A break from the norm

With its unusual mechanics, reliability and solid performance, Mike Yardley finds the Fabarm 20-bore side-by-side to be a very interesting gun indeed

- MIKE YARDLEY

This month, I’ll be looking at a nice little 20-bore side-by-side from Fabarm. I have given the game away somewhat by already calling it nice. But, hey, I like side-by-sides! The model we are looking at is called a Classis, supplied by Anglo Italian Arms (the Midlands-based company who also import Guerini). It has 30 barrels, a single selective trigger, and multi chokes proofed for steel shot even in tight constrictions. It hits the scales at 6lb 9oz.

First impressions are that this is a mid-weight, machine-made sporting gun that is well finished. The decoration is not electrifying, but it’s inoffensive. The gun has some interesting features, however, not least its unconventional mechanics. There are four-barrel lumps rather than the usual two and the barrels – made by deep drilling rather than hammer-forging – are constructed on Fabarm’s tapered TRIBORE HP bore plan.

I have shot, and indeed owned, a number of Fabarm side-by-sides in the past. They are quite unusual beasts. Fabarm side-by-sides have frequently been described as handling like over-and-under. I certainly think that is fair comment as far as the 12-bores are concerned. I also, by way of reminiscence, remember a time when Winchester 23s (the Japanese-made take on the US Model 21 original) were popular both with pigeon shooters and some clay busters for the same reason. The only problem with the Model 23, though, is that it had a tendency to shoot loose... that is not something likely to happen in a hurry with the four-lump, and generally rather more solid, Fabarm guns.

The barrels, meantime, are as good a place as any to start considering this well-specified model in more detail. The TRIBORE HP scheme, as mentioned, includes extended forcing cones (the funnel-like constrictions that lead from the chamber into the main bore).