Beretta
486 Parallelo
A rounded-action side-by-side for game shooting
486 EL Colour Case · UK
Overview
The Beretta 486 Parallelo is a rounded-action side-by-side for game shooting.1, 2 A switch in the tang safety selects which barrel its single trigger fires first.2, 3 At the rear, the rounded action 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 fore-end switches between automatic ejection and manual extraction.6
Specifications
12-bore
| Locking | Double Purdey locking system2, 5, 3, 6 |
|---|---|
| Lockwork | V-spring mechanism2, 5, 3, 6 |
| Trigger | Selective single trigger; the barrel selector sits in the tang safety catch2, 5, 3, 6 |
| Ejectors | Selectable automatic ejection or manual extraction2, 5, 3, 6 |
| Introduced | by 20137 |
| Bore | 12-bore |
| Chambers | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Barrels | 26, 28, 30 in |
| Chokes | Optimachoke HP; removable; 5 tubes |
Specifications
| Configuration | Bore | Chambers | Barrels, in | Fore-end | Grade | Choke system | Years | Stock | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard8, 9, 10 | 12-bore | 76 mm (3 in) | 26, 28, 30 | Beavertail | Standard | Optimachoke HP; removable; 5 tubes | 2015 | Pistol grip; Beavertail fore-end | Floral engraving |
| Standard14, 9, 10, 15 | 12-bore | 76 mm (3 in) | 28 | Slim | Standard | Modified/Full or Improved Cylinder/Modified; fixed | 2015 | Straight hand grip; Slim fore-end | Floral engraving |
| Standard16, 9, 10, 15 | 12-bore | 76 mm (3 in) | 30 | Slim | Standard | Improved Cylinder/Modified; fixed | 2015 | Straight hand grip; Slim fore-end | Floral engraving |
| Standard17, 9, 10 | 20-bore | 76 mm (3 in) | 26, 28 | Slim or beavertail | Standard | Optimachoke HP; removable; 5 tubes | 2015 | Straight hand or pistol grip; Slim or beavertail fore-end | Floral engraving |
| EL18, 9, 10 | 20-bore | 76 mm (3 in) | 26, 28 | Slim | EL | Optimachoke HP; removable; 5 tubes | 2015 | Straight hand grip; Slim fore-end | Floral engraving |
| Standard5, 9, 10 | 12-bore | 76 mm (3 in) | 26, 28, 30 | Standard | Optimachoke HP; removable; 5 tubes | 2021 | |||
| Standard5, 9, 10 | 12-bore | 76 mm (3 in) | 28 | Standard | fixed | 2021 | |||
| Standard5, 9, 10 | 12-bore | 76 mm (3 in) | 30 | Standard | fixed | 2021 | |||
| Standard5, 9, 10 | 20-bore | 76 mm (3 in) | 26, 28, 30 | Standard | Optimachoke HP; removable; 5 tubes | 2021 | |||
| EL5, 9, 10 | 20-bore | 76 mm (3 in) | 26, 28, 30 | EL | Optimachoke HP; removable; 5 tubes | 2021 | |||
| EL Color Case5, 9, 10 | 20-bore | 76 mm (3 in) | 26, 28, 30 | EL Color Case | Optimachoke HP; removable; 5 tubes | 2021 | |||
| Standard5, 9, 10 | 28-bore | 70 mm (2¾ in) | 28 | Standard | Optimachoke HP; removable; 5 tubes | 2021 | |||
| Standard19, 20, 21, 10, 9 | 12-bore | 76 mm (3 in) | 26, 28, 30 | Standard | Optimachoke HP; removable; 5 tubes | 2024 | Deep scroll engraving | ||
| Standard22, 20, 21, 10, 9 | 12-bore | 76 mm (3 in) | 28 | Standard | fixed | 2024 | Deep scroll engraving | ||
| Standard23, 20, 21, 10, 9 | 12-bore | 76 mm (3 in) | 30 | Standard | fixed | 2024 | Deep scroll engraving | ||
| Standard24, 20, 21, 10, 9 | 20-bore | 76 mm (3 in) | 26, 28, 30 | Standard | Optimachoke HP; removable; 5 tubes | 2024 | Deep scroll engraving | ||
| Standard25, 9, 10 | 12-bore | 76 mm (3 in) | 26, 28, 30 | Standard | Optimachoke HP; removable; 5 tubes | 2025 | |||
| Standard25, 9, 10 | 12-bore | 76 mm (3 in) | 28 | Standard | fixed | 2025 | |||
| Standard25, 9, 10 | 12-bore | 76 mm (3 in) | 30 | Standard | fixed | 2025 | |||
| Standard25, 9, 10 | 20-bore | 76 mm (3 in) | 26, 28, 30 | Standard | Optimachoke HP; removable; 5 tubes | 2025 | |||
| EL25, 9, 10 | 20-bore | 76 mm (3 in) | 26, 28, 30 | EL | Optimachoke HP; removable; 5 tubes | 2025 | |||
| EL Color Case25, 9, 10 | 20-bore | 76 mm (3 in) | 26, 28, 30 | EL Color Case | Optimachoke HP; removable; 5 tubes | 2025 | |||
| Color Case25, 9, 10 | 12-bore | 76 mm (3 in) | 26, 28, 30 | Color Case | Optimachoke HP; removable; 5 tubes | 2025 | |||
| Color Case25, 9, 10 | 20-bore | 76 mm (3 in) | 26, 28, 30 | Color Case | Optimachoke HP; removable; 5 tubes | 2025 | |||
| Game | |||||||||
| Game2, 9, 26 | 28-bore | 70 mm (2¾ in) | 28 | English-style | Standard test gun | Optima Choke HP; removable | 2016 | straight hand grip; English-style fore-end | Old silver action; Laser scroll by Decor engraving; wood grade Grade 2.5 |
Scroll for more columns.
Identify and date
The action of a tested 28-bore carries the model name and Beretta’s three-arrow emblem.27 The gauge and chamber length appear on the sides of the barrels.28 The fore-end 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 proof house has stamped the year as its last two digits inside a rectangle.29, 30, 31
| Where | Markings |
|---|---|
| Action on the tested 28-bore | Model name and Beretta three-arrow emblem27 |
| Side of barrels | Gauge and chamber length28 |
| Inside the fore-end, once removed | E for automatic ejection; M for manual extraction6 |
| Choke rim | One to five notches identify Full, Improved Modified, Modified, Improved Cylinder and Cylinder15 |
| Receiver or frame and barrel | Proof-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
Before you buy
- Match replacement choke tubes to the type originally supplied with the barrel; Beretta warns that the wrong tubes can damage it.26
- Turn the E/M selector in the fore-end fully to its stop; left halfway, it prevents correct ejection or extraction.6
- Try the safety on the gun in question; Gun Mart found it stiff on the gun it tested.34
- Read the gauge and chamber markings on the barrel sides.28
- Check the choke configuration before choosing high-performance steel cartridges; Beretta discourages their use through Full or Improved Modified chokes and through fixed-choke barrels.35, 15

History
The 486 Parallelo was reported in July 2013.7 By 2015 the range included a 20-bore EL, which has long sideplates.18, 12 The rib of the standard 20-bore 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 bore.25
| Date | Change | Observable feature |
|---|---|---|
| by 2015 | The 20-bore EL appears in the catalogue.18, 12 | The EL has long sideplates. |
| 2021 | The standard 20-bore gains a wider rib and a 30-inch barrel option.17, 5, 9 | An 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 2025 | Standard Color Case versions appear in 12 and 20 bore.25 | Color Case finish designation. |
| by 2015 | The engraving is floral.8, 17, 18 | Floral engraving on the standard and EL configurations. |
| by 2024 | Beretta restyles the gun with deep scroll engraving.20, 21 | Deep scroll on the rounded receiver. |
Related models
Sources
- Beretta Parallelo 20-bore — test and review, test-configuration. Sporting Gun; Mike Yardley, 2022-06-15. magazine · Archive
- Beretta 486 Parallelo cal. 28, il piccolo parallelo, test-specification-table. Armi Magazine, 2016-10-17. magazine · Archive
- Beretta 486 Parallelo cal. 28, il piccolo parallelo, selector-and-dots. Armi Magazine, 2016-10-17. magazine · Archive
- Beretta Parallelo 20-bore — test and review, visible-change-from-471. Sporting Gun; Mike Yardley, 2022-06-15. magazine · Archive
- Beretta Firearms Catalog 2021 — 486 and A400, 486-specification-table. Beretta; distributor-hosted PDF, 2021. maker catalogue · Archive
- Beretta side-by-side shotgun user manual C62841 004, extraction-and-ejection-selector. Beretta; PDF supplied by Beretta Gallery USA. manual · Archive
- Beretta 486 Parallelo — dated model name. all4shooters; Diego Mastroberardino, 2013-07-02. magazine · Archive
- Beretta international catalogue — 486 and A400 configurations, 486-configuration-3. Beretta; scan hosted by Caza Acuáticas. maker catalogue · Archive
- Beretta Premium Grade Guns — 486 EL and Newson, el-specification-table. Beretta; distributor-hosted PDF. maker catalogue · Archive
- Beretta international catalogue — 486 and A400 configurations, choke-abbreviation. Beretta; scan hosted by Caza Acuáticas. maker catalogue · Archive
- Beretta 486 Parallelo — ShootingUK review, grip-and-forend-pairings. ShootingUK, 2021-09-13. magazine · Archive
- Beretta Premium Grade Guns — 486 EL and Newson, el-sideplates. Beretta; distributor-hosted PDF. maker catalogue · Archive
- AYA No. 2: introduction, relationship to No. 1 and specifications, standard-features. Aguirre y Aranzabal. maker website · Archive
- Beretta international catalogue — 486 and A400 configurations, 486-configuration-4. Beretta; scan hosted by Caza Acuáticas. maker catalogue · Archive
- Beretta side-by-side shotgun user manual C62841 004, choke-markings. Beretta; PDF supplied by Beretta Gallery USA. manual · Archive
- Beretta international catalogue — 486 and A400 configurations, 486-configuration-5. Beretta; scan hosted by Caza Acuáticas. maker catalogue · Archive
- Beretta international catalogue — 486 and A400 configurations, 486-configuration-6. Beretta; scan hosted by Caza Acuáticas. maker catalogue · Archive
- Beretta international catalogue — 486 and A400 configurations, 486-configuration-8. Beretta; scan hosted by Caza Acuáticas. maker catalogue · Archive
- Beretta Firearms Catalog 2024 — 486 and A400 configurations, 486-configuration-3. Beretta; distributor-hosted PDF, 2024. maker catalogue · Archive
- Beretta Firearms Catalog 2024 — 486 and A400 configurations, 486-restyling. Beretta; distributor-hosted PDF, 2024. maker catalogue · Archive
- Beretta Firearms Catalog 2024 — 486 and A400 configurations, 486-deep-scroll. Beretta; distributor-hosted PDF, 2024. maker catalogue · Archive
- Beretta Firearms Catalog 2024 — 486 and A400 configurations, 486-configuration-4. Beretta; distributor-hosted PDF, 2024. maker catalogue · Archive
- Beretta Firearms Catalog 2024 — 486 and A400 configurations, 486-configuration-5. Beretta; distributor-hosted PDF, 2024. maker catalogue · Archive
- Beretta Firearms Catalog 2024 — 486 and A400 configurations, 486-configuration-6. Beretta; distributor-hosted PDF, 2024. maker catalogue · Archive
- Beretta Firearms Catalog 2025 — 486 and A400 configurations, 486-specification-table. Beretta; distributor-hosted PDF, 2025. maker catalogue · Archive
- Beretta side-by-side shotgun user manual C62841 004, replacement-choke-identification. Beretta; PDF supplied by Beretta Gallery USA. manual · Archive
- Beretta 486 Parallelo cal. 28, il piccolo parallelo, model-and-maker-emblem-position. Armi Magazine, 2016-10-17. magazine · Archive
- Beretta side-by-side shotgun user manual C62841 004, gauge-and-chamber-marks. Beretta; PDF supplied by Beretta Gallery USA. manual · Archive
- Beretta USA catalogue 2004: National Proof House Year Stamp Markings, proof-year. Beretta USA; PDF hosted by BerettaWeb, 2004. maker catalogue · Archive
- Cambio marchio anno di prova, numeric-stamp. Banco Nazionale di Prova, 2020. proof house · Archive
- Cambio marchio anno di prova, change-date. Banco Nazionale di Prova, 2020. proof house · Archive
- Beretta USA catalogue 2004: National Proof House Year Stamp Markings, position. Beretta USA; PDF hosted by BerettaWeb, 2004. maker catalogue · Archive
- Conarmi: Italian proof marks and year codes, code-table. Consorzio Armaioli Italiani. magazine · Archive
- Beretta 486 Parallelo, safety-on-tested-gun. Gun Mart; Pete Moore, 2017-01-19. magazine · Archive
- Beretta side-by-side shotgun user manual C62841 004, steel-shot-and-fixed-chokes. Beretta; PDF supplied by Beretta Gallery USA. manual · Archive
- Beretta UK 486 family page, family-names. Beretta. maker website · Archive