29-Sep-2026
Search interest in the Beretta 694 Sporting has been climbing steadily among UK clay shooters, and it’s easy to see why: the model sits at an interesting point in Beretta’s range, aimed squarely at competitive sporting, skeet and trap shooters who want performance closer to the flagship DT11 without quite the same outlay. If you’ve seen the 694 mentioned in a clubhouse conversation or come across a listing while browsing, this guide covers what UK buyers typically want to know before making a decision, from how the gun compares to other Beretta models to what’s worth checking on a used example.
What is the Beretta 694 and who is it for?
The 694 is one of Beretta’s more recent additions to its competition-focused over-and-under line, positioned above the long-running 690-series guns and below the hand-built DT11. It was developed with serious sporting clay, skeet and trap shooters in mind, the kind of shooter who competes regularly and wants a gun built to handle high round counts without the bespoke price tag of Beretta’s top-tier models. That said, plenty of keen amateur sporting shooters buy the 694 simply because they want a gun that will grow with them as their scores improve, rather than one they’ll outgrow within a season or two.
Browse: Beretta 694 · Beretta shotguns · Shotguns for sale · Beretta 686
Beretta 694 vs 686: Is the upgrade worth it?
A common question from buyers browsing Beretta listings is whether it’s worth stepping up from the popular 686 Silver Pigeon to the 694. The two guns are aimed at different shooters: the 686 is Beretta’s long-serving, do-everything workhorse, equally at home on a driven day or a sporting stand, while the 694 is built with dedicated competition shooting in mind, typically featuring a more adjustable stock and handling characteristics tuned for repeated, high-volume clay shooting. If you’re shooting occasional rounds and enjoy game shooting too, the 686 remains hard to beat for value and versatility. If you’re shooting competitively several times a month and want a gun that adapts to your technique as it develops, the 694 starts to make a lot more sense.
What competition shooters look for in the 694
Beyond the badge, buyers researching the 694 are usually weighing up the same handful of things: how adjustable the stock and comb are for fitting to an individual shooter, how the gun points and swings through a typical sporting or trap sequence, and how it holds up under sustained use across a competition season. Beretta’s reputation for consistent build quality and dependable after-sales support across the UK trade means these are generally known quantities rather than open questions, which is part of why the 694 has found favour so quickly among shooters moving up from entry-level over-and-unders.
Browse: Beretta 694 · Beretta 682 · Beretta DT11 · Gun parts and accessories
New vs used Beretta 694 in the UK market
Because the 694 is still a relatively recent addition to Beretta’s range, used examples on the UK market tend to be well cared for and comparatively low round-count, which is good news for buyers happy to consider a second-hand gun. Buying used can bring the 694 within reach of shooters who’d otherwise be priced out of a new one, though as with any competition gun it’s worth asking about stock fit, any past adjustments, and general condition of the barrels and action before committing. New guns, meanwhile, offer the reassurance of a full warranty and the ability to specify exactly the configuration you want from the outset.
Browse: Beretta 694 · Beretta 686 · Beretta shotguns · Business directory
What to check when viewing a Beretta 694
Whether you’re viewing a used gun in person or asking a seller for more detail on a listing, a few checks are worth making beyond the obvious cosmetic condition. Cycle the action smoothly several times and check the barrels for even wear and no signs of impact damage, particularly around the muzzles. Ask whether the stock has been adjusted from factory settings, and if so, whether the original spacers or shims are included, since refitting a stock to your own measurements is far easier when the original components are still available. It’s also worth asking how the gun has been used; a club competition gun shot regularly in dry conditions will typically have fared better than one used extensively for wildfowling or in wetter environments, even if the outward finish looks similar. None of this is unique to the 694, but it matters more with a gun bought specifically for competition use, where consistency shot to shot counts for a lot.
Buying and selling a Beretta 694 on Rightgun.uk
Whether you’re weighing up a first competition gun or looking to move up from a 686, Rightgun.uk brings together new and used Beretta 694 listings from across the UK in one place, so you can compare configurations and prices before deciding. If you already own a 694 and are ready to sell, listing it here puts it in front of an audience actively searching for competition-ready sporting shotguns, rather than lost among unrelated classifieds.
FAQs
Is the Beretta 694 a good gun for a beginner? It can be, though it’s really built with competitive sporting, skeet and trap shooting in mind; a shooter just starting out may find better value in a more general-purpose model like the 686 until their needs become more specific.
What’s the difference between the Beretta 694 and 686? The 686 is a versatile, long-serving all-rounder suited to both game and clay shooting, while the 694 is a dedicated competition gun with more adjustability, aimed at shooters who compete regularly.
Is the Beretta 694 worth buying second-hand? Yes, for many buyers, used examples are often well maintained and lightly used given how recently the model was introduced, making it a sensible way to access the 694 at a lower price than new.
How does the Beretta 694 compare to the DT11? The 694 sits below the DT11 in Beretta’s range, offering much of the competition-focused handling at a more accessible price point than Beretta’s flagship hand-built model, which makes it a popular stepping stone for shooters not yet ready to commit to a bespoke gun.
Can the Beretta 694 be used for game shooting as well as clays? It can, though it’s optimised for repeated clay-target use, so shooters who split their time between driven game and competition sporting often find a more versatile model like the 686 suits both roles more comfortably.
Ready to compare listings for yourself? Browse new and used Beretta 694 Sporting shotguns on Rightgun.uk alongside the wider Beretta range, or list your own gun to reach UK clay shooters actively searching for exactly this model rather than scrolling through unrelated general classifieds.
Further reading: Beretta 694 vs 692 vs DT11: competition shotguns compared, Browning B725 vs Beretta 694: UK comparison, and Beretta 682, 686 and 687 second-hand compared.
