Breda's New 930i Sporting Clays 12 Gauge at NRA 2016
Italian gunmaker Breda was at the show with a modest booth, showing off their new 930i sporting clays shotgun. Breda’s representative explained that the goal of the shotgun was to create a semi automatic sporting clays shotgun that could compete and win out of the box, with no modifications or customization.
The 930i accordingly comes equipped with a lot of bells and whistles, including a very nice fitted hard case, which also carries the included choke tubes, wrench, and balancing weights which are mountable in the front and back of the gun and can add up to half a pound. Each shotgun is equipped with an extended bolt release and large charging handle, which are color coordinated nicely with the magazine endcap and trigger guard. Breda’s representative also proudly pointed out that the stocks are real hardwood, not any kind of imitation or colored polymer, which is to be expected for a gun of this price.
Breda’s representative also explained their impressive barrel manufacturing technique: Barrels are bored and then externally machined all by the same machine, ensuring perfect concentricity.
I found the 930i to be an enjoyable gun to shoulder and point. It’s been quite a long time since I did any regular sporting clays shooting (today I do not even own a shotgun, heretical as that may sound to some), but I was pleased with what I saw all the same. Of course, I’d hope to be, as the 930i retails for a weighty $2,599 – not an unreasonable price, I think, but not pocket change, either.
Nathaniel is a history enthusiast and firearms hobbyist whose primary interest lies in military small arms technological developments beginning with the smokeless powder era. He can be reached via email at nathaniel.f@staff.thefirearmblog.com.
More by Nathaniel F
Comments
Join the conversation
Why did they choose to use the same three numbers as the Mossberg 930?
I thought most Sporting Clay guys prefer and use O/U and not semi-auto. Did they instead mean Skeet or Trap?