F.A.I.R. Iside Prestige Tartaruga Gold 28 gauge: field and range test

From the Umbrian hills to the sporting clays course

Our first real experience with the Iside Prestige Tartaruga Gold came where a shotgun like this feels most at home: walk-up upland hunting over pointing dogs, across the slopes and ravines of the Italian Umbrian countryside. What could be more authentic than testing an Italian gun in Italy? It is demanding hunting terrain for both hunter and dogs, but also an ideal environment in which to assess the strengths and limitations of such a shotgun.

Hunting pheasant and red-legged partridge, the side-by-side quickly revealed its character. In 28 gauge, with weight kept to approximately 5.7 pounds, it can be carried comfortably for hours while following our dogs, yet remains instantly ready when a shot presents itself.

When the dog locks on point and a bird suddenly flushes, the Iside’s balance and quick handling turn what might otherwise be a hurried snap shot into a smooth, natural movement.

To evaluate both the consistency of its ballistic performance and how the gun behaves under sustained use, we then moved from the hills to the range.

There, we shot several rounds on a sporting clays course, engaging fast targets at varying distances and firing far more shots in succession than would normally occur during a day’s hunting. This gave us the opportunity to observe how the shotgun responded to repeated firing and continuous use in a way that would be difficult to reproduce in the field.

Range results

On the sporting clays course, with the gun fitted with 28-inch (71 cm) barrels and using standard 28-gauge hunting loads, the Iside Prestige Tartaruga Gold confirmed what we had already noticed in the field.

Targets were broken cleanly beyond 33 yards, with dense, well-distributed patterns producing convincing breaks even at distances that can be demanding for a small gauge.

Despite the gun’s light weight, the stock design and internal barrel profile kept muzzle rise to a minimum, making fast and accurate second shots easy to manage.

Extraction and ejection were equally positive. The automatic ejectors worked flawlessly throughout the test, throwing spent shells clear with complete consistency and without hesitation.

Aesthetics and mechanics: attention to detail

From a construction standpoint, the Iside Prestige series stands out for the proportions of its design. F.A.I.R. machines the action from a solid steel billet and scales it specifically to each gauge, preserving harmonious lines rather than using an oversized action across the entire caliber range.

The receiver finish is the defining visual feature of the Tartaruga Gold version. Its color case-hardened finish provides a striking contrast to the deep laser engraving, with gold-inlaid partridges in flight on the sides of the action and an equally refined gold woodcock on the underside.

The selected European walnut stock and fore-end are oil-finished to emphasize the natural grain of the wood. Fine laser-cut checkering on the English-style straight grip and slender splinter fore-end provides a secure hold without feeling overly aggressive in the hands.

Versatility in the field

Despite the appearance of a traditionally styled side-by-side, the Iside Prestige Tartaruga Gold incorporates the practical features expected by today’s hunter.

Buyers can choose between 26.8-inch (68 cm) and 28-inch (71 cm) barrels, with either fixed chokes or F.A.I.R.’s interchangeable Technichoke system. A selective single trigger further increases the gun’s versatility.

These options allow the shotgun to be configured for a wide range of hunting situations, from walk-up upland hunting over dogs in wooded terrain to more stationary hunting from a blind or stand.

U.S. availability and pricing

F.A.I.R. shotguns are officially imported and distributed by Italian Firearms Group (IFG) of Amarillo, Texas. The Iside Prestige Tartaruga Gold is available on the U.S. market in several gauges, including 28 gauge.

The most recent published U.S. MSRP we were able to verify for the Tartaruga Gold line is $3,693 for the 12-gauge version; current MSRP and availability for the 28-gauge tested here should be confirmed pricing with IFG or an authorized dealer.

Italian Firearms Group can be reached at (800) 450-1852 or info@ifg-usa.com.

Technical Specifications