I was told that the guns imported after 94 were modified so that they only hold 5 2.75" shells, making them legal with the pistol grip stocks since there is no way to easily mount a magazine extension to the 1201FP. They stopped importing factory PG models around then anyway. Mine came straight stocked and its a 1991 vintage model. Holds 6+1 (+1), or 5+1+1 in 3" shells.
I've broken the gun down, its quite easy.
Just retract the bolt a bit so its not in battery, then remove the barrel and foreend. Firmly pull the bolt handle from the bolt, and slide the bolt and its inertia arm assembly out the front of the receiver. Assemble in reverse order, making sure that inertia arm goes back properly into the receivers recoil spring guide. Mine is always clean inside, even after firing quite a few rounds, but I felt the need to learn how each of my weapons is field stripped. You can also take the bolt apart, but that isn't really necessary to check out the bolt handle.
One TFL poster, who is a graduate of the Beretta armourer's school, mentioned that the bolt assembly of the 1201 will fit and function in the Benelli M1 series of shotguns. I'm not 100% sure that it works the other way, or that the size of the lug of the handle are the same. I don't know anyone with a Benelli that is willing to try it, unfortunately. I'm curious though, as the free spinning bolt handle doesn't provide as positive a grip as the spur shaped Benelli handle when doing select slug drills or performing "the trick" to increase the shotguns capacity.
I've broken the gun down, its quite easy.
Just retract the bolt a bit so its not in battery, then remove the barrel and foreend. Firmly pull the bolt handle from the bolt, and slide the bolt and its inertia arm assembly out the front of the receiver. Assemble in reverse order, making sure that inertia arm goes back properly into the receivers recoil spring guide. Mine is always clean inside, even after firing quite a few rounds, but I felt the need to learn how each of my weapons is field stripped. You can also take the bolt apart, but that isn't really necessary to check out the bolt handle.
One TFL poster, who is a graduate of the Beretta armourer's school, mentioned that the bolt assembly of the 1201 will fit and function in the Benelli M1 series of shotguns. I'm not 100% sure that it works the other way, or that the size of the lug of the handle are the same. I don't know anyone with a Benelli that is willing to try it, unfortunately. I'm curious though, as the free spinning bolt handle doesn't provide as positive a grip as the spur shaped Benelli handle when doing select slug drills or performing "the trick" to increase the shotguns capacity.
