BRITAIN’S ONLY SHOOTING INDUSTRY PUBLICATION
ISSUE 102 JUNE 2024
DIGITAL EDITION
BERETTA LAUNCHES ‘NEW OVER AND UNDER PLATFORM’ Major release from Beretta designed to dominate clay sector
Beretta has announced the introduction of a new range of shotguns, the SL2, heralding it as a ‘new era’ for Beretta shotguns. The SL2 will be the first shotgun to feature the advanced Steelium® Pro X barrels, that Beretta claim offer unprecedented performance. According to Beretta, there are three elements that make Steelium® Pro X the best barrel ever made. 1. Terminal energy: a smaller diameter of the forcing cone allows a better terminal energy, a recoil reduction, and better performances with felt fibre wad. 2. Shot pattern: tested with 3D modelling, the results are incredibly consistent and uniform, and remain full of energy throughout its useful range. 3. Recoil management: Smoother recoil, compared to the Pro version, is easily perceptible. New 90- millimetre chokes, called OCXP, complete the package.
“The pinnacle of Beretta’s expertise in clay target shooting is embodied in the Pietro Beretta Selection, showcasing unmatched craftsmanship,” says the press release, continuing: “With its forward-thinking design and cutting-edge technical innovations, this custom-built shotgun is crafted for victory.” Certainly when GTN attended the Be-
retta Press Day held at the Schiesszentrum at Ulm, in advance of IWA this year, a handful of embargoed SL2s were available for shooting in the indoor clay shoot. Every one of the 30 or so international gun journalists attending agreed that the ‘platform’ was at a very high level, as expected from a company with Beretta’s reputation.
AIR ARMS TO DROP ROTHERY AND HAWKE AND GO DIRECT GTN understands that in a letter to its retailers, Air Arms has announced its decision to move from third-party distributors to a direct distribution model from 1 June. In the letter, Claire West told retailers: ”With these changes, we aim to improve service delivery, increase your profit margins, and provide you with cuttingedge tools that will redefine how you engage with us and your customers. The changes we are making are designed to help Air Arms and our partners grow our businesses together and improve the service we provide to our customers.” The news comes after a dramatic overhaul for Air Arms in recent months, driven by Claire’s leadership. www.air-arms.co.uk
ISB TO DISTRIBUTE NEW THEOBEN As has been re[ported in GTN before, one of the most iconic names in airguns, Theoben, is set to make a return after the brand has spent years lost in a legal wrangle. Theoben air rifles are now being manufactured by RAW in the US with the involvement of Ben Taylor, the ‘ben’ from the original Theoben setup. Now ISB have confirmed in an exclusive interview with GTN that they will be distributing the brand in the UK. This marks a considerable gamble and a coup for ISB, which has recently lost its agreement to distribute Browning in the UK. David Stapley told us “We are lucky to partner with RAW who are a proven winner in the US market, they hold world records for accuracy and make some of the most reliable products available. When we add in the Theoben
name, a much loved heritage brand, we will have a strong brand and excellent product mix. We will back this up with slick aftersales and a unique go to market strategy.”
INSIDE THIS ISSUE…
“ Theoben is set to make a return ”
INDUSTRY INSIDER
BLOOMING ACE
FUNKY FARMER
What now for ISB? Waktare grills Stapley
National Shooting Show continues to grow
The Clarkson factor: is deer culling now cool?
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