Yes, horror of horrors, its an O/U. As you might remember, I bought it at the Tulsa gun show around a month ago. It went to JJ Perodeau who is now located in Tulsa (Sand Springs) for removal of sling swivels.....at first. I called and asked him to put about an 1/8 of an inch of left hand cast on it and he recommended that we slightly decrease the drop at the same time.
Two weeks after he got it he called me and told me it was ready......swivels removed, gold stock oval over the swivel hole and the forward one sweated off the barrel and the barrels polished and reblacked and the stock bends done. It took me two weeks to get back down to Tulsa to get it but I did this weekend.
Went out to his place on Saturday morning. He showed me his new shop overlooking Keystone lake, got to meet his beautiful French wife and son, and we talked guns over coffee. He showed me some amazing big game double rifles he was working on. We both thought we'd just check the choke on the Berretta and it turned out to be extra tight full and extra, extra tight full. I asked him if he could open them for me and he said sure....could I come back this afternoon and pick it up!!!? I actually came back Sunday morning as I had some plans for later Saturday. JJ also recommended a French restaurant for me for Saturday night and I took his recommendation. "The French Hen" in Tulsa is not to be missed if you enjoy classic French cuisine. One of the best French meals outside the borders of France that I've ever experienced. A perfect recommendation, and yes, JJ is French!
Brought the Berretta home and shot some hand thrown clays Sunday afternoon with my brother who also shoots lefty. Don't believe I've ever had a new gun with such a short learning curve. It seemed like it was made for me and it was hard to miss.....extremely unusual for me as Flatwater attendees can attest to. My bro had the same experience with the gun.
Kudos and highest recommendations to JJ Perodeau, Gunmaker extraorinaire, for his expertise and expert execution of his recommendations for my new gun and the extremely expedient manner in which he delivered them. I didn't think that gunsmiths ever achieved warp speed when it comes to stuff like I was asking for this Berretta but JJ proved me wrong. JJ might be just a marginal tad more expensive than many gunsmiths but I doubt you can find a better guy for doubles whether stacked or S/S. His greatest interest and expertise is in dangerous game double rifles and if you are ever headed for Africa I think a consultation with JJ would be in order and might possibly save your life. He will build you a brand new one from scratch if that is your desire or sell you or advise you on the purchase of a DR. JJ Perodeau.....The Real Deal!!
http://jjperodeau.com/
