The Beretta 687 Silver Pigeon V Elite in 12GA with walnut stock draws consistent praise, particularly from shooters who have experience with quality over/under guns and know what they're evaluating.
Craftsmanship gets the most attention. Engraving quality and the walnut finish are called out specifically and often, not just as general compliments but with detail: grain patterns, fit at the receiver, stock finish. The action is described as smooth, and recoil management earns positive comments in the context of clay sports like skeet and trap where you're running through a high round count in a session. Balance and handling are frequently cited as strengths, particularly for competitive shooters who care about how quickly they can acquire and track targets.
Beretta's track record with over/under shotguns gives buyers a baseline of confidence before the gun even arrives.
The friction points: price is the most common concern, and it's legitimate. This is an expensive shotgun and occasional users or beginners will reasonably question whether the premium is justified versus mid-tier options. A few users mention the gun feeling slightly heavier than expected during extended field use. Some owners wanted a break-in period before the action felt fully settled. Aftermarket customization options are limited compared to some competitors.
AI-generated insights derived from customer reviews and discussions on popular gun-enthusiast forums.