Between a Browning 725 field and a Beretta 686 silver pigeon 1 Sporter, I like the Idea of the mechanical trigger on the browning not sure if it's preferred by most or needed, the fit and feel goes to the Beretta but the 725 still feels nice, does one do better with felt recoil over the other?

Have read of some having issues with the oil finish on the Beretta's not sure if it's a common occurrence , do the 725's suffer the thin finish?

Will be my first OU for field and some clays!

What are the members thoughts?

Fit is everything...

....but, shooting tells the tale.

True... and easier to do well with a gun that feels natural and fits the shooter. But whatever floats your boat.

Because it feels natural in the store, doesn't mean it fits. In addition, more than a few have a gun that fits, but still shoot poorly. If fit was the end all, then all would be great shooters. More to consistently hitting than fit and as someone here frequently mentions. Spent primers are the, yada, yada, yada....

....and that is what floats my boat....

I was in your situation 2 years ago and possibly on the same beretta model. I'm a trap shooter / grouse hunter who bought a field gun instead of a dedicated trap gun.

I went with 725 for the mechanical trigger and the inflex recoil pad. Fit seemed better and I really enjoy the gun and don't get headaches from face slapping.

Good luck. As stated by others... trigger time and fit are key. See if there is a big sporting goods store in your area that holds a spring or fall "try before you buy" shooting event.

I need to go out and try them one of these weekends to get a better feel , so the Inflex pads really seem to work?

Beretta is my first choice in a O&U.

Reality its a limbsaver / decelerator pad that probably has a angle geometry to force the gun down and I don't get headaches like my Remington 870 gave me.

My 725 is the shortest shotgun / best recoil management system I own and may use it turkey hunting next spring. I patterned at least 10 rounds of 2 oz #5's this fall and never got a headache. It works for me... your mileage may vary.

The same recoil pad on my browning xbolt 3006 works well too.

(disclaimer - I'm not a browning salesman... just went nuts buying expensive guns a couple years ago ;-) )

Thanks

Oh hell...

😄