Paul Miller salutes another Italian masterpiece
Allowing for the fact Beretta has been producing firearms since the early 1500s, I don’t believe they ever made a side-by-side or over-and-under shotgun with anything other than a traditional walnut stock. This means that for more than 500 years there’s been a continuous history of evolving firearms design with, more recently, different synthetic materials being used in some of the stocks on their self-loading shotguns. These are designed to withstand vigorous use in the field and often to make these firearms lighter to carry.
When I opened the smart blue plastic protective carry case we see included with most Beretta firearms, I was pleasantly surprised at how the new grey and black laminated stock looked. Especially so for what a cranky old conservative walnut guy I’ve always been (that’s cranky and conservative and lover of walnut, not always old!)
I’ve written before that Beretta shotguns (both side-by-side and over-and-under) have always been extremely popular in Australia. They’ve continuously improved over time with models designed specifically for Trap and Skeet shooting and, more recently, Sporting Clays. Underpinning all this design and innovation are the field models like the basic yet excellent 686 Silver Pigeon 1, which we’ve reviewed here at least twice over the years.
It would be fair to say this is the base model which historically leads to the 687 series, then to the 682 and most recently to the 694 which we’re familiar with in recent years. I think the 688 Performance on review here sits logically between the 682 and 694 series, certainly in terms of its model number, though its technology and inclusions make it a very real competitor to the 694.
Action
The 688 Performance action is black and redesigned to be wider and heavier. This fits the more recent trend in top-shelf competition guns to put extra weight between the hands, to improve handling and slightly dampen recoil even further. It’s decorated simply with a diagonal line and two horizontal ones milled into the sides of the action to create a modern effect. This is complemented by a bright red ‘688’ on the sides, along with the famous Beretta logo in the same colour on the bottom of the action. The black action and red engraving go together perfectly and lend a modern ‘racy’ feel to the gun.
The single inertia-operated trigger is adjustable for finger length and comfort and pulls were crisp at around 3lbs. The ejectors worked perfectly and the top lever was easy to use, even for a lefty like me. Top of the action is stippled to break up any reflection you might otherwise generate when mounting the gun in sunny conditions, a nice practical touch.
Stock and fore-end
The grey laminated wood stock and fore-end make this gun look very modern and, in a way, purposeful. First impressions were highly favourable and this only improved when I put the gun together and had a feel for how well it mounted and swung.
The stock’s designed to be more weather resistant and is heavier than a comparable walnut option. It’s also a little thicker through the comb and features the B-Fast adjustable system which is easy to tweak with the tool provided. Drop at comb and heel dimensions are in the order of 1.5” and 2.20”, which allows a nice upright head position and flat-shooting pattern placement with the adjustable stock in its lowest position.
The adjustable comb allows for fine-tuning and that’s what makes this gun so comfortable and effective for shooters of different shapes and sizes. The stock has a very comfortable and effective 18mm MicroCore recoil pad which can be swapped with thicker or thinner aftermarket Beretta MicroCore pads to lengthen or shorten length of pull depending on your specific needs.
The fore-end is of the modern slim design we’re seeing recently on several upmarket English and Italian shotguns and is highly comfortable in the hand. It promotes a nice relationship between the hand and the barrels and gives a feel of precision and pointability I particularly liked. Both stock and fore-end are laser checkered and the pattern perfectly executed, providing a comfortable and secure grip. This stock is clearly designed for a serious competition shooter with a steep pistol grip which gives a good relationship between trigger finger and trigger. It feels super comfortable with its gentle palm swell and offers excellent gun control.
Barrels
These are the excellent 30” Steelium Optimabore HP which are used on Beretta’s higher-end competition guns. It’s also available in 32” for taller than average shooters, or those who like the precision and increased steadiness longer barrels can provide. These are ventilated between the barrels, which are in turn immaculately blued and topped with a slightly tapered ventilated rib (10mm to 8mm) at the muzzle. This leads the eye perfectly out to the target and while we don’t ‘aim’ a shotgun, it certainly adds to the feeling of precision when ‘pointing’. Five extended Optima chokes provide excellent patterns and destroyed targets.
Shooting impressions
This 688 performed superbly and is obviously the product of a great deal of thought, time and money spent in research and development on both stock and action. The thinking behind the laminated stock seems to be about weather-proofing and consistency of weight distribution. Combine this with the slightly wider and heavier action and you end up with a gun that’s perfectly weighted over the hinge pin.
This makes for sweet handling and also seems to dampen recoil more than a conventional wooden stock. Of course weight plays a part in this effect, though there’s a theory that laminated rifle stocks reduce recoil and this philosophy seems to have been carried over into this first-time laminated stock on a Beretta shotgun.
This gun performed as well as any Beretta I’ve tested and is testament to the quality of manufacture and dedication they put into all their firearms. I have to say the modern look grew on me very quickly, so I’m grateful they didn’t send me the 32” left-handed model as I may have called my bank manager and extend the mortgage yet again. Highly recommended.
Specifications
Manufacturer: Beretta
Model: 688 Performance
Gauge: 12-gauge
Action: Boxlock ejector
Trigger: Adjustable, breaks at 4lb
Barrel length: 30” or 32”
Chokes: Five extended Optima HP
Stock and fore-end: Grey and black laminated hardwood
Stock dimensions: Length of pull 14.75”, 1.5” at comb and 2.25” at heel
Weight: 8.5lbs
Warranty: 12 months (24 if registered with Beretta Australia)
Accessories: Choke and tools included in plastic box with gun oil
RRP: About $5490.00