New Beretta 688 Performance over-and-under: uncompromising performance for tomorrow's champions

Like all sports in which equipment plays a decisive role, clay pigeon shooting requires a great deal of dedication on the part of those involved in the sport in terms of athletic preparation, but also, necessarily, particular care when investing the budget allocated to the sport. There have been and there always will be exceptions, but statistically it is very difficult to see a shooter on the podium equipped with a weapon that is not of excellent quality and tailored as much as possible, even if this often means investing significant sums of money.

Beretta has a great deal of experience in Trap and Sporting, and while watching its shotguns climb all but one of the podium steps available at the Paris 2024 Olympics, it was putting the finishing touches to this shotgun, devoted to those approaching Trap and Sporting for the first time. The new Beretta 688 Performance is in fact designed for beginners who nevertheless expect to find on their Beretta over-and-under everything they need to focus their attention on the clay pigeon, forgetting all technical aspects.

Video: new Beretta 688 Performance over-and-under

Beretta 688 Performance: features

The new Beretta 688 Performance shotgun enhances shooters' comfort thanks to a heavier receiver that improves stability, ease of handling and minimises felt recoil on the shoulder. The pistol grip stock made of laminated wood with palm swell, developed for shooting, helps to optimise weight distribution and balance and features the B-Fast adjustable system technology as standard. With a simple and intelligent design, the system provides several adjustment options:

• Up to 11 mm in height (co-linear to the posts)
• Up to 6° drop
• Up to 11 degrees of rotation (with respect to the axis perpendicular to the stock drop)
• Up to 13 mm sideways (perpendicular to the stock)

The fixing screws fit snugly into the posts, ensuring that the comb is firmly in position. The shims (spacers) act as a 'memory' for the comb height so that the shooter can adjust cast without losing the height adjustment. In addition, 20 and 40 gram weights (to be purchased separately) can be added inside the stock to customise the shotgun balance.

The stock setup is completed by the Microcore technology recoil pad which, thanks to its extremely elastic structure, absorbs and distributes recoil energy over the shooter's shoulder. The black laminated wood with a glossy finish gives the 688 Performance a fresh and contemporary look, but it has more than just an aesthetic function: thanks to its greater stability it limits the weight variability and slight deformation typical of guns with a traditional walnut stock.

The blued steel receiver of the 688 Performance is based on that of the 680 model, and has been made wider and 55 g heavier for increased recoil reduction, stability and handling. The overall weight distribution benefits from this design, while maintaining the shotguns balance at the hinge pins. The blued finish with 688 orange logo and improved laser-engraved anti-glare finish complete the gun's modern style.

The trigger group with selective single trigger is adjustable. Both Trap and Sporting versions have a length of pull (LOP) of 376 mm with 18 mm MicroCore recoil pad and centrally positioned trigger.

The redesigned top lever ensures smoother handling of the Beretta 688 Performance, requiring less effort to close and open the gun.

The unbeatable ballistic performance of the Steelium Optimabore HP barrels with double forcing cone provides the Beretta 688 with the proverbial excellent performance of a Beretta competition shotgun: uniform and dense shot patterns, reduced recoil and muzzle rise. The interchangeable Beretta Optimachoke HP chokes guarantee remarkable corrosion resistance and withstand the power of steel shot.

The barrels are fitted with fixed **/* chokes in the case of the Trap version, while the Sporting version is equipped with a set of five color-banded interchangeable external Optimachoke® HP chokes. Available barrel lengths are 71, 76 and 81 cm, with 70-mm chamber for the Trap version and 76-mm chamber for the Sporting version.

The Beretta 688 Performance over-and-under shotgun is currently available in Trap and Sporting versions, with retail prices starting at €3,299 and €3,499 respectively.

Beretta 688 Performance technical specifications and price

To find out more please visit the  Beretta website