A few days before the "Lockdown" I managed to withdraw, at the Gun Service Beretta of Gradone VT, the new Beretta 694 Sporting over-and-under, a shotgun that I had actually tried on a couple of occasions, but it is quite another thing to have it available to fully explore its peculiarities.
Unfortunately I only had one chance, then everything was closed, Saturday 7 March I went with some friends to the TAV il Botto in Orvieto and, among them, there was also the multi-champion of skeet Riccardo Filippelli. My rifle has a standard stock and 81 cm barrels, not being used to this length, for the first tests I used both the external and internal chokes to check how I was with a few grams less at the tip.
The first sensations were immediately excellent, even if for the truth, for about a year, I had been testing the prototype of the stock on my 692. I was surprised by the reaction to the shot, with a soft and well distributed recoil without wheelie, a great ease accompaniment on the most demanding targets with clear breaks even at a considerable distance.
The rifle continues the lineage of the mythical Beretta 680, to then move on to 682, 692, 692 Black and now the 694. From these weapons it inherits all the best features, such as the classic Beretta closure with replaceable trapezoidal shoulder straps and truncated conical pins with automatic play recovery as well as handling, however a decisive leap in quality in the many essential details.
The Beretta 694 Sporting is available with standard or adjustable B-Fast stock and with 71, 76 and 81 cm barrels. When holding the rifle, the ergonomics of the new stock immediately catches the eye, compared to the 692 it has been increased in thickness, modified the comb, elongated and more closed the pistol, increased the clew and modified the fold (35-50), to this adds two lateral grooves in correspondence with the receiver which improve peripheral vision. The possibility of using the 692 and 682 stocks is very important, so that we can eventually recycle a custom-made stock that has already given us great satisfaction.
The receiver has been completely redesigned, with a modern line and a sportier look, a side whisker and on the receiver plane the trident and the model name, all in enamelled Beretta blue color characterize it in an unmistakable way. In addition, the new design has led to an increase in weight of about 25 grams, improving stability and balance. The trigger group has the trigger adjustable in three advancement positions and battery with helical springs, the selector is positioned inside the safety lever. The key is also redesigned, low profile, ergonomic shape and anti-reflective treatment.
Completely revised the fore-end, inside we find a new cross system, in steel, with revised geometries and a new tenon with replaceable plug, so as to be able to maintain the same opening load over time. The shaft release system has also been redesigned, now it consists of a piston pin in an advanced position, completely separated from the cross and with a reduced surface, this involves less heating in case of particularly long shooting sessions, quite usual during the trainings.
The barrels are the now tested Steelium Plus, with a long connection cone between the combustion chamber and the cylindrical section, which reaches only 30 cm from the muzzle live. It is supplied as standard with 5 external Optima Bore HP chokes.
The barrels are surmounted by a 10 × 8 ventilated steel rib. The rods are also designed to house, covered, the Beretta magnetic weights of 5 and 10 g. A very innovative shotgun even in the wake of the Beretta tradition which is positioned in the medium price range, € 4.179,00 for the standard version and 4.409,00 for the B-Fast.
Technical features
Model: 694 Sporting
CALIBRO: 12/76
Closure: Beretta with replaceable trapezoidal straps and truncated conical pins with automatic play recovery
Weighing machine: In special tri-alloy steel, case-hardened and tempered
Finishing: Nistan; shiny edges of the profiles and writing on the engravings with blue enamel
Cane: In Beretta tri-alloy steel with Steelium Plus technology (deep drilling, cold hammering, vacuum stretching), internally chromed barrels with Optima Bore Hp technology. The B-Fast Balancing System is available as an option
Rod length cm: 71/76/81
Chokes: n. 5 Optima Bore HP external
Bindella: In steel, ventilated 10 × 8
Trigger: Selective single trigger
Safety: Slide with built-in selector
Wood: European walnut, grade 2,5, oil finished. Pistol grip, newly developed forend with release. 18 mm Microcore pad (additional 23 mm Microcore pad supplied). In standard version or with adjustable stock B-Fast
Accessories: Abs case, stock disassembly wrench, second 23 mm butt plate, choke wrench, user manual and accessories set for the B-Fast version
List Price: € 4.179,00 for the standard version, € 4.409,00 for the B-Fast version
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