– 52 –
ENGLISH
ALWAYS KEEP THIS MANUAL WITH YOUR FIREARM. INCLUDE IT WITH THE SHOTGUN WHEN
IT CHANGES OWNERSHIP OR WHEN IT IS LOANED OR PRESENTED TO ANOTHER PERSON.
NOTICE: The Manufacturer and/or its Local Official Distributors assume no responsibility for product
malfunction or for physical injury or property damage resulting in whole or in part from criminal or
negligent use of the product, improper or careless handling, unauthorized modifications, use of defective,
improper, hand-loaded, reloaded or remanufactured ammunition*, customer abuse or neglect of the
product, or other influences beyond manufacturer's direct and immediate control.
* See paragraph “Ammunition”.
WARNING: Always ensure that the safety is fully engaged until ready to fire.
WARNING: ALL FIREARMS HAVE LETHAL POTENTIAL. READ THE BASIC SAFETY RULES
CAREFULLY AND UNDERSTAND THEM FULLY BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO USE THIS FIREARM.
WARNING: READ THE ENTIRE MANUAL CAREFULLY BEFORE USING THIS FIREARM. MAKE
SURE THAT ANY PERSON USING OR HAVING ACCESS TO THIS FIREARM READS AND
UNDERSTANDS ALL OF THIS MANUAL PRIOR TO USE OR ACCESS.
!
!
!
WE RECOMMEND THE USE OF ORIGINAL BERETTA SPARE PARTS AND ACCESSORIES. THE
USE OF OTHER MANUFACTURER’S SPARE PARTS AND ACCESSORIES COULD CAUSE
MALFUNCTIONS AND/OR BREAKAGES THAT WILL NOT BE COVERED BY THE BERETTA
WARRANTY.
– 53 –
CONTENTS
Page
Basic safety rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Nomenclature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
The new SO10 over-and-under . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Check the gun is unloaded . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Decocking the hammers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Checking for obstructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Ammunition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Loading and firing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Unloading the shotgun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Disassembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Disassembly of the side locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Beretta Stainless Steel Optimachoke
®
Tubes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
This instruction manual consists of 99 pages.
– 54 –
Never let the muzzle of a firearm point at any
part of your body or at another person. This is
especially important when loading or unloading
the firearm. When you are shooting at a target,
know what is behind it. Some bullets can travel
over a mile. If you miss your target or if the
bullet penetrates the target, it is your
responsibility to ensure that the shot does not
cause unintended injury or damage.
BASIC SAFETY RULES
WARNING: PLEASE READ THIS MANUAL BEFORE HANDLING YOUR SHOTGUN.
WARNING: FIREARMS CAN BE DANGEROUS AND CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY,
DAMAGE TO PROPERTY OR DEATH, IF HANDLED IMPROPERLY. THE FOLLOWING SAFETY
RULES ARE AN IMPORTANT REMINDER THAT FIREARM SAFETY IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.
1. NEVER POINT A FIREARM AT SOMETHING THAT IS NOT SAFE TO SHOOT.
!
!
In addition to the following Basic Safety Rules, there are other safety rules pertaining the loading, unloading,
assembly and disassembly and use of this firearm, located throughout this manual.
– 55 –
Never assume that a firearm is unloaded. The
only certain way to ensure that a firearm has the
chamber(s) empty is to open the chamber and
visually and physically examine the inside to see
if a round is present.
Removing or unloading the magazine will not
guarantee that a firearm is unloaded or cannot
fire. Shotguns and rifles can be checked by
cycling or removing all rounds and by then
opening and inspecting the chamber so that a
visual inspection of the chamber for any
remaining rounds can be made.
2. ALWAYS TREAT A FIREARM AS IF IT WERE LOADED.
It is your responsibility to ensure that children
under the age of 18 or other unauthorized
persons do not gain access to your firearm. To
reduce the risk of accidents involving children,
unload your firearm, lock it and store the
ammunition in a separate locked location.
Please note that devices intended to prevent
accidents - for example, cable locks, chamber
3. STORE YOUR FIREARM SO THAT CHILDREN CANNOT GAIN ACCESS TO IT.
– 56 –
plugs, etc, - may not prevent use or misuse of your firearm by a determined person. Firearm storage in a
steel gun safe may be more appropriate to reduce the likelihood of intentional misuse of a firearm by an
unauthorized child or person.
4. NEVER SHOOT AT WATER OR AT A HARD SURFACE.
Shooting at the surface of water or at a rock or other hard surface
increases the chance of ricochets or fragmentation of the bullet or shot,
which can result in the projectile striking an unintended or peripheral
target.
5. KNOW THE SAFETY FEATURES OF THE FIREARM YOU ARE USING, BUT REMEMBER: SAFETY
DEVICES ARE NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR SAFE HANDLING PROCEDURES.
Never rely solely on a safety device to prevent an accident. It is imperative that you know and use the
safety features of the particular firearm you are handling, but accidents can best be prevented by
following the safe handling procedures described in these safety rules and elsewhere in the product
manual. To further familiarize yourself with the proper use of this or other firearms, take a Firearms
Safety Course taught by an expert in firearms use and safety procedures.
– 57 –
6. PROPERLY MAINTAIN YOUR FIREARM.
Store and carry your firearm so that dirt or lint does not accumulate in the
working parts. Clean and oil your firearm, following the instructions
provided in this manual, after each use to prevent corrosion, damage to the
barrel or accumulation of impurities which can prevent use of the gun in
an emergency. Always check the bore and chamber(s) prior to loading to
ensure that they are clean and free from obstructions. Firing with an
obstruction in the barrel or chamber can rupture the barrel and injure you
or others nearby. In the event you hear an unusual noise when shooting,
stop firing immediately, engage the manual safety and unload the firearm.
Make sure the chamber and barrel are free from any obstruction, like a
bullet blocked inside the barrel due to defective or improper ammunition.
7. USE PROPER AMMUNITION.
Only use factory-loaded, new ammunition manufactured to industry specifications: CIP (Europe and
elsewhere), SAAMI (U.S.A.). Be certain that each round you use is in the proper caliber or gauge and type
for the particular firearm. The caliber or gauge of the firearm is clearly marked on the barrels of shotguns
and on the slide or barrel of pistols. The use of reloaded or remanufactured ammunition can increase the
likelihood of excessive cartridge pressures, case-head ruptures or other defects in the ammunition that can
cause damage to your firearm and injury to yourself or others nearby.
– 58 –
8. ALWAYS WEAR PROTECTIVE GLASSES AND EARPLUGS WHEN SHOOTING.
The chance that gas, gunpowder or metal fragments will blow back and
injure a shooter who is firing a gun is rare, but the injury that can be
sustained in such circumstances can be severe, including the possible loss
of eyesight. A shooter must always wear impact resistant shooting glasses
when firing any firearm. Earplugs or other high-quality hearing protectors
help reduce the chance of hearing damage from shooting.
9. NEVER CLIMB A TREE, FENCE OR OBSTRUCTION WITH A LOADED FIREARM.
Open and empty the chamber(s) of your firearm and engage the manual
safety before climbing or descending a tree or before climbing a fence or
jumping over a ditch or other obstruction. Never pull or push a loaded
firearm toward yourself or another person. Always unload a firearm,
visually and physically check to see that the magazine, loading mechanism
and chamber are unloaded, and action is open before handing it to another
person. Never take a firearm from another person unless it is unloaded,
visually and physically checked to confirm it is unloaded, and the action is
open.
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10. AVOID ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES OR JUDGMENT/REFLEX IMPAIRING MEDICATION WHEN
SHOOTING.
Do not drink and shoot. If you take medication that can impair motor
reactions or judgment, do not handle a firearm while you are under the
influence of the medication.
Unload a firearm before putting it in a vehicle (chamber empty, magazine
empty). Hunters and target shooters should load their firearm only at
their destination, and only when they are ready to shoot. If you carry a
firearm for self-protection, leaving the chamber unloaded can reduce the
chance of an unintentional discharge.
11. NEVER TRANSPORT A LOADED FIREARM.
Discharging firearms in poorly ventilated areas, cleaning firearms, or handling ammunition may result
in exposure to lead and other substances known to cause birth defects, reproductive harm, and other
serious physical injury. Have adequate ventilation at all times. Wash hands thoroughly after exposure.
12. LEAD WARNING.
WARNING: IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO KNOW AND ABIDE BY FEDERAL, STATE AND
LOCAL LAWS GOVERNING THE SALE, TRANSPORTATION AND USE OF FIREARMS IN YOUR
AREA.
WARNING: THIS FIREARM HAS THE CAPABILITY OF TAKING YOUR LIFE OR THE LIFE OF
SOMEONE ELSE! ALWAYS BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL WITH YOUR FIREARM. AN ACCIDENT IS
ALMOST ALWAYS THE RESULT OF NOT FOLLOWING BASIC FIREARM SAFETY RULES.
!
!
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NOMENCLATURE
M
L
N B
D1
DI
H
E
F
G
S
P
R
O
Q
C
T
A Receiver
A1 Left side plate
(disassembled)
A2 Right side plate
(disassembled)
A3 Side plate disassembling
key (front)
A4 Side plate disassembling
key (rear)
B Barrels
C Stock
D Fore-end
D1 Fore-end catch lever
ETrigger/s
FTop lever
G Safety (with selector on
request)
HTrigger guard
ITop rib
L Side rib
MFront sight
N Muzzle
O Butt plate/Recoil pad
P Line of sight
QTrigger pull
RDrop at heel
SDrop at comb
TToe
A
A1 A2
A4
A3
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SAFETY
SAFETY ON
Without selector With selector
on the first barrel
With selector
on the second barrel
Fig. 1 Fig. 3 Fig. 5
SAFETY OFF
Fig. 2 Fig. 4 Fig. 6
The shotgun is ready to fire
first the cartridge inserted
in the bottom barrel.
The shotgun will fire first
the cartridge inserted
in the top barrel.
!
The shotgun
is ready
to fire!
– 62 –
Seventy years from the first modern Beretta over-and-under (the model S1 that was launched in 1933), a
new true sidelock shotgun is born. The SO10 over-and-under: The deserving successor of the famous Beretta
SO series hunting and competition shotguns that have earned their reputation, on the Olympic podium and
on the most exclusive hunts in the world, from Europe to America to Africa, for being the most functional,
elegant and exclusive over-and-unders in the world.
Drawing from this very long experience, and under the dedicated guidance of the Beretta family, the most
gifted designers and gunsmiths of the company have created the new SO10 over-and-under, a synthesis of
aesthetic refinement, function and performance that place it at the peak of the world’s prestigious over-andunder offerings.
At Beretta, the best materials, the most accurate CNC machining, and the highest levels of craftsmanship –
from master barrel makers, to gunsmiths, to engravers, to stock makers - operate in perfect synergy and with
a common goal: To make a classic shotgun that is also modern, aesthetically superior, lightweight, perfectly
balanced and capable of guaranteeing impeccable performance for generations to come.
THE NEW SO10 OVER-AND-UNDER
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GRACEFUL AND PROPORTIONED RECEIVER.
The receiver of the Beretta SO10 over-and-under, depicting exquisitely double ribbed top moldings, blends
elegantly with the classic tapered external profile of the Beretta barrels. The top moldings have been
gracefully slimmed to offer the best lateral vision during aiming. Machined from a solid block of special,
high resistant tri-alloy steel, the receiver boasts all the parts directly made from the integral piece. No part
is welded or precision cast. Exceptional resistance and flawless performance are ensured for generations of
constant use. The absence of pins and screws on the surface of the receiver has given the Master Engraver
an uninterrupted blank canvas on which to express his full creativity. The polishing of the surfaces is done
entirely by hand.
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INNOVATIVE LOCKING SYSTEM.
The locking system of the Beretta SO10 over-and-under features a rear longitudinal bolt operating in a
central position (between the two tubes), making the opening of the barrels smooth and noiseless, and
minimizing stress when firing. Two additional lugs, located in the lower part of the receiver, further increase
the strength and the efficiency of the locking system. As on the other Beretta SO models, the classic
trapezoidal locking shoulders of the barrels work in contrast with the shoulders of the receiver.
NEWLY DESIGNED TOP LEVER.
The top lever, made from a solid block of steel, has been elongated and positioned closer to the breech face
in order to render the opening of the barrels smoother. The absence of a retaining screw on the top lever
has given the Master Engraver a wider uninterrupted surface that can be engraved. The safety on the open
top lever blocks the firing mechanism if the receiver is not completely closed. An automatic safety, that
engages when opening the top lever, is available on request.