Semi auto 12g from S2 to S1 and back?

[gixer1]

I have a S2 Beretta semi auto that I am thinking of converting to S1 to be able to use it for steel plate comps. I know that converting to S1 is possible but is it a ball ache and is it possible to convert back as an S1 is usually lower value and harder to sell on than S2 also it’s my occasional wildfowl gun so would be nice to swap it from a 3 shot to extended mag if possible.

Ideally I’d like it to be an extended mag 8+1 etc.


Also, will standard beretta optima choked barrels handle slugs no problem?

The gun is an A400 and is like new as it’s only been used a handful of times since new.

Regards,
Gixer

 

[enfieldspares]

In practice I think it depends on the actual make and model of gun. On my Browning Auto-5 guns made in the 1960s you'd maybe need a expanding swage (like a dent removal tool) to swage the crimp out as the recoil spring on an A-5 winds around the magazine tube so you couldn't simply cut and shut and put a outer sleeve over that tube. On a gas operated gun maybe you could?

 

[RJD]

No, it’s not legal to convert back, once s1 always s1, sadly I found out the hardway

 

[finbar]

Same as an FAC rated air rifle

 

[Smellydog]

Once active the only way to not be S1 is deactivation or destruction.

 

[gixer1]

Well…that’s a bit sh*t seems silly as it’s a bolt on item essentially but I thought as much…

 

[paul o']

I had one reverted back ! was a 3 shot then made into an 8 then back to a 3. all works done by an RFD and done under the information obtained from the FLO and restored back to its 3 shot status in law. after all its only the tube and they can be obtained and fitted very easily.

 

[ColinJ]

FAC rated air rifle can be down rated, if the barrel is 24”.
Please don’t ask me why, doesn’t make any sense to me.
S.1 shotguns can be down rated to S.2, but should go through the Proof House IIRC

 

[Reloader708]

Put me right if I'm wrong but can you even convert the A400, I have one (three shot) and there's nowhere for the mag tube to extend to.

 

[Smellydog]

I had one reverted back ! was a 3 shot then made into an 8 then back to a 3. all works done by an RFD and done under the information obtained from the FLO and restored back to its 3 shot status in law. after all its only the tube and they can be obtained and fitted very easily.

Wow, learn something new every day.
My apologies. I was told the contrary....
Thanks.

 

[gixer1]

Put me right if I'm wrong but can you even convert the A400, I have one (three shot) and there's nowhere for the mag tube to extend to.

You can buy extended mag tubes for them.

 

[Popa ray]

Wow, learn something new every day.
My apologies. I was told the contrary....
Thanks.

Also it would not be legal for wildfowling

 

[Heym SR20]

The magazine tube on S2 shotgun will be swaged so it cannot hold more than two cartridges. To take it to S1 will require a new magazine so you have a 5 shot, with an extension to make even longer. In my experience of Rem 1100 and Franchi’s mag tubes are part of the action body and not easily replaced - a job for a gunsmith.

I have shot a few S1 shotguns and mostly they handle like fenceposts, especially when fully loaded. If you are using S1 shotgun for competitive shooting you will probably all sorts of other bits and pieces added as well.

My suggestion is to keep the S2 gun as it is - then you a good wildfowling gun.

Given that S1 guns don’t hold value, find a good second hand one. Probably cost about as much as all the faff of converting the S2 to S1with all the bits and labour required.

 

[Liveonce]

I have shot a few S1 shotguns and mostly they handle like fenceposts, especially when fully loaded.

Could not agree more, had experience similar, he had it for crop protection in reality never got more than three shots off before the pigeons were out of reach and the gun was heavy and unbalanced. For me if a pigeon has escaped after three shots at it, it deserved to live to another day.

 

[gixer1]

Also it would not be legal for wildfowling

Depending on which mag tube you had, that’s my point - if you had a sec1 FAC as long as you swapped out the mag tube it would be legal for wildfowling as long as the mag tube was a 2+1 - it would still be S1 but the correct mag capacity…

Then, when you need the larger mag capacity you change it out for the larger one.

 

[Heym SR20]

Depending on which mag tube you had, that’s my point - if you had a sec1 FAC as long as you swapped out the mag tube it would be legal for wildfowling as long as the mag tube was a 2+1 - it would still be S1 but the correct mag capacity…

Then, when you need the larger mag capacity you change it out for the larger one.

Fine in theory, except that the majority of semi automatics are designed with a magazine tube for 4 cartridges. It’s why for the UK market they need a crimping grove, or some other non removable watchamycallit 1/2 way along to stop them taking more than 2 shells.

In the US when shooting waterfowl you can get away with a wooden plug inserted into the tube, but in the UK it has to be a permanent modification that cannot be easily removed.

 

[gixer1]

Fine in theory, except that the majority of semi automatics are designed with a magazine tube for 4 cartridges. It’s why for the UK market they need a crimping grove, or some other non removable watchamycallit 1/2 way along to stop them taking more than 2 shells.

In the US when shooting waterfowl you can get away with a wooden plug inserted into the tube, but in the UK it has to be a permanent modification that cannot be easily removed.

A circlip in the mag tube?

 

[reiver]

I have a fac shotgun and my pal converted his s2 to s1 himself no drama as long as you have a slot for a multi shot shotgun his gun was only available in the Uk as a 3 shot .
He got his s2 put on to his s1 then converted it his self .
Sec1 back to sec 2 normally requires a trip to the proof house though .
The 3 shot rule only applies to the magazine though . I used to have a crimped beretta 303 that held 1 in the chamber 2 in the mag and 1 on the shell lifter aka goast loading all completely legal even on a sec2 Sa .

 

[8x57]

Put me right if I'm wrong but can you even convert the A400, I have one (three shot) and there's nowhere for the mag tube to extend to.

There are videos on Youtube that suggest that certain models of the A400 can be extended. I was surprised to see that this also applies to the A300 series (I have an A303).

 

[Popa ray]

Depending on which mag tube you had, that’s my point - if you had a sec1 FAC as long as you swapped out the mag tube it would be legal for wildfowling as long as the mag tube was a 2+1 - it would still be S1 but the correct mag capacity…

Then, when you need the larger mag capacity you change it out for the larger one.

A sec 1 will not be granted for wildfowling