sportdog

When you need excellent Beretta service you can also rely on Rich Cole. He is "Mr. Beretta" here in the states. Even if it is a warranty issue, he can get it squared away with Beretta USA in MD. My experience with Beretta Service Center has been limited, but in the few instances it was satisfactory. I have heard horror stories though. Rich Cole knows Beretta inside out and is excellent to work with. See www.colegun.com Another resource I have the personal pleasure of sharing is Dennis Devault of Devault Industries in Canton, OH. Dennis put one of his 3/8" high ribs on my 682E and now I have a poor man's K-80 Sporter. Jon Kruger, Bill McQuire, and Gebben Miles all like the higher ribs for heads up shooting, and it works for me too. I think Bobby Fowler is shooting Devault ribs on his Browning Sporters, based on recent photos in clay publications. Not for everyone, but wonderful for some of us to discover the higher ribs in sporting clays/5-Stand shooting! The most consistent advice being shared on these threads is sure enough the truth - find what works for you on your budget. Make sure it fits, whatever you purchase, regardless of type or brand. I am in the process of having Devault put the 3/8" rib on my Browning 625 28 gauge 32" gun, so my two go-to clays guns are set up the same. Can't wait to go heads up style on my 28 gauge too! Break them all, friends.

You are getting great advise on guns. I love and shoot all the B guns myself - avoid the Benelli for high volume clays because the initia system will not soak up recoil on your shoulder like the Beretta and Brownings will. The Beretta 303s are a great addition as mentioned earlier - don't rule out a Browning B-80 if you find one. They are a Beretta 303 made for Browning back in the 80s. Getting hard to find but priced very reasonable and make an excellent all around hunting-clays gun depending on the model/set-up. Good luck!

I've shot my 682 Gold E continuously since I bought it new from Joel Etchen back in 2002. I love this guns handling. I especially liked the Optima barrel and chokes - it really puts the pattern on clay birds, whether sporting, skeet, or trap. I do agree that the Evolution barrels are light, even on my 32" gun. I tried adding different weights but didn't like the way they looked or couldn't keep them on. ( a million stories on that unsuccessful effort) As a result, I started shooting 1 ounce and now 7/8 ounce target loads for everything to cut the recoil. Then, I had a gunsmith friend cut the stock and pitch to fit me, and added a Jones adjustable pad with a Kickeeze pad. Recoil was greatly reduced. Next, I recently had an adjustable comb installed and had Dennis DeVault add a 3/8th high Delvrin rib over my factory rib. I could not be happier with the results! The heads up orientation suits me well! The new rib ads little weight but it is spread across the full 32" length of the rib. Between the rib and adjustable hardware on the buttstock - the overall weight and balance has all but eliminated recoil - even with 1 1/8 loads! The gun itself is super reliable. My triggers are crisp. The 3/8s rib is the same as the K-80 Sporter. In fact, Dennis is doing more of his rib jobs than ever. Jon Kruger was one of his first fans, and today Bill McQuire shoots nothing but his Blaser F3 with a Devault rib. Someday I will refinish my 682 and go with oil instead of the poly high gloss. I have some dings that I want to remove someday. But in terms of being a rugged, high volume, clay busting shotgun - you can pay more but not get a better gun for the money. If you find a used one in great shape - buy it! I'm proof you can make it fit! Good luck and break them all friends.