687 Silver Pigeon III: Premium Looks, Features, Value
The Silver Pigeon III over-under hunting shotgun is the mid-level offering of the Beretta Silver Pigeon line.
It has all the benefits of the Silver Pigeon I plus more extensive game engraving and a stock oval for the owner’s initials, while not featuring the gold inlays of the Silver Pigeon V. Weighing only about 7 lbs, it handles wonderfully as a game gun while not being too light for a long session at the clay range. It is available in 12 and 20 gauge, or in 28 gauge with a petite scaled frame.
Natural Pointability, Swing
The Silver Pigeon is built on the legendary 687 action, a long-standing favorite among hunters and competitive shooters. It features two conical locking lugs at mid-action, right between the barrels, giving it great locking strength and durability while keeping the action’s profile considerably lower. The advantage is that the eye of the shooter is a lot closer to the plane of his supporting hand, resulting in a considerably better swing and hand-eye coordination.
Tough, Accurate Barrels
Available with 26” or 28” barrels, the Silver Pigeon III is a shotgun designed to last several lifetimes in spite of its lightness and fast handling. The chrome-moly cold-hammer forged barrels of the Silver Pigeon III are designed to take the punishment of heavy hunting loads without compromising in shot pattern and durability. Also, the forcing cone is elongated to provide less shot deformation and recoil, while the MobilChoke system is further designed to resist stress and ensure durability.
Great Looks, Finish
Something that never fails to impress about the Silver Pigeon III are its premium looks. The game scene on the receiver is rich and full of artistic details, while the trigger guard and top lever are embellished with a tasteful scroll. The select walnut stock features a super-crisp checkering pattern that affords a positive grip while further enhancing the elegance of this shotgun. And the perfect proportions and unmistakable Beretta lines won’t fail to turn heads at the range, even from a distance.
Also take a look at the 687 Silver Pigeon V, a field shotgun similar to the Silver Pigeon III, but further embellished with a color-case finished receiver featuring a gold-inlayed game scene.
1. Low Profile Receiver
For decades, the 687 receiver has been hailed as a paragon of proportion and design. It is engineered to be as strong as a vault thanks to its dual conical locking lugs positioned at mid-height, thereby saving inches and material at the top. A low profile receiver ensures that the barrel axis is as close as possible to the supporting hand. The result: look, point, hit.
2. Schnabel Fore-End
The 687 Silver Pigeon III is equipped with a schnabel-style fore-end, giving it that touch of European finesse that will always make it stand out.
3. Select Walnut
Owning a fine hunting shotgun should be an experience that starts the moment you open the gun case. The select walnut that embellishes the 687 Silver Pigeon III ensures just that--as well as bragging rights with your friends.
4. Engraving
The 687 Silver Pigeon III features a classic and intricate scroll/game scene design, which is inspired by both the English and the European gunmaking schools. It feels rich and crisp both to the eye and the touch, further enhancing the experience-value of this perfectly proportioned gun.
