The Shooter’s Companion

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An independent reference on sporting shotguns, for shooters, collectors, buyers and sellers.

Beretta
694

A competition over-and-under for clay shooting

694 · US694 Sporting · Other694 · Other

Drawing of a Beretta 694 from the right: two stacked barrels, a tapered top rib, a matte action with diagonal lines, a low top lever, a stock with a pistol grip, and a schnabel fore-end.
Drawing: 12-bore sporting, 29.92 in, right side

he Beretta 694 is a competition designed for clay shooting.1 The original Sporting has a matt-grey with blue diagonal lines on its sides.2 Its underside carries Beretta’s three arrows and a blue 694 logo.2 The Black DLC version replaces this finish with black metal and acid-green details.3, 4

The original gun has Steelium Plus Optima HP barrels and a low-profile opening lever with an anti-glare finish.5 Its new have their springs behind the slides, under the stop pads.6 The attaches to a replaceable service piece at the back of the rear barrel loop.7 The piece comes in three production sizes and three oversizes for servicing.7

Specifications

12-bore · sporting

EjectorsSprings behind the ejector slides, under the stop pads8
Made inGardone Val Trompia, Italy9, 10, 11
Introducedby 201912, 13, 14
Bore12-bore
Chambers76 mm (3 in)
Barrels27.95, 29.92, 31.1, 31.89 in
ChokesOptima-Choke HP; removable; 5 tubes

15 Compare specifications

Specifications

ConfigurationBoreChambersBarrels, inRib, mmFore-endGradeChoke systemYearsMarketsStockFinish
ACS B-Fast1512-bore76 mm (3 in)29.92, 31.89ACS B-FastOptima-Choke HP; removable; 5 tubes2024Other fore-end
ACS B-Fast1512-bore76 mm (3 in)29.92, 31.89RoundedACS B-FastOptima-Choke HP; removable; 5 tubes2024OtherRounded fore-end
DTL1512-bore76 mm (3 in)29.92RoundedDTLOptima-Choke HP; removable; 5 tubes2024OtherRounded fore-end
DTL B-Fast1512-bore76 mm (3 in)29.92RoundedDTL B-FastOptima-Choke HP; removable; 5 tubes2024OtherRounded fore-end
DTL Step Rib B-Fast1512-bore76 mm (3 in)29.92BeavertailDTL Step Rib B-FastOptima-Choke HP; removable2024OtherBeavertail fore-end
Sporting
Sporting1512-bore76 mm (3 in)27.95, 29.92, 31.1, 31.89SportingOptima-Choke HP; removable; 5 tubes2024Other fore-end
Sporting1512-bore76 mm (3 in)27.95, 29.92, 31.1, 31.8910SportingOptima-Choke HP; removable; 5 tubes2024Other fore-end
Sporting1512-bore76 mm (3 in)27.95, 29.92, 31.1, 31.89RoundedSportingOptima-Choke HP; removable; 5 tubes2024OtherRounded fore-end
Sporting1512-bore76 mm (3 in)27.95, 29.92, 31.1, 31.8910RoundedSportingOptima-Choke HP; removable; 5 tubes2024OtherRounded fore-end
Sporting1512-bore76 mm (3 in)27.95, 29.92, 31.1, 31.89Sporting B-FastOptima-Choke HP; removable; 5 tubes2024Other fore-end
Sporting1512-bore76 mm (3 in)27.95, 29.92, 31.1, 31.89RoundedSporting B-FastOptima-Choke HP; removable; 5 tubes2024OtherRounded fore-end
Sporting1512-bore76 mm (3 in)27.95, 29.92, 31.89Sporting Vittoria B-FastOptima-Choke HP; removable; 5 tubes2024Other fore-end
Sporting1512-bore76 mm (3 in)27.95, 29.92, 31.89RoundedSporting Vittoria B-FastOptima-Choke HP; removable; 5 tubes2024OtherRounded fore-end
Sporting1512-bore76 mm (3 in)27.95, 29.92, 31.89Pro Sporting TSKOptima-Choke HP; removable; 5 tubes2024Other fore-end
Sporting1512-bore76 mm (3 in)27.95, 29.92, 31.89RoundedPro Sporting TSKOptima-Choke HP; removable; 5 tubes2024OtherRounded fore-end
Sporting20, 21, 22, 23, 18, 19, 2412-bore28, 30, 32Black DLC SportingOptima-Choke HP; removableby 2025Black DLC with acid-green details action; wood grade 2.5+
Trap
Trap1512-bore70 mm (2¾ in)29.92, 31.8910BeavertailTrapfixed2024OtherBeavertail fore-end
Trap1512-bore70 mm (2¾ in)29.92, 31.8910RoundedTrapfixed2024OtherRounded fore-end
Trap1512-bore70 mm (2¾ in)29.92, 31.8910BeavertailTrap B-Fastfixed2024OtherBeavertail fore-end
Trap1512-bore70 mm (2¾ in)29.92, 31.8910RoundedTrap B-Fastfixed2024OtherRounded fore-end
Trap1512-bore70 mm (2¾ in)29.92, 31.8910BeavertailTrap Vittoria B-Fastfixed2024OtherBeavertail fore-end
Trap1512-bore70 mm (2¾ in)29.92, 31.8910RoundedTrap Vittoria B-Fastfixed2024OtherRounded fore-end
Trap20, 21, 22, 23, 18, 19, 2412-bore28, 30, 3210Black DLC TrapOptima-Choke HP; removableby 2025Black DLC with acid-green details action; wood grade 2.5+
Skeet
Skeet1512-bore76 mm (3 in)29.13RoundedSkeetOptima-Choke HP; removable; 5 tubes2024OtherRounded fore-end
Skeet1512-bore76 mm (3 in)29.13RoundedSkeet B-FastOptima-Choke HP; removable; 5 tubes2024OtherRounded fore-end

Scroll for more columns.

Identify and date

On the original Sporting, the blue 694 logo on the underside identifies the gun.2 The barrel side carries the and length.25 Optima- HP barrels also carry OB HP beside the gauge.26 Italian proof stamps sit on the rear underside of the barrels and on the action.27 Among them, the year stamp dates the proof test.28

WhereMarkings
Underside of the action on the original SportingBeretta’s three arrows and blue 694 logo16
Barrel sideGauge and chamber length29
Barrel beside the gauge markOB HP on an Optima-Choke HP barrel30
Rear underside of the barrels and actionItalian proof stamps31

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.28, 32, 33

Proof date codes

Before you buy

  1. Have a gunsmith assess any looseness at the fore-end attachment; the service piece in the rear loop comes in oversizes.7
  2. Read the chamber mark: in the 2024 catalogue, guns have 70 mm chambers, and Sporting and DTL guns 76 mm.34
  3. Match replacement tubes to the barrel family; Beretta’s choke systems do not interchange.35
  4. Check which is fitted; Beretta offers B-Fast and adjustable TSK stocks.34
  5. On an ACS gun, check the adjustment of the top , which is adjustable on that version.34
  6. Check the chokes on a Trap gun: standard 2024 guns have fixed chokes, but the Black DLC Trap takes internal Optima-Choke HP tubes.34, 36

History

Beretta announced the 694 in September 2019.37, 1 It developed the gun from the 692, reshaping the action fences and the head of the stock.38, 39 The 2024 catalogue lists Sporting, Trap, , ACS, DTL and Pro Sporting versions.34 By July 2025 Beretta had added a Black DLC version with Steelium Pro barrels.40, 41, 42 It comes in Sporting and Trap forms, with different rib widths and with internal or external tubes.43, 36

DateChangeObservable feature
by 2025Beretta adds Black DLC with Steelium Pro barrels24, 21, 18, 19Black metal and acid-green details

Sources

  1. Beretta USA announces the 694 competition shotgun, launch-passage-1. Beretta USA, 2019-09-15. maker website · Archive
  2. Beretta USA announces the 694 competition shotgun, launch-passage-4. Beretta USA, 2019-09-15. maker website · Archive
  3. Beretta 694 Black DLC, a new high-end competition shotgun, dlc-surfaces. GUNSweek, 2025-07-05. magazine · Archive
  4. Beretta 694 Black DLC, a new high-end competition shotgun, wood. GUNSweek, 2025-07-05. magazine · Archive
  5. Beretta USA announces the 694 competition shotgun, launch-passage-2. Beretta USA, 2019-09-15. maker website · Archive
  6. Beretta USA announces the 694 competition shotgun, launch-passage-5. Beretta USA, 2019-09-15. maker website · Archive
  7. Beretta 694 12-bore, forend-service-insert. The Field, 2019-12-14. magazine · Archive
  8. Beretta USA announces the 694 competition shotgun, Launch passage 5. Beretta USA, 2019-09-15. maker website · Archive
  9. Sustainability Report 2025, Place. Fabbrica d’Armi Pietro Beretta. maker website · Archive
  10. Sustainability Report 2025, Production site. Fabbrica d’Armi Pietro Beretta. maker website · Archive
  11. Sustainability Report 2025, Production site continued. Fabbrica d’Armi Pietro Beretta. maker website · Archive
  12. Beretta USA announces the 694 competition shotgun, Release date. Beretta USA, 2019-09-15. maker website · Archive
  13. Beretta USA announces the 694 competition shotgun, Launch passage 1. Beretta USA, 2019-09-15. maker website · Archive
  14. Beretta USA Northeast Regional Championship release — US model names, US market name. Beretta USA, 2026-06-05. maker website · Archive
  15. Beretta Firearms Catalog 2024 — Diamond Pigeon and 694, 694 offers. Beretta, 2024. maker catalogue · Archive
  16. Beretta USA announces the 694 competition shotgun, Launch passage 4. Beretta USA, 2019-09-15. maker website · Archive
  17. Beretta USA announces the 694 competition shotgun, Launch passage 2. Beretta USA, 2019-09-15. maker website · Archive
  18. Beretta 694 Black DLC, a new high-end competition shotgun, DLC surfaces. GUNSweek, 2025-07-05. magazine · Archive
  19. Beretta 694 Black DLC, a new high-end competition shotgun, Wood. GUNSweek, 2025-07-05. magazine · Archive
  20. Beretta 694 Black DLC, a new high-end competition shotgun, Gauge. GUNSweek, 2025-07-05. magazine · Archive
  21. Beretta 694 Black DLC, a new high-end competition shotgun, Barrel choices. GUNSweek, 2025-07-05. magazine · Archive
  22. Beretta 694 Black DLC, a new high-end competition shotgun, Chokes. GUNSweek, 2025-07-05. magazine · Archive
  23. Beretta 694 Black DLC, a new high-end competition shotgun, Ribs. GUNSweek, 2025-07-05. magazine · Archive
  24. Beretta 694 Black DLC, a new high-end competition shotgun, Report date. GUNSweek, 2025-07-05. magazine · Archive
  25. Beretta over-and-under and side-by-side manual — barrel marks, gauge-and-chamber-location. Beretta; scan hosted by BerettaWeb. manual · Archive
  26. Beretta choke-tube guide — marks and compatibility, hp-barrel-mark. Beretta. maker website · Archive
  27. Conarmi: Italian proof marks and year codes, shotgun-stamp-positions. Consorzio Armaioli Italiani. magazine · Archive
  28. Beretta USA catalogue 2004: National Proof House Year Stamp Markings, proof-year. Beretta USA; PDF hosted by BerettaWeb, 2004. maker catalogue · Archive
  29. Beretta over-and-under and side-by-side manual — barrel marks, Gauge and chamber location. Beretta; scan hosted by BerettaWeb. manual · Archive
  30. Beretta choke-tube guide — marks and compatibility, HP barrel mark. Beretta. maker website · Archive
  31. Conarmi: Italian proof marks and year codes, Shotgun stamp positions. Consorzio Armaioli Italiani. magazine · Archive
  32. Conarmi: Italian proof marks and year codes, code-table. Consorzio Armaioli Italiani. magazine · Archive
  33. Cambio marchio anno di prova, numeric-stamp. Banco Nazionale di Prova, 2020. proof house · Archive
  34. Beretta Firearms Catalog 2024 — Diamond Pigeon and 694, 694-offers. Beretta, 2024. maker catalogue · Archive
  35. Beretta choke-tube guide — marks and compatibility, families-cannot-interchange. Beretta. maker website · Archive
  36. Beretta 694 Black DLC, a new high-end competition shotgun, chokes. GUNSweek, 2025-07-05. magazine · Archive
  37. Beretta USA announces the 694 competition shotgun, release-date. Beretta USA, 2019-09-15. maker website · Archive
  38. Beretta 694 12-bore, development-from-692. The Field, 2019-12-14. magazine · Archive
  39. Beretta 694 12-bore, reshaped-action. The Field, 2019-12-14. magazine · Archive
  40. Beretta 694 Black DLC, a new high-end competition shotgun, report-date. GUNSweek, 2025-07-05. magazine · Archive
  41. Beretta 694 Black DLC, a new high-end competition shotgun, gauge. GUNSweek, 2025-07-05. magazine · Archive
  42. Beretta 694 Black DLC, a new high-end competition shotgun, barrel-choices. GUNSweek, 2025-07-05. magazine · Archive
  43. Beretta 694 Black DLC, a new high-end competition shotgun, ribs. GUNSweek, 2025-07-05. magazine · Archive

Revised