Silver Pigeon followed me home

[bikemutt]

For some reason I was in a particularly good mood today and decided to browse the local gun stores to see if anything new was on the shevles. While I wasn't especially wanting a shotgun, I came across a Beretta Silver Pigeon II 20 gauge O/U in excellent condition for what seemed like a fair price. Other than a few minor handling marks in the wood, I can't find any cosmetic defects. It shoulders naturally for me so, I bought it.

Figured I'd share the joy and a few pictures of the new one.

 

[kudu]

They are beautiful nice handling shotguns, congratulations. I have been debating about getting one in 20 or 28 gauge for myself lately.

 

[sappyg]

What a Sweety!
You've made a good choice. I've got a 20 gage white onyx that shoots like pure lightning and feels like a feather on the wind. Congratulations on the find. You have, arguably, the best quail gun ever made.

 

[bikemutt]

Thanks THR members for the kind words.

I pulled the choke tubes that came with the shotgun today; Briley Skeet/Skeet. Thinking I want something for hunting pointed birds and some trap. What constrictions should I consider? And, is brand important?

I'm think Modified and Full maybe for hunting, Mod should be good for trap.

 

[kudu]

I am surprised that there weren't other chokes with the gun. I would go with I/C and Mod or ImprovedMod, and if you think you need it later a Full choke. I can't recall the last time I used a full choke for any targets other than trap, Mod will generally do OK for trap.

 

[bikemutt]

Thanks Kudu, I'll go with your recommendation. I was a bit surprised the gun came as-is. The store has a Silver Pigeon I 12 gauge that's from the same source which includes box, chokes etc. But, it is what it is when you buy used I guess. At $1300 for the gun when I couldn't see anything even close to that online or otherwise, I figured the chokes are easily replaced.

 

[Acera]

Those are nice guns. I have always preferred those Berettas to most any other O/U I have handled. (Even the old Winchester 101 I sold.)

(Got one I am waiting on BAFTE to let me SBR it.)

 

[CopperFouling]

Nice find. I'd love to find an O/U with a few dings so that I wouldn't mind taking it hunting.

 

[eastbank]

great score, my score was a 20ga browning XS in ex used condition with 9 chokes and browning hard case. it,s a joy to carry and shoot. eastbank.

 

[bannockburn]

bikemutt

Nice find with the Silver Pigeon! Beretta O/Us have always felt the best to me in terms of their balance and handling. Picked up a Franchi renaissance a while back because it had the same lines and feel as the Berettas and was very affordable at the time. For extra choke tubes I went with Trulock adding Skeet 1, Skeet 2, Improved Cylinder, and Improved Modified to the three that came with the gun.

 

[Milkmaster]

Congrats! I continue to enjoy my Beretta O/U shotguns. After buying the two I own, I kind of stopped looking at others since. My White Onyx and Silver Pigeon shotguns are just a joy to shoot.

 

[loose noose]

I also have a Beretta White Wing O/U with just about every choke you can think of, it is an excellent handling/pointing shotgun IMHO ever made.

 

[jeepnik]

Never was much of a fan of O/U's until I got my Citori. Funny how some things aren't appreciated until one gets older.

That's a good looking shotgun.

 

[d2wing]

I love my Black Onyx. Great guns. You did very well.

 

[Armored farmer]

Congrats on the Beretta.