Fabarm XLR Velocity

The Guerini / Fabarm collaboration should have the words Idea Factory above their gates as over the last few years they have led the way in shotgun innovation. Starting out with their high rib trap guns they have moved onto various adjustable and non adjustable high rib sporters, round actioned guns at a fraction of the price of the competition. They are now looking to wrest a sizeable slice of the lucrative, clay-busting, semi-auto market from the big boys too.

Popping open the locks on its substantial travelcase reveals the XLR5 Velocity to be a truly striking piece of engineering. With its Monte Carlo stock, good looks and high rib there can be no doubt this is a gun that has been designed without compromise as an out and out clay buster!

HEART OF THE MATTER
Although the gun is light years ahead of the pack in its thinking it is based on the XLR5 which has been part of the Fabarm stable for some time. It’s a well tried and tested design that sticks to the reliable gas-operated system used by most over the last 50 years or more. It’s a modern looking action with curves and scallops that make it look far more 21st century than many of the competition. It utilises Fabarm’s Pulse Piston system that includes a polymer insert for added elasticity which makes it better able to cope with a variety of load sizes while still managing to cycle effectively. By introducing a dampening plug into the back of the action the bolt goes back and forth without the harsh metal to metal clank that some autos produce, making for an altogether more friendly sensation in the shoulder.

One of the many firsts is an adjustable trigger, that although something akin to standard equipment on competition over and unders, is a new addition to semi-auto’s. Pulls are of a good quality considering the limitations of semi designs in this respect while the safety catch is a cross-bolt type.

ON THE WAY…
The barrel is available in both 30 and 32” and shows a 2 ¾” chamber and although competition guns rarely shoot anything more than 28-gram loads the gun is nonetheless proved to an enormous 1630 BAR. It seems that the Fabarm engineers have been exceedingly thorough and the search for perfection sees a strengthening spine that runs along the top of the barrel under the adjustable rib. Its purpose to reduce any barrel flex that recoil may bring into the equation thus compromising the guns point of aim. The Tribore barrel is also unique in that the long 92mm Exis Hyperbolic chokes are able to shoot steel shot even through the FULL and a full set of tubes are supplied with the gun as you might expect.

RIB EYE?
The big selling point is its high rib design that allows a head up shooting position and improved target acquisition. High ribs have been around for some time but it is only in recent years that they have really broken through into the mainstream. Early adjustable ribs suffered from being complex and awkward to set up but the Fabarm is remarkably straightforward to tailor to your particular needs.

The rib is attached at the receiver end on a pivot while adjustment is made at the muzzle using a wheel. Push the spring loaded rib down as far as it will go and turn the wheel until it locks in place and it will shoot 90% high, turn the wheel the other way and with it at its highest setting the pattern will be thrown dead flat while you can set it at any point between the two extremes. The rib seems sturdy enough when set and although there is a slight element of flex in use it is not something that the user can feel or see when actually pulling the trigger. It’s also machined to be non reflective and is well proportioned being some 11mm wide at the receiver and tapering to 9mm at the muzzle.

THE FACE FITS
To go with this a correspondingly high comb is required and the Monte Carlo stock’s is adjustable, which is easily tweaked to suit with an Allen key. As well as vertical movement it also allows the comb to be offset for cast in either parallel or diagonal planes. Basically no matter what shape of face you have this gun WILL fit you perfectly. The woodwork is finished to a high standard with a matt oil finish, while the competition nature is also reflected in the close radius pistol grip. The length of pull comes out at a shade over 14 ½” while the forend offers plenty of purchase. For those who want to fine tune their setup further the Velocity is supplied with a series of additional modular 45-gram weights that screw onto the forend cap.

PROOF OF THE PUDDING.
Out on the range it was easy to feel at home with the Velocity; having shot several O/U high ribs the head-up position felt natural enough. Though those trying it for the first time are well advised to shoot a few shells just to get used to the view! The key is to focus on the target and avoid getting drawn into looking back at the gun but that applies when using any shotgun. Tipping the scales at nearly 9 lbs it is very stable on long targets and that extra weight both keeps the gun swinging and soaks up a good percentage of the already minimal recoil.

Unusually for an auto it can cycle some 21-gram loads from Rio, Express and Eley though it was far happier when using the 70mm shells than the feather light 67mm Hull Comp X 21-grams which it struggled with. It is a remarkably comfortable to shoot when using light loads and one could easily think it was a .410 or similar from the recoil forces generated.

Shooting the gun at a fraction higher than the 50/50 point of aim setting seemed to suit my style. I was able to tackle any of the tricky FITASC targets thrown during the test with total confidence. I did bring the comb over to the left to prevent me rolling over the top of the gun and looking down the right hand side of the rib. Adjustable guns are by their nature a potential minefield for those who like to fiddle, the thing to do is set it up, preferably with the help of someone who understands gunfit and then leave well alone as too much tinkering can do far more harm than good.

There are few auto’s that I would consider using instead of my O/U Sporter but the Fabarm comes close; offering a heady cocktail of bells and whistles that clay target shooters searching for a technical tour de force demand. At £1900 this isn’t cheap but it is the top of the tree when it comes to this kind of shotgun and reports from the trade are already confirming that the public agrees with sales exceeding all expectations. This really is a gun that is a step change in design and one that people will be talking about for many years. If you take clay shooting seriously and fancy trying an auto, then you need to try one of these pioneering guns so that you can compare it with the clones that will undoubtedly follow it in the next few years.

PRICE: £1,900 rrp