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Beretta
486 Parallelo

A rounded-action side-by-side for game shooting

486 EL Colour Case · UK

Drawing of a Beretta 486 Parallelo from the right: side-by-side barrels, a rib, a rounded action with floral engraving, a single trigger, a pistol-grip walnut stock and a beavertail fore-end.
Drawing: 12-bore, 28 in, right side

Overview

The Beretta 486 Parallelo is a rounded- for game shooting.1, 2 A switch in the tang safety selects which barrel its fires first.2, 3 At the rear, the rounded bar is scalloped asymmetrically.4

Beretta’s Triblock barrel system uses a modified demi-block design to give the barrels a seamless profile.5 The firing mechanism has V-springs.5 A selector in the switches between automatic ejection and manual extraction.6

Specifications

12-bore

LockingDouble Purdey locking system2, 5, 3, 6
LockworkV-spring mechanism2, 5, 3, 6
Trigger; the sits in the tang 2, 5, 3, 6
EjectorsSelectable automatic ejection or manual extraction2, 5, 3, 6
Introducedby 20137
Bore12-bore
Chambers76 mm (3 in)
Barrels26, 28, 30 in
ChokesOptimachoke HP; removable; 5 tubes

8, 9, 10 Compare specifications

Specifications

ConfigurationBoreChambersBarrels, inFore-endGradeChoke systemYearsStockFinish
Standard8, 9, 1012-bore76 mm (3 in)26, 28, 30BeavertailStandardOptimachoke HP; removable; 5 tubes2015Pistol grip; Beavertail fore-endFloral engraving
Standard14, 9, 10, 1512-bore76 mm (3 in)28SlimStandardModified/Full or Improved Cylinder/Modified; fixed2015Straight hand grip; Slim fore-endFloral engraving
Standard16, 9, 10, 1512-bore76 mm (3 in)30SlimStandardImproved Cylinder/Modified; fixed2015Straight hand grip; Slim fore-endFloral engraving
Standard17, 9, 1020-bore76 mm (3 in)26, 28Slim or beavertailStandardOptimachoke HP; removable; 5 tubes2015Straight hand or pistol grip; Slim or beavertail fore-endFloral engraving
EL18, 9, 1020-bore76 mm (3 in)26, 28SlimELOptimachoke HP; removable; 5 tubes2015Straight hand grip; Slim fore-endFloral engraving
Standard5, 9, 1012-bore76 mm (3 in)26, 28, 30StandardOptimachoke HP; removable; 5 tubes2021
Standard5, 9, 1012-bore76 mm (3 in)28Standardfixed2021
Standard5, 9, 1012-bore76 mm (3 in)30Standardfixed2021
Standard5, 9, 1020-bore76 mm (3 in)26, 28, 30StandardOptimachoke HP; removable; 5 tubes2021
EL5, 9, 1020-bore76 mm (3 in)26, 28, 30ELOptimachoke HP; removable; 5 tubes2021
EL Color Case5, 9, 1020-bore76 mm (3 in)26, 28, 30EL Color CaseOptimachoke HP; removable; 5 tubes2021
Standard5, 9, 1028-bore70 mm (2¾ in)28StandardOptimachoke HP; removable; 5 tubes2021
Standard19, 20, 21, 10, 912-bore76 mm (3 in)26, 28, 30StandardOptimachoke HP; removable; 5 tubes2024Deep scroll engraving
Standard22, 20, 21, 10, 912-bore76 mm (3 in)28Standardfixed2024Deep scroll engraving
Standard23, 20, 21, 10, 912-bore76 mm (3 in)30Standardfixed2024Deep scroll engraving
Standard24, 20, 21, 10, 920-bore76 mm (3 in)26, 28, 30StandardOptimachoke HP; removable; 5 tubes2024Deep scroll engraving
Standard25, 9, 1012-bore76 mm (3 in)26, 28, 30StandardOptimachoke HP; removable; 5 tubes2025
Standard25, 9, 1012-bore76 mm (3 in)28Standardfixed2025
Standard25, 9, 1012-bore76 mm (3 in)30Standardfixed2025
Standard25, 9, 1020-bore76 mm (3 in)26, 28, 30StandardOptimachoke HP; removable; 5 tubes2025
EL25, 9, 1020-bore76 mm (3 in)26, 28, 30ELOptimachoke HP; removable; 5 tubes2025
EL Color Case25, 9, 1020-bore76 mm (3 in)26, 28, 30EL Color CaseOptimachoke HP; removable; 5 tubes2025
Color Case25, 9, 1012-bore76 mm (3 in)26, 28, 30Color CaseOptimachoke HP; removable; 5 tubes2025
Color Case25, 9, 1020-bore76 mm (3 in)26, 28, 30Color CaseOptimachoke HP; removable; 5 tubes2025
Game
Game2, 9, 2628-bore70 mm (2¾ in)28English-styleStandard test gunOptima Choke HP; removable2016straight hand grip; English-style fore-endOld silver action; Laser scroll by Decor engraving; wood grade Grade 2.5

Scroll for more columns.

Identify and date

The of a tested 28- carries the model name and Beretta’s three-arrow emblem.27 The and length appear on the sides of the barrels.28 The selector reads E for automatic ejection and M for manual extraction.6 Italian proof-year stamps record the year of the proof test; from 1 June 2020, the has stamped the year as its last two digits inside a rectangle.29, 30, 31

WhereMarkings
Action on the tested 28-Model name and Beretta three-arrow emblem27
Side of barrels and length28
Inside the , once removedE for automatic ejection; M for manual extraction6
rimOne to five notches identify Full, Improved Modified, Modified, Improved Cylinder and Cylinder15
Receiver or frame and barrelProof-year stamp, in its usual positions32, 29

Proof date

The stamp gives the year of proof. CZ applies up to 31 May 2020, and 20 from 1 June 2020. The later stamp encloses the year’s last two digits in a rectangle.29, 33, 30

Proof date codes

Before you buy

  1. Match replacement tubes to the type originally supplied with the barrel; Beretta warns that the wrong tubes can damage it.26
  2. Turn the E/M selector in the fully to its stop; left halfway, it prevents correct ejection or extraction.6
  3. Try the safety on the gun in question; Gun Mart found it stiff on the gun it tested.34
  4. Read the and markings on the barrel sides.28
  5. Check the configuration before choosing high-performance steel cartridges; Beretta discourages their use through Full or Improved Modified and through fixed- barrels.35, 15

History

The 486 Parallelo was reported in July 2013.7 By 2015 the range included a 20- EL, which has long .18, 12 The of the standard 20- widened from 8 × 5 mm in 2015 to 10 × 5.5 mm in 2021, when a 30-inch barrel option also appeared.17, 5, 9 By 2024 Beretta had restyled the gun with deep scroll engraving.20, 21 The 2025 catalogue lists Color Case versions in 12 and 20 .25

Floral engraving

by 2015. The is floral.8

Deep scroll restyle

by 2024. Deep scroll on the round-body receiver.20, 21

DateChangeObservable feature
by 2015The 20- EL appears in the catalogue.18, 12The EL has long .
2021The standard 20- gains a wider and a 30-inch barrel option.17, 5, 9An 8 × 5 mm rib and 26/28-inch barrels in 2015; a 10 × 5.5 mm rib and 26/28/30-inch barrels in 2021.
by 2025Standard Color Case versions appear in 12 and 20 .25Color Case finish designation.
by 2015The engraving is floral.8, 17, 18Floral engraving on the standard and EL configurations.
by 2024Beretta restyles the gun with deep scroll engraving.20, 21Deep scroll on the rounded receiver.

Related models

Sources

  1. Beretta Parallelo 20-bore — test and review, test-configuration. Sporting Gun; Mike Yardley, 2022-06-15. magazine · Archive
  2. Beretta 486 Parallelo cal. 28, il piccolo parallelo, test-specification-table. Armi Magazine, 2016-10-17. magazine · Archive
  3. Beretta 486 Parallelo cal. 28, il piccolo parallelo, selector-and-dots. Armi Magazine, 2016-10-17. magazine · Archive
  4. Beretta Parallelo 20-bore — test and review, visible-change-from-471. Sporting Gun; Mike Yardley, 2022-06-15. magazine · Archive
  5. Beretta Firearms Catalog 2021 — 486 and A400, 486-specification-table. Beretta; distributor-hosted PDF, 2021. maker catalogue · Archive
  6. Beretta side-by-side shotgun user manual C62841 004, extraction-and-ejection-selector. Beretta; PDF supplied by Beretta Gallery USA. manual · Archive
  7. Beretta 486 Parallelo — dated model name. all4shooters; Diego Mastroberardino, 2013-07-02. magazine · Archive
  8. Beretta international catalogue — 486 and A400 configurations, 486-configuration-3. Beretta; scan hosted by Caza Acuáticas. maker catalogue · Archive
  9. Beretta Premium Grade Guns — 486 EL and Newson, el-specification-table. Beretta; distributor-hosted PDF. maker catalogue · Archive
  10. Beretta international catalogue — 486 and A400 configurations, choke-abbreviation. Beretta; scan hosted by Caza Acuáticas. maker catalogue · Archive
  11. Beretta 486 Parallelo — ShootingUK review, grip-and-forend-pairings. ShootingUK, 2021-09-13. magazine · Archive
  12. Beretta Premium Grade Guns — 486 EL and Newson, el-sideplates. Beretta; distributor-hosted PDF. maker catalogue · Archive
  13. AYA No. 2: introduction, relationship to No. 1 and specifications, standard-features. Aguirre y Aranzabal. maker website · Archive
  14. Beretta international catalogue — 486 and A400 configurations, 486-configuration-4. Beretta; scan hosted by Caza Acuáticas. maker catalogue · Archive
  15. Beretta side-by-side shotgun user manual C62841 004, choke-markings. Beretta; PDF supplied by Beretta Gallery USA. manual · Archive
  16. Beretta international catalogue — 486 and A400 configurations, 486-configuration-5. Beretta; scan hosted by Caza Acuáticas. maker catalogue · Archive
  17. Beretta international catalogue — 486 and A400 configurations, 486-configuration-6. Beretta; scan hosted by Caza Acuáticas. maker catalogue · Archive
  18. Beretta international catalogue — 486 and A400 configurations, 486-configuration-8. Beretta; scan hosted by Caza Acuáticas. maker catalogue · Archive
  19. Beretta Firearms Catalog 2024 — 486 and A400 configurations, 486-configuration-3. Beretta; distributor-hosted PDF, 2024. maker catalogue · Archive
  20. Beretta Firearms Catalog 2024 — 486 and A400 configurations, 486-restyling. Beretta; distributor-hosted PDF, 2024. maker catalogue · Archive
  21. Beretta Firearms Catalog 2024 — 486 and A400 configurations, 486-deep-scroll. Beretta; distributor-hosted PDF, 2024. maker catalogue · Archive
  22. Beretta Firearms Catalog 2024 — 486 and A400 configurations, 486-configuration-4. Beretta; distributor-hosted PDF, 2024. maker catalogue · Archive
  23. Beretta Firearms Catalog 2024 — 486 and A400 configurations, 486-configuration-5. Beretta; distributor-hosted PDF, 2024. maker catalogue · Archive
  24. Beretta Firearms Catalog 2024 — 486 and A400 configurations, 486-configuration-6. Beretta; distributor-hosted PDF, 2024. maker catalogue · Archive
  25. Beretta Firearms Catalog 2025 — 486 and A400 configurations, 486-specification-table. Beretta; distributor-hosted PDF, 2025. maker catalogue · Archive
  26. Beretta side-by-side shotgun user manual C62841 004, replacement-choke-identification. Beretta; PDF supplied by Beretta Gallery USA. manual · Archive
  27. Beretta 486 Parallelo cal. 28, il piccolo parallelo, model-and-maker-emblem-position. Armi Magazine, 2016-10-17. magazine · Archive
  28. Beretta side-by-side shotgun user manual C62841 004, gauge-and-chamber-marks. Beretta; PDF supplied by Beretta Gallery USA. manual · Archive
  29. Beretta USA catalogue 2004: National Proof House Year Stamp Markings, proof-year. Beretta USA; PDF hosted by BerettaWeb, 2004. maker catalogue · Archive
  30. Cambio marchio anno di prova, numeric-stamp. Banco Nazionale di Prova, 2020. proof house · Archive
  31. Cambio marchio anno di prova, change-date. Banco Nazionale di Prova, 2020. proof house · Archive
  32. Beretta USA catalogue 2004: National Proof House Year Stamp Markings, position. Beretta USA; PDF hosted by BerettaWeb, 2004. maker catalogue · Archive
  33. Conarmi: Italian proof marks and year codes, code-table. Consorzio Armaioli Italiani. magazine · Archive
  34. Beretta 486 Parallelo, safety-on-tested-gun. Gun Mart; Pete Moore, 2017-01-19. magazine · Archive
  35. Beretta side-by-side shotgun user manual C62841 004, steel-shot-and-fixed-chokes. Beretta; PDF supplied by Beretta Gallery USA. manual · Archive
  36. Beretta UK 486 family page, family-names. Beretta. maker website · Archive

Revised