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Benelli 121 M1 12 ga Shotgun

JAK71454
I just bought a Benelli 121 M1 12 ga shotgun and it does not function. It will not feed a round from the tube into the chamber. All parts look OK and I cleaned it completely. Any ideas what to check for? Is this a common problem?

The carrier latch moves to the rear when a round is in the tube. And it looks like it is supposed to move forward and release the shell, but it does not. What makes this move forward? The Bolt? Does it move forward when the bolt moves forward? What part of the bolt contacts the latch?

Any help or suggestions. Jim

Jim Kammerer
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Comments

11 comments

Date Votes
  • Nwcid
    Does this happen when you shoot or just when you cycle it by hand? If it does it when you shoot there is something wrong go see a gunsmith. If the only time it doeent cycle a round is when you do it by hand, that is because that is the way the M1 works. It was desigined that way so if you needed to change rounds in a hury you would cycle it by hand ejecting the round in the chamber then you could drop in your special (bean bag, door buster, slug, ect) round without having to empty the whole gun. If you want it to cycle the next round you need to push the mag stop catch that is the little thing sticking down by the trigger gaurd. Then cycle the action and you will have a live round.

    John
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  • JAK71454
    John, Thanks for the help. Yes, I am doing this by hand, I have not tried to fire it yet. I will check the thing by the trigger guard tonight. I don't remember anything being there, but it sounds like what is wrong. Thanks, Jim

    Jim Kammerer
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  • Laredo Lefty
    Jim. A way you can check the function is to load a couple rounds in the mag tube and operate the bolt making certain the chamber is EMPTY.
    Then pull the trigger or push up on the little shell release on the right side of the gun above the trigger. Either of these should release a shell from the mag tube.

    As John mentioned, this feature allows for the "select slug" method of operation where you can change types of ammo without unloading the entire gun.

    Joe
    "Never let school interfere with your education"
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  • Ballistic
    Jim, you have to put a round in the chamber and press the side button to close the bolt. Then you add the rounds in the tube. I own one of these and this is the only way it will function, it has to have a live round in the chamber with bolt closed. Trust me it will work but do it at the range first. I keep this gun loaded for home defense it fires flawlessly.
    These are hard to come by so take care of it. Wood stock?
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  • Ballistic
    Jim, additional info, this weapon does not have the button by the trigger guard as mentioned by Laredo. One button only and it is the bolt release / hold open on side of action.
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  • JAK71454
    Mine does NOT have a little release by the trigger. What is going on here. HAs someone modified the trigger group. JIm

    Jim Kammerer
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  • BonJoeV
    I've got the same shotgun. It functions just as Ballistic describes.

    You can't manually cycle rounds into an empty chamber. With an open chamber, you have to drop in a round and close the bolt via the side button. With a full magazine tube, you're now ready to blast away. The gun should work just fine. have fun! [:D][:D]

    You'll need to stay away from the lighter loads for dove, squirrel, etc; as they do not generate enough recoil power to cycle the action consistently, if at all. The gun is really designed for 00 buck and slugs.
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  • CHGOTHNDER
    I have the same Benelli and there is a button, can you post pics of the area near the trigger (both sides?)

    PJ

    editorialcolor.bmp
    If nobody seen you do it, how could you have done it. NRA PATRON-LIFE Member, AF&AM, Shriner Life Member, A.B.A.T.E. of Illinois "Chicago Chapter" Founding Member & Board Member
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  • BonJoeV
    CGOTHUNDR,

    Is it a model 121 M1?
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  • JAK71454
    It is a model 121 M1.

    Jim Kammerer
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  • JAK71454
    I took my Benelli 121 M1 to the range yesterday and it work perfectly. Extremly fast cycle time. Thanks for all your help. Jim
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