Okay, here is my review:
First of all, this shotgun isn't cheap. $1044 (CDN funds) for the non-railed Initial version (that I bought). The fully loaded one with the full Rail, +1 extension, and LPA Fiber Optic Peep sights is about $200 more. Bought it online at TSE's website, got it in my hands about 4 or 5 working days later. Good turnaround and shipping speed considering it came from Calgary. Considering we waited about a year for these to come back in stock, I jumped on one.
Nice box, I was like a little kid and was nervous opening the box:
Fabarm doesn't disappoint, sure is a pretty specimen. Fit/finish is impeccable. I believe TSE dropped in some 50 Cal chocolate for good measure
Choke tool (takes internal chokes) and numerous allen keys:
Pretty handsome shorty:
Interesting markings on the Heat Shield:
Even the buttpad is attractive:
Good ergonomics, I do feel the LOP is a little short for my taste, 12.6". Might get the longer buttpads when TSE gets them in stock. Very comfortable pistol grip, little stopper on the forend is a good idea, the little rail on the end could easily fit a small light:
Low rise, adjustable 3 Dot sights w/a Peep. I used them without any problem, that peep is pretty small though, once you got it lined up you are hitting anything you want dead center. (Lots of lint from the cloth I used to wipe it down).
Size comparison with my other shorty, 14" Fabarm Pro Forces (below). STF/12 has an OAL of 29.5". Extremely agile and fast pointing shotgun:
My Pro Forces has the LPA Fiber Optic/Peep sights like the Railed STF/12 does, they are awesome sights
Shooting: I shot a few tubes of high brass 2 3/4 and 3"... recoil is greater than on my 14" Pro Forces, as it's lighter. When I snuck in a 3" into the tube, the shotgun recoiled farther and moved my glasses a little bit. I'd like to see about a 13" LOP instead of the 12.6". I'll buy the thicker buttpad when TSE gets them in stock. Also, I'm assuming 4+1 birdshot in 2 3/4 will fit 4 rounds in the tube, but the high brass stuff I had wouldn't fit 4 inside, just 3.
Loading, cycling is smooth as silk. Very precise with that tiny peep and the beed, quite impressed with the sight setup.
Expensive, but high quality shotgun. Fit and Finish is fantastic, it's that nice. Having a 11" shorty may not be that practical, but it's threaded for chokes, there's no reason why you couldn't make it more practical with the correct choke. Very impressed with it and think I made a wise choice in buying one. Not many of these have come into the country so far, so I can't see myself losing any money on it if I want to sell it later on.
The pictures speak for themselves. It's a beauty and functions as well as it looks. The only negative I can see is the LOP, if you are a tall dude with long arms, I can't see a 12.6" LOP working for you... but it's not that bad for me.