No.

 

Isn’t the 688 heavier than the 686?

If it’s at least a 1/2LB heavier I’d spend the $500

 

Isn’t the 688 heavier than the 686?

If it’s at least a 1/2LB heavier I’d spend the $500

I would think you could add some weight to the stock and forearm for a lot less than $500

 

Handle both guns and then buy the one YOU think feels best.
I’ve owned 686 Sporters and for me they are too light - adding weight doesn’t feel the same as the gun being built heavier. I’d buy the 688.

 

I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but that is one ugly gun. It also doesn't have a parallel comb, which would further kill my interest.

 

Get the 686 and spend the extra money on shells. About 5 cases of them.

 

There are a lot of threads on the 688 already - you can search them. The 688 is a very nice gun - I've shot one (a good friend of mine has one). It really shoots above its price point - genuinely. It is well balanced, shoots soft, has plenty of weight behind it. I shoot a DT-11 for reference. I think it's a better target gun than the 686 (not that the 686 is a bad gun - it's not, it's a great one). If you don't like the looks of the 688 then I can't help you there haha.

Check out Lloyd Pattison's YouTube review on the 688. Lloyd is pretty honest and fair on his reviews.

 

I recently handled a 688. To me it feels lighter not heavier than a 686. But I had just shot a 200 round sporting course using my 694.
I had a 686sp got rid of it because it just didn't feel good when actually shooting. Just handing it it felt good.
My suggestion would be to shoot both if possible before buying either .

 

I recently handled a 688. To me it feels lighter not heavier than a 686. But I had just shot a 200 round sporting course using my 694.
I had a 686sp got rid of it because it just didn't feel good when actually shooting. Just handing it it felt good.
My suggestion would be to shoot both if possible before buying either .

Yeah it’s definitely a field gun dressed up as a sporter. Action is too light, stock is small and slim and since the action is light the barrels feel heavy. Same with a 725. 694 or DT is the move.

 

The 688 now weighs and handles much like a 694. Beretta has just made themselves their primary competition.

 

I completely agree.

 

At the price point, a used CG summit sporting is in play and would probably be my choice over either the 686 or 688.

 

I’ve got a CG Summit in 32” , had fitted an adjustable comb added.
Beautiful gun but never shoot it very well. Actually have it up for sale.

 

I recently shot a friend’s 688 32” B-Fast. It handles better than my 686 SP1 32” Sporter. Which is now my back up to my 694.

If I had the option back then, I would have gone that route. The wider heavier receiver of the 688 really fixes the one flaw, which is enough weight to be a comfortable sporting gun. His 688 weighs 8lbs 7oz, and my 686 weights 7lbs 13oz on my scale.

To each their own, and demo them if you can. If it was my money hands down the 32” 688. Not even close.

 

I recently shot a friend’s 688 32” B-Fast. It handles better than my 686 SP1 32” Sporter. Which is now my back up to my 694.

If I had the option back then, I would have gone that route. The wider heavier receiver of the 688 really fixes the one flaw, which is enough weight to be a comfortable sporting gun. His 688 weighs 8lbs 7oz, and my 686 weights 7lbs 13oz on my scale.

To each their own, and demo them if you can. If it was my money hands down the 32” 688. Not even close.

Well said...hope the OP is listening. Same experience myself.

 

I unfortunately have not got to shoot a 688 yet. However, I did shoot the Fabarms N2 RS sporter with 32" barrels. It handled very well. It's in the same price range as the 688. I know he wasn't asking about it but, it is a nice gun. Steve

 

Don't know anything about the 688. I love my 686. I have a 2 barrel set- one barrel a single trap and a doubles. I have had it for about 25 years- no problems. Good luck with your choice!!

 

Save your money and get a DT11, buy once, cry once.

 

While I wholeheartedly agree, some people can’t just come up with $10k to spend on a shotgun (or just never would)

 

My son has the 688 a 687 and I shoot the 694. We swap guns regularly to compare them. The orange lettering is the only drawback to the 688 and that could be filled in very easily with black or any other color. His 688 is a touch heavier than my 694 but handles exactly the same. I see no reason to get a 694 now. I think the triggers are far better than the 687 JEG SPIII and equal to my 694. It handles very very nice with all of the weight between the hands. I like the looks of the 686/687 beter but my guns are tools and id rather buy one for shooting than looking at. You will not find a new 686 that handles like or has triggers like the 688. I have had two 687s now and sent them both out for trigger work.
I think Johnny on TGS (youtube) does a comparison to the 694.

 

Forget those two. Get a Perazzi. You know that’s what you want. Literally everyone does. I know cuz they all told me.

 

I got a DT-11, but I still want a K80 or a Perazzi

Ideally I'd like to go to Perazzi and go through the whole process, I'd just hate waiting for the gun to be made!

 

I own 5 of the early S682's that have all been fitted with Optima barrels, so I have a good sense of how the 688 will handle. The difference in weight between the 688 and S682 receivers is less than a 1/4oz. I've shot the lighter weight 68x receiver guns and the difference in having that extra 2oz between the hands is noticeable. I shot Krieghoff for 50 years and have also had Perazzi, Kolar, and others. Starting shooting the S682s w/Optima barrels about 3 years ago couldn't be happier. The 688 has totally got my attention and may be buying one real soon.

 

Off topic, but does Perazzi have a catalog of engravings online like Krieghoff does?

 

There’s some catalog engravings, and of course custom. Engraved shotguns Perazzi
I like the scroll, no gold on anything, I’m under 65 years old.

 

I have a # 100.

 

That is very nice too - that would be top of my list as well. Would be awesome to see the #100 and #150 in person to compare.

 

All you guys are nuts. Its obvious that 901 is the way to go

 

920 is nice

 

I’ve decided the 688 has a very Imperial look. Darth Vader’s sporter!

 

OOOOOHhh.. lets get the James Earl Jones edition!! LOL..
688 is a great gun.. love mine!
Maybe I will shoot in a black cape??

GIbby
RI

 

I own a couple 686's and a 694

My 686 Onyx Pro Sporting is my go to gun for Sporting Clays and Skeet. 30" barrels

The 694 has 32" barrels and I use it for singles and doubles Trap.

Have a 28g 686 SP 1. I use for Skeet and sub gauge Sporting Clays shooting

 

I really enjoy shooting my 686 onyx pro w/32" barrels on the sporting clays course. For me, it balances very well and makes me wonder why I would want to replace this gun. It's like buying anything else, do I need another gun, no, but. When I had America's sports car, Corvettes, I had 3 in my garage. My wife would just shake her head when I told her, come on, let's go, I found another one to go look at. Shinny guns, Shinny cars, they just follow me home.

 

I own a 694 but I think the new 688 is a top notch option. I could see myself with the 688 over the 694. The laminate wood has some advantages of being stronger. Better balance in the receiver is not a bad thing. I would for sure pick the 688 over the 686. Best advice is to handle each and pick the one the feels right and don't live with regret.

 

I currently have a 686E with a 32" top single and absolutely love it. Swing is nice and it shoots great. Unfortunately, I don’t have any experience with a 688. I went from an 870 to semi auto’s, back to an 870 and now the 686.