I Found the Holy Grail (A Turkish Shotgun That Actually Works, Mostly) - 1500 RDS

Published on May 13, 2023
Duration: 21:45

This review of the Century Arms BF12 bullpup shotgun covers its performance after 1500 rounds, addressing common concerns about Turkish shotgun reliability. The reviewer details the shotgun's features, including its 18.5-inch barrel, magazine-fed operation, and piston-driven system, while also highlighting its ergonomic quirks and trigger characteristics. Despite some minor issues, the BF12 is presented as a surprisingly reliable and fun-to-shoot firearm.

Quick Summary

The Century Arms BF12 bullpup shotgun achieved approximately 99.2% reliability over 1500 rounds, handling various ammunition types including birdshot and buckshot. While its trigger is heavy at 10-12 lbs, it offers an aggressive reset for fast shooting. Key ergonomic drawbacks include magazines that do not drop free, requiring a manual rip for reloads.

Chapters

  1. 00:03Introduction & Turkish Shotgun Rumors
  2. 01:00Good Morning & Channel Support
  3. 01:10Introducing the Century Arms BF12
  4. 01:51Full Disclosure & Previous Reviews
  5. 02:25BF12 Specifics: Bullpup, 12 Gauge, Magazine Fed
  6. 02:31Barrel Length and Overall Size
  7. 02:50Reliability Claim & Turkish Shotgun QC
  8. 03:10Price Point of the BF12
  9. 03:44Weight of the Shotgun
  10. 04:02Magazine Fed & Bolt Up Action
  11. 04:08Chamber Rating: 2.75" & 3" Shells
  12. 04:14Ammunition Tested (1500 Rounds)
  13. 04:34Bullpup Ergonomics & Magazine Fed Drawbacks
  14. 04:40Ambidextrous Safety
  15. 04:59Ambidextrous Charging Handle
  16. 05:14Last Round Bolt Hold Open
  17. 05:30Magazine Release & Bolt Stop
  18. 05:57Magazines Do Not Drop Free
  19. 06:30Cheek Riser Removal
  20. 06:45Two-Piece Upper/Lower Design
  21. 06:58Polymer Lower Unit Durability
  22. 07:20Semi-Auto 12 Gauge Feed Ramp
  23. 07:41Trigger Mechanism & Potential AR Parts
  24. 08:09Upper Receiver Material (7075)
  25. 08:30Recoil System Internally Contained
  26. 08:45Upper Receiver & Handguard Separation
  27. 08:48Barrel Shroud (Not Suppressor)
  28. 09:02Minor Issue: Barrel Shroud Loosening
  29. 09:21Disassembly: Barrel Shroud & Handguard
  30. 09:32Handguard Movement & Zero
  31. 09:54Barrel Details: 18.5", Chrome Lined
  32. 10:12Barrel Material: 4140 Steel
  33. 10:24Piston Design & Operating Rods
  34. 10:34Extractor & Ejector
  35. 10:45Ejection Angle & Potential Issues
  36. 11:10Gas System Vents & Piston Retaining Cup
  37. 11:14Broken Piston Retaining Cup
  38. 11:21Lightweight Piston Design
  39. 11:30Over-Gassed Shotgun
  40. 11:54Piston Cup Retainer & Lock Washer
  41. 12:03Gas Ports & Piston Action
  42. 12:15Broken Piston Retaining Cup Details
  43. 12:41System Functionality Despite Broken Part
  44. 12:54Wear and Tear on the System
  45. 13:04Bolt Locking Lug
  46. 13:19Maintenance & Cleaning Habits
  47. 13:38Reassembly & Reliability Discussion
  48. 13:42Surprising Reliability of the BF12
  49. 13:46Minor Flaws vs. Major Issues
  50. 13:56Reliability Percentage (99.2%)
  51. 14:06Failures in 1500 Rounds
  52. 14:12Intro Video Ammunition Test
  53. 14:41Bad Case Example
  54. 15:00Comparison to Other Turkish Shotgun Reviews
  55. 15:10Overall Positive Performance
  56. 15:20Ammunition Type Performance
  57. 15:31Reason for Keeping the Shotgun
  58. 15:33Fun Factor
  59. 15:36Hot Gassing for Cheap Ammo
  60. 15:43Comparison to Softer Semi-Autos
  61. 15:51Potential for Heavier Piston
  62. 16:05Downsides of Bullpups & 12 Gauge
  63. 16:10Trigger Pull Weight (10-12 lbs)
  64. 16:15Trigger Dynamics: Take Up, Wall, Creep, Break
  65. 16:33Trigger Feel: Heavy, Gritty
  66. 16:49Aggressive Trigger Reset
  67. 17:08Fast Shooting Dynamics
  68. 17:13Shooting Fast Despite Heavy Trigger
  69. 17:31Not a Match-Grade Trigger
  70. 17:37Suitability for Plinking, Target, Competition
  71. 17:50Trigger Snob vs. Indifferent User
  72. 17:59Magazine Types: 5-Rounders
  73. 18:035-Rounder Pouches (AR-10 Style)
  74. 18:09Reload Process with 5-Rounders
  75. 18:20Reliability of 5-Rounders
  76. 18:30Favorite Mags: 9-Rounders
  77. 18:35Variations in 9-Rounder Capacity
  78. 18:46Shooting Longer with Larger Mags
  79. 18:54Reliability of Larger Stick Mags
  80. 19:01Most Interesting Mag: 20-Round Drum
  81. 19:06Drum Mag Performance
  82. 19:18Drum Mag Fitment Issues
  83. 19:2820 Rounds of 12 Gauge
  84. 19:38Drum Mag Lacks Bolt Hold Open
  85. 19:48Reason for Disliking Drum Mag (Bullpup Angle)
  86. 20:05Drum Mag Reliability (95-97%)
  87. 20:12Comparison to 5 & 10 Rounders
  88. 20:14Cost-Effectiveness of Magazines
  89. 20:29Recommended Magazines
  90. 20:31Luck of Owning a Working Turkish Bullpup
  91. 20:39Forgiving Minor Flaws
  92. 20:46Non-Serious Application vs. Duty Shotgun
  93. 20:53Fun Factor of the BF12
  94. 20:58Future Plans for the Shotgun
  95. 21:03Viewer Opinions & Horrific Stories
  96. 21:15Conclusion & Thank You

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the reliability of the Century Arms BF12 shotgun after extensive testing?

After approximately 1500 rounds of mixed ammunition, the Century Arms BF12 demonstrated a reliability rate of around 99.2%, experiencing only 10-15 failures. This is considered a very good performance, especially for a Turkish-manufactured shotgun, which often faces skepticism regarding quality control.

How is the trigger quality on the Century Arms BF12 bullpup shotgun?

The trigger on the BF12 is noted for its heavy pull, estimated between 10-12 pounds, with some creep and significant over-travel. However, it features a very aggressive reset, allowing for rapid follow-up shots, making it functional for fast shooting despite its weight.

What are the main ergonomic drawbacks of the Century Arms BF12?

The primary ergonomic issue is that the magazines do not drop free, requiring a manual rip to remove them, which complicates reloads. Additionally, the bullpup design combined with a magazine-fed system can lead to awkward handling and reloading positions.

What type of operating system does the Century Arms BF12 use, and how does it perform?

The BF12 employs a piston-driven operating system with an over-gassed design and a lightweight piston. This system is credited with its ability to reliably cycle a wide variety of ammunition, including inexpensive birdshot, and has shown minimal wear even after 1500 rounds.

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