got it when I had my FFL.
Shoulda kept it and had 2!
Oh, well.
The accessories are all listed in the Brownells catalog.
If your 1201 is post-ban, you might be able to get a different buttstock that has extra shell carrying capability. Speedfeed, Choate, Advanced Technologies, Butler Creek may have something to allow for a more satisfying 'tactical' look to it.
Good luck, and have fun shopping.
There is a slight scallop above the triggerguard on the Beretta, whereas the Benelli is a straight line. No problems fitting, though. Beretta owns Benelli, so they're 'identical cousins'.
The shroud was installed by a 'gunsmith' who is no longer in business. He used a dovetail blank and screwed it down into the rear sight base. The front of the shroud was shimmed with ???, coulda been pop can material wrapped in masking tape; not sure.
The stock is made by Choate, as far as I know, but, it has the Beretta logo on it. That's the only difference I can tell. If your gun is pre-ban, the Choate will fit perfectly.
No problem if your 1201FP was made prior to Sept. 13, 1994, the official 'pre-ban' date.
My 1201 has the letter code 'BC', indicating 1993 mfg. It came that way. Official designation: 1201FPG3.
Letter code dates according to the Modern Beretta Firearms book by Gene Gangarosa Jr. :
AP='86
AS='87
AT='88
AU='89
AZ='90
BA='91
BB='92
BC='93
BD='94
These date codes apply to the pistols, too.
Check the gun for mfg. date so you don't inadvertantly assemble an "assault weapon".
I had an unfired post-ban version I traded for a Beretta pistol. I wanted the pistolgrip version and got it when I had my FFL.
Shoulda kept it and had 2!
Oh, well.
The accessories are all listed in the Brownells catalog.
If your 1201 is post-ban, you might be able to get a different buttstock that has extra shell carrying capability. Speedfeed, Choate, Advanced Technologies, Butler Creek may have something to allow for a more satisfying 'tactical' look to it.
Good luck, and have fun shopping.
From the picture provided, BusGunner's gun is wearing the Choate MK5 Adjustable Pistol Grip stock, just like mine. I bought one of the last 6 or so Choate had in stock. Took all of 2 minutes to swap out the stocks, using a phillips screwdriver and a 13mm ratchet + extension. Mine fits well, close to the metal, with no wobble or cant.
Bus Gunner, how much did those MMC's run? Gunsite will install them for a bit more than half of what I payed for the entire shotgun.
I'm running my gun bone stock other than the Choate stock. The rifle sights work well, but I have the older, very narrow kind. Good for slugs on paper, but can get hard to aquire. I usually index the front blade only while firing buck. Newer 1201FPs wear the Beretta 92 style sights, but the Factory Ghost rings or the MMCs would be better.
Brownells has an extended safety for the 1201. I'd like a ron-rotating, slightly hooked bolt handle, similar to that on the M1 Super 90, but I've yet to see something that would work.
Bus Gunner, how much did those MMC's run? Gunsite will install them for a bit more than half of what I payed for the entire shotgun.
I'm running my gun bone stock other than the Choate stock. The rifle sights work well, but I have the older, very narrow kind. Good for slugs on paper, but can get hard to aquire. I usually index the front blade only while firing buck. Newer 1201FPs wear the Beretta 92 style sights, but the Factory Ghost rings or the MMCs would be better.
Brownells has an extended safety for the 1201. I'd like a ron-rotating, slightly hooked bolt handle, similar to that on the M1 Super 90, but I've yet to see something that would work.
BusGunner007
New member
I think I paid a bit over $100 dealer cost for the sights directly from MMC. They are not the tritium type, as I didn't see a reason to have something that would 'burn out'.
I can't remember what the gunsmith charged me to install 'em. He had to heat up the ramp front sight to melt it off, then install the wing protected MMC front sight. He shot it with some kind of black paint that doesn't quite match the finish...
Since the Beretta and Benelli's are so close in most of the bolt design, I wonder if the Benelli handle will fit?
If I were more confident in my ability to break down the gun, I'd take it to a dealer who had Benelli's and pull the handles out of both for comparison.
In fact, I may just do that. It'd be worth a try just to see if it can be done.
If anyone else tries it, post your findings.
I can't remember what the gunsmith charged me to install 'em. He had to heat up the ramp front sight to melt it off, then install the wing protected MMC front sight. He shot it with some kind of black paint that doesn't quite match the finish...
Since the Beretta and Benelli's are so close in most of the bolt design, I wonder if the Benelli handle will fit?
If I were more confident in my ability to break down the gun, I'd take it to a dealer who had Benelli's and pull the handles out of both for comparison.
In fact, I may just do that. It'd be worth a try just to see if it can be done.
If anyone else tries it, post your findings.