Birdbuster,

Sorry I don't have any advice for you but I will share my experience. Maybe it can lessen your headache knowing others share your grief.

Like you, I thought I got a good deal on a high grade shotgun (Beretta ASE). The price I paid for the gun is about what the barrels are going for alone. Turns out the gun doubles when it feels like it. It does not seem to be restricted to payload. Sometimes it doubles with one-ounce loads and many times it does not double with "magnum" loads.

I called Beretta USA and they suggested that I send it to an specialist on the east coast. I sent him the gun and he "fixed" it and sent it back. I took it out and shot it and guess what? It doubled. I phoned the gunsmith and he said to send it back, which I did. He worked on it again and fixed it again (no charge this time, except for shipping). Guess what again? When I got it back it still doubled. I am now out the original cost to "fix" it and twice the cost of shipping both ways and insurance. I again called the "expert" and he told me he did all he could and that it did not double for him. We mutually agreed that I would not trouble him again.

I waited six months and called another Beretta expert. This one is also a factory authorized repair station and is located on the west coast. I talked to the gunsmith/owner on the phone and he told me the problem I described was something he was familar with and that he felt competent to work on. I sent him the gun. He kept the gun for a month and then called to say he was going to send it back unrepaired. He did not feel he had the expertise to do the job.

So, I am out three shipping/receiving charges, insurance, and the cost of the first "repair"-about $500 total. I discussed my problem with several members of this board and they suggested I send it to another expert, this one a member of the Custom Gunmakers Guild. I called this gentleman and was told he would look at it but he was about one-year backlogged. I did not send him the gun even though he came highly recommended.

Hopefully, my story will give you considerations to ponder. Please give us a follow-up post if you find a good trigger man.