Bettinsoli de luxe shotgun review

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Bettinsoli shotguns have undergone a bit of a revolution since their early days.

By Jason Harris

Wednesday, 05 September 2007

Here we review the Bettinsoli De Luxe shotgun, and find that it has undergone something of a facelift.

Mechanically speaking, these Italian-made guns work on pretty much the same lines as they always did - but under Ruag's influence the handling characteristics and cosmetics have changed.

The new range, as seen in the Diamond Line, now offers all sorts of options - but still at the sort of competitive, sensible, prices we've come to expect from Bettinsoli.

The deluxe sideplate is another example and extension of this policy.

Apart from the crowd
In terms of configuration and handling it's pretty much the same as the Diamond Line Sporter but the engraved sideplates set it apart for those who want to stand out from the crowd a little.

As you can see here the makers have given the gun a full covering of bold scroll engraving with highlighted gold game scenes, pheasants on one plate, duck on the other and a woodcock on the belly of the action. The whole visual thing is rounded off with a gold rose on the top lever's central pillar.

I have to say for the price you pay this gun comes with a well figured stock and fore-end. I just trust that other examples will be stocked to a similar standard. One thing you notice straight away when you pick this gun up is the feel of the woodwork. It's quite full to the hand, but this I found useful because it made the whole thing pretty positive when tracking a target, pointing it out and moving the gun.

Bettinsoli De Luxe engraved sideplates. The engraving on this Bettinsoli allows you to stand out from the crowd for not a lot of money.

In standard form the gun is supplied with a 17mm thick pad to the stock but, on request, you can choose two other thicknesses that fit directly onto the stock. When fitted with the 17mm pad the stock's length, by the way, is 14.3/4in. Drop at comb and heel are 1.1/2in and 2.1/4in respectively.

The test gun was very slightly cast off for the right-handed shooter but left-hand versions can be fitted on request.

Good performance
If this model follows form then we can expect it to perform reliably. Previous guns from this stable have shown no inherent faults and the only occasional repairs that might need carrying out are no different to those that befall other makes from time to time.

The only minor criticism I can level at this model is that Bettinsoli continues to fit heavy duty return springs to the firing pins. Upshot of this is that the gun's mainspring has to work against this, a continual strain that can eventually result in misfires. The only other thing to be aware of is the fore-end wood which can be quite thin where it meets the radius of the fore-end iron. The fact it can crack is not a design weakness but a result of clumsy dismantling by an owner who gets it caught up with one of the gun's extractor legs.

The gun is supplied in a useful ABS travelling case and comes with a full complement of five chokes plus a key.

JASONS VERDICT:

This is a good looking Sporter that represents very good value - in fact, considering its price tag of around £800, you actually get a lot of gun for your money.

Definitely worth a look if you're buying to a budget.

Build Quality: 7/10

Handling: 7/10

Styling: 7/10

Value for money: 9/10

More information from: RUAG - Ammotec UK on 01579 362319