Some Italian and Turkish Gunmakers
Fabarm
Fabarm, one of Italy’s larger companies producing about 30,000 guns a year, make an interesting and very solid single trigger side by side. It is distinguished by being built on a unique four lump action which departs from the usual Anson and Deeley, Purdey-bolted norm. (The usual boxlock arrangement involves two lumps under the barrel, but the Fabarm, as noted, has four). This design is clearly very strong, but, frankly, I doubt if it offers any real advantages other than being a bit different. Nevertheless, I am impressed with this gun which stands out not just for its unconventional mechanical design but because, in 12 bore 28 and 30”, form it has handling characteristics that are very similar to an over and under.
Tri-bored (stepped back-bore) barrels, HP chokes (the HP stands for hyperbolic – long, smoothly constricted, with a curved internal wall rather than the usual straight one) multi-chokes, and a flat pigeon rib complete the spec. There is a good single trigger too, and, a barrel selector (unlike the other guns mentioned here). There are various stock option including a full pistol, semi and straight hand. If you want a side by side for busting clays, the 30 guns with a full or semi-pistol grip could well be it. It comes in 28 and 30” form with different levels of decoration and various specs. There are side-plated models too, the unusual ‘Nobile’ model (a bit modernistic for me) and a nice looking 30” 20 bore (which I hope to test soon). The RRP for the Beta Classic standard model (my call) starts from £2,080. The upmarket sideplate Classis (yes, Classis, not Classic) starts from £4,286.
Yildiz
Mike Entwistle has been bringing in Yildiz guns from Turkey for nearly a decade. He has had a particular success with his little single trigger, non-ejector, .410 which weighs under 5 lbs. with fixed choke barrels and an alloy action and costs (RRP) just £512. It’s a great little gun for the money and reminds me of the sort of thing we used to use when I was a boy (it would be ideal for a young shot with a slightly shorter and higher stock – but it also offers dad a lot of fun too). There is a new multi-choke model on the way at same price (Yildiz are geared up to making multi-chokes these days). There is also a single trigger 20 bore multi-choke available now aswell. It hits the scales at 5.56 lbs and costs £635. And, there is a 28bore based on the same action as well. All these models have 28” tubes on their multi-choke barrels.
Another new side by side gun will arrive in time for the wildfowling season, a steel actioned 12 bore ejector with 3” chambers and Fleurs de Lys steel proof. It will cost a recommended £740. Mike notes: “All the guns offer great value and seem to be flying off my shelves. I identified a market for .410s initially. It does not appear to be seasonal – they seem to sell all year round. More recently, I have been bringing in other models and they seem to be doing very well because of the value they offer.” Yildiz, meantime, are a high tech concern making tens of thousands of guns a year. They are located at Burdur a two hour drive from Antylia on Mediterranean coast (opposite Cyprus). Mike is also considering a 3 ½” chambered version of the duck gun. I might also mention his new single barrel .410 which retails at £155 and weighs about as much as a bag of crisps.
Enwhistles may be contacted on 01772-718048
Fausti
I have a special fondness for the Fausti 12 bore side by sides. They are not especially light in longer barrelled form (my 30” 12 bore tips the scales somewhere around 7 ¼” but, it has done sterling work for me on my travels abroad shooting pigeon and other quarry (I take it when there are legal restrictions on using my usual Beretta semi-auto). The gun illustrated is a particularly good buy from the Sportsman Gun Centres in Devon and Dorset. It has short 26” barrels, but they suit it well (I have walked up grouse with a similar 26” Fausti side by side with some success). It also looks especially good for a budget gun with a coin finished, floral engraved, action. The action is classic Anson and Deeley. The barrels are monobloc. There is a reliable single trigger and a classic straight hand stock. The thing that impresses me about this gun part from the good handling qualities, good looks and fair price (RRP £999) is the action which has a detachable hinge pin and V springs to power the tumblers (not the coil variety as seen in many budget guns). In fact this is part of a batch that the Sportsman bought at an advantageous price and they are passing that benefit on to shooting punters. It weighs in well under 7lbs, is multi-choked (5 chokes supplied) and is my buy of the month.
