jontalbot
01-10-2006, 07:52 PM
This is a new buy so I thought I would share first impressions with you.
It's a Beretta 391 Urika Field 20 bore semi-automatic shotgun. The 391 is the latest semi produced by Beretta and follows on from the 390, 303, 302 etc. The Urika denotes the base model in the range - black barrel and receiver, fairly plain walnut stock etc. Field signifies a narrow rib and light weight - this gun is around 6lbs which is very close to a traditional side by side but much lighter than a typical sporting over and under at 8 to 8.5 lbs. My gun also has 26" barrels which means that it's both light and slim. The action is smaller than the corresponding 12 bore version.
Very light to carry and shoot I've used it with 28g and 24g cartridges and don't notice any recoil at all. In common with all semi's you do get a lot of noise from the action which is quite surprising if you have used a SBS or O/U before. I think this is less noticeable than on the 12 bore.
The great advantage of the Beretta for left handed and right handed users is the ability to quickly change drop and cast using the supplied shims. I've set this with cast on and 60mm of drop and it's spot on.
Cartridges are expensive. My local shop sells 20 bore cartridges at £175/1000and York Guns best price is £140 for Eleys. Compare this to £106 for cheap cartridges at my local ground. If you are shooting a lot of clays this is worth bearing in mind.
As always with semi's - at least gas operated ones - cleaning is a more complicated affair and you do end up with bits of metal everywhere. Overall I'm very happy - I don't think it will replace my Silver Pigeon 3 Sporting as my clay gun but will sit alongside my SBS as an occassional gun.
Regards, Jon
It's a Beretta 391 Urika Field 20 bore semi-automatic shotgun. The 391 is the latest semi produced by Beretta and follows on from the 390, 303, 302 etc. The Urika denotes the base model in the range - black barrel and receiver, fairly plain walnut stock etc. Field signifies a narrow rib and light weight - this gun is around 6lbs which is very close to a traditional side by side but much lighter than a typical sporting over and under at 8 to 8.5 lbs. My gun also has 26" barrels which means that it's both light and slim. The action is smaller than the corresponding 12 bore version.
Very light to carry and shoot I've used it with 28g and 24g cartridges and don't notice any recoil at all. In common with all semi's you do get a lot of noise from the action which is quite surprising if you have used a SBS or O/U before. I think this is less noticeable than on the 12 bore.
The great advantage of the Beretta for left handed and right handed users is the ability to quickly change drop and cast using the supplied shims. I've set this with cast on and 60mm of drop and it's spot on.
Cartridges are expensive. My local shop sells 20 bore cartridges at £175/1000and York Guns best price is £140 for Eleys. Compare this to £106 for cheap cartridges at my local ground. If you are shooting a lot of clays this is worth bearing in mind.
As always with semi's - at least gas operated ones - cleaning is a more complicated affair and you do end up with bits of metal everywhere. Overall I'm very happy - I don't think it will replace my Silver Pigeon 3 Sporting as my clay gun but will sit alongside my SBS as an occassional gun.
Regards, Jon