686 black onyx versus white onxy versus onyx pro...? HELP!

[scharfg]

Hi there. Newby here.

Am I right to understand that the only difference between the black and white onyx is the colour of the receiver...?

I have a black onyx lined up to purchase.

I have also seen a onyx pro for sale (3.5" chamber), both are 28" barrell.

I am new to the clay pigeon shooting sports and have done some upland hunting (blue and ruffed grouse).

The 3.5" chambered pro is 2 ounce heavier (accoding to the beretta web page).

What other differences are there other than the pro has the xtreme wood and a duller finish on the barrels and it is suppose to take the weather better on the stock and the barells etc?

They are listed for the same price on the beretta web site.

Is the fit, finish, handling going to be the same...?

I don't need the 3.5" chamber but the pro is a little bit cheaper and I would like a gun that can take a day of duck hunting in the rain and still look nice. I understand the pro was built more for the hunter so it's a bit more durable but other than that does it still have the famous beretta fit and finish and ease of swing...?

I'm left handed does that matter here?

Thanks very much in advance for your assistance!

 

[Claybuster]

The basic Beretta action is the same on all their 680 series guns so it comes down to what you need.

Whether a gun fits and handles well is entirely up to the shooter. Also Beretta guns usually come with some right hand bend (cast) in the stock so that's something to keep in mind for a left hander.

Were it me I'd skip the 3-1/2" chambers. If the gun is going to primarily be a target gun with occasional waterfowl outings then a 3" gun will get the job done.

I also confess to being a traditionalist when it comes to shotguns and think the Beretta Xtrawood is gross. Wood stocks can be easily refinished to look like new but I'm not sure how one would go about getting a new layer of film put on an Xtrawood gun.

 

[troyski2]

That black onyx with 3.5's will kick like absolute hell. I've heard of large men selling that gun because they were afraid to shoot it. So, if you're actually looking for 3.5" functionality, I would reccommend something else. As far as the xtra-wood finish, I agree with claybuster.

 

[scharfg]

Hi folks, thank you very much for the input. I would'nt want to shoot 3.5" out of it at all. I find 3" work fine for my style of hunting.

It's ~$100 cheaper than the black onyx so that's the only reason I was thinkin about it.

Take care!