FAIR Iside 20-bore

This lightweight, Italian side-by-side won’t break the bank – but it had no trouble breaking clays. Michael Yardley is impressed

THIS month’s test gun is a new 20-bore, round-bar side-by-side from FAIR (Fabbrica Armi Isidoro Rizzini, founded in 1971). It is imported into the UK by John Rothery Ltd, which also distributes Lincoln over-and-unders made by FAIR. Lincolns, first specified by David Nickerson (whose firm is now part of John Rothery), have long been respected as offering a lot of ‘bang for the buck’. The new gun, however, is a little different to the FAIR-made Lincolns with which we are acquainted. Although this is a budget gun with an RRP substantially under the £2,000 mark, it is not without real elegance of form and function.

I was surprised when I first picked up the Iside by just how ‘right’ it felt. That is a rare reaction to a less-expensive, machine-made side-by-side. It weighs a modest 5lb 12oz, so it is light, has 30in barrels, a single trigger and multichokes. The longer barrels make it particularly pointable and enhance muzzle control and stability.

There is a straight-hand gripped stock (with an unusually long shelf measurement of 15½in and higher than average comb). The slightly figured butt includes a one-inch wooden butt extension piece that is nearly matched to the grain of the rest of the stock. It is attached by two slotted screws (much better than the Phillips type, which are more common). It would be an easy operation to shorten the length of pull or add a recoil pad (there is 14½in of wood without the end piece).