Which Beretta???

Roadhawk

Roadhawk

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I currently own a Beretta A400 Excel Sporting (blue receiver). I use it for trap shooting only and enjoy the gun. For years I have wanted to buy an over/under shotgun but could not afford the cost of a quality one. I am considering selling the A400 and buying a 686 Silver Pigeon 1. Any suggestions? Pros or cons of either gun? I am a casual trap shooter and looking to try skeet soon. I already own semis for hunting purposes ao this gun would only be for sport shooting.
 
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I have a Silver Pigeon 1 Sporting, and it is fantastic. I've shot a few of the higher end Berettas at my local club, and they are very nice as well. For the $'s the SP1 is hard to beat.

Thanks,
Cal.
 
If you are happy with the A400 stick with it. IMO, it's the best target semi-auto in production today. The 686 Sporting 1 is also a very good gun and definitely worth a look if you absolutely must have an o/u. If you can try and shoot one before you buy.

I'd suggest staying with the target configurations and avoid the field guns which tend to be lighter and not as well suited for prolonged clay target use.

Can you swing a way to purchase the o/u that you want while keeping the A400 at least until you know that the o/u is what you prefer? It's a terrible thing to realize that your new gun isn't meeting your expectations and you want your old one back. Been there, done that. :redface:
 
I just read a recent post discussing the 686 and there was much discussion about the gun having a poor fit and finish for a $3000 gun. The Brownings are nice but I felt they were not worth the high price tag either. It's too bad the quality of these firearms has dropped in recent years while the prices have gone up.
 
Claybuster said:
If you are happy with the A400 stick with it. IMO, it's the best target semi-auto in production today. The 686 Sporting 1 is also a very good gun and definitely worth a look if you absolutely must have an o/u. If you can try and shoot one before you buy.

I'd suggest staying with the target configurations and avoid the field guns which tend to be lighter and not as well suited for prolonged clay target use.

Can you swing a way to purchase the o/u that you want while keeping the A400 at least until you know that the o/u is what you prefer? It's a terrible thing to realize that your new gun isn't meeting your expectations and you want your old one back. Been there, done that. :redface:
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I thought about keeping the A400 and buying a lower end over/under like a Franchi,a Winchester, or even a Stoger but I am a true believer in "you get what you pay for". So that's where the idea of selling the semi to help increase the amount I would spend on an over/under came from. The best case scenario would be to have both but that is not an option.
 
Roadhawk said:
I just read a recent post discussing the 686 and there was much discussion about the gun having a poor fit and finish for a $3000 gun. The Brownings are nice but I felt they were not worth the high price tag either. It's too bad the quality of these firearms has dropped in recent years while the prices have gone up.
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It's very subjective but $3,000 isn't what it used to be. A site sponsor is listing an A400 Xcel with Kick-off for $2850 and another has the Beretta A400 Multi-Target listed at close to $4,000. Those prices are taxes not included. :eek:

Your best bet might be to keep an eye on the EE and ask around your local club for a good used o/u. Clay target shooters are very fickle when it come to guns and there's lots of life left in most of the ones that are passed along. Most of the dozen or so o/u I've owned were bought were used.
 
I have resolved never to buy another NEW gun. By watching EE closely and checking some gunshop websites, I have had some amazing buys and saved a considerable amount of cash. All the guns I have brought are in truly excellent shape and are faultless mechanically. I have a Beretta A400 Excel that was purchased from my favourite local gun store for $1199 +tax , hell of a saving over the cost of a new one.!!
 
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I too really enjoyed my A400 Xcel. Great gun, and I shot some nice trap scores with it. If you want an OU Beretta I would suggest a nice used 682 Gold or 682 Gold E. They are very nice, solid guns that last 100k+ rounds.
 
Id try out a few o/u and see what fits you best, i have tried at least 12 different o/u and none have fit me just right and i cant hit well with them at all. I love my Excel and wouldnt dare sell it until I knew what I was getting.
 
I tried a number of quality O/U's during the 90's including several Kolars, Kreighoffs and Perazzis. I had previously owned Brownings, Winchester 101's, Clasic Doubles and a couple of Berettas, of which I liked the old 682 Gold best of all. I had my heart set on an ASE 90, but come time when the cash was there, they were discontinued and I couldn't find one for love nor money. In 2000, I decided on a DT-10 ... and it was immediately off to the gunsmith for a change in comb height, cast off, length of pull and pitch ! They have to fit !!!

Very happy with the DT-10, but have continued trying other new guns & refinements that have come along. No need or desire to change so far. Like Claybuster, I also have a 391 (actually a pair of them) that I also shoot well, but so far can't convince myself that the A400 is any better !

For the money, I would encourage the original poster to take a hard look at either a lightly used (and not abused) 682 Gold or 682 Gold E Sporter with 30" barrels.
An adjustable comb would be an asset ( and one can be added fairly economically) to achieve a better fit. Such would seem to me to be ideal for what he's looking for, and perhaps a bit less $$$ than a new SP1.


 
Barnard308 said:
Id try out a few o/u and see what fits you best, i have tried at least 12 different o/u and none have fit me just right and i cant hit well with them at all. I love my Excel and wouldnt dare sell it until I knew what I was getting.
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Great advice. I will get out and try a few before making a purchase. It's not the same as holding it to your shoulder in the gun shop.
 
beretta boy said:
I tried a number of quality O/U's during the 90's including several Kolars, Kreighoffs and Perazzis. I had previously owned Brownings, Winchester 101's, Clasic Doubles and a couple of Berettas, of which I liked the old 682 Gold best of all. I had my heart set on an ASE 90, but come time when the cash was there, they were discontinued and I couldn't find one for love nor money. In 2000, I decided on a DT-10 ... and it was immediately off to the gunsmith for a change in comb height, cast off, length of pull and pitch ! They have to fit !!!

Very happy with the DT-10, but have continued trying other new guns & refinements that have come along. No need or desire to change so far. Like Claybuster, I also have a 391 (actually a pair of them) that I also shoot well, but so far can't convince myself that the A400 is any better !

For the money, I would encourage the original poster to take a hard look at either a lightly used (and not abused) 682 Gold or 682 Gold E Sporter with 30" barrels.
An adjustable comb would be an asset ( and one can be added fairly economically) to achieve a better fit. Such would seem to me to be ideal for what he's looking for, and perhaps a bit less $$$ than a new SP1. 
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Our paths have been very similar. ;)

I have 391s in 12 and 20 gauge and while the A400 is an improvement it's not so much of one that I'd part with the guns I already have. I've also owned a couple of 682s and agree they are an excellent choice.

As for the ASE90, I too lusted after one. In the late 90's I shot a couple of times at a private club with a fellow who had a spectacular ASE90 and I offered to buy it from him more than once. I hadn't seen him for years until I ran into him last January at the Toronto DU dinner. The guy must be a mind reader because immediately after we shook hands and before I had a chance to ask he said, "Yes I still have it and no it's not for sale." Foiled again. :d
 
I have a 682 Gold with adjustable comb. Can do multi-targets and is superbly balanced. Fine guns, sometimes going for a good price.
Caution though - trap guns often have the cr@p shot out of them due to the volume of shooting serious clay shooters do. Best see the gun in person if you can.
 
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