Aguirre y Aranzabal () is the only major Spanish maker which offers small frame boxlocks, from which its Model 4/53 (and the Bill Hanus Birdgun) is derived. Their boxlocks and No. 2 sidelocks are immensely popular in the U.K. -- the destination for half of ’s production. It’s easy to see why. In appearance and handling characteristics, ’s traditional Hand Detachable Model No. 2 could (from across the room) pass for a Holland & Holland and their new new Round Action Model No. 2 is a dead ringer (at the same distance) for a Boss. This year displayed several sidelock models with bright or “coin metal” finish. This finish is obtained by first case hardening the sideplates and frame, then brushing off the case color. The metal retains the strengthening benefits of case hardening, but has the appearance of old silver. A dynamite appearance feature when mated with dark figured wood.

Beretta -- The show stopper at this year's SHOT Show in Orlando, Florida was Beretta's 20 and 28 gauge Model 686 Onyx Pro over/under shotguns. Absolutely gorgeous X-tra Wood, everything else done well and retail priced at $1,800. A winner for sure. The process for obtaining the X-tra Wood finish is not unlike dipping an Easter egg to obtain a swirl pattern.

The wood core maintains the warmth and feel of wood, while the film and sealant waterproofs the entire stock and locks in the rich grain pattern of Premium Grade walnut. Some of the real grain is visible through the film and adds depth to the highly figured X-tra Wood finish. The 28 gauge sample I looked over was built on a 20 gauge frame (and weighed just under six pounds) had fairly coarse checkering with a great gripping surface, a half-pistol grip and Beretta’s Gel-Tek recoil pad. The X-tra™ Wood finish on the 20 gauge sample gun seemed to have more of a matte finish, which looked even richer than the high gloss finish on the 28. Beretta’s proprietary and colorful ( green in this instance) Gel-Tek recoil pad seemed like a bit of unnecessary lily-gilding on the 28, but probably a welcome addition if shooting 3” magnums in the under-six-pound 20 gauge gun.

Since the beauty of the X-tra Wood finish is only skin deep the question logically arises as to what happens if or when it gets damaged? The new X-tra Wood finish is covered by a special refinishing program. Under it, if the finish is damaged, Beretta USA will refinish the stock and/or forend for a “nominal charge.”

Beretta Onyx Pro over/under is available in 12, 20 and 28 gauge, Gel-Tex recoil pad, five extended choke tubes and molded carrying case with a MSRP of $1,801.

Bernardelli -- back at the SHOT Show again this year with a major exhibit of high-end side-by-sides, and still looking for U.S. distribution. A lavish 40 page color catalog showcases their top-of-the-line design and engraving skills. Two of Bernardelli’s exquisite Italia Series hammer guns were displayed and priced at $7,000 and $12,000. Nowhere was the effect of the US dollar’s recent 20% decline against the Euro more apparent than at the Bernardelli booth.

If Bernardelli ever finds the marketing formula for their popular Roma , Hemingway and S. Uberto models -- which has more or less eluded them for a decade or more -- they could be a real force in the small gauge side-by-side market.

Browning -- the big news about Browning was that the Bill Hicks & Co. order for a thousand 16 gauge Citori over/unders last year was a sellout. The real story here is that they weigh under six pounds! Yes, that’s right, under six pounds. The alloy receiver and a slimmed down butt are the reason of course, but the reality is that these gun weigh less than some of the 20 and 28 gauge over/unders on the market. These guns appear to have a bit of cast-off which will benefit right-eye dominant shooters, with screw-in chokes in a gun you can carry all day. Hicks has re-ordered an additional five hundred 16 gauge Citoris for 2003 delivery, including some Superlight Feathers. The future of this Browning 16 gauge Citori is uncertain. It is possible that Browning might make this a catalog item -- or that Bill Hicks might extend this run. Or that this five hundred will be the last of the 16 gauge Citoris.

F.A.I.R. is the acronym for Fabbrica Armi di Isadoro Rizzini, a line of over/unders imported exclusively by New England Arms. New this year is a Model 400 -- a reduced price version of their popular Model 500 -- in 16 and 28 gauges. The hand-made sample 28 gauge was built on its own small frame, 26” barrels, screw-in chokes with standard stock dimensions, plastic butt plate, some cast-off and was said to weigh five pounds, nine ounces. The 16 gauge, also built on its own frame size, was estimated to weigh six pounds, four ounces. Turkish wood and probably oil finished. Delivery of both gauge guns promised for Summer 2003. Attractively priced at about $1,595.

FABARM --is one of the most innovative makers in the shotgun industry. Their patented TriBore™ System for barrels; the Paradox rifled barrel that delivers maximum close-range patterns; and a wood enhancement procedure that make it look like high-priced wood on a moderately priced gun -- all make an interview here productive. This year was no exception. The whisper was this: FABARM will have a 28 gauge side-by-side at next year’s show! If it is executed anything like their Classic Lion Elite 12 gauge, that will write the headline for the 2004 SHOT Show.

Franchi -- wrote a headline for SHOT Show 2003 with a stunning new side-by-side called the Highlander. Shown in 12 gauge at the show, with a 20 and 28 gauge promised. The stock on the sample had dimensions of 1-1/2 x 2-1/2 x 14-1/4” to a thin rubber pad and is cast neutral. It features a straight English grip and a splinter foremd. The polished steel receiver and select oil-finished wood makes a very handsome combination. The Highlanders come with 26” barrels and fixed (IC/M) chokes and single selective triggers. The penalty you pay for screw-in chokes is about two ounces more weight at the end of the barrels, which have to be thickened to accept the threading for screw-in chokes. A couple of extra ounces at the muzzle is no sweat on a target gun, where the momentum a heavy barrel generates is useful on crossing targets. But in a field gun, where you’re going to be poking that barrel to get a shot off before the bird can get behind a tree or before it glides out of the corn into the next county -- an extra couple ounces at the end of the barrel might be a hindrance. These guys are gutsy players. They’ve designed a field gun with tapered barrels, with a balance point and “feel” that bird hunters seldom find today. Even the top of the recoil pad is rounded so it doesn’t hang up on the way to the shoulder. It’s nice to look at, easy to carry -- the 20 gauge will weigh 5.8 pounds -- and moderately priced. The 12 and 20 gauge guns are $1,800 and the 28 gauge guns at $1,950.

The Highlander side-by-side is a great addition to Franchi’s Veloce and Alcione over/unders and lightweight semi-autos. Franchi is part of the Benelli USA family.

Franchi Highlander side-by-side is available in 12, 20 and 28 gauge with Improved Cylinder/Modified fixed chokes, molded fitted hard case and a MSRP of $1,800 for the 12 and 20 gauge, $1,950 for the 28 gauge.

Merkel has increased its prices $500 or $600 per model due, at least in part, to the decline of the U.S. dollar against the Euro. This moves the price on their desirable Model 280 Petite Frame 28 gauge (28” barrels and IC/M fixed chokes, cased) and the M1620 16 gauge built on a 20 gauge frame (28” barrels, IC/M, cased) to $4,195 for 2003. Two-barrel sets (28/410 and 16/20) are $9,395 Sidelock model side-by-sides start at $6,595 and run up to $14,395 for the 28/410 two-barrel set. Merkel over/unders start at $6,495 for the Model 2000EL and go up to $22,995 for the Model 303EL Everything comes in a fitted luggage case and all the higher priced models feature “Luxury wood.”

Remington -- added a 16 gauge Model 1100 semi-automatic this past year, joining their Model 870 16 gauge pump gun put into the line the year before. These are nice guns with screw-in chokes, but built on 12 gauge frames. This rounds out Remington’s small gauge offerings of 16, 20, 28 and .410 shotguns.

Rizzini USA has a longtime presence in the U.S. market. William Larkin Moore imported their high-end guns for years and more recently they created the Aurora over/under line marketed by SigArms. Their U.S. operation will be run by Jack Dudley, who used to run the Orvis gun department and Rich Cole a well known gunsmith and importer, closely associated with the Poli sidelock line. The big news at the show was the introduction of a small frame for 28 and .410 over/under guns and two-barrel sets. The show samples featured 28” barrels with either fixed or screw-in chokes, single selective trigger, pretty standard stock dimensions with some cast-off and weighed five pounds, 12 ounces. Cast-on stocks are priced at $250, installed. An attractive Select grade of Turkish walnut is used with a handsome hand-rubbed oil finish. The half-pistol grip, sometimes referred to as a “Prince of Wales” grip, combines the virtues of a straight grip plus providing gainful employment for one’s little finger. Actually the round knob of this grip serves as sort of a keel, keeping the shooter from canting the gun. A signature feature of Rizzini guns is the wooden, checkered butt plate. It not only slips and holds in the “pocket”, but it guards the toe of the stock, when rested on the ground.

Battista Rizzini, with his daughter Moira translating, explained that screw-in chokes add 50 grams (a scant two ounces) to the end of the barrels because muzzles have to be made thicker to accommodate the threading for the screw-in choke tubes. Twenty-eight inch barrels don’t benefit from the added weight so I ordered some of my 28 gauge Bill Hanus Birdguns with Skeet 1 and Skeet 2 chokes and some with 26” barrels and screw-in chokes were the extra two ounces would duplicate the “feel” of the 28” barrels and offer the flexibility of choke choice. The retail price on these fixed choke guns is $2,295, cased. The 26" barrels with screw-in chokes are $2,395, cased. The 28/410 two-barrel set is $3,495, cased.

The Rizzini over/unders are considered to be among the best production guns in the world. They are big enough to be able to utilize the most advanced CNC numeric controlled manufacturing equipment, but small enough to hand finish each gun. All carry a limited lifetime warranty, now supported by a full sales and service facility in the U.S.

Savage Arms is back in the side-by-side shotgun business with the new Stevens Model 411 Upland Sporter. Made in Russia to Stevens’ precise specifications, these guns have a lot going for them. The Upland Sporter will be available in 12, 20 and .410 with hammer-forged chrome lined barrels (28” on the 12 gauge, 26” on the 20 and .410) all with 3” chambers, single selective trigger, IC,M and F screw-in chokes designed to handle steel shot (the .,410 has IM/F fixed chokes), a semi-pistol grip and splinter forearm. Stock dimensions on all models are 1-3/4” x 2-3/4” x 13-3/4” to a rubber recoil pad. Weight 6-1/2 pounds on all models. The show samples were a light European walnut with a matte lacquered finish and appeared to be cast-neutral. It has laser-engraved false sideplates that add a decorative touch. Retail pricing is $395 for the 12 gauge, $432 for the 20 and .410. The Stevens Model 411 Upland Sporter offers a lot of amenities at very low cost, making it easy to justify as a “fowl weather” double, an extra gun for the wife or a family .410 fun gun for popping clays.

Stevens Model 411 Upland Sporter side-by-side made in Russia in 12 and 20 gauge with screw-in chokes (okay for steel shot) and .410 IM/F fixed chokes, retail priced at $395 for the 12 gauge and $432 for the 20 and .410.

The introduction of new shotguns in the small gauges from makers who have done their homework is going to make your task of further research and selection all that much more pleasant. We are in the morning of a small gauge renaissance. Enjoy the day!