Breda Shotguns

Johnny G1 said:
I have a Breda 12 gauge auto and was wondering who has had one and how good were they, mine is from 1950 era. Thanks
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Col. Charles Askins jr makes several references to the Breda in his book on shotguns , it failed miserabely in the sand test - of course ALL the auto shotguns did.
None could take more than one cycle after being burried in sand!!:D
It did function well under the extreme firing test as did most of the Iitalian guns.
I have a friend who brought his over fromAustralia when he mob=ved, and likes it .
It has never let him down...
Cat
 
They are good solid good working guns. Like many Italian gun makers that have not had good luck in setting up a viable distributing network in North America they do not hold their value.
 
Last fall I bought an old Breda 710 Standard Magnum Automatic, with 3" chamber, chrome plated bore and external screw-on choke. My only complaint is that it takes a pretty stiff load to cycle it, a 1-1/8 oz 3-1/4 Dram seems to be the minimum, even with the friction rings properly set up for light loads and the mag tube oiled. I took the external choke off, making it a cylinder bore - don't try that with regular screw-in choke tubes! I've been shooting a fair bit of skeet with it. So far I'm very impressed with the old gun, it's very well made and solid.
 
I bought a Breda Brescia about a year ago, manf around the mid 50's. I had trouble at first with it cycling light loads, Walmart specials (same as P.E.I.'s post). I got it cleaned and hade a few springs replaced and it seems to be working fine though I stick to a little stiffer loads now to avoid the jams in the field. I removed the external choke and shoot clays and birds with it. A nice light gun with very minimal kick to it. Over all decent. I have found it hard to find info on the net for it though. I was able to find a pdf of the manual, if needed PM me and I will email it over.
 
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The Breda is one of the finest recoil operated semi shotguns ever built. From what I was told, Breda Bresciana Mechanica was originally a subsidized company. The Italian government considered it a make work project. Beretta sued the government because of unfair competition and won. The price of the unsubsidized guns went through the roof and Breda sales dropped off. The company was eventually sold to Beretta. There was a run of Breda's built several years ago but prices were in the $2000 range.

These guns do not cycle well with cheapo loads. I have shot thousands of rounds through mine and found it likes them a little heavy but it is very important to make sure you have the proper friction rings, shims and spring as there are many options. Make sure you do not fire magnum loads in it when it is set for light loads as it will break the fork behind the bolt. Earlier guns had a machined fork which was much stronger than the later welded spring steel version. Let me know if you need any more info. I've still got one of these guns and a few spare parts.
 
Hey guys my dad gave me his breda. He has not shot it in many years. Its a 710 semi auto 3 inch magnum. Its in very good shape and was not used very much. I would like more information on the friction rings and how to properly set them up for light or heavy loads, any help would be appreciated. When i took the gun apart, the concave washer was placed on top of the friction ring concave part facing down towards to butt of the gun.

Also, when i take the barrel off there is a plastic spacer, a large friction ring and one washer with a concave inside diameter and lastly a very large spring. Am i missing a washer?
 
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