The 686 Silver Pigeon I in 28 gauge is Beretta's over/under field gun scaled down to the small bore: 28-inch vent rib barrels chambered for 2 3/4 inch shells, blued, hung on an engraved stainless receiver with a checkered wood stock at 14.75 inches of pull. Our listing shows it as used, but the supplier describes it as new with a stock photo, so ask us which it is before ordering.

New Jersey limits deer shotguns to 10 through 20 gauge, so this 28 is not a slug gun for the December season. It is a light, quick-handling upland and clays gun, and the 2 3/4 inch chambers take standard-length shells. The 28-inch barrels give a steady swing on crossing targets, and the 14.75-inch length of pull is on the long side, which suits a taller shooter. The stainless receiver and engraving are the reasons people choose the Silver Pigeon over a plainer field gun.

Key features

• 28 gauge over/under, 28-inch vent rib barrels
• Chambered for 2 3/4 inch shells
• Engraved stainless receiver, blued barrels
• Checkered wood stock, 14.75-inch length of pull

The shotgun ships to a New Jersey FFL dealer, who verifies your FPIC and finishes the paperwork before you take it home.