doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Beginner Over/Under

I'm strong on Beretta. My 20 ga. 687 SP II Sporting may just be the perfect dove gun. Used exclusively twice, for eight shoots each time, in Argentina. Never once has it failed me in any way. I love my S X Ss, but that O/U will never leave my stable as long as I'm alive.

I bought my 686 Silver Pigeon back around the year 2000 for about $1400.00 at Jaqua's in Findley, Ohio. It was just before the Grand American in Vandalia and they offered a $500.00 voucher for a set of O/U barrels that Beretta would fit onto the gun at The Grand American a few weeks later. I was just starting out trap shooting at the time, so I bought the whole deal. Although the O/U barrels were for doubles trap, I learned to use them to shoot skeet by lining up the beads, while sliding the gun up in my shoulder like Tom Knapp did shooting his guns and it made a great trap/skeet combo. For some reason, no one thought that I would be able to shoot skeet with that gun, but they soon learned differently, while trying to figure out my methods..........That was also the gun that the Beretta representative at the Grand, taught me how I should close their gun, while he was explaining how the gun worked. He said when I closed the gun, I should always hold the lever over, close the gun up and then release the lever, locking the gun shut. Browning always told me the same thing with my BT-99. This used to cause great discussions on here and the topic of how to close a gun was always interesting. I have always continued to close my guns in that manner over the years with no problems.

Congratulations, Jimmy. That's a fine story.
JR

Giacomo told me the same thing for a Perazzi, hold the top lever to the right until the action is closed, then let go; I guess the theory is to save on locking bolt wear. English gunmakers say just close the action, esp with self openers believing the locking bolt needs to fully engage in the bite. After all the conflicting info, I’m still not sure which way is best, but I’ve abandoned holding the lever and just gently close the action.

I have heard that from Giacomo also. It’s so drummed jnto my head that whenever I see someone simply snap a gun shut it makes me cringe.

I have a 682 that I have shot for 40 years, and it is almost broken in. I replaced the locking pins once but probably didn't have to. I have a rack full of Browning Superposed, but the 682 is easier to restock and replace barrels on, so the 682 is what I would recommend. The old Brownings have more character, but character doesn't break birds.

Just because John Wayne did it in a lot of Westerns . . .

I’m curious as to what you are thinking makes a “beginners” O/U? Are you thinking low cost? Single trigger? Pistol grip? Something else?

While prices have come up over the last few years, the older Beretta Silver Snipes that were imported to the US in the 50s and 60s might be a good place to start. The were a base S55 model Beretta, gussied up for the US market, with things the importer thought would make them sell here. The trigger is usually non selective, they usually have a ventilated rib, and are either 12 or 20 gauge. There are exceptions. Prices for 12s hover between $500 to $1K.My dad’s copy has been in my custody since 2009, and we used it a lot prior to that. He bought it with a
re-enlistment bonus in 1964. It did break a firing pin in the lower barrel about 1970, Ahlman’s had them on the shelf, and fixed it in about 20 minutes, and sold us a spare that I still have. Mine really only sees use for late season pheasants, when the cold forces me to a single trigger gun. But, I try to use it every year for that, and there are many memories with that old gun.

They have always been a bit “under the radar” compared to more popular versions of O/U guns, but, have been a sound buy since they were introduced.

Good luck in your quest.

Best,
Ted

This very question was aired on The Shooting Channel on Youtube:

May help in decision making. I have a Berretta 687EELL in 20 bore with, unusually, a straight hand grip weighing in at just 1/2 ounce over 6 pounds. Delightful little game gun. I don't know if they can be obtained over your way but the French made Chapuis guns are excellent. I have one in 12 bore. Lagopus.....

An older Beretta BL4 or BL5 might be a good choice. I hunt with a 20 gauge 28" BL4. It handles nice, Brownings always feel a bit clunky. Nicest feel is the Perazzi MX line. Beretta close