Having worked with military and police forces all around the world, Beretta offers you decades of experience building firearms that meet the strictest demands of professional shooters. The 1301 embodies this experience, with its short stock with aggressive non-slip checkering for positive handling under the stress of competition. Also, the length of pull is user-adjustable so that this shotgun will give you the best fit and the most natural pointing regardless of your shooting style, thickness of clothing or body size.

Hunters truly knowledgeable in classic shotguns immediately associate a round action with hunts in the Scottish highlands at a time when group hunts of this kind were important social occasions as well as sporting outings. Holding the 486 Parallelo and seeing its action will also evoke this association. Its round action contains only very few straight lines, and looks like it has grown organically together with the stock into something harmonious and beautiful. To the outside, the lines of the action are also complemented by English-style scroll engraving, which also extends to the top lever and trigger-guard.

No matter how beautiful, a shotgun is only as useful as how it shoots and holds up. With this in mind, Beretta has incorporated some features into the 486 Parallelo that make it as hi-tech to the inside as it is classic to the outside. New leaf springs in the action allow for faster and more precise firing pin engagement, for a super-crisp shot let-off; also, the brand new trigger guard keeps all the moving parts captive, which makes maintenance absolutely easy. The cold-hammer forged OptimaChoke barrels (3" chamber) are built to be tough and last for generations, and they are designed to take every type of shell from target to high-performance. Moreover, the Triblock barrel technology makes the barrel unit stronger while eliminating visible welding lines.

Tipping the scales at just a touch over 7 lbs, the 486 comes up to the shoulder naturally and instinctively. Point of balance is right at the hinge-pin, while the portion of the gun forward of the supporting hand will still feel lively--the Beretta way. The wide plane of the side-by-side barrels will naturally guide the eye to the target, also aided by the fact that the action is trim and low-profile. Add to this a gravitational safety that engages if the gun is dropped and the choice between auto and manual extraction, and you truly have today's most useful side-by-side--whether you use it on the field or at the clay range.