Fabarm PSS10 S/Auto

What’s black and coated in soft rubber; weighs just over 9lbs, measures 47¼” and packs more fun filled aggression than anything you’ve ever picked up? The answer is Fabarm’s new PSS10, a 10-shot, gas cycled semi-auto aimed fair and square at the practical shotgun market and those in need of a serious hardcore 12 bore. The arrival on these shores of the Fabarm PSS10 is in answer to the increasing popularity in the discipline of practical shotgun shooting. If there is a downside to this physically active branch of shotgunning it is that the shotgun really needs to be high capacity – ten rounds in this case. Any shotgun that holds over three rounds is a requires Section One firearm and there requires a Fire Arms Certificate rather than a Shotgun Certificate.

In The Black

The PSS10 experience begins the moment you first take a look at the black plastic travelling case. With the words ‘Fabarm Weapons’ and ‘NATO’ stencilled along the top you immediately get an inkling as to what awaits you within, the ersatz military theme an instant mood setter. Open up and there sits a totally black semi-auto seemingly groaning with add ons, a small red plastic holder with two hex keys, a small plastic box containing sling swivels, a hand book and an exploded diagram.

What you’ve actually purchased is one of Fabarm’s excellent, super fast XLR5 gassers but this time with a serious attitude problem and over-proofed to 1,630 bar for which the certificate is included. A black stock complete with a gel comb and a soft rubber recoil pad, a gently angled pistol-grip, a long sculpted forend and malleable stippling in place of chequering all encased in soft rubber. The furniture is all part of Fabarm’s new ‘All Terrain’ kit that can also be retro fitted to others in their range.

Once you’ve got beyond this you then find a 26” barrel that incorporates a multi – slot muzzle brake that is easily removed for cleaning. To the rear of the brake the raised, shrouded bright red front bead sits with the extended magazine hanger affixed just behind that attaches the tube to the barrel with a twin Picatinny – rail arrangement. An interesting adjunct is that some practical shooters actually prefer their barrels shorter than the magazine extension, so they remove the brake. Reason being that if they trip or fall, it’s the mag tube that buries itself into the ground and not the barrel. Personally, I’d leave the brake in situ mainly because it stops stray shot damaging the extended tube and has an extremely positive effect on the gun’s reactions during discharge. 

Red Mist

The surface of the semi-matte black action displays the word ‘NATO’ and bright red lettering that proudly announces PSS10 although I must say I for one can’t currently ascertain any connection to or with the Atlantic Treaty! More stamping along the left-hand side tells you what the gun’s barrel has Fabarm’s Tribore system. This tends to be more commonly be known as over-boring. Two panels of tapering stippling run from the forend to just above the trigger.

The black non-adjustable trigger-blade the surface of which echoes the furniture’s stippling sits inside a polymer guard with the surprisingly small cross-bolt safety situated to the rear; surprising given that the bolt release that sits on the left of the alloy receiver has now become noticeably oversized and heavily sprung. The bolt is a single claw unit although it now boasts a straight, extended knurled bolt handle. The bolt-lock lever is on the left to the rear of the loading gate. 

Ghost of a Chance

In place of the rib and matching up to the elevated front sight, a two-piece Picatinny rail runs the length of the receiver, over the chamber and partially along the barrel. On this sits a fully adjustable ghost-ring sight that can be positioned anywhere along the length of the rail or quickly removed should you wish to fit a red-dot sight or similar.

Two green trijicon type beads sit either side of the ring that rapidly mate up with the front sight. If you’ve never used this style of sight you’ll be surprised how easy and accurate it is to use and just how fast you become accustomed to aiming this shotgun. Basically, once you’ve adjusted the rear sight, once the red bead sits level with and exactly between the two green dots, you’re on target.

Loads of Loads

Dimensionally the PSS10 isn’t especially different from its sporting counterpart. Fair enough, at 9lbs 2oz it’s heavier than your average single-barrel gasser but you can if you so wish remove a pound or so by removing the front accessory rails. Likewise, since there’s no rib the slightly unusual stock measurements are taken from the Picatinny rail that sits atop the receiver and chamber so don’t let the drops at comb and heel of 1 9/16” and 2 1/8” put you off, the PSS10 requiring a more head-up style to line up your eye with the rear sight. The length of pull is a more or less standard 14½” whilst a 5lbs 8oz trigger weight is identical to most sporting semi-autos.

Where the PSS10 seems initially unusual is in the fact it only comes with a 3” chamber which marginally limits the gun’s versatility for anyone looking for a true multi-functional semi-auto. That said, since practical shotgunning doesn’t require a chamber length that’s any longer there’s theoretically no problem and unless you intended heaving some seriously potent loads through the gun, a heavy 3” magnum load is capable of handling the most demanding situations. But no matter how you approach the PSS10 there’s no way you can conceive of classing it as a potential clay breaker although it isn’t actually bad on going away targets.

Choked at a fixed restriction that sits just in between Cylinder and True Cylinder, you don’t have to worry about what you send down the barrel, the PSS10 ready, willing and able to cope admirably with whatever you load up. Setting out a series of thirty yard static targets courtesy of Peter and Paul from Bond & Bywater, loads were gradually increased from 28g Express Supremes and World Cups, 36g of 1’s in Special Game, 50g of BB Max Game along with Remington Heavy Magnums, ‘00’ Buck, SG, SSG and Magtech slug.

Apart from having to adjust the rear ghost ring, every shot was bang on target whilst the gun remained seriously cool, calm and collected throughout. The only glitch that did highlight itself was the fact that the PSS10 likes quality loads; cheap unmentionable cartridges or those of a slightly softer nature are best avoided. Its not that they stovepipe it’s that they don’t possess the energy to complete the cyclic process. On the sheer physical front, providing your finger is fast enough you can take the PSS10 from fully loaded with ten rounds to empty in 1.7 seconds whilst empty to fully loaded can be achieved in around 10 seconds.

Special Stages

Courtesy of a very kind invitation from Peter Davidson and the rest of the committee from the South West Lancashire Pistol Club I was able to try the PSS10 in its natural environment. The two stages the club had laid out were twenty-shot steel targets, one set from a static position starting with a loaded gun and unlimited shots, the other a walked-up timed from the first shell entering the chamber with just one shot per target. Whilst the PSS10 had previously felt good, in its natural environment it felt exceptional.

Balancing directly beneath the chamber with the bulk of the 9lbs 2oz sitting firmly in the leading hand, the gun’s almost rifle-like, fast natured characteristics come into their own to a degree you can have the first two shots off and on target before the butt is fully seated in the shoulder pocket. And should you think that the muzzle brake and mag tube mounted accessory rails are nothing but trimming, think again. The angle of the five slots actually pushes the muzzle downwards when the gasses are vented whilst the increased weight ensures the muzzle is fully controllable even during rapid fire.

Soft to shoot and well balanced even with all ten cartridges onboard, this new Fabarm is one of the most controllable 12 bores I’ve yet shot. The gun’s dynamics are perfectly suited for the it’s intended use, the flexibility, pointability and outright all – round ability to keep the practical shooter on top of their game, everything about the PSS10 designed to work with the user at all times. Also, the soft rubber coating and hard stippling on the grip and forend ensure your hold remains positive no matter how wet the weather gets or demanding the conditions.     

Worth the Effort

If you’ve never considered practical shotgun, try shooting Fabarm’s PSS10… it could well be one of the best reasons for giving it a go. Both the PSS10 and the sport have two great things in common and it’s that they’re both fantastic fun. Where this Fabarm is unusual is in the fact it’s more or less created its own market segment. Most practical shotguns tend to be either the budget orientated Turkish models or conversely the high-end Italian semis.

The PSS10 however offers shooters the best of both worlds in so much as it comes with all the benefits of the more favoured expensive versions with a price tag of just £1,340, only a few hundred more than the more familiar entry level offerings. Similarly, unless you feel the need to fit a red – dot sight nothing else needs to be sourced, the Picatinny rails all part and parcel of the kit, the PSS10 is ready to rock and roll straight out of the case. The only criticism you may level at the PSS10 is that there are no alternative stock options. Many practical shotgunners prefer a full pistol -grip such as that found on Fabarm’s SAT 8 but to date none exists for the PSS10.

But practical isn’t the PSS10’s only function, many a keeper instantly seeing the advantages of this truly distinctive shotgun. Most keepers carry an FAC multi-shot as part of their daily kit and to have a semi-auto so well equipped and as useful as standard at the current asking price makes this Fabarm a serious consideration - verging on the ultimate vermin controller.

So whichever shotgunning camp you’re in, take a look at Fabarm’s PSS10. After you’ve handled this seductive and fascinating 12 bore you might just discover that you’ll be looking for a good enough reason to own one. Believe you me; once you’ve shot a fully loaded PSS10 they become positively addictive. 

Thanks to:

• Lyalvale Express;  www.lyavaleexpress.com

• Bond & Bywater; 01772 258980

• Arrow Laser Shot; www.arrowlasershot.com

• South West Lancs Pistol Club; 07753 584035

PRICE: £1,340 srp as tested
CONTACT:
Anglo Italian Arms
0121 7044098 www.fabarm.com