Verney Caron V12N
Mark Stone goes all ‘oo la la’ as he tries out a Verney-Carron V12N, a French semi-auto built by one of the oldest and most respected names in gun making history
One or two of you may remember I tried out a Verney-Carron over/under a while back and whilst I quite liked it, it wasn’t especially to UK tastes. However, now imported by Garlands, the first of this new batch of French smoothbores to cross our shores is the V12N semi-auto, a model bought up by French hunters just as quickly as the St. Etienne factory can produce them.
No frills all-round firearm
The V12N arrives in a cardboard box, the French especially seeing no need for guncases. What you do get is a very attractive semi – auto and a basic set of three flush-fit multi-chokes plus key. Where the V12N differs is that whichever barrel you initially opt for, Verney-Carron also offer additional ‘Chokinox’ chokes that are in effect barrel extensions that add up to 2” of length along with tighter or more open restrictions. This is in accordance with the French hunter’s propensity to use the V12N for wildfowling, shooting driven boar with slug and anything else that falls within muzzle range.
Flying high
The first impression is of an extremely slim single barrelled shotgun of a traditional design. The sporter stock and tapering forend, held in place by an oversized mag cap, are oil finished with precise panels of chequering, whilst the gently angled pistol – grip, minimum cast and thick honeycombed recoil pad should ensure most shooters will find the V12N comfortable to use.
One of the first to employ Ergal, Verney-Carron have once again milled the two – tone gloss and matte black receiver from aircraft aluminium, dovetailed along the top to facilitate the mounting of a sight whilst the Verney-Carron name, Sagittaire logo and V12N nomenclature are the only forms of decoration. By contrast the single claw bolt, release button just below the ejection port and trigger blade are all picked out with a buffed satin finish, the cross-bolt safety to the rear of the black guard. Interestingly with no detente button, all that’s required to lock the bolt back out of battery is to pull it rearwards as far as possible just as if the last round had just been fired.
The quality of the 27” black anodised, steel proofed barrel is beyond question. Verney-Carron barrels manufactured in St Etienne are internationally regarded as some of the best you can buy. Topped off with a cross-cut 7mm vented rib, small brass bead and a slight flare towards the muzzles to accommodate the chokes with a 3” Magnum chamber at the opposing end to facilitate the use of big banger loads -ammo the French are passionate about - a fact emphasised by the fitting of a self – regulating all metal seal valve that is effortless to remove and clean.
Le Chasse
Out and about around Rishton SG’s various sporting stands, the V12N soon proved why our continental counterparts are so keen on this 12 bore. Overall dimensions are some of the best you’ll encounter on a semi-auto, drops and comb and heel measuring 1½” and 2½” with a 14¾” length of pull, the only negative measurement being the rather stiff 6lbs average weight of the trigger blade. Weight wise, the V12N tips the scales at 7lbs 2oz with a balance point directly beneath the chamber, the mass distribution placing the gun squarely between the hands whilst bestowing the V12N with smooth, controlled handling characteristics.
Flat shooting by nature, the gun mounted, swung and discharged its 28g load of Express Supreme 8’s with flowing accuracy, no more than ¼ choke required for even the most distant targets. What was a true revelation was the V12N’s reaction during firing, the sensation being one of the softest I’ve encountered. Plain and simple in design, the only hint of the gun’s ability to soak up recoil is the extended spring that runs over the magazine tube and underneath the slide.
This is a single-barrelled shotgun that’s astoundingly soft to use even when 50g loads and a few slugs were introduced, while the cyclic rate and overall efficiency were truly impressive. The only negative I could find (although time with the gun quickly overcame) was the need to push the second and third rounds firmly into the magazine until they clicked. If not the next cartridge had a habit of popping out over the lifter, lodging below the bolt - frustrating until you worked out why.
Rates of pay
Once you’ve handled and shot a V12N you’ll fully appreciate the quality of build, level of performance and just how soft a gun it is to shoot. The main problem that faces this gun is the asking price of £1,170 due to the poor exchange rate of the euro, a figure that sees it knocking on the door of two well-known Italian makes that for many are the be all and end all. All I would say is that if the chance to try a V12N for yourself arises, do so and I’ll guarantee you’ll consider the investment worthwhile.
The V12N is an attractive, no nonsense and no frills gas operated semi-auto of the old school that should provide its owner with years of trouble free, multi-purpose service.
| Technical Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Model | Verney – Carron V12N |
| Type | Semi – auto |
| Action | Ergal aluminium |
| Stock | Walnut sporter |
| Bore | 12 |
| Barrel | 27” |
| Capacity | 3 |
| Chokes | Multi-chokes |
| Weight | 7lbs 2oz. approx. |
| Price | £1170 |
All Prices Are Guides Due to the Changes in US & European Exchange Rates
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