The UK's favourite game guns

According to the Game Shooting Census, by GunsOnPegs and Lycetts, one brand of shotgun has remained the most commonly used by game shots in the uk for many years. The 2021 Census revealed that just under a third of guns use a Beretta for most of their game shooting, while if money were no object, one in ten would ask Beretta to build them a gun. 

So what makes Berettas so popular with UK shooters and game shooters in particular? This year I celebrated my 25th year in the gun trade. During this time I have handled, purchased, shot and sold thousands if not tens of thousands of Beretta shotguns, and for me it comes down to a few key factors.

Accessible shotguns for game and clay shooting

I think the first reason for Beretta's success with UK game shots is that they are accessible. Not only do you not have to travel very far to find or see one but they offer something for everyone, regardless of budget or application. Should you choose to own a basic model 686 Silver Pigeon over the luxury of a 687 EELL Diamond Pigeon with it’s upgraded walnut and finely executed gamescenes, you can still enjoy the benefits of the technology and mechanics of the 680 series action that has become almost a benchmark with British shooters.

I believe that the huge success story of Beretta in the UK is a fairly recent one. Back in the late 1970s the 680 series of over-and-under shotguns was born and despite a few cosmetic and barrel technology changes, the gun remains little-changed today, perhaps a classic example of ‘if it aint broke then don’t fix it’.

Beretta's long history of gunmaking

Founded in 1526 , Beretta is not only the oldest gunmaker, but the oldest manufacturing company in the world. The company started out producing barrels for the military and today the Brescia-based manufacturing giant produces over half a million guns of all kinds each year and is still family-owned.

The above image records an order of 185 arquebus (an early kind of gun) placed by the Arsenal of Venice in 1526

This rich history means that Beretta is an aspirational brand. While many Beretta owners may start out with a basic mode, it rarely stops there. That first glance at that beautiful high grade model is instilled in the memory and stays there for years to come.

For many, owning a premium Beretta becomes a bucket list moment. What's more, on the rare occasion that we see shotgun sports promoted by the media (usually the Olympics) it will be often be Berettas that the athletes are using, and - more often than not - winning with. For decades this is a brand that has been at the forefront of international clay target shooting success.

Dependable, reliable shotguns and great aftercare

For years clay shooting grounds have chosen to use (some exclusively) Beretta shotguns for coaching purposes. This speaks volumes for the reliability of the guns. For such use only a gun that can take constant 'hammer' can be used and this is testament to the build quality and durability of the product.

A significant portion of Beretta's success in the UK can be attributed to the excellent service and back up that is available for the brand. GMK offer a great service in terms of spares and repairs when necessary, from their team of gunsmiths who have a wealth of knowledge and experience. In addition GMK offer the option of a 10 year warranty on new Beretta purchases which offers the customer added piece of mind.

Innovation not stagnation

Despite a their lengthy history, Beretta are constantly moving forward in terms of technology and refinement. Whereas other manufacturers are busy rooting through old filing cabinets for an engraving pattern to reuse, Beretta spend time and money striving to improve all of the time, constantly improving their existing range of models and developing new ones. I think that that the recent acquisition of Holland & Holland shows that that Beretta are not a company that will ever stand still.

Beretta's latest game gun, the SL3, is another case in point. The guns feature a unique-to-Beretta action/barrel locking system that sees the barrels anchored at three separate points; hinge pins, lower hooks and locking pins. They also have redesigned ejoectors for ease of maintenance and a firing mechanism taken from the company's medal winning competition guns. SL3s are also future-proofed, with Optima Bore HP barrels, made from a nickel-chrome-molybdenum alloy and designed to offer excellent patterning with lead and steel and other non-lead shot. 

Beretta: a great choice for game shooting

I am a big advocate of Berettas for game shooting. I shoot Beretta myself but they are also my go to when customers come into the shop. I believe they are the hardest wearing and most suited to rainy days in Wales or on the Yorkshire Moors. The molybdenum chrome manufacturing process used for the barrels makes them super hard-wearing; I cannot actually recall ever encountering a Beretta with pitted barrels.

Ultimately my recommendation would be based on the correct fit above anything else and if the Beretta was not suitable then I will always offer an alternative brand, however, in recent years the comb height of Berettas has improved greatly in that they have got higher and this makes them more suitable for a larger majority of game shots without the need for alteration. 

Another reason for that I often recommend Beretta is that all game guns come with an auto-safety as standard. This is only a small thing but it does mean that it saves any gunsmith intervention at the point of sale, meaning the gun can be enjoyed straight away.

A VIP custom experience

Over the last six or seven years Beretta have begun to welcome customers to their superb facility for the option of bespoke woodwork and custom shotguns. Prior to this it was only really Perazzi that offered such a service. This indicates Beretta's progression to being a more customer-facing (as opposed to dealer-facing) business. 

I have now been extremely fortunate to visit the factory over 35 times  as part of the Beretta VIP Experience programme, which I actually pioneered. Having met some of the senior team at Beretta several times, and enjoyed some serious Italian meals together, I can personally vouch for the passion and care that the company puts into its guns. I'm proud to be able to say that I count many of the Beretta senior team as my personal friends. 

The VIP Experience offers the customer the unique opportunity to have a stock expertly crafted by their own personal Beretta stockmaker whilst under the watchful eye of David Beardsmore. A truly special trip where the very best in hospitality is offered along with the opportunity to visit the Beretta family's private collection, along with the engraving studios and production facility.

A custom stock created for a gun at the Beretta VIP Experience in Italy

The icing on the cake is a custom fitted bespoke shotgun without the pricetag of a London-made gun. Here in the heart of Italy’s gun making capital of Brescia do you really get a feel for the passion and pride that the Beretta brand exudes.

Read our report on the Beretta VIP Experience

A loyal following

It is not uncommon to meet a shooter who owns several Berettas. Perhaps a 20 bore for partridge, a ‘chuck it in the hide’ semi-auto for pigeon shooting/wildfowling and a short stock .410 Silver Pigeon for the grandson. If someone has confidence and faith in a product, then naturally they are happy to surround themselves with it.

Berettas are reliable, durable, accessible, aspirational and desirable, everything a game shotgun can and should be. For decades Beretta have been producing guns that British shooters want to buy and own. They are appealing in terms of function and form, an iconic brand and one that is easy to let get under your skin., a complex synergy of passion, tradition and innovation.

Explore Premier Guns' range of new and second hand Beretta shotguns