Hello,

I am looking for comments and reviews from anyone who has hunted with Beretta BL guns. I am especially interested in the BL-4 and BL-5 guns. These were fixed choked O/U made in the 60's and early 70's. They were also sold under the S55 or similar model number in Europe. Any opinions or comments would be appreciated.

Thanks,

ddj

Trout: I have a BL-3 in 28 gauge. This gun is essentially identical to the BL-4 except that the 3 has only extractors where the 4 has ejectors. The 4 may have a little higher grade wood and extra engraving on the receiver. IIRC, the 5 had further upgraded wood and engraving.

I bought this BL-3 NIB just a few years ago and have used it for about a half-dozen seasons as my primary dove gun and it has been great. Shell volume has been anywhere from 200 to 600 per year which is not huge, but I've had no problems of any kind with it. The barrels are not chromed, so I'm always careful to keep oiled paper hulls in the chambers to prevent rust.

Incidentally, when Galef was importing the Berettas I think the same BL-3 and BL-4 were called the Silver (snipe?) and Golden (snipe?). Beretta also made a BL-2 which was a lower end model featuring no solder between the barrels, plainer wood, and little or no engraving on the receiver.

I have carried a 12 ga. BL-4 for waterfowl/ geese for years. 30" bbl.,fair amt of engraving on the receiver. 2 yrs ago I had Briley thread it for their thin-wall chokes because with the larger sizes of steel shot, the full choke would blow the pattern. Now usually shoot it with IC/MOD. Has been a great shotgun for what I use it for.
Usually use .410 or 28 on dove/quail, never seen a BL smaller than 28, wish I had one of each. Several friends hunt quail with BL-4 28's, makes me envious. I just shoot modern manufactured Berettas in sub-gauges.