Older Beretta O/U's

[Acerforestry]

Opinions please on the old S55 / 56 Beretta's, I just want a cheaper hide gun and some of the vintage guns have appeal to me. If anyone on here frequently shooting with one, what is recoil like with 30g carts. Have seen a few of both models available recently including on here, sadly due to low value RFD'ing often not an option, thanks

[Stimo22]

I have a S686 that was made in 1984, I brought it in 1986 and have put 1000s of cartridges thought it since. Most weeks a round of 50 clays and only broke once when needed new firing pins. They don’t seem to be great value now as not steel proofed but it does not owe me anything .

[TIGHTCHOKE]

I have an S56, it is lovely and my game gun for the season. I only use 28 g cartridges, but it fits me.

The S55s are a bit more basic.

[Acerforestry]

Yes, have seen a really clean 56  on Guntrader, he is  just a bit too far away at the moment or i'd have bought that by now

[Stuarta]

I don't have a S55/56 but do have a Beretta 682 made in 1989 and it is my go to gun. The old Beretta guns are so well made, if it has been regularly cleaned it should be good for at least another 25 years. If the gun you are looking at fits you, you should not have any problems with the recoil.  

[TIGHTCHOKE]

Have a read through this;

 

[30-6]

I have a Beretta " collection 86 ". It was a marketing ploy where the woodwork was multi-coloured paint like finish, to appeal to women to take up clay shooting. Don't think it took off very well and the woodwork was reverted back to standard finish. They also done a collection 85.

They are basically a 686 model. It hasn't been out in the rain, used a lot or abused in anyway and is still stiff to open. 

Great gun, my Lanber is a field model and lighter with 28 inch barrels and swings fast. The Beretta has 30 inch barrels and being a sporter and heavier swings as if it just does it's own thing, if that makes sense. Recoil is negligible.

Would I go Beretta again, definitely.

 

[JohnfromUK]

I have an S57 EL with 2 sets of barrels (choked 1/4 and 1/2 pair and an open pair) bought second hand as a cased set.  Owned around 35 years and been faultless despite having been used with heavy loads (all I could obtain when shooting in Costa Rica).  Stock was altered to fit me, but I don't remember now what was done (other than removing the varnish).

[Down South]

I have a s57el, well worn but keeps going, lovely handling gun. I think spares for these models are very hard to find now.

[Acerforestry]

Thanks for all replies, fair to say then they are generally good news for what they cost, I think I may have secured something today 

[TIGHTCHOKE]

24 minutes ago, Acerforestry said:

Thanks for all replies, fair to say then they are generally good news for what they cost, I think I may have secured something today 

Good, I am very happy with mine.  

[Fil]

They are good guns. Spares no longer available from GMK so beware of things like extractors overriding the cartridges or too early ejection on bottom barrel. The cartridge will hit the top of the action and not eject from chamber. I have ways of repairing these so not the end of the world. Strikers can be made by a competent gunsmith so no worries there. All Beretta strikers seam to be bullet proof any way.  (pardon the pun) Also early ones had soft soldered ribs so check the ribs are sound. I took one in part ex and the ribs were lifting. It became a candidate to become a ribless Boss style gun. Lovely thing.  My honest opinion is if you are looking to buy to keep for a long time I'd look for a cheap 680 series gun. Since the actual 680 came out all them years ago Beretta have never changed the internals which is fantastic for replacing the parts. But if you get the chance to get a nice 56/57 go for it. You'll like it.