Mike George looks at the AYA No.1, which would be at the top of his list should he ever want a side-by-side for his game shooting
The action of the AYA No.1 is colour hardened, which contrasts well with the rest of the gun
When I edited the very first issue of Sporting Gun, back in 1977, I asked Fred Buller of Chubbs of Edgeware, then one of the country’s leading gunsmiths, to nominate the best new gun for a newcomer on a limited budget. Without hesitation, he recommended the AYA Yeoman.
In the era it was a tough but well-balanced, sweet-handling side-by-side boxlock – so well made that that many of the guns purchased new in the era must still be in regular use today.
These days, if I wanted a reasonably-priced side-by-side for my game shooting, I’d still be tempted to go for an AYA, but one of their elegant sidelocks – a No.1 if I could find an immaculate example on the secondhand racks. Or, if financial good fortune had smiled upon me, a new one built to my personal specifications.
AYA history
The story of the Basque gunmaker Augirre y Aranzabal, which is what the initials AYA stand for, and their association with the British gun market, goes back around 60 years, to that sad time as the 1950s progressed when the affordable end of English gunmaking was in its death throes.
It seemed that the business was slowly strangling itself, with a failure to invest in new machinery and the industry’s insistence on labour-intensive methods. Highly-skilled labour it might have been, but it certainly wasn’t economical, and it became clear that an alternative source of guns would have to be found.
Fortunately, the spirit of entrepreneurship was very much alive in some quarters and when brothers Peter and Andrew King took a holiday in Barcelona, they were impressed with the guns they saw in the shops. The craftsmanship was good, and the Spanish economy in the era – remember General Francisco Franco’s regime was in power and the European Union hadn’t even been thought of – ensured prices were extremely reasonable.
The King Brothers were so impressed with the guns they saw that they set up a company to import them into Britain and the much-respected firm of Anglo-Spanish Imports – better known simply as ASI – was born.
The wood on the No. 1 is high grade and the chequering is very sharp, making the AYA look every bit as good as a “London Best” gun
English ideal
The supplier they chose was AYA. It seems that this company was extremely willing to make guns as close as possible to the English ideal and soon a family of guns suited to the UK market was born. No.1 and No.2 are both sidelocks, while the No.3 was a non-ejector boxlock. The Yeoman, which is not to be confused with an O/U of the same name, was a version of this gun. The No.4 is a boxlock ejector. AYA no longer make non-ejector guns.
There were quite a few more guns, although the O/Us were historically never as popular as the side-by-sides. The exception, to my mind, was the Coral – a look-alike for the German-built Merkel, and nowadays the No.37 and the Augusta O/Us are well up in the elegance stakes.
During ASI’s association with AYA, the Spanish company has been generally stable, the exception being for a couple of years in the late 1980s when they joined an ill-fated partnership of around 20 Basque gunmakers. It crashed, but AYA was able to re-form as an independent company in 1989.
Built to order
So what’s the specification as a No.1? Apart to say that it is built on the general principles of a Holland & Holland, it’s hard to be specific in the fine details. That’s because so many of the guns are built to special order and the ideals of individual shooters.
How much does a No.1 cost today? According to ASI, a basic gun is £12,760, while a round-action version is £21,780, and a De Luxe round-action is £22,550. To that, you can add the cost of any particular personal foibles…
That’s not cheap, but it is great value-for-money when you consider it is a fraction of the cost of a “London Best” gun.
Does mid-range mean middle of the road? Alex Flint puts the Browning B725 Hunter G3 to the test.
New engraving designs are a significant step up from lower-grade models
The B725 from Browning has been out in the wild for some time now. The range has been steadily expanding since 2012 with a variety of finishes and weights in order to compete in seemingly every conceivable section of the over-under market. It is somewhat surprising, therefore, given the ongoing trend towards long guns designed for serious game shooting, that this is the first 12 bore variant of what is best considered Browning’s ‘standard’ gun to be available with 32” barrels. Given I felt previous iterations of this model were noticeably barrel heavy, an even bigger B725 was an interesting prospect. Pleasingly, however, our test gun proved to be anything but the dull beast its weight and dimensions might suggest.
The G3 in the gun’s title indicates it has a grade-three finish, below the top-end G5 finish but above the Premium finish effectively marking the entry of the B725 range. To my eye it is certainly successful and a significant improvement over the Premium and Black and Gold models, though without the distinctive carved teardrops and Schnabel-style fore-end of the G5 guns.
Excellent engraving
Perhaps the clearest area of improvement is in the excellent engraving design, featuring game-scene vignettes on each side of the action body with pheasants and partridges taking flight. These are surrounded by lovely, bold acanthus-scroll engraving, a huge step up from the ‘sunbeam’ borders featured on entry-level guns. This foliate theme continues throughout the gun, with small patches appearing around the action and on parts such as the trigger guard and fore-end release lever. Also worth noting is a rather handsome design on the top lever featuring a pheasant’s head.
Away from the sides of the action and obvious places such as the top-lever, the engraving does appear rather shallow, although it is a significant step above the lower-grade models. Indeed, at least from the point of view of engraving, one might consider the grade-three finish to be the sweet spot of the range, as the grade-five guns can look a little busy.
Elsewhere, finishing is very good indeed and the wood is particularly attractive for a gun at this price point. As with all Brownings, the wood sports a dark-oil finish and is frankly streets ahead of what Beretta can offer at a similar price. The wood on our test gun displayed some attractive figuring and though the overall effect was strong, some visible pores make it clear the wood could take more oil. Should you be so inclined, the gun could doubtless be given some extra attention by a good gunsmith to develop a stunning finish.
As is common on all new mass-produced Browning guns, the chequering has been well executed and is very fine, however it was also coarse on our test gun – though clearly this will ease with use.
This gun is made with high birds in mind
Comfortable and secure in the front hand
In spite of the shallow action of the B725 compared to its predecessor the B525, this still looks a large gun, thanks in part to a chunky and quite long rounded fore-end. Though this length means the gun is comfortable and secure in the front hand even when going for tall driven targets – the grip staying firmly on the wooden parts and away from hot barrels – it is difficult not to notice how much wood appears to have been left in the fore-end.
Although the fore-end has been rounded and shaped to slope down to the action body, this part of the gun still seems quite large – especially in contrast to the stock where the wood-to-metal fit is excellent and there appears to have been little left to spare. The presence of the ejectors in the fore-end is a reasonable explanation as to why the fore-end is so large, but it is a shame.
This Browning is rather barrel heavy, especially our test gun with its 32” barrels. However this may actually be a boon. Very few sportsmen will be looking to buy a gun in this specification unless they want to take on high birds or challenging clays, and for those shooters, game and clay alike, this gun will definitely be rewarding. The length of the barrel and shallow action body means there is very little muzzle flip, and recoil is dealt with superbly, requiring deliberate, thoughtful shooting for success.
Visually, this is the sweet spot in the B725 range, and a model in the same specifi cation as our test gun would be excellent for high-bird shooting. Those looking for an all-rounder would probably be best considering a gun with 28” barrels.
View from the gun shop – Bill Elderkin
This is an interesting gun for Browning as it offers a very sought-after specifcation and level of finish at a price point its nearest rivals don’t currently match. This is Browning’s B725 set up for high birds and it shows – it comes in a posh black Opaline case and weighs in at just a shade under seven pounds and seven ounces.
At grade three you get a good quality of wood, well finished, and some more intricate and attractive engraving designs. The wood on this test gun is quite well figured and has been beautifully finished, bringing out the interesting patterns of the grain.
The shape of the B725 is an improvement over the B525, and the manufacturer has made enough changes to make the gun stand out over its predecessor, though the shape of the trigger guard is perhaps a little oblong and looks a tad unrefined as a result.
Many buyers would also doubtless prefer to be able to have their new gun without a big sticker running down the barrel telling everyone who made it – though these are easy to remove.
The B725 has so far proved very reliable and is easily repaired or adjusted. For example, the act of making the gun autosafe using the parts provided in the box takes a matter of minutes. You do get a lot of gun for your money here; really its nearest competitor is a model made by Browning’s other well-known shotgun brand, the Miroku MK60 in grade fi ve – though these come with fixed chokes rather than multichokes as in the Browning.
Beretta isn’t so fond of putting long barrels on its guns and you are unlikely to be able to get anything from the likes of Rizzini and Caesar Guerini of a similar specification at such a competitive price.
Extra engraving touches lend the gun character
In the field
You will spend a lot of time thinking about the size of the fore-end on this gun, as the balance of the B725 is biased towards the front hand. As noted in previous reviews, the B725 makes its weight felt very much forward of the hinge pin thanks in part to Browning’s Invector DS multichokes fitted as standard.
This was exaggerated even further on our test gun, where the long 32” barrels push the point of balance well past the hinge-pin. This forward bias does make for a pretty consistent mounting experience as one cannot help but lead with the front hand. The gun moves very well, if a little deliberately, and shoots pleasingly flat, as is common with Browning guns.
Having a mechanical action rather than one reliant upon inertia for cocking the second barrel means you should have no problem shooting a variety of loads, and also makes for really satisfying trigger pulls. No matter what load you put through the gun it will handle recoil well.
Both myself and instructor Bruce Marks shot with considerable success on a range of targets at Grange Farm Shooting School and came away impressed. The most striking aspect of shooting our test gun was the excellent visual picture available when shooting. While concentrating on the target you were still aware of what the barrels were doing thanks to their extra length ensuring they appeared clearly in my peripheral vision. Interestingly, I always knew how I had missed a target when shooting this Browning and this is no doubt thanks to the clear sight picture provided.
Any fears I had about the balance of the gun proved unfounded, though it did require a more thoughtful style of shooting than perhaps comes naturally to me. The weight and length does mean our test gun is a little more specialised than a standard model and as such I would be hesitant to take it out on a day’s walked-up or rough shooting where it would probably prove a little too unwieldy. You’d also start to feel its heft after a few hours.
As a high-bird gun, either in the field or at the clay ground, this Browning will surely excel and is easy to recommend.
The Browning B725 had a lot to live up to in replacing Browning‘s ageing but extremely successful B525. Thankfully, the Belgium-based company produced a gun…
If Mike George could raise the cash he would love to own a Perazzi MX12 Pro Sport
Engraving may be sparse, but the matt silver action contrasts nicely with the blacking of the barrels
In Italy in 1946 life must have been tough for a young lad with an ambition. In recent years the country, under Mussolini, had gone to war on the German side, but had surrendered and joined the Allies in 1943. Then came the struggle to throw out Hitler’s forces, and the eventual capture and execution of Mussolini by a band of partisans.
Put briefly, it was a country in chaos. The infrastructure was severely damaged, the economy likewise, and political unity between left and right seemed, at times, like an impossible dream.
Enter the young Perazzi
It was in this scenario that the 14-year old Daniele Perazzi nurtured his own apparently impossible dream. He wanted to be a gunmaker, but the only gun-related job he could get was as a sweeper-up in a gun shop. Yet it was the beginning of a wonderful story of triumph over adversity.
A job with a gunmaker
In 1948 Daniele got a job with a gunmaker, but as a storekeeper. However, his employer acknowledged his enthusiasm by allowing him to assemble guns after his normal working hours. This finally led to an apprenticeship, but it was by far not the end of the remarkable Perazzi story.
By the time he was 20, while in his third job in the gun trade, he invented a single-trigger mechanism. He must have been miffed when his employer said he wasn’t interested in it, but the man’s indifference towards the invention was a blessing in disguise. Daniele sold the details of the trigger to a rival, and the money meant that by 1957 he had sufficient cash to form his own company. Armi Perazzi was born.
The MX12 is an entry level gun but still comes with a hefty price tag
The MX8 design was brilliant
The fledgling company’s first big break came with the design of the Perazzi MX8, built to win the trap event at the 1968 Mexico Olympics. Unfortunately the Italian gold medal hopeful had failed to allow for the Yorkshire grit of Britain’s Bob Braithwaite, who, with his Browning, dropped just two targets out of 200. However, it had to be admitted that the MX8 design was brilliant, and it went on to win more Olympic, World and International Golds than any other gun.
Daniele died in 2012, and a fitting memorial to his genius was the fact that, out of 15 medals in the shotgun disciplines at that year’s London Olympics, 12 were won by Perazzi shooters.
Unlike the MX8, the MX12 does not have a drop-out trigger mechanism. Another difference is that the hammers on the MX12 are powered by coil rather than V-springs
MX12 Pro Sport an entry level Perazzi
Today the MX8 can be regarded as the father of a whole range of top-quality guns for field shooting and all of the clay target disciplines. The gun illustrated in this article is the MX12 Pro Sport, intended as an off-the-peg gun for the sporting disciplines and FITASC. It can be regarded as the “entry level” Perazzi, yet even second-hand the average price is around £4,700, and can be as high as well over £5,000 for an exceptional gun.
Unlike the top-level Perazzis, the Pro Sport does not have a drop-out trigger mechanism, neither does it have leaf springs. But like all other Perazzis, it has a super-strong action modelled on the Boss style, and lock-up with an H-shaped bolt engaging with bites level with the firing pin in the lower barrel.
A bit heavy
The only criticism I have of any Perazzi sporter is that they are generally quite heavy. More than 8lb is the norm, but this is counterbalanced by excellent balance and pointability. I’d love to own one, even if it meant I had to re-enrol at the gym, and if I could raise the cash I’d take the option open to any purchaser of a new gun to go to the factory to have the stock hand-fitted by experts.
There are facilities to try guns at all clay disciplines in the factory grounds. That, coupled with the opportunity to observe Italian engineering and gunmaking at its best, sounds something close to paradise!
A pretty little gun, with gold birds standing out on the black action body, this Italian-made model is fast, light and pointable, says Lewis Potter
The decoration stands out against the matt black
Is appearance important? Of course it is, especially when it is your shotgun, your pride and joy, whether family heirloom, sought-after second-hand model or brand new “just out of the box”. But beauty is always in the eye of the beholder and what suits one owner may not appeal to another.
Lincoln Vogue over-and-under 20-bore
There are certain basics that most shooters appreciate such as well-blacked barrels and walnut with nature’s subtle swirling patterns, good chequering on the stock and even a silver oval bearing some long-forgotten family crest.
In general, something shiny tends to do well in the attraction stakes and, in recent years, there have been a lot of brightly finished actions. It is true that, on side-by-sides, the Old English finish was sometimes a polishing job to remove the last of the worn colour-case-hardening and produce a not-unattractive uniform look. However, usually if you wanted modern shiny Italian guns you had the greatest choice. It therefore came as something of a surprise to receive for test a shotgun made in Italy for a UK company that was presented in an exceptionally non-shiny form.
The birds in gold inlay are picked out on the forward extension of the trigger-plate as well as the action body
First impressions
It is a handsome shotgun, the gold birds standing out against the black action, but eye-catching rather than garish; I found it most attractive on first acquaintance. The Vogue model is a revival of a name used for a limited edition deluxe model in the 1980s and for anyone not too fond of this smart raven-black finish, there are always other Lincolns.
The Vogue is light but, such is the balance, it feels much lighter than the 6lb 3oz recorded on my scale and, with this gun’s 28in barrels, it is very fast in the handling department. Having said that, it does not fall into the category of the kind of gun that is superb in the hands of an expert but a little “frisky” for the average Shot because it is still stable and pointable.
With a length of pull on this gun nudging 14¾in, it will suit many potential owners and, even it if proves a little long for perhaps a younger Shot, it is better to shoot with a stock slightly longer than shorter.
Decoration
The degree of decoration is not immediately obvious because of the smart black action, but there is quite a lot of detail when you look closer. The birds on both sides of the action body and the forward extension of the trigger-plate are probably visible, to the eagle-eyed admirer, from 50 paces away. However, it is only when you handle the gun that the pleasing scrollwork surrounding the panels sporting the “bird life” can be really appreciated. This form of decoration also extends to the top-lever, top strap and trigger-guard with bordering and matted panels on the fences.
The chequering on the stock and fore-end is crisp and follows fairly conservative patterns, while the walnut on this gun is strong-grained and attractive with a hint of fiddleback in the butt. The blacking on both barrels and action is, as you would expect for a Lincoln, excellent and unblemished. The narrow “file cut” top rib shouts game gun and the finish to the barrel selector and square chequered panels on the safety button are both attractive and very practical.
Mechanism
The decoration stands out against the matt black
As one would expect, this little Lincoln is a conventional break-open over-and-under with the barrels hinging on trunnions (or hinge discs). A full-width locking bolt engages with dual bites just below the bottom barrel chamber and the ejectors are permanently sprung with, as is often the case with these guns, fairly strong springs fitted, guaranteeing clean ejection.
Built on the monoblock system, the chrome-lined barrels have solid side ribs and a ventilated top rib fitted with a traditional brass foresight bead. Screw-in chokes come as standard covering a range from cylinder to full and 3in (76mm) chambers are standard. The handbook lists both US/European choke designations and the British (and original) version. There is no need to do mental acrobatics converting, for example, improved modified to three-quarter choke.
The lockwork is also conventional and fairly typical of this sort of over-and-under shotgun. The hammers are mounted on the trigger-plate and powered by helical mainsprings, while the sears hang from the top strap. Second barrel selection is operated via an inertia block but will also fire on mechanical selection alone, which is always a bonus.
Also, the lockwork incorporates what the old Birmingham gunsmiths used to call a range — that is, an arm that pushes the safety to the “on” position while disconnecting the trigger mechanism from the sears when the gun is opened.
Lincoln Vogue on test
The morning was one of those blustery cold days, spitting with rain, which came as something of a shock after such a mild October. Still, testing must go on, and really it was little different to some shoot days, so perhaps a valid added element to the testing.
Cartridges were chosen mainly on the basis of a discussion between two friends on the merits of more choke versus bigger shot loads for reasonably high birds when using a 20-bore. So we settled on quarter and half-choke but 28g and 30g loads for most of the testing, which, in “old money”, qualify as 16-bore shot loads. Cartridges used on test included Eley VIP Game, Gamebore Pure Gold 20, Hull ProTwenty for that bit of pre-season clay practice, Lyalvale Express Special 20 and Sipe RC 20. The sweetest loads in this light gun were the Hull and Lyalvale 21g and 25g loaded cartridges.
Recoil was more noticeable with the 28g and 30g shot loads but, when it comes to felt recoil, there is a world of difference between shooting from a static position at a pattern sheet and swinging at a bird with a bit of adrenalin in the system. However, while fairly immune to recoil, I think going as far as 3in cartridges would spoil an outing with this dinky game gun.
Everything worked well. Point of aim was with the foresight bead just on the “bird”, the trigger tripped the sears very precisely and the ejection of empty cases was as strong as anticipated. Both barrel selection and safety operation were very positive.
PATTERN SHEET 1: Shot at 30 yards, quarter-choke, cartridge Eley VIP Game, 28g No. 5 shot, fi bre wad. This pattern represents a very tight quarter-choke concentrated in the middle.
PATTERN SHEET 2: Shot at 30 yards, half-choke, cartridge Sipe RC 20, 28g No. 6 shot, fibre wad. Surprisingly, the pattern with this cartridge showed an overall spread not dissimilar to the quarter-choke but measuring as a true half-choke pattern.
This kind of result does show the value of pattern testing with different cartridges to suit an individual shotgun.
Conditions: cold, blustery wind, spitting with rain.
The Rizzini RB EM 16-bore is well worth looking at if you want something a little bit different
Rizzini RB EM 16-bore
Rizzini is a gunmaker steadily making inroads into the British guntrade. It has some very attractive models at good value-for-money prices. This is my favourite in the range: the Rizzini RB EM 16-bore .
The RB EM is a round bodied box lock gun with a bold scroll engraving pattern that reminds me of the traditional Holland Royal pattern. The engraving is similar to a broad acanthus scroll, and covers the action fully. The furniture, top lever, safe thumbpiece, trigger guard and fore-end iron are all finished black and contrast the coin finished brushed silver of the action frame.
The gun can be ordered as a special with colour hardening if preferred. In fact this gun is standard specification – apart from longer barrels, but can be ordered with a number of customisation options if required. As can all Rizzini guns.
And now for something completely different, the RB EM in 16-bore
Rizzini RB EM 16-bore history
The RB EM was first introduced in 2014 and won that year’s award for “best new gun” in the Shooting Industry Awards. The 12 and 20-bore have always been the two favourite, but as with many other Rizzini models, the RB EM is also available in 16-bore.
16-bore resurgence
There seems to be a bit of resurgence for 16-bore guns, particularly O/U guns. I am not sure why, but for some there are good reasons. Of course some people simply want something a little different and like the challenge of a smaller bore. As far as O/U 16-bores go, there are very few in the mass market and fewer still on a scaled action. I have seen some made on 12-bore actions. The obvious snag here is too much weight. They have been made on 20-bore actions as well; at least I know of one maker that tried this without lasting success.
It sounds simple to make a scaled action, but it’s easier said than done. And there is a great deal of investment needed to see the project through. So the maker needs to have faith the demand will justify the expense: Rizzini has that faith.
Although 16-bore British built guns exist, they are not particularly common. With 12-bore being by far the most popular bore followed by 20-bores, although to a much lesser extent as the attitude towards 20-bores has changed enormously during my time in the trade. Historically in Britain the 20-bores were seen as a lady or boys’ gun, or possibly the more mature gentleman! I think that changed during the 80s as O/U guns became increasingly popular against side-by-sides and people found that the 20-bore offered a much lighter gun to carry, combined with a similar killing power of a 12-bore – you just need to be a little more accurate.
The action is simple and well made, which bodes well for the gun’s longevity. The coin finished action frame is stunning
European favourite
The 16-bore has always been more popular on the continent, particularly in Germany and Austria. You could call it industrial evolution in a way, but on the continent most shooting is walked-up and usually over much steeper terrain than we have in the UK – so a smaller bore that is inherently lighter makes sense. In line with this – although they often come in the box with a modern O/U – sling swivels are not things that add anything to the look of a shotgun. But they are very practical and make sense when climbing up steep hills with a gun.
The general feeling in the UK used to be that 16-bores, while lighter than 12-bores, were not so comfortable to shoot as the load was too near to a 12-bore, so more recoil was felt. Though in recent times that argument has started to run out of steam as many 20-bore shooters shoot 28gram loads as their preference; and heavier loads are available as well. Conversely, 12-bore loads for clay shooting were dropped down from 32gram to 28gram some years ago. And for game shooting, 28gram is a more popular load than it used to be. So from this point of view, it doesn’t make sense to have a 16-bore – you’ve got it covered with either 12 or 20. But of course it’s nice to have something a little different and not to follow the rest of the flock.
Reliability and longevity
Mechanically the Rizzini is quite simple, which is always good for reliability and longevity. The design of the mechanism is the same as the 12 and 20-bore, albeit the safe spring is slightly different. The action frame itself is made in one piece rather than an action body and a separate trigger plate that is pegged and pinned (screwed) to it.
These hammers are powered by captive mainsprings that cause them to rebound slightly, so preventing striker drag when the gun is opened after firing. The sears are suspended above the hammers in the strap under the top lever. The sear lifter/selector block is spring-loaded to sit in the trigger and go forward to connect under the tail of the sear. A button can be moved from side to side in the safe to select which barrel fires first.
The safe itself is auto return from “fire” when the top lever is pushed across. Recoil from the first shot throws the selector block back to disconnect it from the first sear, letting the sear drop down behind the hammer. It then springs forward again to pick up the second sear and so fire the second barrel. Both strikers are spring-loaded. The bottom of each hammer is connected to a cocking bar that runs along the floor of the action frame. When fired this goes forward with the hammer. Out to the side of each cocking bar is a wing that connects to the ejector trip that is dovetailed into the mono-block of the barrel. Going forward the ejector trip is pushed up to engage with a notch in the end of the extractor. As the gun is opened, the ejector trip makes contact with a point in the side of the action, and is moved back to disengage with the extractor at the point of the gun being fully opened. This releases the spring-loaded extractor, which jumps back and ejects the fired case. Each side of the firing mechanism is independent, so only the fired case is ejected; in other words selective ejection.
The RB EM comes with five multi-chokes as standard
As the gun is opened a cam in the bottom of the fore-end iron pushes on the end of the cocking bar, pushing the hammer back and re-cocking the gun. The stock and fore-end are very nicely finished and a classic shape. The fore-end has a classic round nose, but can be supplied with a Schnabel shape. I think the rounded nose of the fore-end compliments the gun as a whole better than the Schnabel. The fore-end is released from the gun by a button protruding from the nose end. This is effectively what would be called an Anson push round system; commonly seen on side-by-side guns. But again it gives the gun an elegant look along the lines of a British built O/U gun.
Elegant look
The stock has a rounded pistol grip, which is very well proportioned and flows nicely into the body of the stock. This rounded pistol grip shape along with the round body of the action gives the gun a very elegant look and goes a long way to explain the growing popularity of these guns. The wood is well figured and has a gloss oil finish. The gun handles very well with the weight somewhere between the two poles of 12 and 20-bore at approximately 7lb 3oz, depending on spec; barrel length etc. Speaking of barrels, these ones are 32inch, giving the gun a unique feel – very positive and easy to point. The top rib is a ventilated 6mm with crosshatched matting to reduce reflection when sighting. The chambers are 70mm to accept a wide range of cartridges and there is quite a range of 16-bore cartridges out there. The accepted “standard” load, if there is one for 16-bore, is 13 to 16oz or approximately 26gram. But you can easily find 25, 28 and 30gram loads as well. Though shot may be limited from five to seven in most cases.
JASON’S VERDICT
The 16-bore has definitely come back into the shooting consciousness of the UK, I suspect more than most other bores. It will continue to be a niche rather than mainstream, but those using them perhaps prefer to be in a select minority anyway! I wouldn’t say Rizzini is leading the way with 16-bore O/Us – others have done it before. But Rizzini is one of the few producing the guns in any number at the moment. Its guns are well worth looking at if you want something different, even in 12 and 20-bore.
Price: The Rizzini RB EM is £2,850 with either 28in or 30in barrels. There is a supplement for 32in barrels of £268.
It can also be ordered with a solid top rib as an option and fixed chokes can also be specified if required.
Mike George chooses three guns to consider before a possible rise in gun prices
If I was thinking of buying a new gun I would be tempted to do it right now, as prices could well go up quite steeply in the not-too distant future. It’s because of the decline in value of Sterling, which is bound to affect all imports soon.
At the time of writing, £1 was worth only 1.2 Euros, and there was talk of further falls. The fall against most other world currencies, including the US Dollar, was nearly as bad. So why have gun prices not already gone up?
There are two likely answers. The first is that the new guns in the shops were most likely imported much earlier in 2016, before the Brexit scare hit the Pound on world currency markets. The second is that wise importers of all items from luxury cars to baked beans tend to buy their foreign currency in advance, at times of favourable exchange rates. But existing stocks of guns, and holdings of foreign currency, will eventually run out – and could do so before the Pound recovers.
Eventually, a rise in new gun prices could be reflected on the second-hand market. I’m not saying it will, but it might – so here are three guns to consider, either new or second-hand.
Yildiz O/U Sporter
Yildiz O/U Sporter
Forty years ago the majority of budget-priced guns on the UK market came from Spain. Then it was Italy’s turn, and now it is Turkey who is producing guns that are not only cheap, but also generally well made.
One of the leading companies in Turkey is Yildiz, who initially seemed to concentrate on lightweight general-purpose guns and field guns. Many models were built with aluminium alloy actions, which considerably enhanced the handling of guns in the smaller gauges such as 28-bores and .410s.
Its output is around 45,000 guns a year, and in comparatively recent times a Sporter has been added to the range. At more than 8lb it is quite heavy, but, in spite of that, handling is quite positive. And the price is certainly attractive, at around £875 for a new gun with an adjustable comb. A version with a plain stock is quite a lot cheaper, so second-hand prices should peak at a little over £700.
The gun has a number of points that I really like. One is the fact that transfer of the single trigger to the second barrel is mechanical rather than recoil-driven. This means that you still get a shot in the unlikely event of a first barrel misfire but, perhaps more importantly, it also means that the gun should be tolerant of some very light loads. That, coupled with the gun’s weight, should make it a good choice for people who are very sensitive to recoil.
The other good thing is the look of the adjustable comb, the comb blending in nicely with the lines of the stock. One point I’m not too keen on is the fact that the pistol grip has a palm swell, but that’s just the personal preference of a man with relatively small hands. Other people like the feature.
These points apart, the gun has no mechanical surprises. The barrels hinge on stub pins, and lock-up is via a low-mounted bolt engaging with a bite in a shallow lump just below the lower barrel.
Within the action, hammers are mounted on the trigger plate, while sears hang from the top strap. Main springs are coils running on guide rods, and the ejectors are spring-loaded.
There’s a choice of 28 or 30-inch chrome-lined multichoke barrels, both with 3-inch (76mm) chambers. The stock is 14. inches and, with the adjustable comb, the drops are, of course, set up by the owner.
To drive up the Gardone valley above Brescia in northern Italy’s Lombardia province is like taking a history lesson in the nation’s gunmaking history. It seems that, at every turn, there is a factory making guns you have heard of, from Beretta, who can trace its history back to 1526, to the latest addition to Caesar Guerini, who has been going a mere 16 years.
Once, when making the journey, I asked my Italian host why there was such a concentration of gunmakers in such a small area. The answer was simple – historically the valley had iron ore, plenty of wood for making charcoal to feed the furnaces, and flowing water to power water wheels.
The history is fascinating, but today we are looking at one of the newest shotgun designs in the world. For not only is the Guerini Invictus extremely well made, the way in which the barrels hinge to the action is, if not unique, extremely unusual.
On most other O/U guns the barrels either hinge to the action with a hook on the lump engaging with a full-width cross pin (like most Brownings), or with semi-circular cut-outs in the barrel cheeks engaging with stub pins in the action walls close to the knuckle (like the famous Beretta design and its many imitators). The Invictus is different in that the round-nosed projections which serve as stub pins are on either side of the barrel lump, and the hooks with which they engage are in the forward end of the action frame.
When, after many thousands of shots, the gun starts to shoot loose, these projections, which are removable, are available in over-sized versions, which bring the gun back to tightness. Again, this feature is not unique in that gunsmiths can fit other guns either over-sized, full-width cross-pins or stub pins as appropriate, but it looks as if this would be a relatively simple process on the Invictus.
Other than the way in which it hinges, the rest of the mechanism is relatively conventional, with a low-mounted bolt engaging with a bite below the lower barrel, coil hammer springs with hammers hinged at the bottom and sears hanging from the top strap.
The Invictus’ chambers, being a purely competition gun, are only 2.inches (70mm), and a good selection of barrel lengths is available in Sporting and trap variants in three grades. Stock length is 14.85 inches.
A point that I like is the fact that the fore-end is removed by pressing a button at its tip. The engraving pattern takes the form of a clay target, and I would prefer a more traditional pattern than something that always reminds me of a fl ying fried egg – but that’s just the personal quirk of shooting’s own Victor Meldrew, which has nothing to do with the gun’s undoubted quality.
Here’s a point for you to ponder: would you buy a high-grade gun when a basic model was available for around half the price?
The example we are looking at is the Browning 725 Grade Five, which costs anything between £3,700 and £4,000, depending on how much discount the dealer is prepared to give you. Yet a Grade One can be bought for anywhere between £1,800 and £2,000 – again depending on your luck with the discount.
You don’t need me to remind you of how many cartridges £2,000 would buy…
The Grade One and the Grade Five are mechanically identical, and both guns handle in exactly the same way. The B725 is a typical Miroku-built Browning, with a rather tall action and the barrels hinged on a full-width cross pin. The B725 action is, however, 4mm shallower than that of its predecessor – the B525. Another improvement new to the B725 is that the transfer of the single trigger to the second barrel is now purely mechanical rather than reliant on the recoil of the first shot.
The number of new guns with this mechanical feature seems to be growing, which makes me think that light, 21g loads might have been giving trouble with recoil-reliant systems.
The differences between the B725 Grade One and the Grade Five are merely cosmetic, although “merely” is, perhaps, a slightly unfair term when you see just how elegant the high-grade gun really is.
The first thing to catch your eye is the woodwork – rich, dark walnut with a lovely grain pattern. Wood-to-metal fit is superb and the head of the pistol grip is finished with elegant drop points. The fore-end isn’t quite a Schnabel design, but comes close to it and the chequering is very well executed.
Although the gun is primarily for clayshooting, the sides of the action are engraved with game scenes – ducks on one side the pheasants on the other. The rest of the action, including the underside, the fore-end iron and the trigger guard are covered with elegant scroll patterns. When Sporting Gun’s gunsmith Jason Harris described the gun two years ago, he compared this scrollwork favourably with that found on the hand-built B25 guns from the custom shop in Belgium. Higher praise would be hard to find!
Our readers are a real mix of shooters. Some are keen on clays, others avid game shooters and then we have the air rifle brigade. Which is why we provide a real cross-section of reviews.
Here's a list of the gun reviews that are read frequently by you … interesting reading and maybe some surprises here
1. Favourite .22lr rifles Which rimfire rifle should you choose? Should you go for a heavy varmint barrel? Will you choose a synthetic or more traditional wood stock? Opt for the ability to change barrels and calibres? Most gun cabinets will have at least one rimfire in residence for pest control and our reviewer Jason Harris talks you through some top choices.
2. Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon 1 You’re probably not too surprised to see this one near the top of the list. It might be a cheaper model but it is built to Beretta’s usual proven design without any compromise on quality.
3. Hatsan Escort semi-auto shotgun review As our reviewer says, this Turkish-built semi-auto was always going to create a stir on its price. When it was reviewed it retailed at £544.
4. Secondhand AyA shotgun As our reviewer Mike George says, an AyA is a useful buy. He gives a comprehensive run-down of the side-by-side and over-and-under choices available and tells you what to look out for.
5. Browning 525 shotgun This was succeeded the B425 but as Browning stressed at the time, it was not a replacement for the B425, which is perennially popular.
6. Perazzi Ribless game gun. A gun based on Perazzi’s popular MX12 although it has been designed in co-operation with Sportarm of Dorchester. Our reviewer inspects the results of the British influence on an Italian standard.
7. Blaser F16 Did it pack the punch that everyone was expecting? Launched as a mid-range entry level gun – would you agree?
8. Lanber Sporter Solid value for money and a good choice for someone new in the sport. Or somebody who needs an all-round second gun.
9. Perazzi MX8 The one if you’re competitive. This is the competition clay gun that’s won almost everything going.
10. Browning B725 Black Edition It may be a clay gun with a contemporary look and feel – but there’s a lot more to it than that …
Tom Veitch, staff writer on Sporting Gun and Doug Florent, owner of Oxford Gun Company, test the Webley & Scott 1012 Sporter and put it through its paces
Having shot at competitive level for many years, Doug knows his way round a Sporter. As he assembles the gun he notes the deep, polished blacking and the quality of the gun’s components. “This looks a good gun for the money. It fits together nicely,” Doug says.
Shouldering the gun he says, “The thing about the Italians is that they do a lot of Trap rather than Sporting shooting and their guns tend to be a bit low in the comb. Even Beretta and Perrazzi can suffer with this.”
However, Doug did point out the tapered top rib, which “helps bring the balance of the gun back to the hands”.
As a left-hander, Doug is not keen on the right-handed palm swell, or the right-handed cast of the stock. And for Doug gunfit is everything. “Buying a gun is like buying a coat, you wouldn’t buy one that doesn’t fit. I always suggest that you look at every gun within your budget and choose the one that fits you best.”
So it was onto the test. Doug smoked the first two clays and the right-handed stock didn’t seem to put him off. It just goes to show the talent Doug has.
Summary: “The Webley & Scott 1012 offers everything you’d expect from a good Italian gun.”
Tester: Tom Veitch
Occupation: Sub-editor/staff writer Sporting Gun
Age: 25
Years shooting: 2
Type of shooting: Clay shooting
Tom is a relative newcomer to shooting and only took it up two years ago. Having spent most of his shooting career on the clayground, Tom is a reasonable shot. Being a right-hander with a bigger frame than Doug he finds the stock fits him well. “The 15-inch length of pull suits me and the comb isn’t too low for me,” says Tom.
Tom shatters most of the first round of clays in a pretty impressive way. “This isn’t a bad gun,” he says, smiling. He looks at the chokes that have been fitted to the gun and sees they are ½ and ¼ choke. “That’s perfect,” says Tom and Doug agrees. Although Tom admitted he rarely changes the chokes on his own gun, he said he’s a fan of multi-chokes and likes to know he can change them should he need to. He continued: “The 1012 offers all you need in a Sporter. It has 30in barrels, multi-chokes, a barrel selector and it’s well-balanced.”
Tom likes the look of the gun. “It’s well finished and I really like the deep polish to the bluing. It’s an affordable gun, that performs well. I want something that’s practical; if the stock was of the finest walnut I’d be afraid to use the gun.”
Summary: “This gun is well-balanced, well put together and is great value for money.”
We need you!
Don’t let us have all the fun. You can get involved too. All you have to do is email us at sportinggun@timeinc.com and live within easy reach of Oxford Gun Centre and you could be one of our reader testers.
Buyer’s brief: “I started club clayshooting last year with an old AYA No.3 side-by-side, which was given to me by my grandad. To be competitive I need an over-and-under, but, being a student, I have a very limited budget.”
Mike George’s tips on buying a first clay gun
I can understand you wanting something better than the old AYA. It’s not that there was anything wrong with it in its day, but it’s a non-ejector and it is many years since AYA stopped making non-ejector guns. So, not only is it getting a bit long in the tooth, but it is also a gun for field shooting, and you need a proven claybuster.
As a field-shooting gun it will also be lighter than the average Sporter and therefore – if you haven’t noticed it already – the recoil will get a bit tiring over long strings of shots, such as you might encounter over a 50 or 100-target competition.
Make no mistake, the old AYA No.3 was a tough gun, but all were fixed chokes and most that I have seen have been choked ½ and full, which is far too tight for club clays. So, you are right in wanting an O/U, and, despite my personal quirk of preferring fixed-choke guns, a multichoke is the way for you to go.
That said, if the AYA is in good condition, I’d keep it. One in reasonable condition now costs around £190 in a gun shop, and you would get much less than that on a trade-in. You could have a lot of fun with it if you are offered any pigeon shooting or pest-control duties, and over-tight chokes can always be bored out. The gun must have some sentimental value to you, too.
Finally, don’t worry over the fact that you have such a limited budget. There are plenty of guns you can afford on the second-hand racks. All I would say is; don’t fall for the first gun you fancy and, if you are concerned about your lack of experience, persuade one of the experienced members of your club to accompany you on your shopping expeditions.
Lanber Sporter
Option 1 – Mike’s top choice
Lanber Sporter
In 1977, Britain’s Beretta importers were Gunmark – a company which re-styled itself as GMK in 1998. They realised that all of the Beretta break-action O/Us were beyond the means of shooters with a tight budget, so they searched Europe for a reliable gun that would fill the gap.
Unlike many importers looking for a reliable, well-priced O/U, they went to Spain rather than Italy and struck a deal with Lanber. It was an excellent partnership because Lanber was prepared to listen to Gunmark’s ideas for a British-market gun. And when clay-shooting champion Barry Simpson joined the Gunmark team, the Lanber Sporter became just about the best gun of its type in its price range.
The gun had come a long way from earlier importing attempts by smaller rival companies, who hadn’t done themselves any favours by giving the guns weird names such as Eibargun (after the city of Eibar in Spain’s Basque Country) and, if you can believe it, Animo Express!
Under Gunmark’s guidance, 20,000 guns were sold in the first 20 years of importing, and sales of new guns continued to go well until a few years ago, when the Lanber suddenly went out of production. Whatever caused the company’s failure, it certainly wasn’t the quality or design of the gun, and GMK were quick to point out that their spares stock was such that there wouldn’t be a problem for many years to come.
Spares such as firing pins are still available from GMK
The general advice is to avoid guns from the early 1980s. The first multichokes came out in 1983, and the first Sporters, with the Simpson-designed woodwork, came on the scene in 1987.
All guns have low-profile actions with barrels hinged on stub pins. Hammers are driven by coil springs on guide rods and are hinged from the bottom of the action, while sears hinge from the top strap. All guns have single selective triggers, with the barrel selector incorporated in the safety thumbpiece.
Lanber Sporters have low-profile actions. Hammers are driven by coil springs on guide rods
Woodwork is either varnished or oil finished, depending on the age of the gun. Most newer guns have 14.in stocks, with drops at comb and heel of 1.in and 2⅜in respectively. Later guns also have 76mm (3in) chambers and magnum proof. There’s a choice of 28in or 30in barrels, and there are a few guns with left-handed woodwork if you search around.
Option 2
Franchi Harrier
Thirty and more years ago Sporting Gun received quite a number of calls from readers seeking spares for Franchi semi-automatics. The old Franchi auto was quite a tough gun, but, as with all autos, occasionally it needed small spares such as springs, firing pins and extractor claws, and none were available. There were a few Franchi O/Us around, too, and spares for them were equally hard to find.
The guns had been imported by ASI of Snape, the AYA importers, but the arrangement seemed to fizzle out and the Franchi company seemed to be in trouble.
Then, in the 1990s, Franchi’s fortunes took a turn for the better when they were taken over by Beretta. This gave them not only financial stability, but access to world markets and, in the UK, put the guns in the hands of Beretta importers GMK.
The Bettinsoli Diamond Line Sporter, despite a name suggesting top quality, is very much an entry-level clayshooting gun. But it’s none the worse for that. In fact, the gun is quite a good looker and many examples have the best wood you are going to get at the price. The same goes for the engraving pattern.
The gun is a multichoke with no unsightly bulges at the muzzles. Chambers are three inches, and the tubes have been subjected to steel shot proof. Typical of most Italian guns, the Diamond Line’s barrels are hinged on stub pins, allowing for a shallow action, and ejectors are spring-loaded.
Internally, the mechanism is about as simple as you can get, with hammers hinged at the bottom and the sears hanging from the top strap. Coil mainsprings run on guide rods, while an inertia-driven system resets the single trigger to the second barrel.
The weight is just about right for a Sporter, and it could be used for occasional game, pigeon and wildfowl forays.
This Turkish-built semi automatic has a price that gets it talked about
It’s not cheap and it’s not nasty. But this gas-operated Escort semi-auto gun costs a third of a Beretta or Browning. Those two brands may be more reliable – but then the Hatsan Escort semi-auto shotgun costs 33% less.
That’s not to say it’s unreliable either. And in any case replacement parts are easy to get your hands on. You also get a comprehensive three year warranty covering mechanical defects from Edgar Bros, the distributors.
And problems are generally fixed swiftly.
Problems can usually be fixed quickly and underpinning everything is a very comprehensive three year warranty covering mechanical defects from the distributors, Edgar Bros.
And remember that if you haven’t spent a lot, you won’t get stressed over every little knock or dent your gun receives. Which is another major point in this gun’s favour.
Tough and rugged kit
If you’re thinking: “I’ve seen this shotgun before” then you’re probably right. It’s not entirely new and in fact it has been arriving in the UK in various forms for about a decade and several thousand have already been sold. The manufacturers have been constantly tweaking the design.
A number of changes have been made – there’s now a bolt release system that’s integral with the feed plate.
To release the bolt you simply push the centre of the floor plate. The gas piston has also been modified as too has the connection between the action bar and its magazine loop.
A useful safety feature is the addition of a magazine cut-off button that allows you to remove a chambered cartridge but leave the other two in the magazine. On a practical level this means that you can cross a stile, gate or other obstacle without having to completely unload the gun.
Keep it clean
As with most gas operated semi-autos the smooth cycling of the gun is largely down to it being kept clean so that all the parts move as freely as possible. By their very nature, gas autos get dirty by the exhaust gas from the cartridge but they will work better if oil is smeared on the piston assembly.
Motor oil is best because it’s designed to take higher temperatures and does not burn away as quickly as light gun oil. It will get dirty, but can easily be wiped off and renewed. Because it doesn’t burn away as quickly, it also helps prevent carbon building up on the piston and other moving parts.
The gun used here has a synthetic stock and fore-end with 28in barrels but one major feature of the Escort is the number of different versions it comes in. You can pick barrel lengths from 24in to 30in, wood or synthetic, camo patterned and 3in or 3.1/2in chambers.
The gun comes with a standard magazine capacity of 2 + 1 but they are also available to FAC holders with extended seven shot magazines. The gun can also be had in a true left hand version.
Should you buy this gun?
If you’re looking for a gun for rough shooting or wildfowling, then the Escort would make an excellent choice. It offers excellent value for money and you can rest assured that there is a sound back up warranty.
Marks out of 100 for the Hatsan Escort semi-auto gun
In the market for a budget gun? That's fine, but it doesn't limit you to something created from cheap materials. Far better is to buy a well-designed gun with fewer details - that way you'll get an affordable new gun that you'll be proud of. Which is how we'd describe the ever-popular Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon 1 shotgun
If you’re looking for a budget gun, you may be considering buying a gun made from budget materials.
Well think again. It’s not necessary and a cheaply made gun won’t be a good investment as it’s more likely to deteriorate faster. What you should be investigating is a good, no-frills gun that’s built to a normal standard. But which still looks good.
Check out the ever-popular Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon 1
The Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon 1 shotgun is one such model. This gun was introduced to the UK seven years ago in 2010, bringing the most popular specifications from Beretta’s Silver Pigeon range to the European market. However by only offering the most limited options the cost was effectively kept lower. Basically the Silver Pigeon 1 shotgun offers a multichoke 12-bore with a choice of 28 or 30in barrels – and that is that.
When Lewis Potter first reviewed the Beretta Silver Pigeon he searched for evidence that Beretta had economised on certain aspects, perhaps in using less complex lockwork or cheaper materials. But he didn’t find any evidence of economy. This gun is a Beretta as we’re used to seeing Beretta and our reviewer commented on the quality.
Here’s what Lewis Potter said about the Beretta Silver Pigeon
I’ve never reviewed a Beretta Silver Pigeon before. Which is strange given their popularity. So I relished the opportunity to test one out and I was pleased that a few surprises were thrown up.
Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon 1
The first was upon mounting the gun to the shoulder as the length of pull is 14.7⁄8in — a goodly length — which suits me just fine. For shooters of average build wearing bulky winter clothing, easy adjustment such as fitting a thinner butt-pad or plate, may be advantageous.
Secondly, there was more drop on the stock than one is used to with Berettas, a full 2.1⁄2in at the heel, which is about right for many shooters, especially in a game gun, or field model as the manufacturers would call it.
The feel was more solid than I anticipated, given its familiar slim styling and low action body.
The catalogued weight is 7.1⁄4lb, though the Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon 1 weighed in at nearer 7.1⁄2lb on my scale, which is still quite acceptable for a 12-bore over-under.
It was then that I realised the last Beretta I had used was the Ultralight Gold, about 1lb lighter, which impressed me at the time.
Familiar to Beretta aficianados
The barrels on the test Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon 1 gun were the 30in option, nicely blacked with the expected hard-chromed bores and 3in chambers. Five flush-fitting chokes are provided covering the common choices of full, three-quarter, half, quarter and improved cylinder. Even the choke key is the usual Beretta product without any cutback.
A neat touch – the jewelled finish on the sides of the monobloc.
So have Beretta managed to keep the price reasonable by making the lockwork more straightforward? No, they haven’t economised here. The lockwork is still the same, a bit complex, reliable with neatly made parts assembled on the trigger-plate. Beretta aficianados will be familiar with the gold trigger and trilobite-shaped safety/barrel selector features.
Economies of scale during production
I believe this is how the costs have been kept down with the standards remaining high. Maybe a small saving has been made on the walnut grade used in the stock and fore-end. However, the butt exhibited a lot of pattern – better than many older models I have looked at. I liked the fit of the leather-effect butt-pad. The chequering has been done by laser. Reliable trigger-plate lock
The Beretta Silver Pigeon 1 uses the same slightly complex but reliable trigger-plate lock common to the boxlock models.
Crisp trigger-pulls and an auto-safe are two more appealing characteristicstest
Gun test
The balance point is a little in front of the fore-end knuckle and this contributes towards a smooth swing.
Excellent fit for length
I went out on a beautiful spring morning, lightly dressed and the fit for length proved excellent.
By concentrating I discovered I could overcome the modest amount of stock cast. For instinctive shooting, however, this was one area that could be improved upon (as with a lot of over-and-unders, to be fair).
Everything as it should be
Everything else worked as expected: crisp, clean trigger-pulls; an auto-safe a little stiff to operate due to its newness but still precise in operation; strong, properly timed ejection and good primer strikes. Everything was as it should be.
I tried a selection of cartridges and most performed well with the Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon 1. The only problem I encountered was with light subsonic loads where occasionally the second barrel was not selected. This is not an unusual fault with inertia operation and due in part, no doubt, to this gun being brand new and not “run in”.
The loads I settled on, which gave consistently good performance, were Express 30g Supreme Game No. 6 shot and 36g Super Game No. 5 shot. Using the latter was where the modest extra weight of the Silver Pigeon 1, compared with the Ultralight, was appreciated. It smoothed out the recoil, especially on driven clays when simulating high birds.
On the pattern-plate it was noticeable that the heavier loads placed the shot pattern a little higher.
What’s the score?
Construction
Built to Beretta’s usual proven design with no compromise in the quality to make a cheaper model. 17/20
Handling
The balance point in front of the fore-end knuckle contributes to its smooth swing 18/20
Finish
The walnut stock and fore-end is a little more dense but retains a sense of quality in the pattern 17/20
Fit
A good fit, even a little improvement over some older guns. More solid than expected 18/20
Value
A keenly priced gun that will do everything you expect of this range and manufacturer 18/20
Conclusion
No surprises here. Except possibly for the competitive price.
The Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon I appeals. There is little else to say except it is a Beretta and does everything one expects of this make — some things even with a little improvement.
The successor to the B425 shotgun. Bruce Potts takes a close look.
In 2003 Browning brought out the B525 and at the time it represented the latest phase in the development of the company’s Miroku-built models. The gun had some subtle yet key refinements which improved it and set it apart from what had come before.
Available in huge range of styles and grades
However, Browning stressed that the B525 was not a replacement for the popular B425. The B425 model still offers successful gameshooting and wildfowling versions.
The B525 was initially introduced in game versions – or hunting as Browning would call it. But now the Browning B525 is now available in a huge range of styles and grades to appeal to sporting and trap enthusiasts as well.
Game versions of the B525 are available in a variety of grades up to the gold-inlaid Ultimate, and in a lightweight version which weighs a little over 6¼lb as well. There are fixed and multichoke versions of all models, and some 20-bore versions.
Made by Miroku
The Browning B525 is built by Miroku who began building sporting arms in 1893 and in 1965 they began their long relationship with Browning. As well as making guns under the Miroku name, they have built all of the more affordable Browning over-unders.
How adaptable is it?
Most shooters would pick the correct version of the Browning B525 for their favourite form of shooting. The relatively light weight of the game version might make it a bit tiring in terms of recoil to shoot all day on the clay ground. For the most adaptable gun for the shooter who likes to do a bit of everything, pick one of the sporters – most of which weigh a bit under 7¾lb.
How does it work?
Like all break-action Brownings except the new Cynergy, this gun has a relatively deep action body, and employs a full-width cross pin for jointing. This feature, which follows the design principle laid down by John Moses Browning when he drew up the immortal B25 more than 80 years ago, sets Brownings and their sister Mirokus apart from most other guns on the world market today. Engineering purists may claim, in theory at least, the lock-up is not as strong as some of the low-profile alternatives, but this seems to be disproved by the fact that it has stood the test of time. The guns have a good reputation for long life and not shooting loose.
Neatly stacked features
Inside the action all of the gun’s features are neatly stacked, one atop the other. At the very bottom, just above the trigger blade, is the full-width bolt, which runs along the action floor to engage with a bite in the barrel lumps when the gun is closed. Above the bolt lay the pivots for the hammers, which are powered by coil springs running on guide rods. As the hammers fall they drive forward rods which operate the ejector mechanism when the gun is opened.
The ejector mechanism is built into the fore end iron, and consists of two spring-powered hammers or kickers which are released when the gun is in the fully-open position, to operate two-piece ejectors running in dovetail channels in the barrel flats. Although more complicated than the majority of ejector mechanisms fitted to low-profile actions it works well.
Sears are suspended from the top strap, and are lifted in turn by the single, selective trigger. The barrel selector is built into the safety thumbpiece.
No automatic safety
The Browning B525 does not have an automatic safety operating every time the gun is opened, probably because auto safeties are discouraged in America, Browning’s biggest market. However it’s an unusual omission in a game gun. The B525 has crisper trigger pulls and a more sculptured look to the action frame, compared with the B425. The engraving is elegant, with attractive game scenes.
Barrels
Monobloc barrel set has 3in chambers and will handle steel loads but not super-magnums.
Tubes are internally chromed
Tubes more corrosion resistant and cleanable
Invector choke tubes in stainless steel.
Game versions have 6mm parallel, ventilated ribs.
Ribs on sporters are 10mm, 13mm on trap versions.
Fixed chokes or Briley tubes on trap versions
Woodwork
– Good and superb on the higher grades
– Cheque pattern on pistol grips for maximum grip and comfort.
– Stock lengths and drops similar to other Browning and Miroku models.
– On featured gun stock length 14.3/4 in, with drops of 1.1/2 and 2.3/4 in at comb and heel respectively.
Weight
The game model shown weighs 7.1/4lb.
The tester’s opinion
The Browning B525 game model was reviewed by Sporting Gun in July 2003 after it was announced on the market. It achieved a score of straight eights – 8 out of 10 for build quality, handling, styling and value for money. Also noted and applauded were easy-clean internally chromed barrels, traditional Browning reliability and a large choice of specifications.
The tester commented: “Overall this is a very good range of guns from Browning; well thought-out and with some features which sportsmen will appreciate. One nice touch is the game range has been magnum proofed to give maximum versatility, even with steel loads.”
Browning B525 Light Classic shotgun review: Browning’s lively game gun is a well-balanced blend of traditional craftsmanship and technical innovation.…
You might be surprised to hear it, but our experienced reviewer, Mike George, ranks a Baikal shotgun as one of his top ten guns of the last half century. Here's why.
Why such a good rating?
It’s because Baikal guns make the big double – they are both inexpensive and reliable. They’ve allowed thousands of people in the UK on small budgets to enter shooting sports and worldwide must be responsible for millions.
The guns are made by the people for the people in the Russian city of Izhevsk, in the Western Urals. That is a couple of hours flight from Moscow.
Izhevsk has a legacy of iron working going back to 1760.
It survived the revolution of 1917. During the Second World War it was a comfortable distance away from the Luftwaffe and Hitler’s armies and so was of particular importance for arms manufacture.
This importance made it a designated closed city during the Cold War years, which meant it was forbidden to foreigners.
As the Soviet Union fell this all changed. However the arms factory – Izhevsky Mekhanicheski Zavod –turns out an enormous variety of Baikals to this day. Rifles, pistols and air weapons as well as shotguns.
The Baikal is a true workhorse that comes whit full instructions and a spare firing pin. Bargain!
Battle tanks and sleepers
I first noticed Baikal guns in the 1980s when they were considered a bit of a joke. Theories abounded that they were created from melted-down battle tanks with the stocks fashioned from reject sleepers from the Trans-Siberian Railway…
You wouldn’t have bought the gun for the elegance of the metal and wood finish, that’s for sure. However the guns were tough and performed their task with a generally good degree of reliability.
Russia’s transition from communism to democracy marked a falling off in quality control but standards soon resumed normal service. Baikal over-and-unders also have the advantage of allowing the user to turn the ejectors on and off – an advantage over most other guns on the market in the UK.
There’s what looks like a tiny screw head in the face of each of the knuckles, and if you turn each one through 90 degrees, the gun is transformed into a non-ejector.
A further feature of most single-trigger Baikal shotguns is a very well-hidden barrel selector, which is not in the usual place on the safety thumbpiece.
Here’s a feature that many Baikal owners haven’t noticed. The guns are set to fire bottom barrel first, but if you push the trigger forwards until you feel a click, then, for the loaded pair of shots, the top barrel goes first.
As for the metal and wood finish – it’s been dramatically improved since the 1980s. Most barrels are internally chromed, multichokes are available, and the wood is much smarter. On the other hand, the stocks are still a bit on the short side for some people.
But if you want value for money then you’ll find the Baikal shotgun very appealing.
Baikal shotguns are inexpensive BUT reliable A new over-and-under would be about £617 A new side-by-side would set you back…
The technical stuff
All break-action guns are simple boxlocks powered by coil springs. On the over-and-unders hammers are hinged at the bottom, with sears hanging from the top strap.
Over-and-unders have single, selective triggers and turn-off ejectors. Stocks are generally about 14in, with drops at comb and heel of 1¾in and 2¾in at comb and heel respectively on newer guns.
Multichokes are now available. On new and second-hand Baikals there’s a good selection of barrel lengths.
PATTERN SHEET 2: Shot at 30 yards, half-choke, cartridge Sipe RC 20, 28g No. 6 shot, fibre wad. Surprisingly, the pattern with this cartridge showed an overall spread not dissimilar to the quarter-choke but measuring as a true half-choke pattern.
Reliability and longevity
