Gun Review

Beretta Silver Pigeon V 28-Gauge

I was looking over things in the Beretta display at the 2007 SHOT Show when the 28-gauge Silver Pigeon V over/under field gun simply jumped into my hands. Like a puppy at the dog shelter, it picked me—I didn’t pick it. It handled perfectly as I waved it at various klieg lights and logo banners hanging from the ceiling. I could shoot this gun! And it was good-looking too. What could a gun reviewer possibly do but try one out? It was my duty.

Beretta makes a ton of 28s. Currently you can get Beretta boxlock 28s in nine field grades and three sporting clays grades. The interior mechanics are all the same, but the exterior embellishments change as the list prices go from the $1,875 Onyx Pro to the $7,275 687 EELL Diamond Pigeon Sporter, plus a good bit more for the Giubileo model. There is something for everybody. In the middle of the pack is the Silver Pigeon V at $3,575. I was drawn to its particular combination of scaled receiver, perfectly shaped forend and optional English or pistol grip stock.

The Silver Pigeon V’s 28-gauge receiver truly is 28-gauge-sized. In today’s Silver Pigeon lineup, the S, IV and V come with true 28-gauge receivers. The others currently are built on 20-gauge frames.

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