philpot 5,067 Posted March 2 Report Share Posted March 2 Over the last few weeks I have seen a number of Youtube reviews for the new 688 Performance o/u clay gun, with a laminated stock, not normally something which floats my boat BUT the reviews are really complimentery about this gun which whilst not cheap (what is cheap nowadays), it sits between the Silver Pigeon and the 694 averaging around £3k. As a retired ole fart, spending that sort of money is not something I can easily do although my cottage is up for sale so a new gun will be on the cards when we move. My clay shooting has over the past couple of years taken a back seat due to grounds closing and change of ownership and of course sheer cost so on a pension and both my wife and myself shooting at an average of £9 per round of 25 birds.............................. it's bloody expensive. I do have a clay trap which is left on one of my perms but that is not the same as going to a good clay ground. We will be starting again in the spring but not to the level that I used to shoot ie competitions. I have a few clay guns which will stay in the cabinet as my skeet guns are brilliant for roost shooting woodpigeon although my trap gun might go as I use a sporter for most things and a 32'' 688 WILL do all that I want in a clay gun. Prior to this launch, I looked at the new Beretta SP2 , a stunning looking gun with a price tag to go with it so despite it being a superb gun (again from reviews) it is well out of my reach starting at £9k+ I will be taking one on loan nearer the time when I can afford it to try for myself. To tempt you, here is one of the reviews. Phil Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philpot 5,067 Posted March 2 Author Report Share Posted March 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jakethompson 6 Posted March 6 Report Share Posted March 6 Beretta shotguns are known for their reliability, smooth cycling, and excellent craftsmanship, making them a top choice for hunting, sport shooting, and home defense. Whether it’s a new A400, 1301, or 686 series, you can expect great balance, durability, and performance. Beretta keeps refining their designs, so any new model is worth checking out. Solid choice for anyone in the market for a quality shotgun! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philpot 5,067 Posted March 7 Author Report Share Posted March 7 On 06/03/2025 at 09:29, jakethompson said: Beretta shotguns are known for their reliability, smooth cycling, and excellent craftsmanship, making them a top choice for hunting, sport shooting, and home defense. Whether it’s a new A400, 1301, or 686 series, you can expect great balance, durability, and performance. Beretta keeps refining their designs, so any new model is worth checking out. Solid choice for anyone in the market for a quality shotgun! I can only agree with you, no matter what gun I fancy trying, I always go back to Beretta and have owned a number over the years, the only guns which have compared well in my ownership was a Perazzi and Caesar Guerini both of which were superb guns. My first love however is still the Beretta........ 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jakethompson 6 Posted March 12 Report Share Posted March 12 On 07/03/2025 at 23:23, philpot said: I can only agree with you, no matter what gun I fancy trying, I always go back to Beretta and have owned a number over the years, the only guns which have compared well in my ownership was a Perazzi and Caesar Guerini both of which were superb guns. My first love however is still the Beretta........ Sounds like you've had some excellent shotguns in your hands! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philpot 5,067 Posted March 13 Author Report Share Posted March 13 On 12/03/2025 at 05:34, jakethompson said: Sounds like you've had some excellent shotguns in your hands! I think so and yes I have been lucky enough to own some of these guns but now as a pensioner with limited money coming into the house, it is not possible to buy some of the guns. I did look at a Browning 725 in my local dealer and I have owned a couple from this manufacturer but I just do not get on with them, far more muzzle flip compared to Italian guns in my humble opinion. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philpot 5,067 Posted March 28 Author Report Share Posted March 28 This bloody gun has been in my mind so much since watching the reviews that I decided to visit a dealer who I know had one in stock along with a few 694s as well so it seemed a good idea to go and get a feel of them to see what I thought. Where do I start, the gun is quite striking assuming that a black action with orange writing on and a dark laminated stock is your thing, then you will love it. I am a wood man however I really do like the effect of the 688 and would be more than happy to have one on my shoulder. Comparing it to the 694 which were both 32'' it was worth mounting the guns to see if there was any difference, to me, the 688 seemed to be a fraction faster to swing than the 688 but lets be honest we can all hit 100 straight in the shop and the proof would be on the clay ground. The 688 has an adjustable stock as standard whereas the 694 has it as an extra but the 694 has the B-Fast weighting system as standard, an extra on the 688. The stock grip on the 688 is a perfect copy of the 694 which is no secret and has the excellent palm swell on both filling the hand really well and very much to my taste. So why is the 694 a grand more expensive, well that I believe is in the work done to the barrel internals with the 'Steelium Plus' shaping and extended forcing cones whereas the 688 has standard 'Steelium' barrels. Does this really make a difference..................well if you watch Johnny in the second review above, it appears that the 688 did everything he wanted and managed a 50 straight in the process and I am quite sure the 694 barrels will produce slightly better patterns but I think we are talking small differences however those small differences can mean winning or coming second. Sooooooo which one, well I cannot confirm which I will go for in all honesty, I really like the 688 and unless I can locate a s/h but mint 694 with adjustable stock, it will be a 688 as a new 694 with adjustable stock jumps to a starting price of £4550 model dependant. If however I come across a 694 adjustable stock s/h in mint condition for similar money to new 688, it will be the 694 to get the better barrels and stock / barrel weights allowing me to get the balance exactly where I want it. I should say the balance of both guns in the shop was nigh on perfect although I don't know if any weights were fitted in the 694. All I need now is to sell the cottage or win the feckin lotto........................ Phil Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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