AYA or Beretta?

[IW1978]

I am looking for a sub gauge either a 28 or 410. I found a couple nice AYA 28s on GB. For a little more money I could get a Berreta two barrel set in 28 and 410. I know some people don’t like the two barrel set idea because it’s a heavier frame. What do you think would be better? I don’t know a ton about AYA but from what I heave heard they made nice guns.

[BRDHNTR]

Both are good well made guns but I'd go with the Beretta

[Double Lab]

Don't overlook a Browning in 28ga or .410. A lot of gun for the money.

[Kevin McCormack]

Originally Posted by Daryl Corona

Don't overlook a Browning in 28ga or .410. A lot of gun for the money.

A better understatement is seldom made. Try to find either in a 28" barrel with field chokes - there are a relatively plentiful supply of these guns in skeet configuration (several NICE ones at the Southern last week!), but the longer tighter choked guns are more affordable. Belgian guns rule, but the Citori in either configuration(s) are half to 1/3 the price of thge Belgians and last forever with proper maintenance. I have 3 CItoris in 20, 28 & .410 gauges, all with Invector (screw) chokes. An absolute blast to shoot and the used market is strong.

My crown jewel is a c. 1959 Pigeon Grade FN Browning Belgium 28 gauge with 28" bbls. choked Mod & Full. Round knob, long tang, hard buttplate and NOT FOR SALE! Fpr some real world comps, check out the FN Euro 20 gauge Browning Custom Citori with 32" bbls. and screw chokes that sold on this BBS a month or so ago, and Bob Juruwicz' stunning Arrizabalaga sidelock 20 ga. he picked up at the Southern last week; a Holland & Holland clone with spectacular engraving! They are out there!

[Chris Robenalt]

I agree with Daryl, I've always favored my 1st and 3rd year 26" Browning 20s. Recently purchased an early 60s 28" Browning 20 from a member 2 years ago..I only wish I could afford a 28 or 410. I did purchase a couple Charles Daly 410s a couple years ago, all great shooters! Take your time, and do your homework, dont spend your money too quickly..
Chris, AZ

[Researcher]

A lot depends on what you are looking for, an ultra-light .410-bore, or 28-gauge built on a scaled frame or a heavier gun for higher volume shooting. The Browning Superposed .410-bore and 28-gauge were really built as skeet guns on the same frame as and to weigh the same as a similar Standard Weight 20-gauge. The field choked guns are virtually an afterthought. A Lightning 20-gauge Superposed weighs several ounces less than the .410-bore and 28-gauge.

[Andy]

I’m confused. SxS or O/U or it doesn’t matter? For SxS I’d go aYa and O/U a Citori as Kevin said. Beretta feels better to me but I’ve seen a number of issues with Berettas lately. I shot a 28g Browning 725 clays gun. Man it’s not the prettiest thing but a hoot to shoot.

[Larry the Gun Guy]

Originally Posted by Ira Whitten

I am looking for a sub gauge either a 28 or 410. I found a couple nice AYA 28s on GB. For a little more money I could get a Berreta two barrel set in 28 and 410. I know some people don’t like the two barrel set idea because it’s a heavier frame. What do you think would be better? I don’t know a ton about AYA but from what I heave heard they made nice guns.

The best thing you can do is to shoot someone's over and under or side X side 28 gauge and .410 before you buy anything. Those are four very different guns in shooter effectiveness that you're talking about here. Shooting a 410 SxS can be VERY difficult if the gun is lite and whippy, and the vast majority of them are. You may become very frustrated very quickly. On the other hand, shooting a full size, modern 410 O/U could be much more enjoyable, however still difficult. But in either case you're typically shooting only 1/2 ounce of shot. Now contrast that with shooting a more full scale 28 gauge SxS and you can usually shoot them much better because of their weight and size and the fact that you're shooting 50% more shot; 3/4 of an ounce as compared to 1/2 ounce. Now think about shooting a Browning X25 series gun; 325, 425, 525, 625 or 725. They are made full scale and made to shoot game with their field guns or pound targets with their targets guns. They are much easier to shoot than about any other gun out there because of their dimensions and weight. I do have all of these different guns that you're talking about here and there's a huge difference in all of them, gauge wise and size/weight wise. I will say the Beretta 28/410 combo gun is built on a 28 gauge frame and those barrels will NOT fit on a Beretta 20 gauge frame. It is a smaller frame. Good luck. It only took me about 15 years to get through all of these different guns, so take it easy.

[Andy]

Great post Larry. I shot a 30” SBK .410 which remains the best shooting .410 I’ve used. Older gun and hard to find now. It was an O/U

[Holeshot]

shooting a Rizzini 410 sxs, alot to like for the dollar