Beretta 682 0r 692

[pwinnall]

Hello,
I have been looking for a clay gun. 30" barrel or longer. There are lots of 682 Gold E models but they are close in price to the newer model 692.
Whish do you think is better?
My local clay ground has advised me away from the semi autos. I will be going to the shooting show in Feb in the hope to pick something up.
Thanks phil

 

[Marcher]

Hi P,
My experience of the 692 Berettas has been excellent. The stock dimensions are the best I have come across. But that is a personal matter, and may be different for you. Try them both out.

 

[Scapegoat]

Where to start! Shotgun fit and feel is a very personal thing, so can I assume you have already done some clay shooting with a Beretta? I have been shooting clay competitions with a 682 Gold (NOT Gold E) for a very long time, and love the chunky, smooth handling feel of the gun. SO much so that when my son took up clayshooting and "nicked" my gold I couldn't really settle until I'd found another.

Thing about the 692 is that it has evolved from that premise... a heavy, smooth and neutral handling beast whereas the Gold E was actually a bit of a strange development, with an attempt to lighten the overall gun. I'm not convinced it worked in the shooter's favour, and always preferred the heavier, smoother swinging original.

If you're ready to buy a gun, then you really need to try the two alongside each other and see which you prefer. Beware of any gun that has been modified to fit the previous owner, unless of course you're lucky enough to drop on an adjustable stock version.

Oh, and don't pin your hopes on a bargain at the shooting show....... you're more likely to get a deal at a shop.

 

[pwinnall]

Thank you for the replies.
So true, this is down to personal fit. I am leaning toward the 692 as it looks a well built action. Maybe in 32” too.
I was told I could get a deal at the show. But the main reason is I can shoulder a few.

 

[Deermanagement]

Beware of any gun that has been modified to fit the previous owner, unless of course you're lucky enough to drop on an adjustable stock version.

Unless you are Mr. typical/ Mr. Standard, the direct from the factory "standard" stock will not be the ideal fit, not just the usually quoted dimensions, length of pull, drop at comb, heel, toe etc. There are a whole host of dimensions that constitute a correctly fitted stock and it does not only revolve around a shooters shape, it very much depends on what is a shooters natural shooting position/movement. Without having a stock fitted by someone who knows what they are doing to a shooter who is a mounting and moving is a way that is natural to them, any other stock, standard or custom built for another, will require the shooter to "fit themselves" to the stock. This is what happens with more than 99% of people who shoot with a stock not properly built for them.

And when it comes to building custom fitted stocks, there's no way it can be done properly without the shooter understanding what is comfortable, correct and natural to them, and it cannot be done by anyone who has not seen the shooter on the range or in the field, actually shooting in the way they should be.

So in summary, when a stock has the usual alternations, length, pitch, comb dimensions, maybe a tweak with the cast, you are only part way there, maybe 70% if all these are accounted for, restricted by standard stock dimensions.

 

[Deermanagement]

Thank you for the replies.
So true, this is down to personal fit. I am leaning toward the 692 as it looks a well built action. Maybe in 32” too.
I was told I could get a deal at the show. But the main reason is I can shoulder a few.

Not sure about the 692. 682...........bomb proof

 

[Scapegoat]

Unless you are Mr. typical/ Mr. Standard, the direct from the factory "standard" stock will not be the ideal fit, not just the usually quoted dimensions, length of pull, drop at comb, heel, toe etc. There are a whole host of dimensions that constitute a correctly fitted stock and it does not only revolve around a shooters shape, it very much depends on what is a shooters natural shooting position/movement. Without having a stock fitted by someone who knows what they are doing to a shooter who is a mounting and moving is a way that is natural to them, any other stock, standard or custom built for another, will require the shooter to "fit themselves" to the stock. This is what happens with more than 99% of people who shoot with a stock not properly built for them.

And when it comes to building custom fitted stocks, there's no way it can be done properly without the shooter understanding what is comfortable, correct and natural to them, and it cannot be done by anyone who has not seen the shooter on the range or in the field, actually shooting in the way they should be.

So in summary, when a stock has the usual alternations, length, pitch, comb dimensions, maybe a tweak with the cast, you are only part way there, maybe 70% if all these are accounted for, restricted by standard stock dimensions.

Indeed. The point I was trying to make was that if you buy a gun that has been altered from standard then you run the risk of not being able to undo any of those alterations to fit you. A standard stock can generally be tweaked, one that has had a comb lowered or butt shortened can't, at least not easily.

 

[Scapegoat]

Thank you for the replies.
So true, this is down to personal fit. I am leaning toward the 692 as it looks a well built action. Maybe in 32” too.
I was told I could get a deal at the show. But the main reason is I can shoulder a few.

Any good dealer with a selection of clay guns will let you shoulder as many as you want. Even better, find a ground that has a good gunshop attached and will let you try out some demo or secondhand guns.

Just up the M6, and worth the day out.... About

 

[BryanDC]

Why do you want such long barrels? Functionally there is no advantage in a 34" or 32" over a 30" and increasing the barrel length and using extended chokes can give an unbalanced gun with to much forward weight. I saw a guy last weekend with the longest semi auto I have ever seen. He was probably average height but could have used it as a crutch it was so long. He certainly didn't hit any more clays than anyone else, even though his muzzle was 12" closer to the clays.
That said and as others have said, it's all about the fit and feel of the gun and if the 32" feels right to you then go for it.

 

[Malxwal]

I had a 692 32", one of the earliest ones. It was a lovely gun to shoot, with all the balance weights fitted to keep the balance on the pin. In no way did it feel heavy.
Shot great patterns and great "kills" way out with minimal choke.
My only real issue was a bugger to clean the bores, they required a fair scrub to remove what I would think plastic from wad.

 

[Miki]

I have the 682 Gold E in 32" and love it, it's lighter than the std 682 or 692 and is perfect for 21gm loads over several hours at a clay shoot. Its balanced, points like a dream and is great for high birds although I prefer my shorter, 28", Winchester 101 for pigeon and walked up shooting.

 

[enfieldspares]

The You Tube videos by Gunshop Botley are quite interesting on sporter vs trap vs game O/U guns. I only shoot clays for practice and pleasure and have never shot let alone owned an O/U. But from those that do they say that what you mainly intend to shoot should dictate the choice of gun particularly barrel length, rib type, and importantly stock bend (or drop). In Harry Potter apparently "the wand finds the wizard" but in clay shooting no you should find a gun suited to what you want to do and NOT suit yourself to the characteristics of the gun. The true genius can shoot pretty much any gun well. I can with a rifle. But those of us lesser mortals when it comes to wing shooting may with shotguns need every advantage that the gun can give us in terms of barrel length, rib, bend (or drop) of stock.

 

[Kevgun]

If you can find a 682 made in the late 80's like a Silver action one or the black finish super sport, these were some of the best Beretta 682's ever built, i had a 682 Gold E and found the Silver action original 682 much better built, the wood to metal finish is better, it closes better, it's just whether you can find one in good Nick. This was there DT10 of the day, i still have one and rate above my Perazzi MX2000

 

[Beretta shooter]

I owned a 692 black edition (one of earliest ones out) up until middle of last year when I chopped it in for a DT11 black edition. The 692 was a fantastic gun that I shot well with but did have a few issues and was sent back to GMK twice, first time was the top lever catching the stock and “shaving” a little off it after the first time the gun got wet (common fault on berettas) and the second time was an ejector problem (again a problem with the early 692s). All in all I miss my 692 and looking back kind of regret chopping it in for the DT11 as I certainly shot better with it but was an itch I had to scratch.
If you can manage it I’d go for the adjustable stock as it’s easier to get it to fit you correctly.

 

[Deermanagement]

As it happens............. For Sale: - Beretta 682 Gold (Greystone)

This has a "flat" shooting stock, the one a bit higher than the other with a bit more than average cast at both tow and heel, it's been built for my shooting style/frame, both are monte-carlo, i.e. comb parallel to rib, relaxed (not hunched shoulder, better for recoil absorption), but anyway, yes made by and for myself.

Had lots of experience with all Berettas, Perazzi's, Gambas, etc at International events and know the guys that work for them all, touring the world, maintaining their guns at events, so I've seen the reliable and completely unreliable in all grades. The 682 along with the Miroku 3800 type action (rarely used in Internationals), is probably the most reliable.

 

[pwinnall]

I have spoken to a guy who has a 692 32” adjustable stock for 2K
It look immaculate too! I will put a few to my shoulder until I finally drive a long

 

[Benelli m2]

The 682 gold is the best gun that came out of the Beretta factory believe me I know

 

[MW73]

My first shottie was a 30" Gold E, cracking gun and its a keeper. Managed to find an absolute mint example for £1250. But as some have mentioned, what works for me may not necessarily work for you?

 

[pwinnall]

I am happy for a 628 Gold E. I guess I am looking for the one owner, low shot count, wrapped in cotton wool gun. Around the £1100 mark But they are not out there.
It is easier to find a 692 with history and original owner for the £1800 mark. There is a cross over of 682 vs 692 price wise. For not a lot more money I can get a gun with history and newer in the 692.
I am going to a local gun shop later to try some out.