doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Custom O/Us - Orvis vs. Cole's

Any thoughts or guidance on the following would be most appreciated:

I have been using a Franchi Alcione O/U 12 gauge as my "all-around" gun (clays and upland game). It is a solid gun, but I am coming to realize that the fit is not right and the fix is too expensive for the gun. So, I have decided to sell the Franchi and make an investment in a custom O/U that I can use as an all-around gun. (There is an RBL 20 in my safe that will satisfy my need to handle a sxs from time to time).

In part because of geography, I have focused on Cole's in Maine and Orvis' shop in VT. Cole's uses the Beretta 686 series as the platform and Orvis uses a Caesar Guerini (what appears to some variation of the Woodlander perhaps?). For what I am after, prices and fitting services appear to be comparable.

I have read nothing but good things about Cole's - has anyone had experience with the Orvis custom guns or their custom fitting process? I spoke with their gunsmith, Jordan Smith, today - he seemed knowledgeable and easy to work with.

Thanks in advance.

+ 1 on Cole's! They converted my 20/28 ga 687 EELL to double triggers very satisfactorily (is that a word?).
Joe

I have always been a big fan of the Beretta action. With that said, the Orvis Ceasars are really nice too. Whenever we travel to Quail Country Plantation in Southwest Georgia, my dad leaves behind his Beretta and uses their Orvis guns. The woods is always beautiful.

I've also owned the older Orvis Beretta Upander. Another very nice gun.


If I was in your position, here is what I would. Buy a used Beretta o/u that has the configuration you like regarding gauge, barrel lenght, etc. Then send the gun to Cole's to be custom fitted to your chosen stock. This is much cheaper than buying a gun from him.

I have considered doing this with a 20ga Silver Pigeon. I would send the action to Turnbull for color casing for $250. The trigger guard and forend iron charcoal blued for $100. Then send the gun to Coles for stocking. For $1200-$1500 you can get some insanely nice wood.


When done the gun would look like this.
https://colegun.com/beretta-small-action-double-barrel-set-p-989.html

The costs:

Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon used... $1000-$1200
Color Case and Blue work... $350
Stock work....$1200-$1500


Total... somewhere between $2500-$3000

You could buy one gun for this price but you would probably end up with nicer wood this way.


Adam

Wow - now that is a thinking man's approach to the problem (also makes for an easier sell on the homefront). There seem to be a lot of used Onyxs and Silver Pigeons avaiable to make this work. Apparently, Rich Cole is traveling for awhile but this looks like a good idea to explore with him when he gets back.

Adam has a great suggestion. The only thing I would add, is when you get Cole to replace the stock, consider a second set of barrels. I had them add a 20ga set to my 12ga Silver Pigeon.

Pete

Interesting, I had seen that Cole's was offering that option but was wondering if there was that much weight difference given that that receiver is still a 12-gauge receiver. Is the gun noticeably lighter with the 20 ga barrels?

I bought a Cole Custom Beretta 12 gauge and loved it so much I went back and bought one in 20 gauge. They're the only two O/U shotguns that I have and I enjoy them as much as I do my SxS shotguns.

I never had any experience with Orvis, so I can't help you there.

I cant speak to experience with their customs, but I have enjoyed dealing with them in the past...I had Cole's do some work for me, a crack repair in a uggie forend and a refinish and chase the checkering on my Caprinus. They did a great job, excellent customer service and quick turnaround time.

Another time, I was considering buying a project gun, a used pre war sauer, that had some issues. They took the time to evaluate the gun for free when I walked in and saved me a lot of money and trouble!

Good luck with your project

I had Cole's make a custom for me, it was very exepnsive but most of that was engraving that I probably didn't "need", it can be very reasonable if you are reasonable with your choices. If you want a standard Beretta he has a pile fo rough finished blanks that can be made to your dimensions without much fuss. Here a pic for you:

Beretta's are great

i've owned and shot half a dozen different Berettas over the years and they're all 100% reliable
in addition to handling well
from 682 12 ga to 686 20ga 28ga and 410 inserts
all fun
elegant guns, excellent design ,simple to clean
there's a few reasons they've sold 1,000,000 plus

remember they are light ...

20 ga too light for me at skeet, sporting clays etc

so i reload 5/8 oz in my 12 and love it.
and have a pocketful of heavier loads for longer shots

I put a 682 stock on a 686 and then altered the full pistol
to a prince of wales grip
some days i even shoot kinda good