Silver pigeon pump
- Thread starter Nbhunt3r
- Start date
there is a reason there is no info. don't buy it. no one wants them. bereta's attempt at pump was poorly designed. made for the American market. it was a flop. stick with what works and what you can get parts for, and after market support.
Falconflyer
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
They won't be worth much. They were not a very successful model for Beretta as far as sales go but I've never read or heard anything bad about them, in fact the guys who do own them genially speak well of them. I suspect that they might be hard to find parts for but I wouldn't let that stop me from owning one if I were to buy it cheap enough, don't think I'd go over $300 and that only if it's in decent condition.
Ask the man who owns one. A good friend has owned and used one for over 20 years. It has been completely reliable, he shoots it very well and he will never part with it. I acquired one by trade some time ago and not really being a pumpgun guy I have only had it to the range a few times, maybe 10 boxes through it. My observations.....
Very well made, real steel and real walnut and well fitted.
Much nicer detailing ( qualty and finish of blueing, quality and finish of wood, checkering, engraving) than any field grade Mossberg, Remington or Winchester pump that I have seen.
Has a shorter, quicker stroke than other designs but operates effortlessly, very quick and positive operation.
In hand, the over all quality is noticeably superior to field grade American pumps, but it was also a little more expensive new.
This was Beretta's attempt to crack the American pump market ( which is pretty much the only one of consequence) with a gun in a lower price range than their traditional over/unders, the pump which is the best selling type of shotgun in the US. Sales were modest, not through any shortcoming in the gun, but more because most American hunters couldn't see the point of paying more for a 'furrin' gun just to go huntin'. Beretta managed some significant sales contracts in the law enforcement and military arenas for a riot gun model but consumer sales of conventional guns were disappointing and the gun was slowly phased out after about 15 years on the market. Today they are a scarce curiosity, many shotgunners, even Beretta owners don't even know they exist. Never heard of inherent problems, in fact just the opposite,they are known as very reliable guns. Parts, if ever required ( very unlikely) are available through Western Gun Parts ( used) and Numrich Arms (new). They are a very sound design, very well executed, and are undervalued in my opinion.
Very well made, real steel and real walnut and well fitted.
Much nicer detailing ( qualty and finish of blueing, quality and finish of wood, checkering, engraving) than any field grade Mossberg, Remington or Winchester pump that I have seen.
Has a shorter, quicker stroke than other designs but operates effortlessly, very quick and positive operation.
In hand, the over all quality is noticeably superior to field grade American pumps, but it was also a little more expensive new.
This was Beretta's attempt to crack the American pump market ( which is pretty much the only one of consequence) with a gun in a lower price range than their traditional over/unders, the pump which is the best selling type of shotgun in the US. Sales were modest, not through any shortcoming in the gun, but more because most American hunters couldn't see the point of paying more for a 'furrin' gun just to go huntin'. Beretta managed some significant sales contracts in the law enforcement and military arenas for a riot gun model but consumer sales of conventional guns were disappointing and the gun was slowly phased out after about 15 years on the market. Today they are a scarce curiosity, many shotgunners, even Beretta owners don't even know they exist. Never heard of inherent problems, in fact just the opposite,they are known as very reliable guns. Parts, if ever required ( very unlikely) are available through Western Gun Parts ( used) and Numrich Arms (new). They are a very sound design, very well executed, and are undervalued in my opinion.
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They sold here new for bit over 100 bucks and were cheap if anything. It is no wingmaster
To each their own
Others have a different opinion including me of their quality and worth. I have handled two over the years but didnot buy them
Cheers
It sounds like you may have the same shotgun I have. I did some digging on it when I was working on it (the gun had been frozen for about 2 years) and came up with the following:
1. The gun was manufactured for the public from approximately 1960 to 1972
2. New, it sold for approximately $96 and currently is worth approximately $250
3. There is no manual for taking it apart and reassembling it (it took me 4 days to take it apart, clean it up, and get it working again)
4. Beretta does not carry replacement parts for it, and, in fact, does not even like to admit to having made it (it took me close to 15 minutes on the phone to get them to admit to having manufactured it, after offering to give the customer service rep the serial number)
5. The model name for it, through Beretta, is officially the Silver Pigeon SL 2
Hope this helps. If you have any other questions, feel free to email me: <email> and I'd be happy to discuss the gun with you further.
Looking for what ever information you guys have about this gun. I have spent a few hours searching all over the internet and feel as though I have read everything out there about it- there isn't much. From what I can find it appears this gun was made 60's to early 70's. I contacted Beretta and am still waiting for a response back but am not expecting much as most other reviews from people say they had a hard time getting information from them as this was the "low quality and cheap" gun they don't like to admit to producing. It has a full fixed choke and 28" barrel. The barrel is also stamped with "Chromium molybdenum alloy steel".
On Beretta's website I found a chart showing different stampings that indicate the year the gun was produced. I cannot find the markings on my gun but I have not tried to take it apart yet and am sure I will find them then.
I have a few questions I'm really interested in and would appreciate any input or any other info anyone might have.
1) Value
2) How to disassemble the gun and barrel for cleaning. (Is it as easy as unthreading the forearm cap and everything just coming apart like most other pumps?)
3) Can I shoot steel shot through this gun? If not what can you recommend as I plan on using it for waterfowl.
Thank you for any help you guys have!
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Value. When new they sold for about 75% more than an equivalent Remington 870. As a bit of an unknown today that difference no longer applies but realistically when they show up for sale today they seem to be about the same as a similar condition 870. I consider this to be a steal.
Basic disassembly is the same as most pumps, remove the magazine cap, twist and pull. No secret formula.
These guns have very fine, very light barrels. They were not designed or proofed for steel shot, do not use with steel shot unless you want to risk damage.
In the huge (and expensive) book "The World Of Beretta' by R L Wilson the Beretta pump gets barely a couple of sentences. It was purpose designed and built for the North American market and was unknown elsewhere. It is listed in NRA Blue Book of Gun Values, American value of course. Beretta representatives have no knowledge of or resources for these guns, this also applies to some other guns made in comparatively tiny quantities by this company which currently produces about one million firearms in hundreds of types and models per year for world wide distribution. The quality of these may not quite equal their over/under guns of the same time period but they certainly equal or surpass similar American made guns., although most Americans won't accept such a possibility.
In Gun Digest #32 from 1969 the Beretta Silver Pigeon pump, known as the SL- 2 ( imported to the US at that time by Garcia) listed for $185. By comparison the least expensive Beretta single trigger over/under in the same book , the BL-2 lists for $235 and the Remington Wingmaster for $ 104.95. Why would a pheasant and duck hunter accustomed to using ( and sometimes abusing) his gun hard consider paying so much more. They failed on economics, not because of flaws or lack of quality. Beretta the giant just could not compete with the inexpensive entrenched American product. My gun isn't a memory of a past encounter or a second hand reference. Mine is in hand, is in NRA excellent condition, not damaged worn or beat up, it is about as nice an example as you would likely find. My preference in shotguns is side by sides first, over/unders second and the occasional autoloader for specific purposes, in general pumps to me are a contraption. I like and have considerable experience with quality in both design and execution regarding firearms and to me the Beretta Silver Pigeon pump provides this better than any other standard grade pump that I have examined.
Basic disassembly is the same as most pumps, remove the magazine cap, twist and pull. No secret formula.
These guns have very fine, very light barrels. They were not designed or proofed for steel shot, do not use with steel shot unless you want to risk damage.
In the huge (and expensive) book "The World Of Beretta' by R L Wilson the Beretta pump gets barely a couple of sentences. It was purpose designed and built for the North American market and was unknown elsewhere. It is listed in NRA Blue Book of Gun Values, American value of course. Beretta representatives have no knowledge of or resources for these guns, this also applies to some other guns made in comparatively tiny quantities by this company which currently produces about one million firearms in hundreds of types and models per year for world wide distribution. The quality of these may not quite equal their over/under guns of the same time period but they certainly equal or surpass similar American made guns., although most Americans won't accept such a possibility.
In Gun Digest #32 from 1969 the Beretta Silver Pigeon pump, known as the SL- 2 ( imported to the US at that time by Garcia) listed for $185. By comparison the least expensive Beretta single trigger over/under in the same book , the BL-2 lists for $235 and the Remington Wingmaster for $ 104.95. Why would a pheasant and duck hunter accustomed to using ( and sometimes abusing) his gun hard consider paying so much more. They failed on economics, not because of flaws or lack of quality. Beretta the giant just could not compete with the inexpensive entrenched American product. My gun isn't a memory of a past encounter or a second hand reference. Mine is in hand, is in NRA excellent condition, not damaged worn or beat up, it is about as nice an example as you would likely find. My preference in shotguns is side by sides first, over/unders second and the occasional autoloader for specific purposes, in general pumps to me are a contraption. I like and have considerable experience with quality in both design and execution regarding firearms and to me the Beretta Silver Pigeon pump provides this better than any other standard grade pump that I have examined.
75% more. They sure didnot in 61 at 91 bucks US. Base Wingmaster was running about $109 in 61, $115 in 62 with VR
What to bet 69 was similar spread
I guess for me if they were what you say they would have been sought after and cherished like so many model 12's, ithaca 37 and wingmasters were even to this day. My dad had a gun shop in those years and I don't remember him selling even one new
But hey you love yours so that is all that is important.
They say the 202 manual can be used for cleaning the silver and the english is there hidden
http://www.berettaweb.com/Munuals/BerettA_RS202P.pdf
Cheers
http://www.berettaweb.com/1961 catalog/1961_beretta_catalog.pdf
62 price list
What to bet 69 was similar spread
I guess for me if they were what you say they would have been sought after and cherished like so many model 12's, ithaca 37 and wingmasters were even to this day. My dad had a gun shop in those years and I don't remember him selling even one new
But hey you love yours so that is all that is important.
They say the 202 manual can be used for cleaning the silver and the english is there hidden
http://www.berettaweb.com/Munuals/BerettA_RS202P.pdf
Cheers
http://www.berettaweb.com/1961 catalog/1961_beretta_catalog.pdf
62 price list
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1963beretta
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Vaughan, Ontario
Crazy how much those premier trap and skeet guns cost back then. Almost half the cost of most cars at the same time
Falconflyer
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
That truly is incredible what they cost! I just did a google search on the price of cars in 1962, Mini Coopers were $1595, a Galaxie 500 Skyliner convertible was $3350 and a Jaguar E Type was $5990..... $1028 was a lot to pay for a shotgun!
Yep. I wonder how many were bought. I don't recall ever seeing one here and only maybe two tournaments
Guys spending that money didnot buy pumps or semi's
Cheers
