Beretta 688 Performance

Offering impressive specification and extensive adjustability at a competitive price, this new Sporter looks good and shoots steadily

- Michael Yardley

THIS MONTH we look at a new competition model from Beretta — the 688 Performance. It has 30in Steelium barrels (there is a 32in option), 3in chambers, high-performance steel proof and Optima HP multichokes, and weighs in at 8½lb: substantial but typical of modern Sporters. The selective single trigger is adjustable both for position and breaking weight. There is an adjustable comb too, as well as the facility to alter the gun's balance (out of the box it is on the hinge point, which is welcome but uncommon). Trigger-pulls are set around 4lb.

The Performance is not Beretta’s entry-level Sporter — the Silver Pigeon 1 Sport covers that base at about £1,000 less — but it is clearly aimed at those who want a serious clay-busting machine at a not-too-eye-watering price point and yet still crave some ‘bells and whistles’. It offers adjustability for drop, comb offset, length of pull (by pad change), balance and choking. For those who enjoy experimenting this may be just the ticket. The 688 might also serve for wildfowling or on high-bird days, though the well-priced, traditionally stocked Silver Pigeon I may be better suited to that sort of double duty.