O/U info needed

[Will Beararms]

If all comes together, I will be picking up a new Beretta Blackwing tommorow. I have been told to lightly grease the hinge pin and when duck hunting, shoot the bottom barrel first to stay on line and then the top barrel. I plan to use the IC choke on the bottom for the first shot and the Modified choke on the top with steel shot of course.

I noticed at the Gun Shop, the Blackwing is a bit tight when breaking it down but that might not be bad. Is there anything besides shooting alot of clays that will loosen it a bit?

Also, I have been told that Beretta is a decent offering when compared to the Red Label Ruger or Browning Citori and that the Beretta Lock up and ejector systems are good. Also a feature of the Beretta I like is the safety goes back to on safe every time the action is opened.

Please provide comments and any advice you may have on O/U's. This is a totally new deal to me. The reason I am goind O/U is beacuse they feel so good and since I am left handed, to get a good semi in left hand it would be about the same amount of money.

Thanks!

 

[HSMITH]

The gun you have picked out is a darn good one. As good as the Ruger and the Browning both.

To answer your questions.

Lightly grease the hinge pins, and the ejectors where they contact the reciever/forend. Basically just grease lightly all the contact points between the reciever and barrels, and anything that moves.

PATTERN the gun with the loads you intend to hunt with, there is no other way to know if it is the right combo or not. Shoot a few patterns with a couple different chokes, see what gives you an even distribution with enough pellets to kill a duck easily.

Most guys shoot the bottom barrel first, the recoil is more straight back allowing a faster second shot. Sounds good in theory, but really makes no difference in the field.

Shoot the crap out of it, that is the only acceptable method of loosening it up a little. It will loosen up some in time.

Stay away from the promo loads of steel shot, the cheap loads in other words. The premium loads have better wads that will protect the barrels from the steel a little better. Not that a few skidmarks in the barrel will hurt anything, but it does tend to irritate a guy that just dropped a grand on a new gun.

Dont EVER slam it shut, it is unnecessarily hard on the lock mechanism. Close it gently, it will lock just fine.

I really like hunting with an over/under, and do it a few times a year. I think you will get years and years of enjoyment out your new gun.

Good luck, and holler if you have any questions.

 

[PJR]

All Berettas 0/Us are a little stiff from the factory. Don't attempt to loosen the gun by any other means than shooting it often. The advice on keeping the hinge pin lightly greased is good. The key is lightly greased. Too much and it can gum up the works. Clean and regrease the hinge pin and surrounding area after each shoot. The grease can attract dirt and act as an abrasive if not replaced often.

The action in the Blackwing is the same as in all the 680 series shotguns. It's proven and durable. I've owned a 682 for years and put 50 thousand rounds plus through it and the only things that I've replaced were two sears as a result of a botched trigger job. I like them better than the Brownings and Rugers.

Another small point if you don't know this already is that your gun has an inertia trigger. This means the recoil from the first shot resets the trigger for the second barrel. If you dry fire it will only click once unless you rap the guns butt to simulate recoil or move the barrel selector.

Congratulations on your new gun.

Paul

 

[Will Beararms]

Thanks for the advice guys. I am 38 years old but the older I get, I find fit is the most important aspect of a long gun for me. I also have found I am gravitating to blued finishes and wood stocks. I have an 870 Express left hander for those days when it's raining felines and canines but I do plan on using the O/U in the Duck Blinds and Flooded timber on Blue Bird Days.

I noted when I used a Pump, I was always accurate and when I transitioned to the semi-auto, I did have some "luck" shots but I always ended up emptying my weapon when a flight of ducks came in or a dove passed by.

I will catch some "guff" at the duck camp in Arkansas next week (Lord willing) but I plan to use the O/U some and stay with it. I can hear it now: " Hey boy, that thing only shoots twice and I know you " ain't " that good of a shot. " I will try to get out to the range in Dallas and pattern it this weekend as has been aptly pointed out.

I have always been the stubborn type though. :banghead:

 

[Will Beararms]

'Just picked her up. Not to rub it in since there are many out there just worried about their next meal. But I thank the Good Lord for this Mercy. Here's a posted pic. I did find out that now Beretta is sealing the end of the wood stocks at the factory for better water resistance.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Enjoy your new toy Will. Buy ammo, use up, repeat....

 

[sm]

Congrats on the new O/U
Agree on "Fit" being real important

You just might be real surprised how many O/U make it to the flooded timber in AR...Greenheads fall from O/U just as hard as any other platform...I have tested this theory myself

 

[Will Beararms]

I was going through the box last night and there are sling mounts. I just cannot do that to that pretty wood stock. The LH EXP 870 has those sling studs. I may bring both and tote the 870 while I am setting out decoys and then mosey back to the boat and p/u the O/U after the first flight or two.

 

[Gila Jorge]

For the money today there is no finer shotgun than a Beretta. The Italians have it all over evryone else. I like the low profile receiver for reduced recoil. And Beretta puts on a fairly straight stock so recoil is again reduced.
I use Rig gun grease on the hinge pins and keep those clean as dust and dirt and burnt powder will collect in there an abraid things you don't want abraided. I always had my inertial triggers converted to mechanicals so I did not have to worry about shooting a dropped gun as in sporting clays and field applications. So B.McDaniel gunsmiths in South Lyons Michigan did those conversions for me. Old Mac is now deceased but his son is a cracker jack on that sort of work.
They worked on my Kreighoffs, Perazzis, Beretta, and Remington Competition guns. In the Perazzis I would shoot 10-12,000 rounds per year. It pays to buy a good gun to start off with. And you have with the Beretta. Blessings in the New Year.

 

[Will Beararms]

Gila Jorge:

I have a friend in El Paso ------- Van Scott of Textape-------------nice guy. I awlays stayed at the Marriott. I called on the Maquilas in Juarez for a short time as a Tape Manufacturer Rep before we went full bore with our own company in Dallas.

I had a Bud that used to get us out on the Luftwaffe's Community Center-----------------man what good German food and real beer!

Thanks for the info.