A pair of my 12 gauge Sporters

[Michael A Ferber]

Browning 725, 32" and a Beretta 686 SP1, 32". Don't shoot either anymore. Prefer sub-gauge guns.

 

[George P]

How did you find the fit differences between the two?

 

[Michael A Ferber]

Both are pretty good guns. It's a matter of fit. The 725 fit me perfectly. The Beretta not as well. When I looked down the rib on the Beretta the bead was up too high. But that is just me. I preferred the weight distribution of the Beretta, almost a perfect balance at the hinge point.

 

[entropy]

That's usually the case; either the Browning will fit one better or the Beretta. Brownings fit me better also, particularly BT-99's. Haven't shot a 725 yet, took a serious look at an XT at Cabela's a couple weeks ago. When the Beretta rep brought us (gun shop guys) out to Horse and Hunt to shoot Sporting Clays with the various Models, I fell in love with the 686 Onyx. They don't fit me as well as the Brownings, but I still can shoot them well.

How did you find the fit differences between the two?

The major difference I noticed is Beretta stocks are thinner throughout; Trap shooters often put an aftermarket stock, whether Stock-lock, Wenig, or PFS, on them. They are OK for Sporting Clays and live birds as is. Balance is excellent, as you said, Michael.

 

[George P]

The standard SOP is simple: If the Browning fits you well, odds are the Beretta will not. It isn't a good vs bad thing; more like Ford V Chevy thing

 

[Michael A Ferber]

George, you hit the nail on the head!

 

[Michael A Ferber]

The thing I hate most on the 725 is the design of the forearm. Should have been much sleeker like the Beretta. Looks like an afterthought!

 

[George P]

Like my friend Bruce Buck, aka The Technoid, who reviews shotguns, I am not a fan of the Schnabel forearm; I would prefer a long slender field forearm as found on a Perazzi field gun or the Fabbri

 

[bannockburn]

Michael A Ferber

I preferred the weight distribution of the Beretta, almost a perfect balance at the hinge point.

Same with me. Never could get comfortable with the Browning Citori but loved my Beretta 680! Found a very similar fit and balance with a Franchi Renaissance.

 

[Sappyg2.0]

I like the sub gages too. Nice guns.