Beretta 686 questions for trap shooters

[Milkmaster]

I have finally decided to indulge in a Beretta O/U shotgun. I hardly hunt any more. The gun would be used mostly for trap. I am hoping I can be at least as successful as I am with my 1100 Classic Trap. My 1100 works just fine, but I am just ready for a change. I can name just about any older American made new or old shotgun by sight, but I am not the most knowledgeable on the Beretta models. I know there are those of you out there like Dave McCracken who own the Berettas. I have a few questions before I venture out and go to looking again. I have the rest of my life to look and ogle before buying, so I am in no hurry. Care to share some insight please. You too Armed Bear!

The Beretta O/U's I see at the trap range seem great quality and are considered the top guns out there according to their owners. ( I would not expect them to say anything else! However, the Beretta website seems confusing to me. I see just a few 686 models there, but not nearly as many as I see on the trap range. The 686 seems to be the choice of models I see at the trap range. I don't know if that is because of the local market or if the 686 is the definitive trap gun etc. What in particular makes the 686 the choice of the Berettas I see? Why don't I see other Beretta models other than the 686 and the semi-auto? I guess I am maybe getting confused on what exactly makes a 686? Is the 686 simply a platform and can be built to desires?

I found a 686E model on consignment at the local gun store for $1100. I was told on THR the "E" stands for the economy model. The gun still looked and felt good. I didn't buy it simply becasue I don't know enough yet to make that decision!

Educate me please on the Beretta O/U's

 

[Sauer Grapes]

I have a Beretta that my father had bought some ten years ago. I knew nothing about their guns. I finally had to go to a high end gun dealer who was a beretta dealer to find out what the heck I had in my hands. My father died not long after buying this gun. I didn't even know he had it. Imagine my shock when I pulled this stunning piece out of it's case. I wish I could help you but the beretta line confuses me as well. I always thought Browning was to die for till I held this gun in my hand.
Find a gun shop that sells Beretta and go pick their brain for imformation. The guys I went to knew at a glance exactly what model and guage before I opened my mouth. They have been selling them for 30 yrs.
Good luck

 

[earlthegoat2]

You see mostly 686s because they are the the economy model.

The true trap grade ones are the 682s and 687s. These go for small fortunes. 2-3000 on average.

 

[ArmedBear]

I've seen the whole slough referred to as the "680 series."

Current models 686 and 687 are identical from all I can tell, but "687" is used when there's more engraving and fancier wood.

682 is used for the "serious competition" 680-series models. Again, I don't think the actions are different, or appreciably so.

There are some other models for really serious competition, with drop-in action assemblies, etc. Olympic competition only allows a participant to use one gun, no spare even in case of a breakdown. So your Perazzis, high-end comp Berettas, and others are made so that you can carry drop-in spare assemblies in case your primary one breaks during a match. These Berettas aren't "680-series" guns; they have different actions (obviously). They cost enough that, for the average American shooter, it's probably preferable to just get two guns.

 

[Dave McCracken]

All 680 series Berettas share an action, the bling determines the grade and thusly the price.

Exception, the 682E has replaceable shoulders or something.

Most 680s handle well over 50K shells before needing tightening.

Tightening involves small parts replacement. The locking lugs, etc.

Here's what I do not like about my B gun.

I had to wait 5 decades to get it.

And the inertia trigger could be better.

That's all.

 

[Milkmaster]

Dave,
What 680 series is your "B" gun? What model?

 

[Hawk]

Back when dinosaurs roamed the land, and I got my 687, there was about a full pound difference in 12Ga due possibly to overboring and backboring found on one and not the other.

Since the time of the reformation, the differences seem to have dwindled. I can't see much of any based on their current listings.

Whether this is due to convergence in the lines, mis-statements of the differences in the past or present or Beretta USA once again screwing up the weight listings is anybody's guess. And anybody's guess is probably better than mine.

But, unless I am very much mistaken, my 687 only wishes it was under 7 pounds.

 

[BENELLIMONTE]

I own a 686 Onyx 3 1/2". A very well made, well balanced bazooka for everything from sporting clays, dove, grouse, quail, pheasant, chukar, huns, ducks, geese & turkey.

 

[Dave McCracken]

It's a White Onyx Sporter. 32" barrels, weighs about 8 lbs.

The WOS is a 686.

 

[jaybr]

I also own a 686 Onyx 3 1/2" and a 686 Silver Pidgeon. The action is the same on both models, the differences are in the finish, wood, and the 3 1/2" Onyx has heavier barrel.

I take the Onxy hunting and the Silver Pidgeon to the sporting clays range.

The trap and sporting models will have higher rib, some have adjustable cheek pads, and I believe you can get them with extractors rather than ejectors.

 

[oletymer]

Beretta no longer imports the 686 trap guns. They are only shown on the Europe website. I bought one of the last 686 X trap guns. They are very good trap guns. The current imports are not trap guns.

 

[HeavyDuty]

I picked up a clean used 686 Onyx (Black Onyx?) last summer, an it is serving me well. I actually prefer the understated cosmetics compared to some of the later models, especially the satin stock finish.

 

[jlynch34]

I've owned a 686 since 1981 got it for the same reason. I was in Spain and shooting Trap. It is still my favorite gun. I've killed deer, grouse, rabbit, hare and a few other varmits along the way. I don't trap shot any more.

 

[goose2]

I don't know about the 686 but I had a 867 trap combo that was a pretty nice gun. They seem to be built well. I know a local trap shooter that has about 30000 rounds in two years through his 687 with nothing more than a tune up last year.

 

[skeeter_08]

I once had a Beretta 686e Sporting, I bought it practically new about 6 years ago for about $1,000.00, which was a great deal. But it is a Mobilchoke gun, which means its not backbored. The recoil using this gun with any of the 3 dram, and most of the 2-3/4 dram factory loads would knock me senseless trying to shoot more than a few trap rounds with it. My right cheekbone would be red and sore after about three rounds of trap. I traded it plus $ for a new Browning XT Trap four years ago. The XT is a target cruncher, and the recoil from any of the three dram target loads is minimal. I have shot tens of thousands of rounds with it. In fact, I just got it back from the gunsmith last week after I had to have a broken firing pin replaced (the one & only malf with this gun). I shot a 25, 22, and 23 with it at the trap range yesterday.

 

[goose2]

I know the XT is a nice gun but do yourself a favor and don't try the Caesar Guerini trap models. I had an XT combo and my buddy showed up with a new CG so I had to give it a try and yes it cost me about $4000 more dollars just to try his out. All I have to say is wow on the CG and there lifetime warranty with second to none customer service.

 

[skeeter_08]

goose2

You said it right! This is why I have learned to politely decline when a guy offers to let me shoot his Krieghoff K-80! Krieghoffs are like a Rolls-Royce; if you have to ask how much it cost, you can't afford it anyway! skeeter_08

 

[bpl]

oletymer,

Any idea why Beretta would no longer import the 686 Trap gun?? Seems like it would be a pretty popular model.

BPL

 

[oneounceload]

Because they have the 682 and the DT-10 for trap now with list prices starting above $4,000