29-Sep-2026
Among the flood of searches for Beretta’s over-and-under models, the SL2 stands out as one of the few genuinely popular side-by-side guns to carry the Beretta name, and UK buyers researching it are usually after something quite specific: a classic double gun feel from a manufacturer better known for its sporting over-and-unders. If you’ve come across an SL2 listing and want to know whether it fits what you’re after, here’s what’s worth knowing.
What is the Beretta SL2 and who is it for?
The SL2 is part of Beretta’s side-by-side lineage, built for shooters who prefer the traditional handling of a double gun over the more common over-and-under format that dominates Beretta’s modern range. It typically appeals to game shots, particularly those who enjoy walked-up shooting or driven days where a lighter, quicker-pointing gun is valued, as well as shooters drawn to the side-by-side format for its heritage and classic lines rather than pure competition performance. If your shooting is mostly game rather than clays, and you like the idea of a double gun without stepping up to the very top of the British bespoke market, the SL2 sits in an interesting middle ground. It’s also a gun that appeals to collectors and enthusiasts of Beretta’s history more broadly, since side-by-sides represent an older strand of the company’s gunmaking that predates its modern dominance of the competition over-and-under market.
Browse: Beretta SL2 · Beretta shotguns · Shotguns for sale · Beretta SL3
Side-by-side vs over-and-under: Why some shooters still prefer the SL2
Plenty of UK game shots still favour a side-by-side over an over-and-under, and the reasons tend to be fairly consistent: a narrower, more traditional sighting plane, a lighter feel in the hand for a given bore size, and simply the classic character of a double gun that many shooters grew up with or aspire to own. The SL2 gives buyers access to that experience through a manufacturer with the depth of engineering and after-sales support that Beretta is known for, which is part of why it’s remained a name people search for specifically rather than settling for a side-by-side from a less familiar maker.
Buying a used Beretta SL2 in the UK: What to check
Because SL2s on the UK market are typically bought and sold second-hand, condition checks matter more than they might with a current-production over-and-under. Look closely for barrel wall thickness and any signs of pitting inside the bores, check the action for tightness and any looseness when the gun is closed, and ask about the gun’s history, how it’s been used, stored, and serviced over the years. Stock condition and fit are also worth particular attention on a side-by-side, since the narrower stock profile typical of the format can show wear differently to an over-and-under. A gun with clear service history and honest answers from the seller is generally a safer purchase than one with vague or incomplete provenance. If you’re not confident assessing a used shotgun’s condition yourself, it’s worth asking a gunsmith to look it over before you commit, particularly for a gun you intend to shoot regularly rather than simply display.
Browse: Beretta SL2 · Beretta SL3 · Beretta DT11 · Gun parts and accessories
Where the SL2 sits in Beretta’s wider shotgun range
Beretta is best known today for its over-and-under sporting guns, from the entry-level 686 through to the competition-focused 694 and the flagship DT11, so the SL2’s side-by-side format makes it something of an outlier within the brand. That’s part of its appeal for buyers who want the Beretta name and build quality but a genuinely different shooting experience from the over-and-under mainstream. Compared with the SL3, which followed it, the SL2 is generally the more accessible option on the used market, making it a sensible entry point for a shooter curious about Beretta side-by-sides without committing to the very top of that particular tree.
Fitting an SL2 to different bore sizes and uses
Side-by-sides like the SL2 are often chosen with a specific role in mind rather than as a single do-everything gun, and it’s worth thinking about bore size and weight in the context of how you’ll actually use it. A 12-bore SL2 suits general game shooting and heavier days in the field, while smaller bore versions, where available on the used market, tend to appeal to shooters who value the lighter carrying weight for long days walking up rough shooting or rabbit control. As with any second-hand double gun, it’s sensible to pattern-test with the cartridges you intend to use before relying on it for a full season, since chamber length and choke constriction can vary between individual guns even within the same model line.
Buying and selling a Beretta SL2 on Rightgun.uk
Rightgun.uk brings together used Beretta SL2 listings from sellers across the UK, so you can compare condition, configuration and price in one place rather than trawling multiple sites for a gun that doesn’t come up for sale especially often. If you own an SL2 and are thinking of selling, listing it here puts it in front of buyers specifically searching for a Beretta side-by-side, rather than a general audience who may not appreciate what sets the model apart.
FAQs
Is the Beretta SL2 still in production? Most SL2s found for sale in the UK today are on the used market, so buyers should expect to be looking at a pre-owned gun with its own individual history rather than a current catalogue model.
Is the Beretta SL2 a good gun for game shooting? Yes, it’s well suited to walked-up and driven game shooting, where its side-by-side handling and Beretta build quality appeal to shooters who prefer a traditional double gun.
How does the Beretta SL2 compare to the SL3? The SL2 generally sits as the more accessible option between the two on the used market, while the SL3 tends to be viewed as the step up within Beretta’s side-by-side lineage.
What should I check before buying a used Beretta SL2? Check barrel condition and wall thickness, action tightness, and stock condition, and ask for as much service and ownership history as the seller can provide.
Does the Beretta SL2 come in different bore sizes? Availability varies on the used market, but 12-bore examples are the most commonly found, with smaller bores occasionally turning up for buyers who prioritise a lighter carrying weight.
Curious what’s currently listed? Browse used Beretta SL2 shotguns on Rightgun.uk alongside the wider Beretta range, or list your own gun to reach UK game shooters specifically searching for a Beretta side-by-side.
Further reading: Beretta SL3 vs 687 EELL vs SO5: UK guide, Beretta side-by-side shotguns: 486, 471, 470, 626, 627 and Beretta 682, 686 and 687 second-hand compared.
