"Falco Armi, the shotgun with a tailored cut": we liked this statement that stands out in the header of the company website above all because, visiting the factory, one has the clear perception of how technology is present, always accompanied by interventions specialists to give the product that difference that detaches it from a mass production and totally mechanized. The brand is known for its traditional shotguns, side-by-side and over-and-under shotguns in the usual 12 gauge, but even more so for the small-caliber versions, today the ones that arouse the greatest interest for hunters: here the offer ranges according to the consolidated customs of the area. where the hunt for the hut, even if forced by the laws in force, is very much followed, possessing an irresistible charm.
They can even be combined with the traditional calibers, here all seven present in the price list from 12 to 36, even the 9 mm both in the Flobért rimfire version and the one made with sturdy metal cartridges with central trigger, which are flanked by the calibers 6 and 8 mm: the refills are almost infinite. All in the name of intelligently proportioning ballistics, prey and expense: a rule that in an age of unbridled consumerism can make us smile, but to us it still seems a fine example of elegant reasoning.
The company based in via Gitti in Marcheno is also famous for its rifles proposed in different versions: the Alpine 1 and 2 models are positioned at the top of the offer. Probably we will have a trial model of Model 2 in the future to discuss in depth: today we are dedicating our attention to the well-known Alpine 1, a kipplauf made following the formal and technical orthodoxy of Central Europe, with combinations more to Ferlach than to Suhl.
Door with seals and closures
The basic design recalls the unforgettable productions of Franz Sodia with a prismatic action frame on the sides of which the lateral reinforcements, so-called pipe, projecting thanks to the convexity of their section, are evident. After moving the two parts of the board horizontally, the reinforcements rise vertically and increase in thickness precisely in the curve where the critical point of possible fracture is, thus ensuring strength and durability of the weapon; at the upper apex the two thickenings are modeled in the breasts, an integral part of the action head which extends back with a nice roundness, creating the seat for the opening key. In the breasts the notches are made to house the two shelves of the third closure and in the left breast you can see the stop piece. Inside you can see the vertical flat face with the firing pin hole and in the bottom the two mortises for the tenons separated by the integral crosspiece and flush with the surface of the U cradle where the barrel is positioned.
The split hinge has no protrusions, a pleasant detail, showing together the right streaks created by the contrast with the crosshead, a sign of a correctly executed draft; the pin is obtained from the solid wood and in the left side there is a recess that acts as a contrast for the withdrawal of the extractor. The back, bordered by two thin smoothings, has a slightly convex front part and with the mortise of the first passing tenon, continuing backwards with the flat lid and the semicircular junction profile which then tapers to form the bridge from which the trigger protrudes . A combination of appropriate workmanship and elegant lines.
The barrel and the monobloc
The system with monobloc breech is based on the processing of a die-forged solid wood from which the seat for the barrel and the set of seals and closures complementary to what is obtained in the receiver are obtained. The sides show a smooth profile from whose thickness the half-tops are obtained: the flaring of the round upper part to form the splay of the breech, a qualifying element for aesthetics, is pleasant. The two tenons of different heights protrude below: in the first there is the recess for the rotation pin: the profiles that resemble those of certain express, are a function of the seal and at the same time of the right ease of opening without ever nailing, remembering that here the the pressures involved go from the hypothetical 1200 bar of a smooth-barreled shotgun to 4000 bar and beyond that of a rifled cartridge. Basically, the forward projection of the barrel is inhibited above all by the rear tenon resting on the crossbar which thus relieves the work of the pin.
The shank of the extractor slides under the left half-plane: the movement with the opening of the barrel occurs through the contrast of the front peduncle with the recess made in the corresponding side of the receiver; the gripping nail is a substantial prismatic block that will never create problems. Characteristic are the two brackets placed in the breech, on the sides of the barrel: they have an open profile at the back and their development totally occludes the two notches obtained in the breasts and in the receiver face. A prismatic piece, moved by the key, closes by placing itself in contrast with the inclined surfaces, useful for the automatic recovery of the settling play. This closure is technically configured as the doubling of a third Purdey of the 2nd type in which there is a favorable lever arm between the pin, the energy discharge point and the double contrast one with blocking of the force tending to rotate the cane; the detachment between this and the receiver face is limited by the sliding force between the surfaces of the brackets and the block, but it is the U-shape of the receiver itself that counteracts its flexing when fired.
The barrel
The barrel is made from carbon steel and rifled by roto-hammering: the usual length is 60 cm, but different sizes can be requested. With a conical cylinder section, it has a correct external finish as well as in the internal ribs the well-smoothed surfaces and the sharp edges are evident and without uncertainty of movement: at the muzzle they are protected by a rounded recess. As for the calibers, the two usual proposals see the .308 Win. and the 7x65R: the latter equipped with a collar and a wide variety of bullet weights and therefore of dangerous game, remains in our opinion one of the best choices. Then, to satisfy many other tastes, the House has no problem chambering its rifles for a wide range of cartridges.
The aiming system and the battery
A ventilated half rib with elegant connection profiles is welded above the barrel: the base for the optics attachments is fixed to this with the threaded holes provided with Torx screws and a transversal recess which, once assembled, will prevent longitudinal sliding. The iron sights are offered as optional. The percussion and trigger unit follows today's use which separates the opening of the barrel from the armament of the battery: this, mounted on the bridge, is activated by a slide button mounted on the upper part of the action, immediately behind the key. A button allows the deactivation, and therefore the re-extension of the firing pin spring, if the shot is not carried out. It is a totally safe system because with the spring not compressed and the firing pin blocked, the shot certainly cannot start: however, it should be borne in mind that this type of system has no other forms of safety and, once the system has been activated and therefore compressed the spring you must remember to deactivate it if you have not fired. Never restart with a loaded gun because the mechanism subtends a click with faster very sensitive.
The stock
The walnut chosen for this shotgun has remarkable technical characteristics with a compact texture, well mineralized vessels, vein pattern in line with the recoil energy; equally appreciable the aesthetic aspect with a medium-light background color, very intense and enlivened by the brown both of the veins and of the transversal mirrors that make the piece particularly pleasant. The design of the stock appropriately follows the Central European stylistic features with a rather arched pistol grip, a high and rightly thick nose pad, shown by the two lateral scratches, Bavarian back, comfortable cheek rest on book pages; the soft rubber butt pad attenuates recoil and offers a practical support on the ground. The shaft under the barrel has high sides, slightly rounded for a comfortable grip, slightly convex bottom, however stable when resting on the backpack: the apex a beak. The coupling to the barrel takes place with an Aoget system equipped with a rounded key on which the finger works without hindrance. A checkering with a medium-fine pitch, with well-raised cusps, and distributed in the grip areas allows you to keep the speargun steady even with wet hands.
To finish
We are in the presence of a kipplauf where the concepts that have created the fame of this type of rifle are evident, with a low weight and the possibility of decomposition to comfortably transfer the weapon in the backpack up to the hunting area: the single shot is a bit the emblem of the specialist, of the solitaire of the mountain, of those who undertake with that single cartridge to stop the head assigned to him in place. Today we are well acquainted with the new systems obtained totally, or almost entirely, with numerical control machines: these, where the hand of the gunsmith works to bring the details to perfection, retain a special aura that makes him feel more in the soul of the enthusiast. in tune with nature and gun history.