[Synoptic 12]

I'm seeking opinions on the Iside Prestige Tartaruga Gold SxS in 12 gauge with a 3" chamber. I recently purchased after reading a white paper from Chuck Hawkes as his expertise in the firearms arena is unequaled. There were none better than Chuck. I've read his white papers for over ten years and always found his facts to be spot on.

*"Hawks of Creswell, Oregon died August 23, 2021 after a valiant two and one half year battle with Pancreatic cancer. He was born on January 13, 1945 to Lugene (Johnson) Hawks and Charles R. Hawks, Jr. in Los Angeles, California.

Here is the synopsis that Chuck scripted:

Compared: Beretta 486 Parallelo and F.A.I.R. Iside Prestige Tartaruga Gold SxS Shotguns

Comparing the two, I found the Iside Prestige TarTaruga Gold to be of better value and maybe better than the Beretta Parallelo. The Beretta is or was $5000.00 or better and the F.A.I.R Iside is around $2800.00 or better.
Key points is that the F.A.I.R Iside has a removal hinge pin, Beretta does not- Iside has Southgate ejectors that are perfectly timed and the Iside has better engraving according to the above content. These are just a few factors that led me to purchase the F.A.I.R. Iside Prestige Tartaruga Gold chambered in 12 gauge with a 28" barrel. Some frown on a 28" barrel especially with a 12 gauge, yet the 12 and 20 gauge are steel proofed unlike the 16, 28, and .410 gauge. The 20 gauge was out for me even with supposedly more choices of shot, so I went with the 12 gauge.

I'm due to pick the firearm up next week from the FFL dealer. I've already seen the shotgun as it does look impressive even rated as a third tier gun by some. However, all the parts in the firearm are subbed out to Fausti, Rizzini, Bettinsoli, Guarini, and many more to name a few. Dale Pancake part owner of I.F.G. stated this to me via telephone. The wood looks good and the shine on the barrels is the ultimate ( Deep polished Black). The color cased hardened receiver and engraving along with gold inlay pheasants are a nice touch, accompanied by five flush chokes, gold plated trigger, a pair of swivels, and choke wrench.



I'll post some pics when I receive the firearm next week. I would value all opinions adjoined to the content above. All replies are appreciated. A representative image inserted temporarily.

 

[jusanothajoe]

Please post a review after you receive it.

 

[Synoptic 12]

Please post a review after you receive it.

Surely.

 

[molber]

I'm seeking opinions on the Iside Prestige Tartaruga Gold SxS in 12 gauge with a 3" chamber. I recently purchased after reading a white paper from Chuck Hawkes as his expertise in the firearms arena is unequaled. There were none better than Chuck. I've read his white papers for over ten years and always found his facts to be spot on.

*"Hawks of Creswell, Oregon died August 23, 2021 after a valiant two and one half year battle with Pancreatic cancer. He was born on January 13, 1945 to Lugene (Johnson) Hawks and Charles R. Hawks, Jr. in Los Angeles, California.

Here is the synopsis that Chuck scripted:

Compared: Beretta 486 Parallelo and F.A.I.R. Iside Prestige Tartaruga Gold SxS Shotguns

Comparing the two, I found the Iside Prestige TarTaruga Gold to be of better value and maybe better than the Beretta Parallelo. The Beretta is or was $5000.00 or better and the F.A.I.R Iside is around $2800.00 or better.
Key points is that the F.A.I.R Iside has a removal hinge pin, Beretta does not- Iside has Southgate ejectors that are perfectly timed and the Iside has better engraving according to the above content. These are just a few factors that led me to purchase the F.A.I.R. Iside Prestige Tartaruga Gold chambered in 12 gauge with a 28" barrel. Some frown on a 28" barrel especially with a 12 gauge, yet the 12 and 20 gauge are steel proofed unlike the 16, 28, and .410 gauge. The 20 gauge was out for me even with supposedly more choices of shot, so I went with the 12 gauge.

I'm due to pick the firearm up next week from the FFL dealer. I've already seen the shotgun as it does look impressive even rated as a third tier gun by some. However, all the parts in the firearm are subbed out to Fausti, Rizzini, Bettinsoli, Guarini, and many more to name a few. Dale Pancake part owner of I.F.G. stated this to me via telephone. The wood looks good and the shine on the barrels is the ultimate ( Deep polished Black). The color cased hardened receiver and engraving along with gold inlay pheasants are a nice touch, accompanied by five flush chokes, gold plated trigger, a pair of swivels, and choke wrench.



I'll post some pics when I receive the firearm next week. I would value all opinions adjoined to the content above. All replies are appreciated. A representative image inserted temporarily.
View attachment 117246

I recently bought the base F.A.I.R. Iside in 28 ga. I absolutely love it. The wood on the base model is plain, there is no engraving, and it has extractors rather than ejectors. BUT it balances and shoots like a best gun, and weighs less than 6 lbs, which is great for an old guy with bad shoulders. I don't miss the ejectors- you seldom get more than 2 shots on a grouse or pheasant, and with extractors my empties don't get thrown all over the landscape where I can' t find them. This is a class gun to kill birds with, not to show off at the skeet field. I also have an AYA sidelock 20 ga, but I like the Iside better.

 

[Swampy16]

I’ve had an Iside 20 for several years and it basically ended my search for the perfect sxs. The quality is unmatched until you get beyond probably $7k at this point. As far as comparing them to Beretta, come on man !

 

[Synoptic 12]

I’ve had an Iside 20 for several years and it basically ended my search for the perfect sxs. The quality is unmatched until you get beyond probably $7k at this point. As far as comparing them to Beretta, come on man !

** If you read my initial post #1 " However, all the parts in the firearm from F.A.I.R. are subbed out to Fausti, Rizzini, Bettinsoli, Guarini, and many more to name a few". In other words, F.A.I.R. provides all the parts to those manufacturers as F.A.I.R. is number two in the world. Dale Pancake part owner of IFG holding 49% specified this to me via phone. So, you tell me who has the edge and who maintains the machinery? Certainly, engraving and chopper lump barrels may determine a higher cost yet the demi-bloc barrels of F.A.I.R. are considered extremely strong.

 

[tolle141]

No experience with the iside beyond handling a few at the store (very well balanced). I do have a jubilee prestige tartaruga gold in 16ga though and it's a wonderful thing. Trim, well-balanced, and well-finished. You'll love your FAIR

 

[Synoptic 12]

No experience with the iside beyond handling a few at the store (very well balanced). I do have a jubilee prestige tartaruga gold in 16ga though and it's a wonderful thing. Trim, well-balanced, and well-finished. You'll love your FAIR

Do you have the Jubilee 900 or 902? That is a very fine firearm. The 16 gauge is not proofed for steel is it? Thanks very much for the input.

 

[Synoptic 12]

Addendum
** I removed the serial number.

 

[shoot em]

I have a standard Iside in 28 gauge, purchased in 2017. it is used it hard for small game hunting plus a few rounds of skeet & sporting clays. the last time I shot it I notices some bluing wear & frame case color wear from use/carrying.
other than that is has performed flawlessly. due to how well this gun has worked, in 2019 I purchased a FAIR Carrea One
HR 12 gauge for Trap, skeet & sporting clays. I use it but not as much as my CXT.
I recommend Fair guns & I know of 2 other shooters that bought a Fair, both like their guns. no issues with any of them.

 

[DE]

Nuff said.

 

[Synoptic 12]

Nuff said.

* Can you tell me how to atach the forearm once the barrels are inserted? The lever is not moving center after insertion rather staying right.

l me

 

[Synoptic 12]

Is this normal or is it a crack? "Red Arrows".

 

[MNGunner]

* Can you tell me how to atach the forearm once the barrels are inserted? The lever is not moving center after insertion rather staying right.
View attachment 117732 l me

The lever SHOULD stay right!! If it moves center the action is loose.

Push the rod on the end of the foreend as you push it back onto the barrels. That will allow the clasp to open which grabs the barrel lug

 

[Synoptic 12]

The lever SHOULD stay right!! If it moves center the action is loose.

Push the rod on the end of the forend as you push it back onto the barrels. That will allow the clasp to open which grabs the barrel lug

It is staying right. I tried several times pushing the rod back to insert the forend, yet the groove will not align with the barrel lug. It is not seating in the groove. I'm not forcing it to create any damage. What of the pic with that crack in the metal, is that right? I sent an email to Dale as there is another issue with the screw being marred/ damaged on the forend. Thanks for your assistance. I'll try it again.

 

[Synoptic 12]

Additional Pics.

 

[DE]

Are you sure you have the correct forend? Have you had this shotgun assembled, or did you just unpack it?

Otherwise something has moved out of position. You said the screw inside the forearm is buggared? Red flag that someone might have messed it up. Barrel lug moving? It’s hard to diagnose all this without seeing it.

 

[Synoptic 12]

Are you sure you have the correct forend? Have you had this shotgun assembled, or did you just unpack it?

Otherwise something has moved out of position. You said the screw inside the forearm is buggared? Red flag that someone might have messed it up. Barrel lug moving? It’s hard to diagnose all this without seeing it.

* 'Buggared'? Post # 15 is damaged screw or release pin. I purchased new and picked up today at dealer (FFL). Yes, I just unpacked it. Incorrect forend, hopefully not!

 

[DE]

Better return to your dealer and see what’s going on with the gun. Good luck

 

[MNGunner]

It is staying right. I tried several times pushing the rod back to insert the forend, yet the groove will not align with the barrel lug. It is not seating in the groove. I'm not forcing it to create any damage. What of the pic with that crack in the metal, is that right? I sent an email to Dale as there is another issue with the screw being marred/ damaged on the forend. Thanks for your assistance. I'll try it again.

View attachment 117754

I thought you meant the action lever is to the right, but now I think you're saying the forend takedown rod is to the right? The action lever should be to the right, but the push rod on the end of the forend should be centered