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Pietta Ghibli semi auto

Pietta Ghibli semi auto

Pietta are one of the world’s leading manufacturers of blackpowder replicas and other Wild West weaponry, but they also produce some great shotguns to. Having tested a few of Pietta’s semi-autos over the years they’ve never failed to impress me as a good quality, value for money shotgun that does as the saying goes ‘exactly what it says on the tin’, an honest piece of kit that does what its meant to, time and time again.

Windy Weather

The Ghibli continues Pietta’s tradition of naming their shotguns after famous winds and not as might be surmised the Maserati sports car of the same name. Gas powered with an all-black synthetic finish, the Ghibli as tested is a true European hunting 20 bore designed to do a job, be it sending shot towards its intended target or accurately delivering a solid slug. What you don’t get with any Pietta are items and accessories that you don’t need, the Italian company’s ethos being genuine simplicity that fulfils the shooter’s needs without unnecessary frippery.

Open the box and what you do get is a purposeful looking gasser, a set of three short, flush-fit choke tubes and a small key to effect the change. The one notable point is the chequering moulded into the synthetic stock and long well contoured forend at that besides its functionality it’s been designed to act as an attractive feature, adding an element of Italianate style to what at heart is a working weapon.

Both stock and forend are well formed, as is the fit and feel whilst a deep soft rubber butt pad completes the stock alongside a moulded integral sling mount, the forward mount being part of the mag cap. Chrome lined to facilitate non–toxic loads the 26” barrel comes with a short extension and 3” magnum load chamber and is finished with a semi-matte anodised finish, a small brass bead and a 6mm vented rib, the finish continuing along the top half of the alloy receiver, the top of which is dovetailed to facilitate the fitment of a small scope.

Inkeeping with the Ghibli’s all black demeanour the only ornamentation the receiver displays are the name, Pietta’s logo and the fact the gun is ‘Made in Italy’ on the left-hand side. The cross-bolt safety is where they all tend to be, namely in the rear span of the broad, oversized trigger guard whilst the bolt latch is tucked away in the forward span. Not the easiest to locate, this small protrusion is activated by pushing it sideways into the receiver by the edge of your thumb, not an especially easy task with cold, wet hands or when wearing gloves as I tend to do.

Heavy Duty

The unusual characteristic of the Ghibli is found when you remove the forend. Unscrew the mag cap in the usual fashion but pay attention since removing it also extracts a 7” bar that acts as the magazine restrictor. Seemingly more akin to a 12 bore, a large action slide travels to and fro over the magazine tube which in turn compresses a robust spring both of which emphasise the Ghibli’s magnum intentions. Interestingly where most tend to be held in place by friction, the Ghibli’s gas valve is firmly screwed into place within the barrel ring, the valve itself collecting the exhaust gasses from two noticeably small angled vents situated in the ring proper.

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Continuing this Pietta’s big load expectations and the only piece of bright work you can see is the chromed two piece rotating head bolt. A proper piece of heavy duty kit with a surface designed to shrug off the elements and any dirt that might find its way into the workings, the design will be familiar to any dedicated Italian inertia user and a style that has proven itself as both reliable and one of the fastest and most efficient of its type. Technicalities aside it’s what the Ghibli shoots like that’s the main thing and I for one wasn’t disappointed. 

Load Up Large

Overall the Ghibli is 47” in length and weighs an exact 7lbs, 26” of this being the barrel. Balance is directly beneath the point where the barrel joins with the receiver. Unlike many synthetic stocked semis the stock dimensions are adult sized, the drops at comb and heel being 1 5/16” and 2” with a good 14½” length of pull to the 6lbs 4oz breaking trigger. Interestingly, and to promote what could be referred to as the Ghibli’s ambidextrous abilities, the grip has a small palm swell on either side although the open radius does seem to need the hand to open up more than usual, a physical effect some shooters might find unusual to start with.

A moment or two with the Arrow Laser Shot confirmed that the Ghibli shot flat - a trait I personally favour which means that for me and most other shooters the gun will be on target from the first shot. Heading over to my friend’s shooting ground on his family’s estate at Huntroyde, loading up with Eley’s CT20, their 28gram clay load and an automated fully stacked Huntsman multi-trap clay system, the Ghibli immediately highlighted its true metier.

Having already lubricated the gun with Ballistol, the Ghibli occasionally failed to cycle, although as the number of discharged rounds increased the glitch became less so. The cure though was easily found in the guise of Eley VIP 32gram game load, the increased charge noticeably speeding up the Ghibli’s cyclic reactions, the long stroke of the action when driven by powerful loads a physically pleasing sensation between the hands.

The main reason for this is down to the long action slide, the long and noticeably stiffer action spring and the amount of travel the rotating bolt has to undergo each time the cycle kicks in. As I’ve commented the Ghibli is a genuine European hunting shotgun which, in conjunction with the 3” chamber means most users will load up with powerful cartridges, exactly what this shotgun was designed for. Initially choked with ¼ this little Pietta made short work of each and every clay it was turned towards whilst the speed of handling was excellent, quick changes of direction and fast acquisition of targets everything you could possibly want to a degree its on the bird even before you are.

Staying with the 32gram VIP’s but tightening the muzzle to ½ a change to crows and pigeons produced even more favourable results, the Ghibli an instantly accomplished corvid getter. Given the black anodised and synthetic finish, even an hour out and about in some atrocious weather had no effect, water pouring down the barrel and into the receiver resulting in no more than spray from the muzzle and a flash from the chamber as the detonation and residual rain came together. The end result was total reliability, plenty of deceased winged vermin plus a couple of squirrels and a relaxing half hour back home cleaning and oiling.

Say It Again

Why there aren’t a constant stream of shooters making their way to Henry Krank’s door to buy a Pietta shotgun - especially the new Ghibli - is beyond me. The price is competitive, the build quality excellent whilst my own experiences tell me that for those looking for a true working gun that delivers the goods each and every time, any Pietta has got to be a serious contender be it gas or inertia driven.

The beauty of the Ghibli 20 bore is that it’ll suit every member of the family; your son or daughter will enjoy shooting with it, your wife will definitely find it to her liking whilst the Ghibli will still bring in a bag full of ducks when the husband goes flighting with a pocket full of 3” non-toxics, all in for £725. Now you can’t say fairer than that can you?

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  • Pietta Ghibli semi auto - image {image:count}

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  • Pietta Ghibli semi auto - image {image:count}

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  • Pietta Ghibli semi auto - image {image:count}

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  • Pietta Ghibli semi auto - image {image:count}

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  • Pietta Ghibli semi auto - image {image:count}

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gun
features

  • Model: Pietta Ghibli
  • Type : Single Barrel
  • Calibre:: 20 bore / 3” Chamber
  • Action: Semi-automatic
  • Capacity: 3 x 20 bore cartridges
  • Barrel Length:: 26 inch multi-choke
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