
For over 35 years, the Beretta Silver Pigeon has set the standard in the crossover over-and-under shotgun category, establishing itself as the symbol of excellence and reliability. The 2024 evolution of the 686 SPI is the best version of the Silver Pigeon l, a continuous update that elevates Beretta's renowned hunting shotgun to new levels.
Franco Gussalli Beretta, President & CEO of Fabbrica d'Armi Pietro Beretta, said: "A Silver Pigeon never goes out of style. Every model of this line has been a benchmark of quality and this 2024 version continues its tradition, embodying the essence of a timeless class and sophistication that only improves with age. Refreshed aesthetics and technical features help us to keep providing game and clay shooters all over the world with the beloved Beretta over-and-under workhorse. We stand by their side while they face new challenges and contribute to responsibly maintain the natural balance in their ecosystem".
The innovative and smoother opening lever mechanism makes the gun easier to open and close, together with the improved balance of the receiver and the polished stainless steel trigger, the Silver Pigeon enters a new era of functionality. The richer and more refined floral engraving extends to the receiver tail for the first time and improves the design on the hinge pins, seamlessy covering all metal surfaces. The Silver Pigeon I incorporates the excellent ballistics of the Steelium Optimabore HP barrels, which guarantee dense, uniform shot patterns and reduced recoil and muzzle rise. Available at launch in 12-gauge, the shotgun will be chambered in smaller gauges at a later date.

Main features of the Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon I over-and-under

We summarise the main features of the new Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon I over-and-under, which for the time being is only chambered in 12 gauge with Magnum 76-mm chamber:
- Extralight recoil pad
- Redesigned stock with higher 35/55 drop
- B-Fast adjustable stock on Sporting version
- Grade 2 oil-finished walnut wood
- 76-mm chamber
- Top lever with smoother opening and closing feeling
- Replenished floral laser engraving, also on receiver tail and hinge pins with micro-lines background
- Polished stainless steel trigger for better durability
- Beretta Steelium Optimabore HP barrels
- Optimachoke HP chokes
The Extralight recoil pad fitted to the Silver Pigeon I guarantees greater lightness, abrasion resistance and protection from chemical and atmospheric agents, thanks to its closed cell structure. The pistol grip stock and Schnabel forend are made of grade 2 oil-finished walnut wood and are finely checkered for maximum grip even in the rain. The stock is now available with 35/55 drop to enhance handling and shooting experience, in both right and left-handed versions. The Vittoria stock version is available with semi-Montecarlo 35/45/55 drop. An adjustable B-Fast stock is available on the Sporting version.

Based on the superb 680 platform, with its unmistakable low and slim action and legendary ultra-reliable mechanism, the 686 Silver Pigeon I's receiver features the now iconic locking system with iconic trapezoid shoulders and two rugged pins that prottrude from the breech face and are inserted into their respective housings on the monoblock. Closing the 686 Silver Pigeon I is smoother and requires less effort thanks to the redesigned top lever, with a repositioned release pin. The already proverbial balance of the 680 has been further improved, keeping the weight always on the hinge pins.
The engravings are made using modern five-axis laser technology, capable of engraving rounded surfaces while maintaining perfect continuity in the design. The floral theme, created by Beretta's master engravers, perfectly covers the metal surfaces and extends for the first time to the receiver's tail, embellishing the hinge pins. The background with micro-lines improves the depth of the scene.
The 2024 Silver Pigeon I version features a polished stainless steel trigger for added durability. The selector switch is located on the top of the tang safety, allowing the user to select the barrel for the first shot with a quick and easy sideways movement.
The ultra-reliable and sturdy ejection system is the proven version used for the 680 platform, which sees more than a million guns in use over more than 30 years.
Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon I with Steelium Optimabore barrels

Steelium is the hallmark of all barrels made at Fabbrica d'Armi Pietro Beretta, which was founded in 1526 as a barrel manufacturer, even before becoming a manufacturer of complete firearms. Half a millennium of experience is still relevant today, despite the use of the most advanced production technologies.
Every single Beretta Steelium barrel is manufactured from Beretta's exclusive tri-alloy steel (Ni, Cr, Mo) and goes through the stages of deep drilling, cold hammer forging and vacuum distension. This entire process ensures smoother ballistics that helps reduce recoil and muzzle climb and results in perfect, denser and more uniform shot patterns with any type of ammunition, with lead shot, but also with standard and high performance steel shot.
The geometry of the Optimabore HP barrels, with their elongated 80-mm double forcing cone, is designed to offer exceptional performance, even with steel shot.
The barrels are available in lengths of 67, 71 and 76 cm for the hunting models and 71, 76 and 81 cm for the Sporting models. The shot pattern remains perfect and uniform regardless of the type of cartridge, thanks in part to the use of 70 mm long Optimachoke HP chokes made of high-strength steel.
The ventilated upper rib, with precise anti-glare checkering and the traditional steel front bead, is a clear reference to the most exclusive Beretta over-and-unders. The Sporting version features a 10x8 upper rib and ventilated side ribs.
The price of the Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon I over-and-under starts at €2,176.42
Beretta 688 Silver Pigeon I technical specifications and price
Model: | 686 Silver Pigeon I |
Gauge: | 12 with 76-mm chamber |
Intended Use: | Hunting/Sporting |
Bore Diameter: | 18.6 mm |
Barrel Length: | 67/71/76 cm (hunting) 71/76/81 (Sporting) |
Chokes: | Optimachoke HP |
Top Rib: | 6x6 |
Stock: | Grade 2 oil-finished walnut |
Recoil Pad: | Extralight |
Finish: | Engraved receiver, blued barrels |
Weight: | 3,300 g (± 50 g, with 71-cm barrels) |
Price: | From 2,176 euro |
To find out more please visit the Beretta website.