Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon

The Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon is the benchmark over-under shotgun in American sporting use—the gun that defines what a field-grade Italian O/U should be. Built on the 680 series action that has set the standard for over-under reliability since the 1980s, the Silver Pigeon I through V series offers progressively refined wood and engraving, all built on the same proven boxlock action with automatic ejectors and Beretta’s Optima-HP choke system. Whether you’re shooting sporting clays, upland birds, or hunting driven pheasant, the Silver Pigeon is the gun serious wing shooters reach for when they want Italian craftsmanship at a price that doesn’t require a custom order.

Read our full Beretta Silver Pigeon Buying Guide ↓

Silver Pigeon I vs. II vs. III: What Changes Between Grades?

All five Silver Pigeon grades use the same 680-series action, barrel quality, and Optima-HP choke system. What changes is the wood and engraving. The Silver Pigeon I features standard walnut with basic engraving—the most common choice for hunting and everyday clay shooting. The Silver Pigeon II adds enhanced wood figure and more detailed engraving coverage. The Silver Pigeon III moves to premium walnut with hand-checkering and more elaborate scroll work. The Silver Pigeon IV and V represent fine gun territory with exhibition-grade wood and deep engraving. For most shooters, the Silver Pigeon I or II delivers everything that matters ballistically and mechanically—the higher grades are primarily for collectors and presentation guns.

686 Silver Pigeon Gauges: 12, 20, 28, and .410

The Silver Pigeon is available in 12, 20, and 28 gauge and .410 bore. The 12-gauge is the most versatile all-purpose option for sporting clays, upland hunting, and waterfowl. The 20-gauge Silver Pigeon is a favorite for upland hunting where weight matters—it balances beautifully and handles high-volume shooting without fatigue. The 28-gauge builds an almost mystical following among upland hunters and small-bore clay shooters for its pointability and gentle recoil. The .410 Silver Pigeon is the specialist’s choice, demanding the most precision but rewarding skilled shooters. Each gauge shares the same action geometry, so a Silver Pigeon shooter who knows the 12 will feel at home immediately in the smaller bores.

Silver Pigeon vs. Browning Citori: The Classic Over-Under Rivalry

The Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon and Browning Citori have competed for the American over-under market for decades. Both are quality Italian and Japanese-made O/Us respectively, with similar price points across comparable grades. The Beretta uses a boxlock action with trunnions set into the monobloc; the Browning uses a traditional boxlock with a slightly different geometry. Fit and feel vary between them—Beretta tends toward a flatter rib and more neutral stock dimensions, while the Citori’s stock geometry has historically suited American-style sporting clays. For the buyer choosing between them, a shoulder mount and swing of each is the definitive test; both are excellent guns that will last generations with proper care.

Optima-HP Chokes: Beretta’s Extended Choke System

The Silver Pigeon ships with five Optima-HP flush choke tubes: Cylinder, Improved Cylinder, Modified, Improved Modified, and Full. Beretta’s Optima-HP chokes use a longer parallel section than standard Mobilchokes, improving shot pattern consistency, especially with larger shot sizes. Aftermarket Optima-HP chokes from Kicks, Carlson’s, and Patternmaster expand the options for specific applications including extended chokes for sporting clays and turkey hunting. The system is widely supported and the tubes are interchangeable across all 680-series Beretta shotguns—if you already own other Beretta O/Us, your choke collection transfers directly to the Silver Pigeon.

Silver Pigeon for Sporting Clays, Hunting, and Gifting

The Silver Pigeon I is the workhorse choice for serious sporting clays and skeet shooters who want Italian quality without the premium of the DT11 or A400 competition series. It handles 10,000–20,000+ rounds between service intervals and is rebuildable by any competent gunsmith. For upland hunting, the Silver Pigeon’s slim lines and pointability make it a natural wing-shooting gun that carries well in the field all day. As a gift for a milestone birthday, retirement, or significant achievement, the Silver Pigeon III or IV carries enough visual distinction to communicate the occasion while remaining a functional sporting firearm the recipient will actually use.

See the full Beretta firearms lineup including the A400 series. Compare over-under options at over/under shotguns. Browse Browning shotguns for the primary O/U competitor.