Beretta DT11 Gun Test by Mike Yardley

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Mike Yardley reviews the Beretta DT11 in our 3rd episode of Positive Shooting TV gun reviews
Made possible by our great location, Firle Place - www.firle-shoot...
and guns provided by Chris Potter Country Sports - www.gun.co.uk/
The DT11 is the latest serious clay cruncher from Gardonne giant Beretta. It's a large and visually impressive gun with a similar action to the dt 10 but some very serious differences too. The action is wider and better aesthetically (although I'm not sure about the blue lines). The barrels most interestingly are bored on a new three section taper system.
The DT11 is chunky with ample stock dimensions but comfortable in face and shoulder and dusts targets with little perceived recoil and noticeably improved patterns. The trigger pulls are good to. I'm sure this is a gun which will gain a serious following. It's much more than just a rejigged 10 and for me at least it's a significantly better though heavier gun.
Some serious thought has gone into the specification of the DT11 and its main competitors will be Perazzi and Kreighoff but notably it's less expensive.
Please give us your feedback and let us know what guns you'd like to see reviewed in the future.
Tech Specs
Make: Beretta
Model: DT11
Bore: 12
Barrels: 30 inch monobloc
Rib: 10mm
Chokes: Optichoke (High performance)
Trigger: Single - Inertia Operated
Stock: Pistol Grip
Weight: 3.8kg
Price: RRP £6750
Ratings System Explanation
Handling
Mike's verdict on the general handling of the gun. Is it pointable? Controllable? Stable? Does it move too quickly? (Is it whippy?) Is it ponderous? Does the barrel weight suit the gun? Does it feel well balanced (which may involve more than a simple hinge pin index)?.
Stock Design
How well is the stock designed for the guns designated function? Issues considered will include comb, grip and forend shape/proportion. Is the comb tapered if appropriate? It is excessively angled? Does the grip have a comfortable radius, what is its depth like through it length? Is the hand well anchored? Is muzzle control encouraged and recoil control? Does the forend aid pointability? Does it allow for hand movement without changing barrel axis/hand relationship?
Originality
How innovative is the gun? How much of the gun has been copied from older designs and how much is genuinely new? A gun may still score for originality if is inspired by a classic but takes a new take on it - subtle development will be noted.
Aesthetics
Mike's personal opinion on how the gun looks both with regard to general form and to decoration. Price will be factored in in the latter case.
Build Quality
How well is the gun built and put together? What is the quality of the materials used in the gun? Will it last? How good is the wood to metal and metal to metal fit? Are there any gaps apparent? Is the quality of machining above of below the average? Are machining marks apparent internally? Is the hardening competent? Is the gun well jointed between barrels and action.
Recoil
Felt recoil -- how much recoil do you feel when you shoot the gun? More than one opinion may be sought here to allow for variations in physique and their impact on this index. Can the gun be shot for long periods without discomfort? Is it above or below average on recoil. Weight will be considered and factored in - not all heavy guns have low felt recoil and not all light ones have excessive recoil.
Patterns
The quality of patterns thrown as assessed from kills on targets and pattern plates when used. A gun which comes with a range of chokes will usually be tested with different combinations of constriction.
Function
Mechanical function. This covers issues such as function of the top lever, safety and barrel selector if fitted. Are the strikers efficient? Are the ejectors well timed and powerful? Is the gun easy to disassemble and reassemble?
Trigger
The mechanical function of the trigger. Are pulls too light or heavy? Do the pulls complement each other? Are they crisp? Is there any play or creep?
Value
Does the gun offer value for money at its price point?