Beretta 688
- Thread starter Clay Huntin' Canuck
- Start date
Falconflyer
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I haven't seen or handled one and I expect it will be a while until we see them in use but I saw the TGS review on youtube that you mentioned and I can't help but think he's a bit biased since Beretta is a sponsor. Having said that, I've been a big fan of Beretta over and under shotguns for years and have owned many of their models. Some of their guns have had issues but that's to be expected for any manufacturer that has been in business as long as Beretta has. Overall, their products are sound and I expect the 688 will be too.
It looks interesting. If their goal was to create an entry level competition shotgun with features that separate it from the Silver Pigeon like more weight, adjustable trigger and newer barrel and choke technology they were successful. But the $1000 US premium over the SP misses the mark in my opinion.
Falconflyer
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I would pay more for the heavier action, adjustable trigger and better barrel technology (and I have with other models) but the laminate stock should be cheaper than a nice walnut stock and therefore should not command a premium price in my opinion.
Watching his older videos John always seemed fair and unbiased and spoke highly of Beretta. I'm interested in the 688 as well. It's a clay gun that could double as a waterfowl option as well. I've watched several videos of it from various places. All say it's a wider and heavier receiver than the 680 series but no one has mentioned if the internals interchange yet. It seems like it's placed between the 686 and the 694
Falconflyer
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
The wider receiver is nothing new on Beretta target o/u guns. The original 680 receiver was 1.66 inches and that was later reduced to 1.58 on the 682 Gold E then widened again to 1.63 on the 692.
All of the literature I've seen on the 688 says it's heavier but they don't say compared to what or how wide it is. Maybe it's the same width as the Dt 11 at 1.69... I dunno.
All of the literature I've seen on the 688 says it's heavier but they don't say compared to what or how wide it is. Maybe it's the same width as the Dt 11 at 1.69... I dunno.
Falconflyer
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Lloyd seemed to be pretty impressed with it, in fact he was at a loss for words at times.
I think I'll have to put on my curmudgeon hat for this one. The "modern" receiver styling fits my version of ugly. The laminate stock just screams cheap Pakistani hunting knife. Not long ago, a narrow profile receiver was a feature. Now it's a flaw that needs fatter. 
I do like the adjustable reach trigger blade though.
I do like the adjustable reach trigger blade though.
I'm still on the fence about the laminateI think I'll have to put on my curmudgeon hat for this one. The "modern" receiver styling fits my version of ugly. The laminate stock just screams cheap Pakistani hunting knife. Not long ago, a narrow profile receiver was a feature. Now it's a flaw that needs fatter.
I do like the adjustable reach trigger blade though.
I have a old boyds stock on my Mossburg 500 and love it (but its a stylish thumb hole stock) not sure if I like this or the browning classic trap laminate stocks. It might grow on me or not.
I do wish they would come out with some kind of clay target art on the receiver,
Something like: engraved clay target flying across the side , but that's just my taste ,
Something different instead of bird dogs and game birds, especially if this is a clay's shooting gun.
So true. I have a number of high end shotguns. I don't shoot them any better than my old, well used 870 - nor are they any more reliable. Though both are special to me, the beauties were love at first sight for the most part, and it took many years in and out of the saddle scabbard to form the relationship I have with the 870.
Well that 688 has got my interest ,look forward to seeing it live as video never tells the whole "look" story. As for high priced or cheap guns always seems to go back to fit, watched a young fellow with a beat up 870t go toe to toe with a guy shooting a new Kolar ,he won and was pretty consistent until near the end of the day when recoil started to take its toll.
Falconflyer
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Everyone I know has a story about how a kid with an 870 that beat a guy with an expensive shotgun and I've seen it myself too. The part that no one mentions is the eyesight and reflexes of the younger guy. The natural hand eye coordination that some folks have over others is evident when you look at athletes that excel in one sport are often above average in other sports too, we're not all the same and that's the long and short of it. Like most people, I'm no natural born athlete but I do have some nice guns and I enjoy using them, you could say that they are the fruits of my labor.
Falconflyer
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I agree, the laminate stock and the receiver styling are not to my taste either.I think I'll have to put on my curmudgeon hat for this one. The "modern" receiver styling fits my version of ugly. The laminate stock just screams cheap Pakistani hunting knife. Not long ago, a narrow profile receiver was a feature. Now it's a flaw that needs fatter.
I do like the adjustable reach trigger blade though.
The matt finish that is all the rage these days is much cheaper to manufacture than bright shiny deep bluing and also screams "cheap" to me but it's surprisingly popular and people are paying a premium for it even though it costs less to produce.
I think it certainly looks interesting. Two things hold me back and that is the drop at comb is high, at 55mm. I feel having an adjustable comb is lost with such a high starting drop. Would have preferred a 60mm or 65mm drop and then raise from there. I personally do not like the laminate, but that's just my preference.
Someone mentioned it can double as a duck gun. That would not be my preference as its chamber is only 2 3/4" and I certainly prefer 3" for duck hunting. That's not to say that 2 3/4" cant get it done, but the ammo is harder to find and definitely packs less of a punch. To me this is a purpose-built target gun and I think it does well with that.
Someone mentioned it can double as a duck gun. That would not be my preference as its chamber is only 2 3/4" and I certainly prefer 3" for duck hunting. That's not to say that 2 3/4" cant get it done, but the ammo is harder to find and definitely packs less of a punch. To me this is a purpose-built target gun and I think it does well with that.
