SHOT Show 2025 | Beretta Range Day

Intro at Beretta Range Day

Classic Firearms host Jason, also known as Two Badge Jay, is at the Beretta Range Day at the Pro Gun Club in Boulder City, Nevada, kicking off SHOT Show 2025 coverage. The event showcases Beretta’s new offerings for the 2025 calendar year, including high-end shotguns, tactical shotguns, and pistols. Jason notes that Beretta has everything from very high-dollar shotguns previously seen to new pistol offerings. The plan is to move through different stages, gather shooting impressions, and highlight performance and handling characteristics across the lineup, starting on the shotgun side before heading down to the pistol bays.

Beretta 688 Black sporting over-under

At the five-stand station, Beretta’s Dez introduces several hunting and sporting shotguns, including the A300 and A400 semi-autos, the 687 Silver Pigeon, and the new 688 Black over-under. One of the hunting models on the rack is set up with a shotgun suppressor. The focus is on the 688, built on Beretta’s proven 680 action and updated with a composite stock featuring distinctive grain and coloration. The receiver has a protective finish intended to guard the metal against rust while adding visual appeal. As a sporting model, it has a wider rib, longer barrels for clay targets, mid and front beads, and extended chokes for easy changes. After running several five-stand targets, Jason remarks that the 688 feels extremely soft-shooting, makes it easy to track and glide onto clays, and is aesthetically pleasing with its composite furniture.

A300 Ultima clay target shotgun

Next up is the A300 Ultima Clay Target model. Dez explains that this semi-automatic shotgun has an upgraded receiver with an engraved pattern and a black finish for a more refined look. It features an extended bolt handle, an enlarged “easy button” bolt release, and updates to the safety and trigger shapes. The stock dimensions have been adjusted with a more parallel comb to better fit a broad range of shooters. As a clay-focused gun, it includes a mid bead, front bead, and extended chokes for quick changes. Jason shoots a variety of clay presentations and comments on the bronze-toned colorway, noting that it is more subtle than typical brown or camo finishes while still giving a hunting feel. Dez describes the A300 line as soft-recoiling, quick, and comfortable, suitable for beginners, hunters, and experienced shooters alike.

A400 Extreme Plus with JK shotgun suppressor

Attention then shifts to a more unconventional setup: an A400 Extreme Plus hunting shotgun fitted with a JK shotgun suppressor. Dez identifies it as part of the A400 line, specifically the A400 Extreme Plus, configured with a camo pattern and compatible with various camo colors. Like Beretta’s other autos, it has an extended charging handle and enlarged bolt release. The key hunting feature is the Kick-Off Plus recoil reduction system in the stock, designed to absorb the heavier recoil of hot hunting loads. Additional rubberized grip areas and a softer cheek pad improve control and comfort in the field. Compared with the clay guns, the rib is slimmer and the barrel slightly shorter to save weight. When Jason shoots it suppressed, he notes that the added suppressor weight makes the gun noticeably front-heavy and a bit harder to swing, but the reduced noise is a clear benefit, especially for protecting hearing during extended shooting.

Overview of Beretta pistol range

Moving to the pistol section, Jason meets with Logan from Beretta to survey the handgun lineup set up for SHOT Show. Logan explains that six tables are arranged by caliber and model family. One table features new colorways of the 80X Cheetah in .380 ACP, with additional 80X variants in .32 ACP on another table. A separate table is dedicated to .22 LR pistols, including Jaguar models and the new 20X Bobcat. Another area highlights 9mm pistols, including APX variants in new color schemes, suppressed configurations, compensated setups, and even a gold-plated gun. The first table showcases Beretta’s collaboration with Langdon Tactical, including customized shotguns and APX pistols. Logan also mentions an ongoing collaboration with competitive shooter JJ Racaza on a JJ Signature Series pistol, building on the popularity of previous performance-oriented models.

80X Cheetah colorways in .380 and .32 ACP

Logan then focuses on the 80X Cheetah line. The pistols are now offered in both .380 ACP and .32 ACP, with the examples on the table being .380 models. One variant has a gray styling and comes packaged in a leather-wrapped display case. Another stands out in a Tiffany blue color contrasted against a black frame, also supplied with a matching blue leather-wrapped display case. Logan describes them as suitable concealed carry pistols in fun calibers that are also visually distinctive. Jason notes that despite having large hands, the grip size feels solid and not too small, making the 80X Cheetah comfortable to hold and carry. The segment emphasizes the combination of practical concealed carry dimensions with limited-run colorways and presentation-focused packaging.

20X Bobcat tip-up barrel pistol with suppressor and optics options

The final segment highlights the new 20X Bobcat, a compact tip-up barrel pistol. Logan explains that the tip-up design allows a round to be loaded directly into the chamber, then the barrel closed over a full magazine without racking the slide, making operation very easy. This particular version is set up with suppressor-height sights and a suppressor, and Beretta also offers a rear dovetail mount option for adding an optic. The pistol incorporates several updates over earlier designs: the magazine release has been moved from the heel to a position behind the trigger guard, the barrel release has been standardized, and the trigger is now flat-faced and more tactical in style. Magazine capacity has increased to eight rounds from the older six-round configuration. G10 grip panels provide a more secure purchase, and the pistol includes a thumb safety for those who prefer pocket or purse carry with additional safety features.