Beretta 486 Parallelo side-by-side shotgun, a classic with a modern heart in a restyled version

Beretta has unveiled a new version of the 486 Parallelo shotgun, which has undergone a complete styling overhaul: the distinctive, round body receiver is now embellished with a new 5-axis laser-made scroll engraving, giving this shotgun a more contemporary look.

On the other hand, all the technical features that have made the 486 Parallelo an "instant classic" distinguished by its elegant and refined look remain unchanged: select walnut wood stock, V-spring mechanism for fast and crisp trigger pull, Beretta Steelium barrels and Optimachoke HP chokes for excellent ballistic performance, and Beretta's Triblock system, a modified demibloc design introduced by the Gardone-based company that allows a seamless barrel profile without weld marks. 

Beretta 486 Parallelo technical features

The Beretta 486 Parallelo will be available in Italy during 2023 in 12- and 20-gauge with 66-, 71- and 76-cm barrels. Several configuration options can be selected, including an English-style or pistol grip stock option and manual or automatic safety. 

Main features of the Beretta 486 Parallelo shothgun: 

  • Wooden butt pad
  • 2.5 grade walnut wood stock and forend
  • Steel round body action profile
  • Deep scroll 5-axis laser engraving
  • V-spring trigger group with safety system
  • Triblock system for a seamless barrel profile
  • Magnum chamber (76 mm)
  • Smart barrel selector with safety on the top of the receiver
  • Manual or automatic ejection selection on the forend iron
  • 10x5.5 mm tapered top rib
  • Glossy barrel finish 
  • Steelium barrels: Beretta's proprietary technology with tri-alloy steel, deep drilling, cold hammer forging and vacuum distension 
  • Optimachoke HP chokes 
The receiver of the Beretta 486 Parallelo side-by-side, here in 12-gauge, is embellished with a new floral scroll engraving that extends to the top lever and the tang.

The receiver of the 486 Parallelo is chromed steel and is in the best gunsmithing tradition, with a rounded profile (round body) of great elegance. Innovative matching lines blend the stock to the receiver for an unsurpassed harmony and elegance to the proportions.

The engraving on the receiver of the 486 Parallelo has been restyled and now includes a modern deep scroll floral motif that is extended to the receiver shoulders, top lever, trigger guard, forend iron and forend tip.

The number "486" and the three-arrow Beretta logo are elegantly embedded into this repeated pattern on the bottom of the receiver.

The engravings are made with a 5-axis laser, capable of engraving the rounded surfaces of the 486 Parallelo's receiver while maintaining perfect design continuity and reproducing a precious contrast effect that characterizes premium shotguns.

The continuous profile of the Parallelo barrels is enabled by Beretta's Triblock technology, the system designed for "three-arrow" Parallelos that eliminates the need for prominent weld lines, ensuring superior aesthetics and elegance capable of reflecting the style of classic, highly prized shotguns with demibloc construction.

Lugs and bedding are from a single block of the finest steel, laser-welded to the barrels: the aesthetic appearance is worthy of the best achievements with perfectly smooth barrels thanks to the lack of seam lines. The obvious aesthetic value of the interrupted barrel tapered profile also enhances instinctive aiming. 

Side view of the Beretta 486 Parallelo, here in the 20-gauge version and with pistol grip stock.

Several options for the stock

In 12- and 20-ga versions the stock of the 486 Parallelo can be selected in two different designs: English stock, for a classic and refined look, or pistol grip, for best ergonomics.

The 2.5 grade walnut wood used for the stock and forend is carefully selected in terms of color, density and grain. As a result, the shotgun acquires superior aesthetics and extraordinary balance, which is further perfected during construction by precisely distributing the weight of each component, making it surprisingly light and easy to handle, and ensuring the best swing when shooting.

The classic aesthetics of the 486 Parallelo are complemented by the wooden butt pad, which matches the color and grain of the stock wood for a flawless effect.

English stock models feature a slim forend, while pistol grip versions have a beavertail forend. The forend has a push-button release located on the tip. The pistol grip, fore-end and wooden butt pad are finely checkered to ensure a firm grip in all conditions. The forend iron features an adjusting device to maintain a consistent fit and release force, for a smoother functionality and greater durability of the components. 

The same view as the 12-gauge version with English stock. In both cases the wood is 2.5 grade walnut.

A classy trigger and a special safety

The Beretta 486 Parallelo shotgun, among many finesses, allows the selection of manual or automatic ejection.

The trigger mechanism is extremely reliable thanks to the "V" springs and the rebounding hammers that guarantee a fast and crisp trigger pull. An exclusive safety designed by Beretta acts on the trigger, preventing unintended discharges when the shotgun is held in an unusual position (upside down or pointed downwards/upwards beyond 90°), or in case the shotgun is dropped or hit.

The unique selector located in the forend iron allows the user to choose between automatic or manual case ejection, while the top barrel selector, located at the end of the receiver tang, includes the safety and moves crisply between “on” and “off” for a reliable switch of the barrel to shoot first. The top surface of the barrel selector is checkered for a firm grip.

Beretta 486 Parallelo can be selected in different versions with manual or automatic safety.

Thanks to an exclusive retaining system built into the design of the top lever, opening works positively and with no possibility of any undesirable side free play developing in the future. Checkering on one side of the top lever also facilitates a secure grip and reduces stress. 

Beretta 486 Parallelo: 71- or 76-cm barrels in 12- or 20-ga magnum

The new 486 Parallelo will be available during 2023 in 12- and 20-ga with 66, 71 and 76 cm (26” - 28” - 30”) barrel length options. Like all Beretta shotguns, the 486 Parallelo features Steelium technology barrels characterized by a double forcing cone that reaches a length of 80 mm (in a 76-cm barrel). Steelium is the hallmark of all barrels manufactured by Fabbrica d'Armi Pietro Beretta. Every single Beretta Steelium barrel is made from Beretta's exclusive tri-alloy steel (Ni, Cr, Mo) and goes through deep drilling, cold hammer forging, and vacuum distension. The entire process, combined with the progressive inner profile of the barrel, provides smoother ballistics that help reduce recoil and muzzle rise, ensuring dense and uniform patterns. All barrels feature a 10x5.5 mm tapered top rib and a glossy finish that complements the shotguns's sleek style. Optimachoke HP (OCHP) interchangeable flush chokes are fitted. Built with a lengthened taper, these chokes feature an internal profile that reduces friction and improves pattern density and distribution. The case supplied with the Beretta 486 Parallelo includes 5 chokes, made of high-strength steel, offering unparalleled resistance to corrosion and steel shot stress. 

Retail price of the Beretta 486 Parallelo starts at around 5,400 euros for the 12-ga model and around 5,500 euros for the 20-ga model, but you must check the actual price in your own country.


Learn more at www.beretta.com.

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