Beretta Silver Pidgeon?

[ECVMatt]

I am finishing up a long and difficult grad school program and would like to get a SP to celebrate. I have had to take a couple of years off hunting and have saved up the funds normally used for these trips. Does anyone have any experiences to share or any other suggestions? I hunted with a friends many years ago and it was a dream carry and shoot in the field.

Thanks,
Matt

 

[CopperFouling]

I shot a round with a Beretta 686 few years ago. They point and swing well. I ended up buying a Browning (mine was a little heavier than the Beretta, but they're fairly similar), but I could have just as easily bought the Beretta. They're fine shotguns. Go for it.

 

[Johnny Lightning]

I am in the market for an o/u also and took a look at a 725 citori and a silver pigeon yesterday. I found that the 725 was a much better fit then the pigeon. Other o/u shooters say if a browning fits you the Beretta won't and vice versa. I did the eyes closed test when I shouldered both shotguns and I was looking down the top of the rib of the Beretta but just the double sights on the browning.

 

[ECVMatt]

That is good advice. There is a Sporting Clays range nearby that will let you rent different models. I might just have to go shoot a couple of rounds.

Thanks guys

 

[Schutzen]

My gunsmith tells me he sees 2-3 Berettas for every Browning brought in for repair.

 

[oneounceload]

Rent/borrow/try as many guns as possible -even ones out of your budget to get an idea of what really fits YOU the best. Iy may turn out to be the SP or something you never thought about.
Good luck in your quest!

 

[SwaneeSR]

I am sort of in the same situation. I am saving for an o/u and I am about half way to the entry level point of $2000. Hoping to purchase in June.

Sliver Pigeon I or Citori 725.
Field version 28" or Sporting version 30"

I come from a Browning family, but I have read a lot of good reviews on the Beretta.

I will be shooting trap starting in April and I have been invited to go pheasant hunting in the Fall.

I have access to an older Citori Field to try out extensively, seems difficult to base such a large purchase on such little shooting. I would guess the Citori 725 is different animal from other Brownings.

How do you decide?

 

[oneounceload]

You decide by shooting as many as you can

OP - here are gun clubs in CA:

http://www.claytargetsonline.com/list.php/CA

Go make friends and try to borrow/rent as many different guns as you can to see what fits you the best TODAY and shoot them. It helps if you bring some nice ammo like STS and offer each owner half a box plus the empties if they'll let you borrow their gun for half a round...Gun fit is critical so do not rush into spending several grand without a good "test drive"

 

[Sheepdog1968]

I am finishing up a long and difficult grad school program and would like to get a SP to celebrate. I have had to take a couple of years off hunting and have saved up the funds normally used for these trips. Does anyone have any experiences to share or any other suggestions? I hunted with a friends many years ago and it was a dream carry and shoot in the field.

Thanks,
Matt

Coyote Valley Sporting Clays in San Jose has a nice course and an extensive number of shotguns you can rent to try them out. I shoot thee frequently. Even had my bachelors party there - guns and BBQ what's not to like.

 

[Virginian]

I am not an O/U guy, but I agree with the comment that if you like Berettas, the Brownings usually don't feel right, and vice versa. Both are good guns, just different. I would surely look hard at both. I prefer the Berettas; just a little more svelte IMO. Probably a carryover from a gorgeous little scaled frame Beretta 28 gauge O/U that was the only O/U that has really tempted me in the lat 45 years. But, you need to get what you like.

 

[H&Hhunter]

I just bought A 686 Silver Pigeon I in 28 ga. I love that shotgun! It swings and point for me very well!

 

[Milkmaster]

I have a White Onyx Sporting 30" and a Silver Pigeon 28". Both are great guns for me. Brownings are good too. Get what fits you best and calls your name when you pick it up. Hard to know until you handle either. Kind of like women.

 

[John Peddie]

Silver Pigeon

Love mine, because I can hit with it, and it's a joy to carry (20 ga.).

I can hit because it fits me. The Citoris just didn't feel as right - for me.

So try as many as possible before buying.

 

[d2wing]

I have a 686 and love it. It fits me right and it is a great upland game gun. It is lighter and slimmer than a Citori. However if you are doing just target shooting the extra weight will be a benefit. For hunting the Beretta is better if it fits you. As others said that is key. Although guns can be adjusted.