Home Forums Birds & Dogs Shotguns Beretta Guru's, 686 Sporting?

Take a look at this link to Gun Broker,,, Gun Broker

That doesn't look like a standard 686 to me, the barrel has the characteristics of the SV10 Prevail series,

Yes?

Also, by the ID numbers on the box, do you recognize any numbers or code that dictates left hand?

With Beretta stock shims for their autos, DX stands for right hand cast off and SX for left hand cast on.

On the box label I see SX. Perhaps that stands for left hand cast on?

The barrels have the slotted vents which is unusual these days.....a nice feature on a 686. The trend is for 32 inch barrels in sporting these days...just sayin.

Doc

Im with Doc, 32 inchers are da bomb for all things clay. I think thats a bit steep for a 686 of any flavor. Seems to me if Im spending 2k+ there are other/better ways to go.

YMMV

You think this gun has been sitting for a while? When did the slotted vents on a 686 start to phase out?

I'm open to other ideas, What tickles your interest?

And these 32 inch barrels, where is the big increase in performance in that length,

longer sight plane, smoother swing, follow-through?

I shoot trap with guns from 24 inch barrels to an 870 with 28", And yes I've shot some embarrassing rounds with the 24" Benelli.

I'd like a dedicated clay gun, trap and sporting, throw some ideas at me.

What are you shooting? Just sporting clays?

The 32's will aid in the swing and a longer sighting plane helps on long targets, plus the resale is better.

Might look at the Sig TT45 or TT25, there made by B Rizzini and a lot for the buck.

Ill look around for some more ideas

Trap and sporting clays, Me, my two sons and friends get together every couple weeks for some laughs.

We're mostly all shooting field guns, they do ok. I shot a borrowed BT99 for 25 birds last Sunday, that was a whole different experience. but I don't think I want a single barrel gun strictly for trap.

Handled the A400 Beretta, that was interesting.

As I recall the late 90's. Beretta kept the vented barrels on the 682
models and went to the solid side ribs on the 686 models.

Doc

Are you dead set on an o/u? A 30 inch auto covers a lot of ground

Not really, just that O/U have a certain amount of panache. I've always wanted an O/U, don't need it, just want it.

Truth be told that A400 really caught my attention, and the A400 can be found locally so I can at least handle the gun before the purchase.

Got to handle a 686 silver pigeon today, I honestly just didn't feel the love. This gun had a 26 inch barrel, basically a field gun to me, but I just felt little interest in it.

Handled a RH A400 excel, I like these guns, alot. This particular model had the kick off and option for Gun Pod, I have little desire for these two options.

Also handled a RH Benelli Super Sport, also very nice, but at 2k the A400 felt like the top contender.

Anyone know of any significant differences between the A400 excel and explorer?

Gun pod is not worth it. The kickoff recoil system is. Especially when you shoot a hundred plus in a day.


It works and works well.

The kick off just seemed too cheesy to me, gimmicky like.

I do believe it would benefit some, I just didn't care for it.

I'm looking on-line for a lefty Super Sport, doesn't appear to exist.

I think we're down to the xplor or excel, there is currently a RIGHT hand excel for 1300 new on Gun broker, were I a righty, could be game over.

Your decision to take all the recoil you desire, but I used one for around 3-4000 rounds and it cuts recoil significantly. It definitely is not a gimmick. Main reason I quit usiing the A400 was it doesn't have the crispest trigger pull.

I know others who have perhaps 20,000 out of theirs and the system is still doing what it was meant to do.

In all those rounds I only had a single handful of malfunctions, nor did I clean it all that often.

The A400 is a better than good semi.

Kenneth,
Get whichever gun "feels" better to you in your arms and swings more naturally. O/U have longer barrels because the chambers are "further back" as compared to semis and pumps.
Longer barrel maybe better for sighting, but it may change balance.
Beretta, Browning, Benelli will be good and not disappoint, then it is a matter of preference, and seems you are on the right track as to what you prefer. If it is something that you want and don't NEED wait till you find the one you really want and don't settle.

Good advice, but finding the right competition shotgun is a lot like dating.

Most have to date-spend money-on more than a few before they find one to marry.

Then again, it depends if you even want to get serious. If not, which one doesn't matter all that much.

Battue, you can test drive your friend's too, although it is trickier with guns, eerr girls. Most competitive shooters will also have custom stocks that are the crux of a well fitted gun.
My cheap baikal O/U just needed adding 1.5" of LOP and just shoots were I look at. Not so lucky with my more exensive Beretta, but close enough that a rasp and bondo are getting me there. (Old beat up stock that I will have duplicated).
Try some guns, side by side and then for a while if possible.
PM if interested for a good website source of shotguns. Unless it is OK to mention here.