26-Oct-2026
Walk around any clay ground in the UK, and you will see the same shape again and again: a Beretta over-and-under with a long, slim barrel and a worn, well-loved stock. Many of those guns are 682s. Many of the guns in the game field, meanwhile, are 686 Silver Pigeons. They share a name on the barrel, a similar look, and a reputation for getting on with the job, so it is no surprise that buyers searching for a Beretta 682 Gold E often end up comparing it with a 682 Sporting or a Silver Pigeon.
This guide explains how the three differ in purpose, how to think about each on the second-hand market, and what to look at before you commit. We keep to general guidance rather than quoting prices or exact specifications, because both vary by year, variant, and condition. Always read the individual listing and ask the seller for the details of the particular gun.
What is the difference in purpose?
The simplest way to separate them is by what they were built to do. The 682 family is Beretta’s long-running competition line. It has been a staple of trap, skeet, and sporting clays for decades, and you will find variants set up for each discipline, along with sporting versions with different barrel lengths and stock arrangements. The Gold E label is the best-known name within that family, which is why so many buyers search for it by name.
The 686 Silver Pigeon sits in a different part of the catalogue. It is generally thought of as a field and all-round gun, popular with people who shoot game, pigeon and the occasional round of clays with one gun. Sporting versions of the Silver Pigeon exist, which is part of the reason the two lines get compared, but the starting point is a more general-purpose over-and-under.
Neither is better in the abstract. The better gun is the one that fits you and the shooting you actually do. A gun that suits a weekly clay shooter can feel less natural in the field, and the reverse is also true.
Browse: Beretta 682 · Beretta 686 · Beretta Silver Pigeon · Beretta Silver Pigeon I · All Beretta shotguns
The 682 Gold E: The competition workhorse
The 682 Gold E has a loyal following because it has been around long enough to be everywhere. That matters if you are buying second-hand. A large pool of used guns means choice, and it also means a wide spread in condition, from lightly used club guns to hard-worked competition guns that have been through many seasons.
Gold E guns are typically associated with trap, skeet, and sporting use, and many carry features that competition shooters look for, such as adjustable or competition-style stocks and multi-choke barrels. Because variants differ, do not assume that every listing is set up the same way. Check the barrel length, the choke arrangement, and the stock dimensions against what you need.
A Gold E can also work for someone who simply wants a solid, robust over-and-under for general clay shooting and is not worried about the last detail of the finish. If your shooting is mostly at the clay ground, it is a natural place to start.
Browse: Beretta 682 · Beretta 680 · Beretta 692 · Beretta 694 · Beretta DT11
The 682 Sporting: When you want a clay gun without going to the top tier
Sporting versions of the 682 are aimed squarely at sporting clays, where targets can be fast, slow, crossing, or coming from every direction. Sporting guns tend to be set up for a balanced, smooth swing, and many buyers find that this suits the varied targets on a sporting layout.
If you are choosing between a 682 Sporting and a Gold E that is set up for another discipline, the key question is which discipline you shoot most. A gun set up for trap may carry a different point of impact and stock configuration to a sporting gun, so a good fit on paper can feel different on the layout. Where you can, try the gun, or ask someone at your club or a gunsmith to check the fit for you.
It is also worth thinking about where you might go next. Plenty of shooters begin with a 682 and later move up to a higher-grade competition gun. A well-kept 682 tends to be easy to sell on, which makes it a sensible stepping stone.
Browse: Beretta 682 · Beretta 686 · Beretta DT10 · Beretta DT11 · Perazzi shotguns
The 686 Silver Pigeon: The all-rounder
The Silver Pigeon is a popular first good over-and-under for people who want one gun to do most things. It is often chosen for walked-up days, pigeon shooting and rough shooting, and sporting versions mean it can double as a clay gun.
For many people, a field-orientated gun is simply nicer to carry. Guns built for the field are often more compact in feel, while dedicated clay guns can be longer and a little heavier in the barrels to help smooth the swing. If you shoot more game than clays, that difference can matter more than any badge on the receiver.
Silver Pigeon guns come in a number of versions and finish levels, so condition and specification vary. As with any used gun, the listing photos and the seller’s description tell you much more than the model name alone.
Browse: Beretta Silver Pigeon · Beretta Silver Pigeon I · Beretta Silver Pigeon S · Beretta 686 · Beretta 687
Which one should you buy?
A rough guide helps, though your own fit and budget should decide. If most of your shooting is trap, skeet, or sporting at a clay ground, start with the 682 family and look closely at how each gun is set up. If you shoot game, pigeon or a mixture, and clays are an occasional treat, the Silver Pigeon is a strong place to begin. If you shoot both seriously, consider whether a sporting-configured gun will cover both, or whether two guns suit you better.
Whichever you choose, put fit ahead of fashion. A gun that fits will usually outshoot a more expensive one that does not.
What to check on a used Beretta over-and-under
A used Beretta can be a fine buy, and a few simple checks will keep you on the right track. Look at the overall condition of the stock and forend, including any cracks around the head of the stock and the wrist. Check that the barrels are free from obvious dents or bulges, and that the chokes come out and go back in cleanly if the gun is multi-choke. Ask whether the gun has had a recent service and whether the seller has the paperwork and any spare chokes or accessories.
It is also sensible to ask where the gun has been used. A competition gun that has fired a great many cartridges may feel different to one that has had a quieter life, and neither is necessarily a problem if the price and condition match. When in doubt, ask a gunsmith or an experienced club member to look it over.
Browse: Beretta 682 · Gun parts and accessories · Safes and cabinets · Shotguns · Cartridges and ammunition
Frequently asked questions
What does Gold E mean on a Beretta 682? Gold E is the name Beretta gave to a well-known version of the 682 competition over-and-under. Specifications differ by year and variant, so check the details for the individual gun in the listing.
Is a Beretta 682 a good gun for a beginner? Many clay shooters start on a 682 because they are widespread, well supported, and easy to resell. The most important factor for any beginner is fit, so have the gun checked for you before you buy.
Is the Beretta Silver Pigeon better than the 682? Neither is better overall. The 682 family leans towards competition clay shooting, while the Silver Pigeon is a popular all-rounder for the field. Choose according to the shooting you do most.
Can I buy a used Beretta over-and-under on Rightgun.uk? Yes. Listings from sellers across the UK appear on Rightgun.uk, so you can compare guns in one place before you get in touch.
Ready to find your Beretta?
Browse Beretta over-and-unders on Rightgun.uk and compare 682, 686 and Silver Pigeon listings from sellers across the UK. If you have a Beretta of your own to sell, listing it on a dedicated shooting marketplace puts it in front of buyers who are already searching for exactly that gun.
Further reading: Beretta 682 vs 686 vs 687 second hand, Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon buyer’s guide, Best over-and-under shotguns in the UK by budget, Beretta DT10 vs DT11 and Second-hand shotguns: best buys.
