Beretta 688

[Richard59]

Has anyone seen / handled one of the "new" 688's the usual suspects been on You Tube, these videos / content do though appear to be getting a bit on the bland (comfortable) side. It appears to be a budget gun and one wonders what anyone can really do to bring in (other than the laminate ) any thing "different" at such a price point?

Interested to read others observations on said gun

 

[Bavarian]

The gun is advertised for young shooters and beginners who want a dedicated clay gun at a reasonable price point.
The design is more "modern". The grooves on the receiver is not too elegant for me, but the laminated stock
looks ok for me.
Maybe it
works out to that dedicated group of customers.
it closes The gap between a Standard 686 and the 694.
So a good product but nothing too special.

 

[Deleted member 230]

I'll take a 525 laminate for a grand less thanks.

 

[SBL]

I'll take a 525 laminate for a grand less thanks.

Agree

 

[Lloyd Pattison]

Bland?

In what way?

It's a superb gun for the money and I am not being paid by anyone to say that.

 

[MartynB]

Just a thought , I saw the new Browning 825 this week , Quite a nice package . I turned down the chance to shoot the Sporter demo gun at Kelbrook , just because I’d gone specifically to try a few different choke / cartridge combinations in my game gun . Don’t know what the price point in the 825 range is but if it’s anywhere near the 688 I’d put it on my list to look at . That’s not a criticism of the Beretta in any way , just a tip that there’s a new gun out there !

 

[Southern]

Having just checked pricing, i do think the 688 is about £500 above where it needs to be.

 

[Freddypip]

The list of a 686E Evo is £2.3 so you get a wider action, adjustable trigger (which is a £150 after market fit) and laminate stock (if that's a plus) for your extra £700. That;s before any discounts on the 686E.

Tend agree with Southern

 

[Lukeypoodle]

It's quite strange that Beretta are moving to wards guns being more dead in the hands, the SL2 and 688 are about as non lively as it gets for a Beretta.

Meanwhile the new 825 S3 and Brownng XS dark are really lively in the hands very much like the glory days of Beretta, early DT, Gold E etc.

I could see my DT10 being replaced with a Browning if I were looking at new guns at this rate.

 

[Cuffers]

Just a thought , I saw the new Browning 825 this week , Quite a nice package . I turned down the chance to shoot the Sporter demo gun at Kelbrook , just because I’d gone specifically to try a few different choke / cartridge combinations in my game gun . Don’t know what the price point in the 825 range is but if it’s anywhere near the 688 I’d put it on my list to look at . That’s not a criticism of the Beretta in any way , just a tip that there’s a new gun out there !

I have no intention of buying one and I am definitely not the target market but I did try the Beretta 688, just as a matter of interest. In terms of a 'New' gun, it represents outstanding value. Beretta know the market that they want to go after with this gun and I believe they are bang on the money/value point. Could you get a 'better' pre-owned gun for the same price or less? Of course you can, but that's not the point. Oh and it handles way better than the 525 laminate, in my opinion!

I've also tried the new Browning 825, which I feel sits a step or two above the Beretta 688 in terms of features and shootability. Again, I'm not the target market for an 825….but I AM going to buy one as it is an awesome piece of kit, looks and handles very well and represents outstanding value.

And I'm not a YouTube reviewer nor am I being paid to promote!

 

[Walter]

Shot one today on the NSK range, cracking gun !!!, it's heavier than I thought but really didn't notice when shooting it, handles really well

 

[Stiggers]

Bland?

In what way?

It's a superb gun for the money and I am not being paid by anyone to say that.

Lloyd - in your opinion how would you say this compares (non aesthetically) against the 694?

 

[Southern]

Lloyd - in your opinion how would you say this compares (non aesthetically) against the 694?

Standard Steelium barrels, heavier action, non adjustable trigger from memory

 

[Lloyd Pattison]

Lloyd - in your opinion how would you say this compares (non aesthetically) against the 694?

Honestly, I think beretta have made a gun good enough that it will challenge them when it comes to people upgrading. The differences are definitely there between the two but they are mostly technical and that doesn’t always convert to tangiable benefits the average shooter can feel.