Beretta 686 Siver Pigeon 1 Sporting

C

Cardamonfrost

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Hi All,

I have searched using a few different keywords and cant seem to find anyone shooting a Beretta 686 SP1 Sporting.

I am updating my current O/U, a Franchi Instinct L. The 686 Sporting is on my short list, actually on the top of it. For the price, I cant find a better gun. I have had the opportunity to shoot a 686 a few times, but as far as I know it wasn't the Sporting, but a 30 inch field model with the auto safety disabled. I am looking at a 32 inch model, and I like the idea of the Optima bored barrels.

I tried the new 725 Citori for 800 more, and it left me feeling a little dry, although I do like mechanical triggers.

It will be 90% skeet/five stand, and the odd upland walk.

The thing that I am concerned with is the 686's inertia trigger. Is there anyone here shooting one with sub-gauges? If I really like it, I would consider a set of tubes for it. There is some message board chatter about the triggers not resetting. I have a hard time believing anything I read on the 'net these days though.

They must be pretty good, as I haven't seen any used postings for them!

So, any actual experience out there?

Great thanks,
C
 
I have had one (30" Sporting) for about 4 years. No problem with trigger/ hammers. I have well over 10,000 rounds fired, and everything is still tight.

If it fits you, buy it... you won't be disappointed. Just make sure you really want the 32". Try one first.
 
Thanks guys.

I will look into the 30 inch barrels. There is some talk about 32s being a tad long for skeet, when having to overcome the momentum and change swing direction on the doubles.

ADAMG, what is the minimum length for sub gauge tubes? I have never really thought about it. I never through to ask the guys at the range what length their tubes are... The Briley videos don't really say anything about length...

Thanks
C
 
Go with whatever length of bbl makes you happy. I think people make way too much out of bbl length. 32s will work fine for Skeet, but so will 26s (and anything in between).

I believe right now that 30" is most popular, with a lot of 28s still around and a recent popularity of 32s and still some 26s kicking around from when they were popular.

I know of a lot of people who have had their Berettas modified to shoot .410.
 
So, an update.

I went to 2 vendors today and looked at 5 different 686 SP1 Sportings. All 30 inch.

Honestly, I was underwhelmed. I was expecting much more in the fit and finish department. I cant believe that is what you get for 3k these days. The 3 year old Franchi Instinct I am currently shooting far exceeds the fit/finish that I saw on all of these guns. I know they are better engineered, but the build quality leaves me not wanting to spend my money that way.

I also checked out a used Cynergy Classic sporting and a used Beretta 692 with 32 inch barrels. The browning was superior to the 686s in fit finish. I like the fact that its actually blued on the barrels not 'black chrome'. I do not like the fact it has no case....

So I couldn't bring myself to spend any money today. I need to do some research on the brownings.

C
 
I don't think I would pay 3K for a SP I either. Wow, they sure have gone way up in price. I guess everything else has too.

Beretta has always been known for using fence posts for stocks, unless you want to pay a premium for the EL's, etc.. They are a good gun, but there are others out there that are just as good. If you are going to pay 3K or more, I'd look elsewhere.

Maybe you could look around for a gently used gun... they ( B guns and many others) are well made and don't break easily. Ya, they'll loosen up over time, then you just find someone to tighten her up and shoot another 20,000. I won't suggest any particular names... there are many good ones... and that is a personal thing.

I know this is an over used cliche', but it is very true when talking about shotguns... "buy once, cry once". It's difficult for some to understand, but you DO get value for money. Good luck in your quest!
 
Cardamonfrost said:
So, an update.

I went to 2 vendors today and looked at 5 different 686 SP1 Sportings. All 30 inch.

Honestly, I was underwhelmed. I was expecting much more in the fit and finish department. I cant believe that is what you get for 3k these days. The 3 year old Franchi Instinct I am currently shooting far exceeds the fit/finish that I saw on all of these guns. I know they are better engineered, but the build quality leaves me not wanting to spend my money that way.

I also checked out a used Cynergy Classic sporting and a used Beretta 692 with 32 inch barrels. The browning was superior to the 686s in fit finish. I like the fact that its actually blued on the barrels not 'black chrome'. I do not like the fact it has no case....

So I couldn't bring myself to spend any money today. I need to do some research on the brownings.

C
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Talk to Clay at Prophet River. You can get into a Rizzini Vertex Sporting for 3K and the fit and finish are better than what you would get on a Beretta that is double the price! And that is no joke. I can attest to the Rizzini. I bought one last year and was so impressed with it I have a new Trap Combo on order. Clay has several of the Vertex Sportings in stock in barrel lengths both 30" and 32" and even in a raised rib version with Monte carlo stock and extended chokes for $2999. They are impressive guns for the $.
 
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I run a 686 with a 28" barrel, but I'm 5'9.

A 32" for my size is too big, can't swing it quick enough.
On the other hand, my friend is 6'2 and shoots a 32", a 28" for him would be too fast and light.

The International skeet shooters at our club all shoot 28" guns, DT10's/11's etc, because they need more speed.

Also keep in mind, you can make a 28" barrel into a 30" with a 2" extended choke, or a 30 into a 32, etc, etc.
 
Thank you everyone who replied.

It really is a difficult situation. I guess I can afford any reasonable gun out there, I just don't see why that is necessary. And further to that, its not that I am vain, but I do want a pretty gun. Last night I tinkered with a used Beretta 692, which is obviously an excellent firearm - you can tell the second you pick it up. But the plain sideplates do not scream out to me.

I know they don't make a difference, but I watch the old guys at the club, shooting the same gun they have had for 50 years. That is what I want. If I am going to have something that long it had better be pretty!

And honestly, its not that there is anything wrong with the 686 SP Sporting, it has the features I want, I just cant believe they let stuff out of the factory like that. Of the ones I looked at, the least offensive was one that had the head of the fine gold lock screw (that locks the main retaining screw for the trigger group) was badly chewed up. I know it can be replaced, but wow...

I will check out the Rizzini. I don't know anyone who shoots one at my club, so I am a tad weary about repairs etc. That and I cant actually handle it before purchase as I am in Ontario.

I have a few more stops, Al Flahrety's has 2 SP Sporting in 30 so I will check them out too, just to see if the others I looked at were 'flyers'. Also, Elis Guns has one coming in today, I cant go see it, but I will ask for detailed pics.

My last couple gun purchases were not this hard....

C
 
yes prices have come up over the years, but if you do get a Beretta 686 SP1, it will last you a lifetime. If you only concern is wood, you can always get a higher end wood model with the silver pigeon, check out joel etchen's website from the US, gives you an example of the higher tier wood available. I hear what you mean, at that price it's nice to have a nice piece of walnut. check out the cabelas 686 onyx series, high grade wood. available only in the US thought, you would have to import one.
 
Noob_ said:
yes prices have come up over the years, but if you do get a Beretta 686 SP1, it will last you a lifetime. If you only concern is wood, you can always get a higher end wood model with the silver pigeon, check out joel etchen's website from the US, gives you an example of the higher tier wood available. I hear what you mean, at that price it's nice to have a nice piece of walnut. check out the cabelas 686 onyx series, high grade wood. available only in the US thought, you would have to import one.
Click to expand...

We import a couple for customers from Etchens every month it seems. Very easy to deal with.
 
Prophet River said:
We import a couple for customers from Etchens every month it seems. Very easy to deal with.
Click to expand...

I should chime in that if you do import, use prophet river, they brought mine over and were awesome to deal with, thanks clay. If you can't find what you want here in Canada, the Cabela's 686 onyx series is great, as is Joel Etchen's Sp3 series which will keep you with the beretta 686. If it fit's you, you can't go wrong with it.
 
Some additional experience with Beretta you might want to consider. While I like my 682 it has been far from reliable. I doubt whether I have any more than 10,000 rounds thru it. Extractor broke, also broke on a friends 682 with even fewer rounds. The spring on the inertia block broke. Choke threads on the bottom barrel are rough so it takes a bit of force to screw in the choke tube. The eccentric that works the lockup mechanism broke. Each time it takes 6+ months to get parts for repair. Fortunately, I was able to borrow a gun to keep shooting.

As others said, the wood is far from stellar but the stock finish on the 682, the 687 SP2 and even a DT10 is unbelievably bad. If you happen to shoot in a sporting clays competition and get caught in the rain, the finish peels right off. This is not an isolated case as I have experienced it on 4 different Berettas. The good news if any, is once the finish is gone, the stock is easy to re-stain and oil.
 
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