The Beretta 471 Silver Hawk 12 and 20 Gauge is a classic from the Gardone Valtrompia manufacturer. The extreme manageability and lightness of this parallel will surprise anyone already at the first embrace. Slim and refined, the 471 Silver Hawk side-by-side was designed to be used particularly for hunting ungulates.
When hunting and hunters are mentioned, the shotgun immediately comes to mind, a true symbol of hunting. When one thinks of excellence in the production of hunting guns, the Beretta brand immediately comes to mind.
A brand that needs no introduction, but for which we feel the duty to reiterate all our admiration for this company, for the splendid work it has been carrying out since the fifteenth century in Gardone Valtrompia, through which made in Italy is known. worldwide. Beretta guns have all the passion and professionalism of Beretta inherent, both characteristics that have never undergone particular changes over the centuries, but only and exclusively improvements in production.
At the beginning of the article we mentioned the shotgun: the one we are going to describe today is the 471 and 12 gauge 20 Silver Hawk.
At the first embrace the extreme maneuverability and lightness of this parallel shotgun cannot fail to surprise, for which the Beretta technicians have managed to combine the trait and peculiarities of a tradition of almost 500 years and a slim and refined line, this one. last connected with the improvements made available by the most modern and advanced technology.
Let's start our description starting from the locking mechanism: like most of the components of Beretta shotguns, this one too has been patented, being made with extreme accuracy through an advanced wire EDM process, with which it is possible to guarantee surprising precision. of the individual parts that compose it.
Beretta has assigned to the side-by-side 471 Silver Hawk the sophisticated laser welding process, which allows a perfect coupling of the tubes on the monobloc, also ensuring the evident aesthetic value of the uninterrupted bell profile.
In addition, the new 12 gauge Optimachoke chokes promise, through the elongated cone, a marginal deformation of the shot and, consequently, a more advantageous distribution of the shot patterns. The 471 Silver Hawk side-by-side also benefits from the innovative ecological selector, which allows you to choose, as an alternative to the automatic ejection with ejector, the simple mechanical extraction for manual recovery of the shells, in absolute respect for the environment, thus avoiding dispersion. on the ground of the same.
In addition to the traditional manual safety, all Beretta side-by-side shotguns have a dynamic safety design obtained thanks to an accurate study of the center of gravity of the moving parts. Furthermore, the open key safety stops firing if the weapon is not fully closed; finally, the safety on the dogs is activated in the event of accidental release of the latter due to a violent impact or accidental fall of the weapon, thus avoiding percussion.
The 471 SILVER HAWK side-by-side is aesthetically distinguished by a “gold” falcon head affixed to the opening key. The action has been made from a solid nickel-chromium-molybdenum steel, cemented and tempered, while the frame breasts have been coined in relief and ensure greater momentum and elegance to this wonderful side-by-side.
Beretta has also given this side-by-side a special nickel-based finish, which ensures total protection from abrasion and atmospheric agents. The opening key, the underguard and the guard, the triggers and the forend nozzle have also undergone the same treatment. In addition, the new rich floral engraving gives a touch of elegance.
The stock and the thin fore-end were made of selected walnut, finely knurled and finished with oil in order to highlight the grain of the wood. The straight stock blade allows, among other things, the application of different types of butt pads.
The elongated trigger guard, cleverly recessed flush with the stock grip and the oriented screws allow the observer to immediately perceive the attention and attention to detail that Beretta has reserved for the 471 Silver Hawk side-by-side. In addition, there is a choice between the English stock (with double trigger) with a classic thin fore-end and a pistol stock (with selective single trigger) with a newly designed beavertail fore-end. Finally, recoil pad in red rubber or recoil pad in walnut wood. Both the 12 gauge version and the 20 gauge version with **** / ** chokes have 66 cm long barrels, while the 20 gauge versions with *** / * chokes have 71 cm long barrels. The 471 Silver Hawk Optima-Choke 12 gauge version gives the possibility to choose 61/66/71 long barrels, while the 471 Silver Hawk Slug version has 56 cm long barrels.
The 471 SILVER HAWK in the SLUG version features short cylindrical barrels of 56 cm, specially made to ensure the best precision and maximum stopping power; the adjustable rear sight with folding leaf and ramp front sight, the wraparound beavertail fore-end and the shock-absorbing red rubber buttplate distinguish this new model designed for fans of the most timeless and traditional ungulate hunting.
If you have to buy a short barreled boar slug, always go on the beretta, or benelli semiautomatic, I strongly advise against guns under two thousand euros to go to wild boars. forget the 900 or 1000 euro guns that the quality is poor. after a few years you have to throw it in the garbage can. Get yourself a beretta slug and it lasts a lifetime.