ORIGINAL: fishnfan
Swamp Collie, thanks for the info. I have seen the blackBerettas at Wal-Mart before, and they look good. Are they gas or recoil operated? I never have been real crazy about the Beretta designs in semis except for this model. Have any idea what they weigh? There is a Wal-Mart about 40 minutes from here that supposedly still carries guns. I used to stare at the Remington Sportsman 1187 in camo at our local Wal-Mart, but they did away with everything but muzzleloaders. I sure with the Beretta was in camo. You're probably right, the ducks wouldn't care, but this may be the last shotgun I buy, so I want to get one I'll be happy with. After all, I've had my Franchi for about 25 years!
By the way, on my computer the picture is a little fuzzy, but what can of dog is shown with your online name? Looks like a golden...is he/she from hunting stock, I assume? Have any idea how they handle cold/icy water/weather? I've thought about getting a golden, but seems like the hunting lines are hard to find and pretty expensive, even for a pup.
Thanks for your help, good hunting, and may the Good Lord be your Guide.
Yes the picture is of a golden...or as we call them, a "Swamp Collie" (hence the name). I put a neoprene jacket on mine, and he does just fine. He is a real ball of fire. Lots of drive and energy, but he listens exceptionally well. Very VERY smart (almost to a fault). Goldens are great dogs. As far as one from hunting stock....if you have parents that do field trials, thats good enough. Its bred into them. Typically with the right training, and dog that has the instict to fetch will fetch birds too. Mine wasfrom good hunting stock...parent that hunted, andboth had field trial champion status (which is almost required anymore if you want to breed...just like cert. hips and eyes...which is even more important). I got mine for penny's compared to what they normally go for...because I knew the fella who sold me Dutch....I gave him the full amount the day I decided to get a pup, which was when Dutch was only 6 days old...and I gotfirst pick male pup. My girlfriend just got one from a kennel in Atlanta...her Dad gave it to her for Christmas/graduation from Clemson. He paid $1200 for her. She (the girlfriend) noticed that her dog wouldn't run right at toys or anything she threw for her...turns out thedog was blind in the left eye....sad story..but the kennel made good on it..and she has first pick of a litter that was born 5 January...so she will have her pup in late Feb...which is when I got Dutch last year.
The Berettas are gas operated guns. And yes they do have a magazine cutoff...or at least a way to unload just the shell from the chamber and not one from the mag tube. Weight is pretty light, certainly lighter in weight than an 1100 or 1187.