New Beretta

[[AJ]]

I have been drooling over a couple of Berettas recently, the Silver Piegon III Ltd (sporter) and the Xtrema 2 M4 in the wetlands livery. Obviously poles apart, but that's partly where the difficulty lies. I'll be using it for a good mixture of clay, rough and the odd organised shoot. I love the Silver Pig Ltd, it's a beautiful gun for the money and although I haven't shot one, I have shot a fair bit with a regular III.

I am yet to shoot the Xtrema, but I like the idea of using that when rough shooting and for pest control, but I wouldn't be able to take it on a formal shoot because it's just not 'proper'. I'd love them both, but doubt the Mrs would be too happy about that!

Has anyone had any experience with either? Any recommendations or anyone know of any bargains knocking about that may allow me to get the pair?!

[Spacekadet]

If you haven't watched this, prepare to be amazed. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHgtouYmzs8&fea...

[Nobody You Know]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lm5SEuuKEcE

^^^I want one of these! When they start selling to the public I'm moving to the U.S

[NDA]

I've had a couple of Silver Pigeons and now use a EELL. My old English side by side never gets used now.

Highly recommended. A completely reliable gun, well made, accurate and nice to handle.

It used to be the case that O/U guns were rather scorned on shoots, however those days have long gone.

[Silent1]

I've been converted to the world of high power rifles now, shotguns have their place, but rifles are king

[NDA]

Silent1 said:

I've been converted to the world of high power rifles now, shotguns have their place, but rifles are king

Lucky you! Despite having quite a few acres, the Firearms Officer won't approve a rifle as we have so many footpaths on our boundaries.

I was thinking of going for a FAC air rifle, but my current one does bunnies OK. The shotgun for everything else.

[[AJ]]

I'd love an FAC, but don't have the land or suitable reason at the moment. The Xtrema 2 YouTube is excellent, shame we can't have the extended mag without an S1 cert. over here.

The EELL is beautiful NDA, I'd love one, but they are a bit too much for me especially if I'm going to attempt the Xtrema2 as well! The SPIII Ltd has similar wood to the EELL and much finer engraving over the standard pig III, so a happy compromise in my opinion.

[Silent1]

NDA said:

Silent1 said:

I've been converted to the world of high power rifles now, shotguns have their place, but rifles are king

Lucky you! Despite having quite a few acres, the Firearms Officer won't approve a rifle as we have so many footpaths on our boundaries.

I was thinking of going for a FAC air rifle, but my current one does bunnies OK. The shotgun for everything else.

have you tried getting a farmer to give you written permission to shoot on land that isn't bordered by footpaths?

[NDA]

[AJ] said:

I'd love an FAC, but don't have the land or suitable reason at the moment. The Xtrema 2 YouTube is excellent, shame we can't have the extended mag without an S1 cert. over here.

The EELL is beautiful NDA, I'd love one, but they are a bit too much for me especially if I'm going to attempt the Xtrema2 as well! The SPIII Ltd has similar wood to the EELL and much finer engraving over the standard pig III, so a happy compromise in my opinion.

The EELL has exactly the same mechanism as the bog standard Silver Pigeon, making the cheapest SP a bit of bargain in some senses - personally I'd go for the SP over the Xtrema2.

[sleep envy]

I went to the gun show in Brescia the weekend before last and saw some extremely nice guns

As much as I'd love a SO10 EELL I don't think they are worth the money considering the amount I shoot

A Silver Pigeon V Mobilchoke would be the gun for me if I were to buy a Beretta but now that they've bought Franchi even they look expensive - the bluing on an old 686 I used last year was dire in comparison to my 35 year old Alicone which still looks like new and has been used in all weathers

If you want an Italian gun Rizzini are also worth looking at as well as Bernadelli

[sleep envy]

NDA said:

personally I'd go for the SP over the Xtrema2.

yep, for the simple fact the X2 only comes in plastic or cammo

Edited by sleep envy on Tuesday 28th April 14:55

[NDA]

Silent1 said:

NDA said:

Silent1 said:

I've been converted to the world of high power rifles now, shotguns have their place, but rifles are king

Lucky you! Despite having quite a few acres, the Firearms Officer won't approve a rifle as we have so many footpaths on our boundaries.

I was thinking of going for a FAC air rifle, but my current one does bunnies OK. The shotgun for everything else.

have you tried getting a farmer to give you written permission to shoot on land that isn't bordered by footpaths?

There was a moment where I'd considered doing that - but it's such a faff getting all the permissions. I would love a 22 rimfire but have put the notion out of my head. For the moment.

[andy400]

NDA said:

I now use an EELL.

Nice gun. I quite fancy one of those, but my bags and clay scores are up at the moment and I fear change........

After all, if it ain't broke, don't fix it!

Lovely gun though, never heard a bad word about it.

[sleep envy]

OP - one thing to bear in mind, I was talking to the guy on the Beretta stand and he did mention that they are looking to renegotiate prices for the UK simply due to the current exchange rate

if you are going to buy a couple of guns do so sooner rather than later

[[AJ]]

sleep envy said:

OP - one thing to bear in mind, I was talking to the guy on the Beretta stand and he did mention that they are looking to renegotiate prices for the UK simply due to the current exchange rate

if you are going to buy a couple of guns do so sooner rather than later

Indeed, the prices will be going up about 17% apparently, so I'm franticly looking about for a good buy! As far as the X2 goes, I know the camo is not to everyone's taste, but it would be used for rough shooting where I would be too scared of scratching the SP III Ltd should I get it.

[sleep envy]

ah, but put the value of both guns together and add another £1k and you could buy yourself a 687 EELL Diamond Pigeon

Am I helping?

[Harry Flashman]

My working gun is a Silver Pigeon III. It certainly isn't the Limited, but has lovely, lovely wood and is pretty presentable. As a several hundred a day clay basher, itperforms brilliantly.

The only thing keeping me from one of the more expensive Berettas is the knowledge that underneath the fancy woodwork and engraving is the same basic gun - I just could not pay the extra, knowing that. If going for a pricey shotgun, I would want something rather more exclusive.

That said, I don't actually ever see myself upgrading mine. Unlike motor cars, the abilities of guns don't seem to get better with price - just the looks. And even mine looks very nice indeed, yet cost relatively little...

[sleep envy]

Harry Flashman said:

My working gun is a Silver Pigeon III. It certainly isn't the Limited, but has lovely, lovely wood and is pretty presentable. As a several hundred a day clay basher, itperforms brilliantly.

any reason why you use that type of gun as opposed to a skeet/trap/sporting?

BTW - OP, Beretta have stopped making the Ltd

[Harry Flashman]

Actually, not really - it was a friend's, and he sold it to me in perfect condition as it was too "generalist" for hi, As someone who only started shooting a year ago, that sounded good to me and it seems to perform well. Also usable as a game gun on the rare occasions I go, and for rough shooting. As I'm a baginner, I really doubt that the gun is making much difference.

I have other guns - but they are my father's old guns, beautiful and basically heirlooms - don't dare take them out.

[[AJ]]

sleep envy said:

BTW - OP, Beretta have stopped making the Ltd

I know, but there are a few around the country that are still knocking about in stock and I have found one nearly new one which I'm rather tempted by, but from the pictures I have seen the wood isn't quite as 'special' as some of the others I have seen, so I'm not convinced it warrants the premium over a regular new SPIII. Pictures often don't do them justice though.