Gun Reviews >
Find a Dealer >
Find a Club >
Competitions >
videos >
Reader Survey >Beretta 694 Sporting Shotgun Review: Built For Breaks
- Last updated: 07/07/2025
Whatever the time of year, a stretch of dry, settled weather is always welcome by shooters. Given the British climate’s tendency to mix sunshine with showers, fair-weather shooters will be keen to make the most of any dry spells and head to the clay ground with friends to break a few clays.
For this review, I’m focusing on a sporting shotgun that has been purpose-built for clay target shooting. It’s a model I’ve had the pleasure of using on a few occasions over the past few years. Some time ago, I reviewed the Beretta DT11 Sporting, which led to several messages asking how it compares with the Beretta 694 Sporting. They are two incredibly different shotguns, and I have found that most people prefer one or the other.
Let me begin by outlining some key specifications of the Beretta 694 Sporting, before going on to share my own experiences with the gun. With that in mind, you can decide whether the 694 might be a good choice for your next clay shooting session.
This model was launched in 2019 and remains a popular choice among clay shooters across the UK. In my opinion, there are good reasons for this, as some significant improvements have been made to the previous 69 series guns.
One of the most important improvements to the 694 is the stock and fore-end. The stock has a relatively chunky profile, so the butt sits very comfortably in my shoulder pocket, and my cheek has great contact on the wider-profiled comb. This makes for an incredibly smooth experience when the gun is fired.
Left-handed models are available, which is great news for all my fellow lefties, and the option to have an adjustable stock is good for shooters like me who prefer a high point of impact. The slight palm swell fills the hand comfortably and helps achieve a solid hand position for mounting the gun consistently.
As for the aesthetics of the gun, I really like the simple look of the receiver and the fairly basic but attractive wood set. This gun is designed to be a clay-busting machine and not a showpiece, which is reflected in the price.
The 694 weighs 8lbs, which is a sensible weight for a sporting shotgun. It handles steadily on longer targets but also moves quickly on closer ones, making it perfect for all types of sporting clays. I would be happy to shoot the 694 at live quarry too, using it as an all-round shotgun.
A great addition to this model is the compatibility of the B-Fast Balancing System, where a set of weights can be fitted to the barrel to slow the handling of the gun. Weights can also be added to the stock, making this gun completely customisable to the exact preferences of the shooter.
My favourite attribute of the 694 is the great view as I look down the gun. A sleek-looking top lever leads down to a 10-8mm top rib that guides the shooter’s eye to the target with ease. This allows excellent target acquisition and inspires confidence when it comes to cleanly breaking the target.
The barrel technology in these modern Beretta shotguns is incredible. The 694 models are fitted with Steelium Plus barrels, which offer several advantages. Due to the design of the elongated forcing cone and tapered bore, the barrels produce more consistent patterns, with less pellet deformation. They are also designed to reduce muzzle flip, aiding in a smoother shot and quicker transition to the second shot.
As expected, the 694 is proofed for high-performance steel and features 3” chambers. It comes supplied with a Beretta hard case and a set of five Optima HP extended chokes.
I first used a Beretta 694 a few years ago during the Beretta Worlds competition at the former Wylye Valley Shooting Ground in Wiltshire. On the morning of the event, I was kindly lent a left-handed model with an adjustable stock by the GMK stand. After spending a few moments setting the comb to fit me precisely, I moved the adjustable trigger to its closest position, fitted a ¼ and a ½ choke, and was ready to begin.
The first stand featured a fairly easy report pair to start – a target quartering away and a mid-range crosser. I felt that it was a great combination of targets to get a feel for how the 694 handled, and a confidence booster to know that I had set the correct gun fit. I finished the stand, solidly hitting every target, and was extremely happy with how the gun performed. The transition from the going-away target to the crosser was seamless, and I experienced next to no muzzle flip. What surprised me most was how little recoil I felt from the 28g fibre-wad cartridges I was using. The combination of stock design and barrel technology clearly works for this model.
I worked through each stand and finished the competition with a reasonable score, thoroughly enjoying my time shooting the 694. I will admit that I struggled to slow my hands down, as I found the gun handled faster than my personal preference, causing me to miss in front. This particular gun balanced perfectly on the hinge pin with its 32” barrels, so slowing the gun’s handling could easily be rectified by adding some separately available barrel weights.
It was incredible to witness the winner of the competition, James Bradley-Day, shooting his 694 Sporting to finish on a fantastic 95/100. I spoke to him recently to learn why he shoots a 694, because his consistent success is no coincidence. He said: “The 694 is extremely reliable and excellent value for money. I had the first one that came into the country when it was released. It has been heavily used ever since and has never missed a beat.”
Confidence in the gun you use is paramount to success, and James has clearly proved that. I have had the pleasure of shooting with him and witnessed how smoothly he handles the 694. It was amazing to watch, and a great testament to this model.
We’re lucky enough to have access to mid-week evening shoots nearby, offering the chance to enjoy a round of sporting clays. On one such occasion, I managed to slip away from work and join some friends. I hadn’t planned to shoot, so I’d left my gun in the cabinet, but temptation won out when a friend offered me his left-handed Beretta 694 Sporting.
Once again, I hit the ground running with the 694. It was my second time using one, and it was as nice to shoot as the last time. Comfortable to hold and mount, relatively fast-handling, and smooth on recoil. I can see why it is such a popular choice among so many clay shooters. However, the question still remains: how does the 694 compare to the DT11?
After using both models on multiple occasions, I can genuinely say that I enjoyed shooting them both. They are two very different guns for two different shooters. The DT11 is a heavy, chunky-profiled shotgun that may not suit some shooters’ preferences, whereas the 694 might appeal due to its lighter weight and slimmer profile. The DT11 arguably offers better technology and build quality compared to the 694. That said, the 694 is still a fantastically well-made shotgun that will serve most shooters reliably for a lifetime.
As for cost, the DT11 is considerably more expensive than the 694 due to its technological advances and grade of wood. The choice of model often comes down to financial limitations. If money weren’t a factor, I would choose the DT11 because its characteristics suit me more. That said, for the cost of the 694 and what you get for the money, it is an excellent choice.
The Beretta 694 Sporting is well suited to both club-level and serious competition shooters. It has been chosen by one of the UK’s top sporting shots and has stood the test of time as a highly reliable gun.
I am a huge fan of the redeveloped stock dimensions, and the slight palm swell makes it a delight to hold. I believe it will suit shooters who prefer a faster-moving sporting shotgun that is not too heavy overall.
With the option to add stock and barrel weights, along with an adjustable cheekpiece if required, the 694 can be fully tailored to suit each shooter’s preferences. Although it is designed for sporting clays, I would also be confident using it on game, pigeons and corvids. In my view, it offers good value for money for the all-round shooter.
click on image to enlarge
click on image to enlarge
click on image to enlarge
click on image to enlarge
