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#145813 04/28/09 09:52 PM
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Hello, new to this forum. Recently bought a Beretta s2 and love the gun. It was made in 1973 and I was wondering if anyone knows much about them. I have not had much luck finding any opinions or history of them.

MN Beretta #145845 04/29/09 11:51 AM
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The Garcia booklets from 1968 has the basic info. The S2 was the entry level of the SO line which encluded SO3,O4,and O5s. The SO2 had regency grade engraving with a silver dove inlaid in the opening lever. They were not off the shelf shoyguns during the Garcia era. Each one was special ordered with customer desires. This is the main reason you may see many variations of the older models. The entry price for the SO2 was $800.00 in 1968. Two importers were noted on the earlier Beretta SO's, one was Abacrombi and Fitch(SP) and Garcia.They are fine sidelocks and will out live us both.(IMHO) Rich Cole can make most repairs if the need should come up. He has said he might not do any rust blue on the SO barrels for a while but, that could change.
Best,
Ron

R.Overberg #145853 04/29/09 01:15 PM
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The thread that includes SO history and mechanical progression may be too old to locate. You may use the search function to attempt to locate it. It was a good one, unlikely to be repeated. Seems like it is not available. Maybe someone has it in their permanent files.

eightbore #145886 04/29/09 05:24 PM
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MN Beretta,

I saved the thread eightbore refers to on my hard drive. I can email it to you if you give me your email address. Also, have you had a chance to look through R.L. Wilson's book "The World of Beretta"? Lots of pictures in that book.

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Hi Retriever Believer. Thanks for the reply. Here is my email adress. Pkartak1@aol.com

MN Beretta #145903 04/29/09 07:31 PM
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MN B,

File sent.

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Here's some more sources and info. In the 1971 Gun Digest a Beretta SO2 is listed at $950. As Ron stated above it was the entry level into the SO series line. Basic difference between the SO2, SO3, SO3EL (SO4 in the Garcia line), and the SO3EELL (SO5 in the Garcia line) was engraving, better quality wood, and hand detachable locks.

Besides the RL Wilson book on Beretta, there is also "The Legendary SO-Beretta" by Gianoberto Lupi. This book provides more background on the SO series but is really about how the Beretta SO is the end all be all to the O/U design.

You can try to find a definitive source on the sidelock pin design, but other than the thread referred to by eightbore nothing is documented. Lupi's books states the sidelock design changed from the basic H&H type of sidelock (7 pins) in late '59 or early '60 (5/4 pin).

Early SO guns are great game guns as they are usually around 7lbs. Later models became heavier especially into the late 70's.

KDGJ #145924 04/29/09 09:14 PM
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For a number of years, I gunned Springer Spaniel field trials with a man who shot an S3 straight grip gun. I wish I had a nickle for every pheasant that died in front of that gun. Only thing I disliked about the gun was the double "ears" on the Cross bolt lockup.

tudurgs #145929 04/29/09 09:46 PM
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I well remember, as a young man in the early 70's, reading Field & Stream, Outdoor Life, and Sports Afield, and seeing those ads by Garcia for Beretta shotguns and Sako rifles. I knew every model's specs.

In particular, I remember the pictures of the now very rare SO-7 sidelock side by side. Have never, ever seen a single one for sale since.
JR

Last edited by John Roberts; 04/30/09 01:22 PM.

Be strong, be of good courage.
God bless America, long live the Republic.
tudurgs #145932 04/29/09 09:53 PM
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Thanks to all of you who replied to my post. Retriever Believer- the file you sent had more information than I had been able to find in the three months that I had the gun. My next question for you guys with all of your knowledge is--Do you think its feasible to have another set of barrels made for it or even possible. The gun has a few light handling marks on the stock, otherwise in excellent condition. It's choked mod/full, and I would like to have another set with more open chokes for grouse. With the trade I figure I have about $2200.00 into it. Opinions? Thanks.

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