It is not only Beretta, the same goes for Browning, Benelli and others. The prices have all gone up alot but the quality is exceptional compared to many years ago. The internals on most of the guns are almost identical, but the fancy wood and alot of engraving really spikes the price. I don't need all that fancy stuff, I just want something that is dependable and good quality.
Oh yeah. I'm a sniper rifle guy myself and don't care that much about shotguns, but find myself watching a lot of these because he is so passionate about them and a joy to listen to.
Coming back into shooting after a gap,I bought a second hand Beretta 686E at auction,lacquered stock,30 inch multi choke,.schnable forend,basic,dull workhorse.Guess what? it shoots well,its reliable and cost me a grand.Perfect.
Brilliant presentation with great back lighting too. This channel is going from strength to strength. This guy used to annoy me a bit, I thought he was a bit too cocky, but now I am happy to say I was wrong and really think he is the best in the business by far. 10/10.
I own a 1989 Beretta 686 Onyx 12 gauge over under Sporter with 30" multi-choke barrels, purchased from a gun shop as a first gun. It shoots superbly, is easy to maintain, removing the ejectors is straight forward. The thing I like most about it is it’s a Beretta, all the heritage and quality that implies. It’ll hold its value so represents a good investment, what’s not to like.
After 35 years I swapped over from side by sides, and got an Onyx as a first O/U to see whether I liked O/Us. It was new as I had a decent credit note with the gun shop. Got it properly fitted (which of course is the most important thing) and it fits like a glove. Nothing fancy about it. Doesn't pretend to be fancy either. It is what it is.
I watched your videos and about two months ago I made a decision and bought the Beretta 686 SP 1 sporter with 30" barrels and extended chockes I love my gun it fits me well thanks for your videos
Just got my first O/U shotgun. It is a 1966 Beretta Silver Snipe 12. It has the select fire trigger, fixed full and mod barrels. It has dings, but works flawlessly. We love this thing. After shooting it for the first time, my son wants to buy a new Beretta. We are looking at a Silver Pigeon.
Beretta service down here is the best in the industry by far. They have full time gunsmiths and offer free fitting as part of the service if you buy a new one. If you buy a secondhand one they will charge a nominal fee and still do it. If you go to completion where Beretta is a sponsor they will do a free clean and service of the gun. When some of the wood swelled during a 6 hour hunt in the rain they finished the would back near the opening lever and sealed it for free then adjusted it so that it locks up tight. So you pay a bit more than Miroku but you get a hell of lot of service and if you going to keep for 10 or more years they will keep it locking up like new.
I have a simple way of looking at price. Say the gun cost $2000. So if you have it 10 years that is $200 per year. So $200 is about dining out for 3-4 good meals. So what do you have left after the meal - a poop. The gun might be worth less than the $2000 in 10 years, but it is still worth more than 30-40 poops. I must admit I am a Beretta fan. From 686, SV10, EL, 687EELLs, DT10, SO4, and ...
They are roughly 1850 "quid" over here in the states right now. I personally think that they are at the top of the heap when looking at value (price/quality). The Browning Citori line is close, but not quite as good a value IMHO. I own both, shoot both and like both.
My wife has a thirty year old 686 Special and it's a cracking gun that never misses a beat (probably just cursed it!). If she was to sell it, she'd easily get her money back but she'd never part with it. I've just bought a new White Onyx and I'm delighted with it. Fits me perfectly, I love its looks and how it handles, and I know it'll last me forever. Is it flashy? No. But it's the right gun for me and that makes it worth the money for me.
I'd love to see a video on some of your personal favourite guns and why.. It'd be interesting to hear your insight into why you like them too. And also what guns you actually own and use -- excellent video though like the new room!
My veteran friends got me into shooting trap a little over a year ago and I am hooked, I absolutely love it. I am currently shooting an Izh-27, with auto ejectors, the most widespread over/under made in Russia, most likely made between 1977-1980. Based on all the reading of gun forums, gun threads and videoes, like this one, I understand that in the world of O/U shotguns my gun is a "club". That said, I have shot a 47/50 with it so it still does the job. I plan on dropping some coin on an upgrade and am seriously looking at a Beretta 692 Xtrap. Could you do an in-depth review and push me over the edge?
I can tell you when I first got my SP I Sporting I was a little disappointed with the quality for what I paid. The wood finishing was abysmal and the fit and finish was lacking. But as it gets broken in, everything seems to be coming together nicely.
Love my Beretta Silver Pigeon, fitted like a glove straight from the box. I'm left handed too! Interesting comment on cartridges earlier, I might be a poor shot but mine appears to hate Eley. A real hole in the pattern.
Like them or loathe them they have been around a long time, Buy a Beretta and it’s a known quantity, they work, they should still be around in years to come, parts will still be available. Apparently the gunsmith likes working on them ( although if it only takes 5 minutes it won’t make him much money ) Some things in life become classics, be it a 57 Chevy, a Fender strat or even a beretta silver pigeon ..... the best ..... no probably not, but in 20 years time you will still see one on the gun range.
Watched your videos and I bought a SP1 sporter in February. I love it to bits. Picked it up for £990 and it's got 30" matte black barrels and some lovely wood on it. I looked at several others for around £300 more and they weren't as nice to be honest. I've put at least 1000 rounds through it with no problems at all. If there ever was a problem id be confindent enough to work on it myself as they are so easy to work with. So cheers TGS for the educational and honest reviews that influenced my purchase 🖒 looking forward to that top 5 foxing rifle review in the future so I can make my next investment 😉
saw the title and had a nasty moment! I bought an SP1 as a first gun on the strength of your in depth review. So imagine my horror when up comes a statement that they are overpriced. Watched the article and it turns out that all is well. Happy with my purchase. Bought a nice pre-loved example. In the end they are only worth what people will pay. Let's see if I am still smiling in 10 years time! If they really are that simple to work on how about a disassemble, service, reassemble video for those who fancy a go?
Quite like my 686 Onyx - wood is ugly as sin (which I like in a perverse way) although chequering is nice, and far prefer to game scenes. Prefer the handling of 686 to my 691, as well as the thicker grip, but the 691 is quite new to me. And it handles in the rain, when it seems a lot of new Berettas seem to swell. My gunsmith spent a couple of weeks oiling the 691, while the Onyx has a polyurethane finish. He's also has had a few 694s come back after being rained on, as well as other Beretta models, as the wood has swollen and the top lever can't open. Beretta might be cutting too many corners.
I spent 2000 us dollars on a 686 sporting edition and 1800 on a a400 I love the a400 more only because I'm still learning to shoot an over and under over a pump or semi auto. I seem to have trouble with the concept of two barrels and which one fires first and second and how they point different. Well expensive I do love the quality of Beretta.
How do the 2 barrels point differently? The single sighting plane with 2 different chokes is the whole point of an O/U. You may be complaining about stock fit, which, I certainly agree is poor for the average shooter in virtually every off the rack modern O/U I've handled. In shotguns, decent stock fit is extremely important.
Still not a big fan of beretta to be honest, in the past I've looked at different models and none off them fitted me !! . Very 1st Browning 525 I pick up fits like a glove
So, I'm definitely someone who wants a shotgun to last a long time AND be easy to disassemble & work on. I've been saving for a Caesar Guerini but, now you have me maybe considering a Beretta. Let's say both fit about the same, do you think the CG is worth paying 2-3 times as much as a Beretta ? I was looking at either getting a CG Maxum Sporting or being more practical and just getting a Beretta 686 SP I.
Have a question for Jonny. What do you call a 686 wearing the adjustable comb stock for a 682 Gold E? BTW, you have to love Beretta spares, this stock was labeled a "Blem" due to finish issues from long term storage and cost was about 40% of new. Which took me all of perhaps 5 minutes to correct that dusty and dull finish with a bit of tung oil. Of interest is that it features cut checkering, not laser.
I managed to pick up an ex shooting school 686 SP1, has a couple of minor knocks on the wood, but it meant I could afford it. The school made sure if fitted me (its also the school that both me and my girls are having lessons at) and I am really enjoying shooting it. Not sure if will ever want to part with it as its my first gun :)
Hello from Portugal! I Love your videos and I own one Beretta s686 Special from early 1980's (I believe from 1981). My father bought hit when I was bourn, "is the gun for the baby" he said :) After all these years hunting and smashing clay and hundreds of thousands of shots...not a gap in the action! Realy amazing! Now I have the stock and the forehand restored because the years do not forgive . I also own a Benelli and a Browning, both semi-auto, but over and under, for me, is Beretta. Keep on with these amazing videos!! (Sorry about my english)
I think the basic browning 525 is a better gun in the £1700 price range of beretta more expensive models Had a silver pigeon and sold it to me it didn’t fit and looked boring just my opinion
Do you have any tips on buying second hand? What is the best way to make sure you get a good gun? I have decided on a Beretta but at the moment am considering (it's a gun I'll want to keep forever as my first one) whether I may be better off buying something like a second hand Silver Pigeon V or a brand new Silver Pigeon. I would like something a bit more beautiful but am quite nervous about buying a second hand gun, especially one where I am kind of relying on pictures (not a whole lot of dealers holding the kinds of gun I want) online. While I can return a gun it may be a loss of about £100 for posting either way if I don't like it or have problems
That's not the way to buy a shotgun because stock fit is so extremely important to a really rewarding shooting experience. You can contort your body around virtually anything and convince yourself that it should be that way perhaps because you see other shooters doing the same thing. Believe me, it's NOT the way it ought to be! The difference between a stock that is too straight with too little drop at comb and heel and perhaps insufficient cast for your build and one that is right or even about right is day and night.
I agree, there is a vast difference in quality of older guns versus new guns. We have gradually learned to accept a lower quality gun and be charged more money for it.
I got a 692 this February that is a very plain looking gun overall with a grade 3-ish stock and no engravings but it handles well and I enjoy shooting it.
Modern CNC machining techniques have made machined parts better than they have ever been in most cases. However the wood on most Silver Pigeons is about as interesting as construction lumber. For what they cost, they could at least use semi-fancy wood. You DO pay for the name.
Had no end of reliability issues with Beretta. Sticky ejector constantly even when clean as a whistle. They don't like the wet and seem to lock shut occasionally, not firing or the top lever seized. I had 2 Berettas and now, I don't. Browning is my no1. Never had a single issue with any Browning. They're bomb proof.
Please review a 12 gauge Browning 725 Feather with 28 inch barrels. It is supposed to weigh 6 pounds and 9 ounces or close to that weight. If you have already I would also like to know that. Maybe post a link in your reply?
TGS: Here's a gun review I spent much time on! Browning fans: *silent* TGS: Beretta's are..... Browning fans: CLEARLY the best gun in the world is the browning 525.... (I own a 690 so I'm a little biased. I apologise if I offended ;) )
being 2022 these guns start at $2400 in the US. You can't touch a so called hand finished anything for that much in this country. I'd say if you want hand finished, you are not going to fret over price.
Sorry you haven't convinced me, shot one a few years ago and to be honest I thought it was a dog. I was shooting a Browning at the time, and all I can say is if you think Berretta's are good value at their price point try a Browning.
Hey please help i have a beretta a400 extreme semi auto and just recently go the interest in over under and have been watching your videos non stop my question is should I trade my semi auto in for a over under for all around purpose clays/hunting and if yes I would like to stick to italian over under which would you recommend? Much appreciated
I never have shot a Beretta shotgun, but the ones I have handled seem to be solid. The Beretta M9 pistol I shot was a good gun, but that's not a shotgun. I imagine that when you compare them to a less expensive Turkish gun you get what you pay for.
Yes they are, in the same way nearly every other high end gun is, i understand hand work, finishing, high grade wood, etc costs more, and so it should. But in terms of mechanical advantage a 686 sp is no better gun than an mk70, and is a dt11, perazzi , k80 etc 6-15x better in mechanics/finish than base grade guns mentioned, again no, you pay a premium for a name, shotguns aren't that complicated, alot goes into making a long lasting well regulated gun, but after say a 686/mk70/525 how much better do they get
A good used beretta 686 for example 1300 you can get that back in a heartbeat if you sell it again. If you buy a tukish gun new for like 800 nobody is gonna even wanna pay 400 for that secound hand actually. So i dont think berettas are that expensive.
It would be interesting to see your thoughts on a K80. Ive bought one (Parcours 32"), marmite yes, but god I love it! You should shoot one - if you like a mk38 sporterised trap gun I reckon you'll the the parcours! But back to the point.... Is buying a £10k gun for life a good buy???? Tell me why / why not?
If people are whinging that a silver pigeon is over priced I’m not sure how they would feel about my answer on whether buying a 10k gun was a good idea! We have a k80 review going out next week.
The Gun Shop - yes! I think it's a good idea - because I could literally shoot 100's of thousands of shots through it over my lifetime and I know with a little maintenance I'll hand it over to my kids and they could shoot it for a lifetime - and the gun still being worth something! A gun like this is an investment! But I'm biased of course! On another note - the Best Buy in the beretta range is the Beretta 682 Gold E sporter. Everything wears is easily replaced and more user adaptable than a SP - and it's 2000% bulletproof
Once upon a time I was a die hard Browning fan. However Browning quality has really declined in the past ten years. The 725s I've picked up had poor wood to metal fit, and the action was not the glass smooth action Browning was known for. The lightning I picked up last season was the same way. Berettas are finished out much nicer than almost any other shotgun Ive handled in the same price range. Are they expensive? Yes. However what over and under is not sky high in today's market? You are not buying a firearm that will last just a few seasons before being scrap because of repair cost. You are buying a lifetime tool that when properly maintained should work flawlessly every time you shoot it. Just my 2cents.
Hi have a oid 686 special was given to me by an old boy who paid £800 for it new and unfortunately gave up shooting I gave a oid 682 goid secondhand sport pad 1500 had it for 15 years giving it lots of abuse but looked after it as well use it for lots of beginners starters ducks geese winter frosty cold wet and it’s still brilliant I have 690 three pad 2000 if it last as loing as the 682 goid I well be happy yes you can get a ATA 700 grate guns I lick hafe I finck the Francie for 900 1000 is good
Johnny, if you took away the hard case, the engraving, the ejectors, used grade 1 wood and only include one set of chokes to save the customer (say) $600 or 350 pounds for example, would it make the gun less of a Beretta and do you not think more customers in the market for an affordable O/U would chose this route? Beretta did just that once upon a time with the s55 (predecessor of the Silver Pigeon) because back then the company was scared and hungry but today Beretta has gotten fat and complacent while still trying to nickel and dine their loyal customers to death but that may change now that they no longer have a military contract with the US for the 92 and really nothing in their line up to compete with the AR platform. Don't get me wrong, I am a huge Beretta fan and own everything from their 92 to CX4 to their Silver Pigeon but with tougher gun laws, the world over and less expensive guns with increasingly better quality control, technology and design from a multitude of newer companies the writing is on the wall. It is insanity and what I think, a poor business move for Beretta to not come out with an entry level over under and for Beretta to just rest on the laurels of their existing customer base or that of Stoeger's offerings. Beretta's loyalists will not buy a Stoeger or even a Benelli for that matter and here in Canada, there are a tonne of Stoeger O/Us for under $500 (around 300 pounds) that have not moved in over a year. More people buy Maverick O/Us than Stoegers. That's the Mossberg Maverick BTW. I think that when Beretta get their head out of the clouds, which I think is soon, they will be introducing an affordable O/U under the parent banner. Rant over.
OMG... People really fails to realize how much a little contract that of the handguns for the US Army really is. For every big gunmaker, those are pocket money. Not by chance, there was not really a row of manufacturers that competed for the XM17 program, were there? No Walther, no H&K, no Steyr, no Ruger...
I am looking to buy my first and hopefully last O/U for the range and as well as upland hunting. I have it narrowed down to 686 Silver Pigeon or Citori 725 Field. Which would you pick?
I had (still have) a defective silver pigeon 20 ga ..fails to fire the second barrel about 1/3 of the time... the company representative would not even discuss further repair or replacement after an alleged repair effort that was not successful ...and doubt it was even halfway attempted.......never would have imagined the rudeness of the Beretta representative....I'll never buy another...never. I've dealt in firearms for some 40 plus years here in middle Tennessee and northern Alabama with many different firearm makers who were more than willing to do what was necessary ...to make that rare repair or replacement....but not Beretta..not them...acted as if they were too good to help........I still get angry thinking about the way I was treated...the gun is practically unsaleable and in fact, is too dangerous to use .....buyer beware of this company if you ever encounter an issue.
Yeah, I could have worked and saved up for a silver pigeon or something of the like but with some thought and a viewing your too much gun video I instead just bought a Yildiz legacy SPZ ME 12g, as a person with less than a year of clay shooting experience I just thought it made more sense as a first gun.
In plenty of cases the Beretta name sells the firearm just on the name alone. Beretta tries to be all things to all people. I'm not sure this is the best philosophy. They make Firearms at every price point. It's up to the individual to determine what's best for them
Shot mostly Beretta’s over the last 40 years and been quite satisfied. Then I was persuaded to try a Browning. Over the last 2 years I’ve shot nothing else. I’ve bought 3 in 12 - 20 and 28gauge and shoot nothing else. I don’t believe in claiming that between the two makes one is better than the other - it’s totally a matter of what feels right for you. Keep those videos coming John.
I’m from America and I hate beretta personally. If I was gonna buy a semi auto benelli is better and if I was gonna buy a over under I’d get a Caesar Guerini
I'm pretty damn fresh to all of this, in the sense that I've been shooting a handful of times with relative success, but I've been watching all your videos and have a fairly specific question for you. I need a gun for both clay and game, but now have limited function in my left arm (I'm right handed), so the question is, what would you recommend as a lightweight (as much as can be) shotgun that still packs enough punch and usability??
Rearward balance would be key here I think. It would be hard to get a lightweight 12 that feels like this so a 20 makes sense. Consider the beretta 20b sporter SP1 or perhaps most f/c 20b would fit the bill as long as they lend themselves to a rearward balance.
The biggest cost in almost any company is labour costs. It's why China does so well and it's why companies move their manufacturing outfits to entire other countries, just to save on labour costs. So Beretta goes from slow, expensive, laborious hand crafting on guns to machining them and they go up 500 pounds?! That's not a dig a Beretta specifically but when you go from hand making goods to machine engineering, your costs go down, not up, which is why the do it in the first place.
Always spend more on cartridges than the gun, at the end of the day if you point a £100 gun at a stationery pigeon it will kill it the same as a 5k gun.
I understand the price of their over unders but their semi autos are entirely over priced imo, I've shot a few and still couldn't justify the price for what you get, the systems they used can be found in many other semi autos of good quality. Don't want to bash the gun but it just comes down to a "look what I can afford, I don't hunt much but I bought an expensive hunting gun" kind of thing, atleast around my part of the world.
As you rightly said, you are buying not just the gun but the warranty back up and service from gmk, the capacity to buy Beretta accessories anywhere in store or online. The bigger issue is a social economic one, namely wages for most people have not kept pace with inflation. The silver pigeon is still a fabulously reliable gun to use. I would defy most owners to shoot one out in their lifetime.
I had a Beretta over under 20 gauge it was a lemon. I’ll never buy another Beretta I learned my lesson not only was it over priced it was a clunker save your money by Benelli.
I understand the point of this.. but I’ve used guns upto £5000... the new baikal is still the Best Buy for the money.. plain action like the f16.... single trigger. Ejector. M/c reliable. Does everything you want for £530 destroys any value for money imo.. love you to do a review on the newest model.
sorry mate! i listened to half the video before commenting. Beretta's in the 80's/90's were well built, good quality guns. They are now 'Also Ran's'! You cannot honestly tell me that a Silver Pigeon 1 at around 1900 quid is a better quality gun than a Browning 525 1 at around 1500 quid? Or a Miroku MK38 1 at around the same money? I've seen silver pigeons rattle themselves to pieces within 18months and 692's where the forend falls off during comps! ......Along with barrel defects, broken firing pins, appalling wood to metal fit and cracked stocks. it would appear you've got to pay 5k and above for a decent Beretta which is not an option for most shooters.
Over priced?????? If your starting out, they seem out of reach. To actually buy one for say trap, looking at 4k....reality, browning/ miroku are much better value, and within reach of the ordinary person. But in saying that they work, I guess it boils down to personal preference. High demand, popularity, equals high prices for a beretta...... I do own a boring pidgeon, the DTL model.
It is not only Beretta, the same goes for Browning, Benelli and others. The prices have all gone up alot but the quality is exceptional compared to many years ago. The internals on most of the guns are almost identical, but the fancy wood and alot of engraving really spikes the price. I don't need all that fancy stuff, I just want something that is dependable and good quality.
Does anybody else get that Top Gear vibe from listening to him talk about guns.
Oh yeah. I'm a sniper rifle guy myself and don't care that much about shotguns, but find myself watching a lot of these because he is so passionate about them and a joy to listen to.
No.
Not even remotely
This gun is probably the best gun (Clarkson type pause) "in the world". 😉
Coming back into shooting after a gap,I bought a second hand Beretta 686E at auction,lacquered stock,30 inch multi choke,.schnable forend,basic,dull workhorse.Guess what? it shoots well,its reliable and cost me a grand.Perfect.
I have recently purchased a 691 with adjustable stock , fits me well and smashes clays , ill have it for the rest of my life .
The 686 is going for about 2k here in the states, I can agree that they're worth it.
I still use my dad's Beretta s55 bought in 1962. Never had a problem, never broken a spring or a pin. That's Beretta.
Brilliant presentation with great back lighting too. This channel is going from strength to strength. This guy used to annoy me a bit, I thought he was a bit too cocky, but now I am happy to say I was wrong and really think he is the best in the business by far. 10/10.
The Jeremy Clarkson of shotguns?
I own a 1989 Beretta 686 Onyx 12 gauge over under Sporter with 30" multi-choke barrels, purchased from a gun shop as a first gun. It shoots superbly, is easy to maintain, removing the ejectors is straight forward. The thing I like most about it is it’s a Beretta, all the heritage and quality that implies. It’ll hold its value so represents a good investment, what’s not to like.
After 35 years I swapped over from side by sides, and got an Onyx as a first O/U to see whether I liked O/Us. It was new as I had a decent credit note with the gun shop. Got it properly fitted (which of course is the most important thing) and it fits like a glove. Nothing fancy about it. Doesn't pretend to be fancy either. It is what it is.
I watched your videos and about two months ago I made a decision and bought the Beretta 686 SP 1 sporter with 30" barrels and extended chockes I love my gun it fits me well thanks for your videos
Just got my first O/U shotgun. It is a 1966 Beretta Silver Snipe 12. It has the select fire trigger, fixed full and mod barrels. It has dings, but works flawlessly. We love this thing. After shooting it for the first time, my son wants to buy a new Beretta. We are looking at a Silver Pigeon.
Beretta service down here is the best in the industry by far. They have full time gunsmiths and offer free fitting as part of the service if you buy a new one. If you buy a secondhand one they will charge a nominal fee and still do it. If you go to completion where Beretta is a sponsor they will do a free clean and service of the gun. When some of the wood swelled during a 6 hour hunt in the rain they finished the would back near the opening lever and sealed it for free then adjusted it so that it locks up tight.
So you pay a bit more than Miroku but you get a hell of lot of service and if you going to keep for 10 or more years they will keep it locking up like new.
I have a simple way of looking at price. Say the gun cost $2000. So if you have it 10 years that is $200 per year. So $200 is about dining out for 3-4 good meals. So what do you have left after the meal - a poop. The gun might be worth less than the $2000 in 10 years, but it is still worth more than 30-40 poops.
I must admit I am a Beretta fan. From 686, SV10, EL, 687EELLs, DT10, SO4, and ...
In ten years, properly maintained, I guarantee you a good Beretta will be worth more than $2000!
They are roughly 1850 "quid" over here in the states right now. I personally think that they are at the top of the heap when looking at value (price/quality). The Browning Citori line is close, but not quite as good a value IMHO. I own both, shoot both and like both.
My wife has a thirty year old 686 Special and it's a cracking gun that never misses a beat (probably just cursed it!). If she was to sell it, she'd easily get her money back but she'd never part with it. I've just bought a new White Onyx and I'm delighted with it. Fits me perfectly, I love its looks and how it handles, and I know it'll last me forever. Is it flashy? No. But it's the right gun for me and that makes it worth the money for me.
Sitting here with my DT11 getting defensive watching this 😂😂
That 10 grand is worth it tho
I'd love to see a video on some of your personal favourite guns and why.. It'd be interesting to hear your insight into why you like them too. And also what guns you actually own and use -- excellent video though like the new room!
My veteran friends got me into shooting trap a little over a year ago and I am hooked, I absolutely love it. I am currently shooting an Izh-27, with auto ejectors, the most widespread over/under made in Russia, most likely made between 1977-1980. Based on all the reading of gun forums, gun threads and videoes, like this one, I understand that in the world of O/U shotguns my gun is a "club". That said, I have shot a 47/50 with it so it still does the job. I plan on dropping some coin on an upgrade and am seriously looking at a Beretta 692 Xtrap. Could you do an in-depth review and push me over the edge?
I can tell you when I first got my SP I Sporting I was a little disappointed with the quality for what I paid. The wood finishing was abysmal and the fit and finish was lacking. But as it gets broken in, everything seems to be coming together nicely.
Love my Beretta Silver Pigeon, fitted like a glove straight from the box. I'm left handed too!
Interesting comment on cartridges earlier, I might be a poor shot but mine appears to hate Eley. A real hole in the pattern.
Like them or loathe them they have been around a long time, Buy a Beretta and it’s a known quantity, they work, they should still be around in years to come, parts will still be available.
Apparently the gunsmith likes working on them ( although if it only takes 5 minutes it won’t make him much money )
Some things in life become classics, be it a 57 Chevy, a Fender strat or even a beretta silver pigeon ..... the best ..... no probably not, but in 20 years time you will still see one on the gun range.
Beauty is in the eye's of the beholder. You made a reasonable justification of the beretta price and quality. Well done!
I own a Silver Pigeon and LOVE IT!
Watched your videos and I bought a SP1 sporter in February. I love it to bits. Picked it up for £990 and it's got 30" matte black barrels and some lovely wood on it. I looked at several others for around £300 more and they weren't as nice to be honest. I've put at least 1000 rounds through it with no problems at all. If there ever was a problem id be confindent enough to work on it myself as they are so easy to work with. So cheers TGS for the educational and honest reviews that influenced my purchase 🖒 looking forward to that top 5 foxing rifle review in the future so I can make my next investment 😉
saw the title and had a nasty moment! I bought an SP1 as a first gun on the strength of your in depth review. So imagine my horror when up comes a statement that they are overpriced. Watched the article and it turns out that all is well. Happy with my purchase. Bought a nice pre-loved example. In the end they are only worth what people will pay. Let's see if I am still smiling in 10 years time! If they really are that simple to work on how about a disassemble, service, reassemble video for those who fancy a go?
Quite like my 686 Onyx - wood is ugly as sin (which I like in a perverse way) although chequering is nice, and far prefer to game scenes. Prefer the handling of 686 to my 691, as well as the thicker grip, but the 691 is quite new to me. And it handles in the rain, when it seems a lot of new Berettas seem to swell. My gunsmith spent a couple of weeks oiling the 691, while the Onyx has a polyurethane finish. He's also has had a few 694s come back after being rained on, as well as other Beretta models, as the wood has swollen and the top lever can't open. Beretta might be cutting too many corners.
I spent 2000 us dollars on a 686 sporting edition and 1800 on a a400 I love the a400 more only because I'm still learning to shoot an over and under over a pump or semi auto. I seem to have trouble with the concept of two barrels and which one fires first and second and how they point different. Well expensive I do love the quality of Beretta.
How do the 2 barrels point differently? The single sighting plane with 2 different chokes is the whole point of an O/U. You may be complaining about stock fit, which, I certainly agree is poor for the average shooter in virtually every off the rack modern O/U I've handled. In shotguns, decent stock fit is extremely important.
Still not a big fan of beretta to be honest, in the past I've looked at different models and none off them fitted me !! . Very 1st Browning 525 I pick up fits like a glove
Kind of unrelated with all due respect
How tall are you and are you fat ? 😂
So, I'm definitely someone who wants a shotgun to last a long time AND be easy to disassemble & work on. I've been saving for a Caesar Guerini but, now you have me maybe considering a Beretta. Let's say both fit about the same, do you think the CG is worth paying 2-3 times as much as a Beretta ? I was looking at either getting a CG Maxum Sporting or being more practical and just getting a Beretta 686 SP I.
Guerini are very very pretty. But it it’s a long lasting gun you want, you need to be looking at their invictus action.
B686 is like a fender strat!
Fender Strats are overpriced too
Next video idea: fixing up the loaner Berretta!
Yes, this would be a great idea please do it
687 game ...covers all bases ..love it ..real jack of all trades .and still looks good
Have a question for Jonny. What do you call a 686 wearing the adjustable comb stock for a 682 Gold E? BTW, you have to love Beretta spares, this stock was labeled a "Blem" due to finish issues from long term storage and cost was about 40% of new. Which took me all of perhaps 5 minutes to correct that dusty and dull finish with a bit of tung oil. Of interest is that it features cut checkering, not laser.
I managed to pick up an ex shooting school 686 SP1, has a couple of minor knocks on the wood, but it meant I could afford it. The school made sure if fitted me (its also the school that both me and my girls are having lessons at) and I am really enjoying shooting it. Not sure if will ever want to part with it as its my first gun :)
Hello from Portugal! I Love your videos and I own one Beretta s686 Special from early 1980's (I believe from 1981). My father bought hit when I was bourn, "is the gun for the baby" he said :) After all these years hunting and smashing clay and hundreds of thousands of shots...not a gap in the action! Realy amazing! Now I have the stock and the forehand restored because the years do not forgive . I also own a Benelli and a Browning, both semi-auto, but over and under, for me, is Beretta. Keep on with these amazing videos!! (Sorry about my english)
Brilliant Story. Thanks for sharing
Interesting video, thanks for posting it. Please keep the podcasts coming.
I think the basic browning 525 is a better gun in the £1700 price range of beretta more expensive models Had a silver pigeon and sold it to me it didn’t fit and looked boring just my opinion
Do you have any tips on buying second hand? What is the best way to make sure you get a good gun? I have decided on a Beretta but at the moment am considering (it's a gun I'll want to keep forever as my first one) whether I may be better off buying something like a second hand Silver Pigeon V or a brand new Silver Pigeon. I would like something a bit more beautiful but am quite nervous about buying a second hand gun, especially one where I am kind of relying on pictures (not a whole lot of dealers holding the kinds of gun I want) online. While I can return a gun it may be a loss of about £100 for posting either way if I don't like it or have problems
That's not the way to buy a shotgun because stock fit is so extremely important to a really rewarding shooting experience. You can contort your body around virtually anything and convince yourself that it should be that way perhaps because you see other shooters doing the same thing. Believe me, it's NOT the way it ought to be! The difference between a stock that is too straight with too little drop at comb and heel and perhaps insufficient cast for your build and one that is right or even about right is day and night.
Well, the Breda Zenith L looks interesting but not on the market here. Guess I'll have to settle for a Beretta 693.
I seen some of the older Berettas from the 70's and 80's, and the wood in them was stunning, really good. The modern ones seem bland and a bit meh.
I agree, there is a vast difference in quality of older guns versus new guns. We have gradually learned to accept a lower quality gun and be charged more money for it.
I got a 692 this February that is a very plain looking gun overall with a grade 3-ish stock and no engravings but it handles well and I enjoy shooting it.
Modern CNC machining techniques have made machined parts better than they have ever been in most cases. However the wood on most Silver Pigeons is about as interesting as construction lumber. For what they cost, they could at least use semi-fancy wood. You DO pay for the name.
Had no end of reliability issues with Beretta. Sticky ejector constantly even when clean as a whistle.
They don't like the wet and seem to lock shut occasionally, not firing or the top lever seized.
I had 2 Berettas and now, I don't.
Browning is my no1. Never had a single issue with any Browning. They're bomb proof.
Please review a 12 gauge Browning 725 Feather with 28 inch barrels. It is supposed to weigh 6 pounds and 9 ounces or close to that weight. If you have already I would also like to know that. Maybe post a link in your reply?
TGS: Here's a gun review I spent much time on!
Browning fans: *silent*
TGS: Beretta's are.....
Browning fans: CLEARLY the best gun in the world is the browning 525....
(I own a 690 so I'm a little biased. I apologise if I offended ;) )
Please.. can you make a comparison video for a beretta and tristar? Cause a lot of people saying they are the same and tristar is way cheaper
Would love to see a Review on Franchi affinity one ? I am sure you have used them.
I'd still prefer an old stonecoat 682 to anything made today....I think most new guns are overpriced
Excellent video wiliam wallace.
being 2022 these guns start at $2400 in the US. You can't touch a so called hand finished anything for that much in this country.
I'd say if you want hand finished, you are not going to fret over price.
Sorry you haven't convinced me, shot one a few years ago and to be honest I thought it was a dog.
I was shooting a Browning at the time, and all I can say is if you think Berretta's are good value at
their price point try a Browning.
For the budget and mid-range, Beretta is overpriced compared to similar brands like Browning/Miroku.
Hi John can you justify paying the extra for a 692 over a 690 black? There’s roughly £800 between the adjustable models
Does the Blaser F3 fit this investment bracket also do you think? I love Blaser rifles and considering an F3... Seem to hold their value
Hey please help i have a beretta a400 extreme semi auto and just recently go the interest in over under and have been watching your videos non stop my question is should I trade my semi auto in for a over under for all around purpose clays/hunting and if yes I would like to stick to italian over under which would you recommend? Much appreciated
Especially Krieghofs
I never have shot a Beretta shotgun, but the ones I have handled seem to be solid.
The Beretta M9 pistol I shot was a good gun, but that's not a shotgun. I imagine that when you compare them to a less expensive Turkish gun you get what you pay for.
Totally agree on all points.
Yes they are, in the same way nearly every other high end gun is, i understand hand work, finishing, high grade wood, etc costs more, and so it should. But in terms of mechanical advantage a 686 sp is no better gun than an mk70, and is a dt11, perazzi , k80 etc 6-15x better in mechanics/finish than base grade guns mentioned, again no, you pay a premium for a name, shotguns aren't that complicated, alot goes into making a long lasting well regulated gun, but after say a 686/mk70/525 how much better do they get
Mechanically sound guns but the SP-1 has abysmal wood on it.
A good used beretta 686 for example 1300 you can get that back in a heartbeat if you sell it again. If you buy a tukish gun new for like 800 nobody is gonna even wanna pay 400 for that secound hand actually. So i dont think berettas are that expensive.
It would be interesting to see your thoughts on a K80. Ive bought one (Parcours 32"), marmite yes, but god I love it! You should shoot one - if you like a mk38 sporterised trap gun I reckon you'll the the parcours! But back to the point....
Is buying a £10k gun for life a good buy???? Tell me why / why not?
If people are whinging that a silver pigeon is over priced I’m not sure how they would feel about my answer on whether buying a 10k gun was a good idea!
We have a k80 review going out next week.
The Gun Shop - yes! I think it's a good idea - because I could literally shoot 100's of thousands of shots through it over my lifetime and I know with a little maintenance I'll hand it over to my kids and they could shoot it for a lifetime - and the gun still being worth something! A gun like this is an investment! But I'm biased of course!
On another note - the Best Buy in the beretta range is the Beretta 682 Gold E sporter. Everything wears is easily replaced and more user adaptable than a SP - and it's 2000% bulletproof
Once upon a time I was a die hard Browning fan. However Browning quality has really declined in the past ten years. The 725s I've picked up had poor wood to metal fit, and the action was not the glass smooth action Browning was known for. The lightning I picked up last season was the same way. Berettas are finished out much nicer than almost any other shotgun Ive handled in the same price range. Are they expensive? Yes. However what over and under is not sky high in today's market? You are not buying a firearm that will last just a few seasons before being scrap because of repair cost. You are buying a lifetime tool that when properly maintained should work flawlessly every time you shoot it. Just my 2cents.
Hi have a oid 686 special was given to me by an old boy who paid £800 for it new and unfortunately gave up shooting I gave a oid 682 goid secondhand sport pad 1500 had it for 15 years giving it lots of abuse but looked after it as well use it for lots of beginners starters ducks geese winter frosty cold wet and it’s still brilliant I have 690 three pad 2000 if it last as loing as the 682 goid I well be happy yes you can get a ATA 700 grate guns I lick hafe I finck the Francie for 900 1000 is good
Compound interest... You mean inflation? XD
Johnny, if you took away the hard case, the engraving, the ejectors, used grade 1 wood and only include one set of chokes to save the customer (say) $600 or 350 pounds for example, would it make the gun less of a Beretta and do you not think more customers in the market for an affordable O/U would chose this route? Beretta did just that once upon a time with the s55 (predecessor of the Silver Pigeon) because back then the company was scared and hungry but today Beretta has gotten fat and complacent while still trying to nickel and dine their loyal customers to death but that may change now that they no longer have a military contract with the US for the 92 and really nothing in their line up to compete with the AR platform. Don't get me wrong, I am a huge Beretta fan and own everything from their 92 to CX4 to their Silver Pigeon but with tougher gun laws, the world over and less expensive guns with increasingly better quality control, technology and design from a multitude of newer companies the writing is on the wall. It is insanity and what I think, a poor business move for Beretta to not come out with an entry level over under and for Beretta to just rest on the laurels of their existing customer base or that of Stoeger's offerings. Beretta's loyalists will not buy a Stoeger or even a Benelli for that matter and here in Canada, there are a tonne of Stoeger O/Us for under $500 (around 300 pounds) that have not moved in over a year. More people buy Maverick O/Us than Stoegers. That's the Mossberg Maverick BTW. I think that when Beretta get their head out of the clouds, which I think is soon, they will be introducing an affordable O/U under the parent banner. Rant over.
OMG...
People really fails to realize how much a little contract that of the handguns for the US Army really is.
For every big gunmaker, those are pocket money.
Not by chance, there was not really a row of manufacturers that competed for the XM17 program, were there? No Walther, no H&K, no Steyr, no Ruger...
I am looking to buy my first and hopefully last O/U for the range and as well as upland hunting. I have it narrowed down to 686 Silver Pigeon or Citori 725 Field. Which would you pick?
You can't go wrong, try to shoot them both somehow and you will get your answer.
Those are 2 totally different guns. A 725 and a 690 series would be a comparison. 686 isn’t quite the gun the 725 is.
I have a sv10 perennia 3 - 20g - will have it for life 👌
I had (still have) a defective silver pigeon 20 ga ..fails to fire the second barrel about 1/3 of the time... the company representative would not even discuss further repair or replacement after an alleged repair effort that was not successful ...and doubt it was even halfway attempted.......never would have imagined the rudeness of the Beretta representative....I'll never buy another...never. I've dealt in firearms for some 40 plus years here in middle Tennessee and northern Alabama with many different firearm makers who were more than willing to do what was necessary ...to make that rare repair or replacement....but not Beretta..not them...acted as if they were too good to help........I still get angry thinking about the way I was treated...the gun is practically unsaleable and in fact, is too dangerous to use .....buyer beware of this company if you ever encounter an issue.
Here in the U.K. you would either have got a fully working gun back or an exchange! Just much better consumer laws I guess 👍🇬🇧
Yeah, I could have worked and saved up for a silver pigeon or something of the like but with some thought and a viewing your too much gun video I instead just bought a Yildiz legacy SPZ ME 12g, as a person with less than a year of clay shooting experience I just thought it made more sense as a first gun.
Beretta or Browning? Would you buy a silver pigeon or the Browning equivalent?
Errrrrrrrr..............Christ it took me 30 seconds! I'd buy a Browning/Miroku! Twice the quality, less money.
Do you normally nail your pack of crisps to the wall? 🤔
In plenty of cases the Beretta name sells the firearm just on the name alone. Beretta tries to be all things to all people. I'm not sure this is the best philosophy. They make Firearms at every price point. It's up to the individual to determine what's best for them
Shot mostly Beretta’s over the last 40 years and been quite satisfied. Then I was persuaded to try a Browning. Over the last 2 years I’ve shot nothing else. I’ve bought 3 in 12 - 20 and 28gauge and shoot nothing else. I don’t believe in claiming that between the two makes one is better than the other - it’s totally a matter of what feels right for you.
Keep those videos coming John.
I have SP for years, worth every penny !
I’m from America and I hate beretta personally. If I was gonna buy a semi auto benelli is better and if I was gonna buy a over under I’d get a Caesar Guerini
I'm pretty damn fresh to all of this, in the sense that I've been shooting a handful of times with relative success, but I've been watching all your videos and have a fairly specific question for you. I need a gun for both clay and game, but now have limited function in my left arm (I'm right handed), so the question is, what would you recommend as a lightweight (as much as can be) shotgun that still packs enough punch and usability??
For competition clay shooting?
@@tgsoutdoors Strictly casual. More emphasis on game to be honest.
Rearward balance would be key here I think. It would be hard to get a lightweight 12 that feels like this so a 20 makes sense. Consider the beretta 20b sporter SP1 or perhaps most f/c 20b would fit the bill as long as they lend themselves to a rearward balance.
The biggest cost in almost any company is labour costs. It's why China does so well and it's why companies move their manufacturing outfits to entire other countries, just to save on labour costs. So Beretta goes from slow, expensive, laborious hand crafting on guns to machining them and they go up 500 pounds?! That's not a dig a Beretta specifically but when you go from hand making goods to machine engineering, your costs go down, not up, which is why the do it in the first place.
Couldn't agree more !!
Beretta is a good investment…Yes!
1700 quid is not bad for a gun that will last past your kids lifetime.
Always spend more on cartridges than the gun, at the end of the day if you point a £100 gun at a stationery pigeon it will kill it the same as a 5k gun.
I understand the price of their over unders but their semi autos are entirely over priced imo, I've shot a few and still couldn't justify the price for what you get, the systems they used can be found in many other semi autos of good quality. Don't want to bash the gun but it just comes down to a "look what I can afford, I don't hunt much but I bought an expensive hunting gun" kind of thing, atleast around my part of the world.
As you rightly said, you are buying not just the gun but the warranty back up and service from gmk, the capacity to buy Beretta accessories anywhere in store or online. The bigger issue is a social economic one, namely wages for most people have not kept pace with inflation. The silver pigeon is still a fabulously reliable gun to use. I would defy most owners to shoot one out in their lifetime.
I had a Beretta over under 20 gauge it was a lemon. I’ll never buy another Beretta I learned my lesson not only was it over priced it was a clunker save your money by Benelli.
On Point !
Berettas are excellent !
No comparison to Browning 👌
Elliot Roberts Shooting Until you need an extractor pin for your 725 and Browning tells you 6 months. Brownings are used to be!
Not compound interest, you mean inflation Beretta went downhill after the 682, ASE90 era
I actually got my 686 white onxy sporting 32 barrels with upgraded wood direct from he factory back in 2008 or 2007.
Thats why my next o/u will be a $5500 Guerini lol!
Great review !
What is a quid I googled it and it's a pound or is slang for 20 pounds?. Dude I'm from America sorry for the ignorance.
Just buy yourself a damn good side by side and you're set they're a fraction of the price and still do the same job.
Beretta’s what are overpriced?
I understand the point of this.. but I’ve used guns upto £5000... the new baikal is still the Best Buy for the money.. plain action like the f16.... single trigger. Ejector. M/c reliable. Does everything you want for £530 destroys any value for money imo.. love you to do a review on the newest model.
You see this type of comment all over YT! At this point in time a steal at £530, but in 5-10yrs when you want to upgrade………not worth a dime😂😂
sorry mate! i listened to half the video before commenting. Beretta's in the 80's/90's were well built, good quality guns. They are now 'Also Ran's'! You cannot honestly tell me that a Silver Pigeon 1 at around 1900 quid is a better quality gun than a Browning 525 1 at around 1500 quid? Or a Miroku MK38 1 at around the same money?
I've seen silver pigeons rattle themselves to pieces within 18months and 692's where the forend falls off during comps! ......Along with barrel defects, broken firing pins, appalling wood to metal fit and cracked stocks.
it would appear you've got to pay 5k and above for a decent Beretta which is not an option for most shooters.
Would like to see sp1 v 525 shoot as many cartridge to see which one would last longer
You supply the ammo and targets and ill do the rest!!
@@tgsoutdoors haha wish I could afford it too but be good too which one would you think would last longer ,
A Beretta is like a Beautiful Woman. Those who say it's overpriced, say so because they can't get close to one.
Sold
Beretta is the Appel equivalent in the gun world.
Over priced??????
If your starting out, they seem out of reach. To actually buy one for say trap, looking at 4k....reality, browning/ miroku are much better value, and within reach of the ordinary person.
But in saying that they work, I guess it boils down to personal preference. High demand, popularity, equals high prices for a beretta......
I do own a boring pidgeon, the DTL model.
Good guns but overpriced for name..... MHO