Beretta model numbers - what's that all about?

[jesim1]

Hopefully my shot gun cert will be though in the next week or so, at least that's what the FEO said

So I'm drowning in the world of first shot guns for clays, (up to around £1500) and can't seem to work out how the model numbers of Berretta work? They seem to be all over the place, and a 682 for instance can be a lesser gun than a 684 (I think) I get the wood grades of 1-5 though.

Can anyone point me in the direction of a simple chart showing where the models lie and how they are assigned? You would think it's like cars, a BMW 1 series is smaller than a 2 series etc......, and within those series there will be a good/better/best kind of ranking, but I can't seem to find it for Beretta

James

 

[Rich79]

If we just stick with the o/u guns It's all in the 2nd and 3rd number.
Generally the second number signifies the action type/size, so the 680's all have a similar action, 680, 682, 686, 687 & 688.
The last is the specific gun, but to simplify it here goes
682 = clay specific
686 game/sporter, scroll engraved
687 game sporter game engraved
688 new clay specific to replace 682/692

Then you go up to the 690 series, which had a bigger action size and ejectors to a 680.
The 692 & 694 are clay guns, the 690 had clay and game models and the 695 was a low number game gun, there are others but I don't think they make them anymore.

 

[PistolDan]

I’d respectfully slightly disagree with Rich.
I have a 682 gold in sporting configuration but I know for a fact you can buy a trap version of the same gun,
The different disciplines for shotguns are usually separated by differing stocks, fore ends, safety, comb, cast etc. As for Beretta most guns are available in sporting, trap, game and some skeet over and unders.

Your best bet is a visit to one of the Gamefairs, gunmakers row will be full of every configuration you could think of.

Good luck

 

[Rich79]

I’d respectfully slightly disagree with Rich.
I have a 682 gold in sporting configuration but I know for a fact you can buy a trap version of the same gun,
The different disciplines for shotguns are usually separated by differing stocks, fore ends, safety, comb, cast etc. As for Beretta most guns are available in sporting, trap, game and some skeet over and unders.

Your best bet is a visit to one of the Gamefairs, gunmakers row will be full of every configuration you could think of.

Good luck

yeah the 682 has different variations but they're all clay guns, apart from the DL woodcock which isn't rare but not that common either.
I do prefer the 682 action as it is a little bit bigger than the 686/7, plus you get clay orientated tweeks, the barrels don't fit each other as the actions are different sizes, i can just feel the difference but it's enough for me to prefer the 682.

 

[jesim1]

Thanks Guys, I had not even considered it was engraving, and thought perhaps you got a game/sport/skeet etc version in each model of the same number - which seems not to be the case

I've yet to try one, the reviews are pointing me to try a 682 Gold E, and luckily a mate has one, so I should know if it's right for me once I've sweet talked him in a couple of weeks

Still keeping my options open, I should have enough in my budget to bag a decent gun once I've tried a few, although for the amount I'll use it may not make that much difference as it's just a fun gun and I'm not going mad with funds

 

[PistolDan]

I have a friend that has a 682 Gold E that’s the newer model of my 682 Gold. I’ve shot it and it’s a very nice gun….but it hasn’t made me want to trade up, but it is a nice gun.
I’ve had my 682 since 1997 and it’s still as good as the day I bought it.
I admit it doesn’t go out in the rain and it does get well looked after, but I have put literally tens of thousands of cartridges through it and I have never had a failure to fire.
My mate on the other hand has a 12 month old £5k CG and has had about a dozen failures!!

 

[Rich79]

These are my 682's, top is the X-Trap so has a raised rib and monte carlo stock, a heavy old beast from 1987.

Middle is my 682 Gold E sporter, it's a 2008 so a very late one with the diamond chequering, the earlier ones has a kind of fish scale chequering instead, you can get these in Gold E sporter, Trap, X-Trap and skeet versions.

Bottom is a 682 Gold Greystone sporter, its a 1994 gun that as above was the precursor to the Gold E.

You can't go wrong with any 682, and 1500 will get you a mint, boxed one with all the gear, if not then walk away from it.
Plus you won't lose any money on it as it's already depreciated, the other option is a 686evo which is the slimmer action and doesn't have the Gold E bits like adjustable trigger, palm swell etc, so it's cheaper secondhand.

 

[QED]

View attachment 702478
These are my 682's, top is the X-Trap so has a raised rib and monte carlo stock, a heavy old beast from 1987.

Middle is my 682 Gold E sporter, it's a 2008 so a very late one with the diamond chequering, the earlier ones has a kind of fish scale chequering instead, you can get these in Gold E sporter, Trap, X-Trap and skeet versions.

Bottom is a 682 Gold Greystone sporter, its a 1994 gun that as above was the precursor to the Gold E.

You can't go wrong with any 682, and 1500 will get you a mint, boxed one with all the gear, if not then walk away from it.
Plus you won't lose any money on it as it's already depreciated, the other option is a 686evo which is the slimmer action and doesn't have the Gold E bits like adjustable trigger, palm swell etc, so it's cheaper secondhand.

682x was an amazing gun

 

[PistolDan]

View attachment 702478
These are my 682's, top is the X-Trap so has a raised rib and monte carlo stock, a heavy old beast from 1987.

Middle is my 682 Gold E sporter, it's a 2008 so a very late one with the diamond chequering, the earlier ones has a kind of fish scale chequering instead, you can get these in Gold E sporter, Trap, X-Trap and skeet versions.

Bottom is a 682 Gold Greystone sporter, its a 1994 gun that as above was the precursor to the Gold E.

You can't go wrong with any 682, and 1500 will get you a mint, boxed one with all the gear, if not then walk away from it.
Plus you won't lose any money on it as it's already depreciated, the other option is a 686evo which is the slimmer action and doesn't have the Gold E bits like adjustable trigger, palm swell etc, so it's cheaper secondhand.

The bottom greystone sporter is identical to mine. It’s nice to see another greystone finish In as good condition as mine

 

[Rich79]

The bottom greystone sporter is identical to mine. It’s nice to see another greystone finish In as good condition as mine

With flush chokes in 30" it's definitely the best handling shotgun I own.
There's not a mark on it, boxed and complete, it's still got the Beretta sew on team badge and it's pyjamas in the box.

 

[Browning]

They did complicate things by originally going with the ‘680’ series, begin to kind of superceed these with the ‘690’ series and then back track and go back to the ‘680’ series once again (minus the 694 for whatever reason)

In effect, the 680 series action is the ‘old reliable’. Nothing has really changed since its first iteration however as mentioned above the 682 is the clay buster model with a slightly wider action (2mm wider if memory serves?)

The 690 series was then released many years later with the intention of reinventing the wheel, firstly with the 690 I, 690 III (higher level of engraving and wood), 690 black (black action, sporter only) and 692. A lot of hate for the 692 due to ejector issues (which were rectified with a sort of product recall whereby if you went back to the dealer that sold you it they could fit new ejector parts under warranty) and the rubber top lever. They then moved to the 691, 693 (still the higher level engraving and wood), 695 (yet again higher level of engraving and wood) and then the release of the 694 to superceed the ‘bad’ reputation of the 692 which it did successfully. At which point they then decided to revamp all the models again to the silver pigeon I, silver pigeon III (you guessed correctly, higher level of engraving and wood) and silver pigeon V (same again).

This is a VERY broad overview as there have been times where these models have appeared, been discontinued and then reappeared again in slightly different guises such as the 686 silver pigeon III (older variant has the coin finished action with gold beretta emblem on underside) and the 686 silver pigeon V (older variant has the colour cased hardened action with gold beretta emblem on underside) but it gives you an idea… hopefully…

Then you’ve got the DT guns, SO series, SL series, ‘EELL’ variants of pretty much all the above and so on and so on…

Ramble over!

 

[philpot]

Back in the early 80's, Beretta had the S56 and S58 models which were the first general use / game guns that found their way onto the British shooting scene. I think it was 1982 which saw the launch of the 680, the first competition boxlock designed for one job, to smash clays and their entry into 30'' barrels in the uk. I had one which got me into the North of England sporting team along with winning a host of competitions around the country. The 682 was then launched and as already stated, wider action and heavier becoming one of the most successful guns in the uk. The 686 and 687 never seemed to hit the competition market however they were extremely popular as a game gun and club shooter gun. I did buy a 687 but never really clicked with me.

I bought a 692 skeet for my wife which was a lovely gun with a kick like a Blackpool donkey, don't undrstand to this day why it was so bad but needless to say we didn't keep it too long.

The 694 was a departure from other guns starting with 69 in their name with completely redesigned barrels known as 'Steelium Plus' which are very highly rated and one down from the world beating DT11 which uses 'Steelium Pro' barrels. The 694 is in my humble opinion, a very good stepping stone when you cannot afford the leap to a DT11. As a matter of interest, I believe the forcing cones in the 694 are something like 360mm whereas the DT11 has forcing cones at 480mm or there abouts and I am advised these longer forcing cones add to the cost to the barrels.

Last year Beretta decided to revive the 68 series with the new 688, a totally new gun designed for clay shooting with 'Steelium' standard barrels, laminated stock and from the reviews I have seen, a gun to offer the clay shooter a competition gun very capable of smoking clays at a grand less than the 694.

Phil

 

[Rich79]

Last year Beretta decided to revive the 68 series with the new 688, a totally new gun designed for clay shooting with 'Steelium' standard barrels, laminated stock and from the reviews I have seen, a gun to offer the clay shooter a competition gun very capable of smoking clays at a grand less than the 694.

I've not shot one but I had a butchers when my local rfd first got one in stock.
If I were blindfolded and given a 688 and a 682 Gold E to shoulder it struggle to tell the difference!
So it's down to if you like laminate or not, I think they'd be unwise not to offer a walnut version for people with less extravagant taste.

 

[nrj]

I’ve been round the houses as far a clay guns are concerned.Every time a new Browning or Berreta came out I was trading in,325 to 425 to 525 Browning etc,wasted a ton of money believing manufacturers adverts about the latest models.
Realistically nothing has changed dramatically in o/u shotguns since the Browning B25,I do know there are shooters who prefer the different brands ie your Browning or Beretta purely on the way they handle,personally I prefer the Beretta as I find their pistol grips more comfortable.I must have had 20 different sporters and have settled with a 30” 686 Evo,not the highest grade gun I’ve owned by far,but it is the one I’ve not been tempted to change in more than 10 years.

 

[jesim1]

Why is it no matter the budget you always see something "nicer"

Thanks for the info guys, you have been amazing, that new 688 looks great to me, but it's a budget buster for me as it will be used only once or twice a month, pity there are none under 2k second hand, but I think it only came out last year, so I think it will be a while, so back to trying my mates 682 gold e when I get the chance

 

[DEAN C.]

Rich has clarified the models well, but you can get grades as well which will be the woodwork, and the EL and EELL sideplate models command big money. My favourite shotgun that I ever sold for all round shooting was my basic 686 20 bore 28" game. Lovely gun that I used on everything, and really fast for shooting up through tight rides on game, where you have to be fast. If you are not doing loads of claybusting look at the 20 bore if you are not tall or big in stature. Im 5'8" and was about 12 stone then, and I loved the 20 bore shooting much nicer than a 12. Same loads mostly as I used to shoot 1 ounce of 7s felt wads on everything except duck where I would go to 6's.
I quite fancy another, but would look for a second hand 687 20 bore 28" fixed or multi. But dont didscount the 686 , they are still quality.

 

[Rich79]

Rich has clarified the models well, but you can get grades as well which will be the woodwork, and the EL and EELL sideplate models command big money. My favourite shotgun that I ever sold for all round shooting was my basic 686 20 bore 28" game. Lovely gun that I used on everything, and really fast for shooting up through tight rides on game, where you have to be fast. If you are not doing loads of claybusting look at the 20 bore if you are not tall or big in stature. Im 5'8" and was about 12 stone then, and I loved the 20 bore shooting much nicer than a 12. Same loads mostly as I used to shoot 1 ounce of 7s felt wads on everything except duck where I would go to 6's.
I quite fancy another, but would look for a second hand 687 20 bore 28" fixed or multi. But dont didscount the 686 , they are still quality.

I was in a local rfd this morning and a guy walking in with a couple of guns to get rid of, one was a 20b 687 SP in 6/10 condition, it'd seen some action but still perfectly usable.
Rfd said he'd take a commission sale at 25% and put it on the rack for £600.
It really is a buyers market even with the fabled 20b guns that used to command a high price.