Fabarm Axis 20 gauge  - 12 July 05

Fabarm Axis 20g. 13 June 2005


Fabarm are one of the larger gunmakers in Italy, but seemed to be eclipsed in the UK by other Italian manufacturers. In fact they have much to offer and build a very comprehensive range of guns.
They are a very large producer of semi autos. But they also make some very good OU guns.
In order to catch attention in the market place, many manufacturers are increasingly drawn to build guns with very contemporary looks. New, still to many is the Browning Cynergy. But many others manufacturers are producing guns with an ultra modern look and feel, and Fabarm are no exception.

To be a little different Fabarm have concentrated their new look into a 20 gauge gun.
Named the Axis, this new gun certainly demands a second look.

The gun is really a mixture of old and new; most guns are. By old things I mean old Fabarm things.
But the look is without doubt totally new.
The action frame has been given a completely new shape. There are angled forms where the stock meets the back of the action. These new lines follow through and match the shape of the forend iron. There are raised side panels on the side of the action frame. These panels sweep down the side of the frame to a small radius and come back parallel with the belly of the action frame.
The top lever has been given a more discreet and subtle shape. But the trigger guard is far more radical in shape and flows well with the other lines of the frame.
The frame has an acid etched engraving pattern which centres on the hinge pins of the action frame. There is also the Fabarm Lion in gold on the belly of the action. There is also some gold inset into the action frame on the top strap in front of the safe.
The action frame and all other metalwork other than the barrels is finished in a grey PVD titanium plating which gives a very durable protective coating.
Mechanically the Axis is similar to other Fabarm OU guns.

The actual mechanism follows some familiar principles, with the hammers pivoting from the bottom of the action, the sears from the top and the selector block lifting the sears clear of the bents to release the hammers forwards, rather than pulling them down. There is a second bent or sear notch in each hammer. This is to catch the hammer falling and prevent the gun firing in the case of an accidental discharge.
Mainsprings are coil type. The selector system for shooting the first barrel is worked off the safe button on the top strap. And is a button in the centre of the safe itself is clearly marked, and may be switched from side to side to select the required barrel. The inertia from the first shot will cause the selector block inside to fall back, releasing the first sear and then dropping forwards to pick up the second sear. The trigger is also adjustable for sear clearance; a useful feature for gunsmiths.
The trigger itself is adjustable for position for optimum comfort. It is also gold plated which adds to the overall looks of the gun. Just as importantly the trigger pulls are clean and crisp; important for good shooting.

The safe is manual in its function, as would be expected on a gun designed for clay pigeon shooting. At the same time it is very positive backwards and forwards, and is quite large so there is plenty of metal to grip.
The gun is jointed on stub hinge pins held in the action walls. Ejectors are worked by rods through the action walls that pick up trips located in the forend iron. Extractors are directly powered by springs underneath them, housed in the mono-block. Ejection is crisp and clean.

The barrels are assembled on the monoblock principle, as are virtually all mass produced OU’s these days. This is where the two barrel tubes are separate from the breech end or block. And the parts are brazed or silver soldered together, then the ribs are added and the barrels are complete.
In this instance the side ribs are ventilated to aid the cooling as the gun gets hot from repeated shooting; more likely with a sporting clay gun.

The top rib is tapered from 7mm down to 5mm at the muzzle. As with most guns the top rib is ventilated. Unlike most other guns the bridges of the top rib are grouped together in pairs for a different look. The rib is matted to reduce glare. The foresight is a fibre optic type with insert elements.
The barrels are 28” or 71cm long and the chambers are 76mm or 3”. Unusually for a 20 gauge the barrels are proofed for high performance steel shot cartridges. If you can find any.

The bore dimensions are one of Fabarm’s design features. The system is called Tribore and is similar to an overbored barrel system. The common metric size for 20 gauge is 15.8mm, with Tribore this is 16.1mm. In the Axis this goes hand in glove with some very long choke tubes. 82mm to be precise.

The profile within the choke tube is a hyperbolic curve. This leads to less compression stress on the shot as it moves through the tube and consequently improved patterns of around 7-8% according to Fabarm.
There are 5 chokes supplied with each gun.

The stock and forend have sympathetic lines to the action frame. This is most notable in the shape of the forend. This is sculptured to fit the hand and does feel very positive.
The stock is pistol grip and also has a very positive feel. Some of this can be attributed to the lazer cut chequering pattern.
At the butt end, the stock is fitted with a slim black rubber recoil pad. It has a smooth heel for ease of mounting and is ribbed over the rest of its shape so as to grip in the shoulder.
The pad gives a length of pull of 370mm.
The Triwood finish is unique to Fabarm and was developed by them a few years ago.
it is not a skin with the figure within it, but is a process whereby the wood is patterned with ink to simulate high grade walnut. The wood is then coated with a protective semi gloss acrylic varnish. This gives a very high degree of protection against the elements and also gives a good feel to the gun.
all in all this is an interesting gun. It won’t be everybody’s cup of tea; few guns are. But it may hold a bit of a niche. The nearest thing in looks to it is Browning’s Cynergy, and although there is talk of a 20g we have yet to see one. So if you want a 20 that looks a little different with a host of innovative features, this may be worth a look.

[back to top]