I know this is an old thread but yeh,
The olin/kodensha 101 is a great gun even by todays standard.
Own 4 and have owned 5 previous plus a nikko shadow and a 96 xpert basically same gun.
Only item i have ever replaced was 1 pair of kickers and 2 sets of firing pins and that was on guns that had shot in the 100s of thousands.
The whole recoil issue is non existent the gun just doesn't fit some people the same with lots of guns. I can shoot a 101 all day and literally not know i have been shooting.
Anyone who knows double guns well and isn't brand snobs will agree the 101 is a very well made gun on par with any browning, cd or beretta of its time.
Some complaints you may hear can be traced to owners not knowing how to treat them-
Fore end cracks are usually caused by pulling or oushing the fore end when it isn't properly engaged or disengaged from latch.
Slamming the gun closed will loosen it at it wears the locking faces.
People forget they where generally cheaper than brownjngs so tend to find them either mint or well well shot out.
Some of the best shooting, well balanced guns ever made imo and i have shot with just about everything.
