Introduction

The Beretta 1201FP is a semi-automatic shotgun of Italian origin. It was developed in the late 1980's by Beretta and is an upgraded of the earlier Beretta 1200 series. The 1201FP is the law enforcement mode of the civilian model Beretta 1201F.

Design

The 1201FP uses an inertia driven mechanism that is very similar to the Benelli M1 Super 90. The 1201FP has a tubular magazine and a recoil spring in the fixed buttstock. As a law enforcement weapon it differs from the civilian model in having a higher capacity magazine, a shorter barrel and an optional pistol grip.

Firepower

The 1201FP fires 12ga shells with a length of 2.75 or 3 inch. The tubular magazine holds 6 or 5 round respectively. The 1201FP is semi-automatic and allows for rapid follow up shots. Both buckshot and slugs can be fired. The inertia system has the side effect that most non lethal and low powered rounds will not cycle.

Users

Despite having similar characteristics the 1201FP was never sold in similar numbers as the Benelli M1 and M3. With the acquisition of Benelli by Beretta in the year 2000 the 1201FP was discontinued in favor of the Super 90 series. Most 1201FP have been sold to law enforcement agencies in the United States.

The 1201FP is a semi-automatic shotgun that looks very similar to the Benelli M1 Super 90. The Beretta 1201FP can be identified by its long forearm with single horizontal line. Due to the recoil spring the 1201FP always has a fixed stock. The only 1201FP only differ in type of grip and type of sights.