Beretta 686 E

This month’s test gun is the latest in a significant re-vamping of Beretta’s range of competition guns. It is following closely in the footsteps of the 682E, so much so that I had to look at it for a few minutes before I realised that was not a 682E. The most obvious difference is the shape of the forend; much more along the lines of a semi beavertail, but with a slightly square look and feel to it. Somewhat different to the slimmer schnabel type forend that has become the accepted shape of forend for a sporting gun. I didn’t shoot this gun but I did quite like the forend; I used to shoot a Browning B25 skeet gun ,which had that type of forend and so it is OK with me, but my feeling is that most sporting shooters would rather have the slimmer schnabel.

Beretta have also gone back to traditional diamond chequer on this gun rather that the laser cut type found on the new 682E. On the forend this is patterned to give 3 panels; one big one underneath and then two smaller ones along each side. It is perhaps this pattern configuration that adds to the square look of the forend, though to have the whole thing chequered would probably have made it look too big. Also a smooth area in the pattern helps to make the feel more comfortable and not too sharp. The chequer pattern on the stock is in a sort of crescent shape that compliments the forend, and also comes to the hand well. There is no palm swell which doesn't cause problems for left handers, and also keeps the grip slim.

The action is mechanically the same as the 686 silver pigeon, and to be fair there is little that Beretta could do to improve this action, such is its reliability. Though I do note that they have gone back to the inertia version for picking up the second shot whereas the 682e started out with a mechanical selection for the second shot.

The engraving is far sparser on this gun, in fact it isn’t really engraving at all but a pattern of crests that are set into the side of the action in relief, and are quite eye catching. The gun’s model number is set above this in gold.

The barrels follow the Beretta mono block principle of construction. And have the standard Beretta boring and multichoke system rather than the 682’s new optima boring system. Obviously this helps to account for the significant increase in price for the 682.

The ribs on the side are ventilated to reduce weight and to keep the gun as cool as possible. For the top rib Beretta have gone back to a type of rib that was found on earlier 686’s; 8mm with cross hatching to prevent glare.

The bores as with all Beretta’s in this series have chrome lined barrels so they are very tough wearing and also there is minimal chance of the bores corroding unless they are particularly neglected. The barrel black is a nice deep gloss, and adds to the gun’s good looks.

The stock and forend are well figured and if they can maintain this standard of woodwork there will be few complaints. Beretta’s tendency over the last couple of years or so is to use quite light coloured wood that doesn’t hold that much appeal for most people. But lately it has become much better and this gun is no exception and the two pieces match each other very well.

Beretta has however recently started to use a new gloss type oil finish, which looks quite good when new, although I think maybe a little too glossy; a bit like a hair dresser’s car! But should a customer require it can be fairly readily replaced with a more traditional subdued oil finish.

The stock is finished with a ¾ “ black recoil pad, which is relatively smooth and so should not cause much snagging when shouldered.

The pistol grip is quite comfortable and fits the hand well. The 686 silver pigeon had become, I think, too big in the grip and stock as a whole, making it quite bulky and heavy. But this gun sees a return to a more stream lined stock.

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