Beretta silver pigeon

[BigBraz15]

I handled on of these this week, wow. Amazing balance and points fantastically. Didn’t get to shoot it unfortunately, but just getting thoughts on this compared to say a browning and what you prefer and why.

 

[Red Flyer]

Everyone will say “buy what fits you”.

They are correct.

A quality shotgun, that fits, can last a lifetime.

I happen to love Beretta’s handing too.

RF

 

[45CAT]

Those 686 s are built like a tank. The downside to a Browning is the firing pins seem to break more often than others. I own both

 

[cosmic]

The depth of the receiver on the SP is less than the Browning due to the locking lug arrangement. This gives the SP a slimmer feel. Suggest you try both if you can, before you make the big expenditure.

 

[brybenn]

Browning will generally have better wood figure and better finish. Berettas fit me better and I prefer the shallower reciever depth on the Beretta.
The 686 silver pigeon really shines in the subgauges

 

[warzaw]

The newer 686 with the Opti HP choke system are the way to go the barrels and choke tubes are much slimmer and better balanced than the Mobil Choke guns . I have a 30 inch 20 gauge 686 that is electric and balances perfectly between the hands. The Brownings as good as they are are just clunky in comparison. My opinion not necessarily a fact.

 

[1963beretta]

The Beretta is a well made gun. Overall a very nice firearm. As mentioned above, they tend to have fairly plain walnut which I’m not a fan of. For me, they fit very differently than Brownings. So much so that I sold all my Beretta’s with the exception of one in favour of its Browning equivalent. That was the best decision I made.

So to reinforce what has already been said, you are better off investing in a gun that fits versus one that doesn’t. If the Beretta is that well fitting gun, then you have a winner.

 

[struff55]

you never see any brownings on the world stage of trap or skeet shooting

 

[1963beretta]

you never see any brownings on the world stage of trap or skeet shooting

Nor do you see many CGN’rs either….

 

[Falconflyer]

Nor do you see many CGN’rs either….

Only in our dreams!

I’m in agreement with most everything said so far. I’ve owned several 680 series guns and loved every one of them. A 686 in 20 gauge is one of the best handling guns you will ever find in my opinion.

 

[rustybarrel]

Sometimes a company just gets a product right… and you can bank on it…Honda civic, Levi’s jeans, Filson Mackinaw wool. Etc. Beretta 686 O/U is it too.The design is trimmer than the Browning and they just work great.Earlier ones are nicer ….

 

[struff55]

actually there are many on EE
not sure what that has to do with trap and skeet shooting the world class trap and skeet shooting is dominated by guns made in italiy for a reason because they are well designed and for the most part very reliable

 

[reddog]

Well not all are Italian ,seen some Kriegofs starting to invade...

 

[Hunter7]

Hopefully your Silver Pigeon will shoot straighter than mine did, bottom barrel hit about a foot lower than the top one.

 

[BigBraz15]

Good to know. Appreciate all the input from everyone. I’m still on the fence what to do, as it is a lot to shell out for a shotgun.

Assessing all my options right now.

 

[Falconflyer]

Hopefully your Silver Pigeon will shoot straighter than mine did, bottom barrel hit about a foot lower than the top one.

Over the years I've actually seen more Browning's that weren't regulated properly than Beretta's, especially the older Citori's.