Cole's shotguns

BJP

BJP

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So I've decided that in the new year I'm going to upgrade my "all around" clay shooting gun. I'm heading down To the SHOT show to see what's new and then I intend to visit Joel Etchen in PA and Cole's (in Florida as I'll be there for a bit anyways).

I've heard nothing but good things about both and have seen a Joel Etchen special but never anything from Cole's. I kind of like the idea of picking a barreled action that's been hand engraved and then letting them stock it to my dimensions (an option at Cole's). So my question is simple, has anyone ever had this done and if so, might I ask what your experience and timeline was for the project ?

The Cole's route is obviously more costly but it's almost a bespoke gun in the sense that you can dictate the specs, but for the engraving. I know it'll be a 12 ga with 30" barrels (not a fan of 32") and it will be used mostly for skeet with the odd sporting clays round thrown in.
 
I can safely assume that the Coles option would be a Beretta.
FWIW.......
Having a stock fitted and made just for you is in my opinion worth every penny, and that's a lot of pennies.
Expect to be upwards of $3000 depending on wood choice to get started.
Timeline depends on the maker. Some overbook resulting in long lead times, some will just decline work to keep turn around times acceptable.
Good luck with the project.
 
The Coles custom option described is a Beretta. They are also the only Perazzi authorized dealer in FL., where you can get custom fitted, however I don't believe they offer the custom touches as they do on the Beretta.

Although I do not own a Cole custom, I've handled a few at their location in Harpswell ME. Very nice !

If you are happy with a 68x series gun, then the custom fit, wood and engraving and other such niceties will be right up your alley. You can pick a nice piece of wood, specify palm swell or not, type of stock, forend, type of recoil pad, style of checkering, monogram shield, what you want engraved, whether blue, coin finish or case colours, etc. etc. etc.(I'd opt for case colours and a leather covered pad ) With a little luck, Rich Cole will be there himself ( FL is much nicer in winter then ME ) to take care of you.
 
My understanding from the website is that the barreled actions they have are indeed the 687. I'm partial to the colour case hardened one with false sideplates but there's also a certain appeal to the traditional coin finished with scroll engraving. I'd probably opt for one they already had in the shop just to shorten wait time.

I'm going to go down and price one out then compare to the Blaser/Perazzi/Caesar Guerini offerings I see at SHOT. Joel Etchen has a pretty nice "all around" 687 but a properly fitted gun is something I've always wanted.

I'm happy with the 680series by Beretta as I don't compete, I shoot purely because I love it !
 
At one time Zoli was also an option as the base for a Cole Custom. As they are Zoli dealers, I would think that option still exists .
 
My only dealings with Coles has been on-line and they are great. A visit to their Naples outlet is definitely on the agenda when I'm down in Florida in early March. My planned visit last August was cancelled because they were closed for much of that month. A report on your visit would be much appreciated!
 
My intention is to visit the Harpswell location in Jan/Feb, then visit Joel Etchen in PA before I head south. Naples is less than 2 hours from us in Florida so before I head down I'll book an appointment with them to make sure I won't be disappointed. If they will let me, I'll take some pics and do a "fine shotgun store" type review !

I may even visit Hero Arms as it turns out the owner is an old friend of my father's !

The research and web browsing is almost as much fun as the shooting.
 
Your Harpswell visit should include a stop at L.L. Bean's flagship Freeport store ! While in coastal southern Maine, Cabela's in Scarborough and the Trading Post in Kittery are also
worthwhile stops ... and if heading that way, Orvis in Manchester VT. is more or less on the way back towards Albany and I-90
 
After 40 plus years of shooting the various clay target games and more than one custom fitted stock during those years, if I were doing it all again, I would have the adjustable comb built in right at the beginning of the process. Your face features may change over time, but what is more likely is that you will change guns over time (we are gunnutz ,right ? )
Both possibilities will turn out better for you if the gun has an adjustable comb.
 
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