Is this a good deal for a Beretta shotgun?

[yugo308guy]

There are many knowedable folks here and I was hoping to get your opinion on a 1st Beretta. I am trying to do this "on the cheap", which I know is nearly impossible, but can you give your opinions on this gun?

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=61891220

I am looking primarily for a field gun and just a little bit of trap for practice and thought this would be an ecnomical way to get started. Seems like a great deal, and I have shouldered many 686's and I feel they fit me well, just wanted some opinions on the value for this particular gun? Thanks in advance.

[SShooterZ]

My brother has one just like it... Shoots the hell out of it too and never a misfire. Really reliable guns. As long as all you shoot is lead, it should be OK, although, Full/Mod is kind of tight for most field guns.

Not a bad deal on that gun though at all! :)

[JohnBT]

Sort of hard to tell how boogered up the barrel bluing is. Might clean up some or it might be the beginning of bad rust.

Here's one for $1150 www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976744171.htm for comparison.

It's all a matter of how high the bidding goes by the 12th.

John

[yugo308guy]

What would your opinion be on the top end value of this gun? Thanks for the replies BTW.

[JohnBT]

I don't know which model it is and I got up at 3:15 this morning to go duck hunting. :) Having said that, let's see what it could be.

686 Silver. Let's assume it's one of the least expensive 686s. The Blue Book shows a S686 Essential, but it has choke tubes. For reference, 100%=$795 and last MSRP was $1070.

Then there's a 686(L) Silver Perdiz that was discontinued in 1990. Various barrels and chokes, ejectors, single trigger, engraved silver finished receiver, special walnut, fixed chokes discontinued 1987. Importation discontinued 1994. SUBTRACT 20% WITH FIXED CHOKES. (This is last year's Blue Book BTW) 100%=$1000, 98%=$850, 95%=$650, 90%=$575, 80%=$525, 70%=$460.

I mean, IF, IF, it's worth the 80% price (how bad is the bluing, what else could be wrong with it and how much has it been shot) then you STILL have to subtract the 20% for the fixed chokes and it's down to what, $420.

Looks like he's priced it fairly if I have the right model. OTOH, there's shipping and the FFL fee for a gun with boogered barrel bluing and a fixed full choke that might be good for trap or something (but I don't need a full-choked 12 ga. for anything I do.)

In conclusion, it just depends on what you need and if you can afford to take a chance on it.

Last List Price/MSRP was $1355 over a decade ago, so it was a nice gun and not a dog or anything.

John