IWA in Nuremberg provided an opportunity to get up close and personal with the B12i which Breda told us was the result of a collaboration with Salient Arms International. The B12i is an inertia driven gun with a rotating bolt head chambered in 12 gauge for 3″ magnum. It is supplied with a stock shim set to adjust drop in 5mm increments from 50-65 for both right and left handed shooters. Barrel length options with the stepped rib are 18.5″, 24″, 28″ and 30″, if you prefer a flat rib this is available but only in a 26″ version. A 4 round internal magazine capacity with an open ended design to facilitate the fitting of an extension tube rounds up the spec sheet but ‘what’s it like?’ I hear you ask!
My initial thoughts after handling the gun are that it feels well made with excellent ergonomics and where aftermarket parts have been employed these are from quality manufacturers like Cervelatti who make the recoil pad and LPA who supply the front sight. The most unusual feature is that, unlike the competition, Breda have opted not to supply a blank canvas loading port and have done a deep cut on the port as standard. All in all this looks like a very interesting option in the tube fed arena and I look forward to shooting one soon to complete the review.
