Description
There's a reason the Silver Pigeon has been the default answer for over 35 years when someone asks which over/under to buy. This Sporting version in 20 gauge takes everything that made the 686 platform a fixture at clays courses and pairs it with 30-inch Steelium barrels, giving you a longer sighting plane and the kind of smooth, deliberate swing that breaks crossers and long presentations. At the heart of it is Beretta's low-profile boxlock action with two conical locking lugs set mid-action between the barrels. That layout keeps the receiver slim and puts your eye closer to your lead hand, which translates to better hand-eye coordination and a gun that points where you look.
Why the 686 Silver Pigeon I Sporting Swings So Well
The barrels place the balance point right at the hinge pin, so despite the 30-inch length this 20 gauge feels lively rather than nose-heavy. Chambers are 3 inches, and the Optimabore HP profile with extended forcing cones is designed to pattern well with lead, steel, and high-performance loads while taking some sting out of recoil and muzzle rise. A wider sporting rib with a white front bead and steel mid bead keeps your alignment consistent from station to station, and the single selective trigger lets you pick your barrel order on the fly. Five flush-fit Optima HP choke tubes (F, IM, M, IC, C) cover everything from close skeet targets to stretched-out sporting pairs.
Beretta Craftsmanship You Can See and Feel
The silver receiver wears refined floral engraving that flows across the metalwork, including the receiver tail and hinge pins, and the oil-finished European walnut stock with crisp checkering and a schnabel forend gives it that unmistakable Italian look. The updated top lever opens and closes with noticeably less effort too, a small touch you'll appreciate after a few hundred rounds. It ships in a fitted case, ready for the range or an October morning in the uplands. Buy one of these and you'll understand why so many people never move on to anything else.
Key Specifications
- Manufacturer: Beretta
- Model: 686 Silver Pigeon I Sporting
- MPN: J686S2030
- UPC: 082442027258
- Gauge: 20 Gauge
- Chamber: 3 inch
- Action: Over/Under, Low-Profile Boxlock
- Barrel Length: 30 inches, Vent Rib
- Capacity: 2 Rounds
- Choke System: Optima HP, 5 Flush Tubes (F, IM, M, IC, C)
- Trigger: Single Selective
- Sights: White Front Bead with Steel Mid Bead
- Stock: Oil-Finished European Walnut, Schnabel Forend
- Receiver: Silver Engraved Steel, Floral Engraving
- Safety: Manual
- Hand: Right Hand
What’s Included
- Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon I Sporting shotgun
- 5 flush-fit Optima HP choke tubes (F, IM, M, IC, C)
- Fitted hard case
- Owner's manual
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon I Sporting good for sporting clays and hunting?
Yes, it does both well. The 30-inch barrels and wider sporting rib are set up for clays, but the 20 gauge chambering and lively balance at the hinge pin make it a fine upland gun too. It has been the go-to crossover over/under for decades for exactly that reason.
What choke tubes come with the 686 Silver Pigeon I Sporting 20 gauge?
It ships with five flush-fit Optima HP choke tubes: Full, Improved Modified, Modified, Improved Cylinder, and Cylinder. That spread covers everything from close-range skeet to longer sporting and field shots. The Optima HP system also has a wide range of aftermarket extended tubes available if you want them.
Can I shoot steel shot through this Silver Pigeon?
Beretta's Steelium Optimabore HP barrels are designed and tested to handle lead, steel, and high-performance steel loads. As with any shotgun, stick to more open chokes when running steel and follow the ammo maker's guidance. The 3-inch chambers give you plenty of load flexibility.
How does the Sporting model differ from the standard 686 Silver Pigeon I field gun?
The Sporting version wears longer 30-inch barrels, a wider rib with a mid bead, and stock dimensions geared toward clay target work. The field version typically comes with shorter barrels and a narrower rib for quicker handling on flushing birds. Both share the same low-profile 686 action and engraved receiver.





Reviews
There are no reviews yet.