Fausti Falcon Sporter shotgun review

Fausti Falcon Sporter shotgun: The gunmaking name of Fausti Stefano is not widely known to the British shooting public, but a lot of people will recognise the name Emilio Rizzini.

The two are now one and the same.

The firm of Fausti Stefano was started in 1948 in workshops in the heart of the Italian gunmaking area near Brescia. Today the company has very modern premises employing the latest in manufacturing technology and produces around 12,000 shotguns each year.

Until recently E. Rizzini was a separate company from Fausti but through a family marriage these two companies were brought together.

Fausti now manufactures the E. Rizzini range of guns as well as its own.

A gun with UK appeal?
Called the Falcon, this over-under gun comes in a choice of 28in and 30in barrels. The one constant is the 3in chamber length and a ventilated top rib measuring 7mm across. The barrel set is made to a monoblock construction and the internal bores have been chrome lined for ease of cleaning and corrosion resistance.

The gun has a silver action body with game scene engraving that also carries the engraved maker’s logo on the belly of the action frame. This model sports a shallow action with barrels hinging on stub pins and a lock-up that centres on a substantial bolt and full width bite at the bottom of the action frame.

The trigger mechanism has been kept simple but parts are well finished and should prove reliable.


The trigger is selective with the selector button placed in the middle of the manual safety catch in much the same style as a Beretta. The safety operation is good, crisp and positive.

The most noteworthy – and certainly noticeable – thing about this gun is its woodwork.

A coated skin has been applied to the surface of the stock and fore-end to give the appearance of high grade walnut. It does look very realistic and, along the way, also gives a good degree of protection against the weather.

Overall stock length is 14.1/2in including a black ventilated pad of approximately 3/4in. Drops at comb and heel are 1.1/2in and 2.1/2in respectively; the heel measurement seems a little excessive to me but there’s no denying that the gun still shoulders well and shoots to the point of aim.

The chequer is very good and is cut by lazer.

Good for the first timer
Overall weight of the gun is 7.1/2lb and this, coupled with the rib width puts this more into the field/game category than an out-and-out Sporter. That said it should make a decent all-rounder for a first time buyer.

Each gun comes complete with an ABS travel case, a set of multichokes and corrosion inhibitor for peace of mind storage while the gun is in a cabinet.

Garlands tell me a 20-bore version, called the Merlin, should be available soon and the importers also have plans to sell an upmarket over-uder for around £2,000 in the not too distant future. This will be an interesting venture – so watch this space!

JASON’S VERDICT:

The woodwork on this gun is a real eye catcher and the internal finish, I have to say, is better than many earlier E. Rizzinis.

This gun should appeal to the beginner, but it is up against stiff competition in the form of Lanber, Bettinsoli and Lincoln.

Only time will tell if it wins the battle.

Build quality: 6

Handling: 6

Styling: 7

Value for money: 6

PRICE:

£899


More information available from Garlands of Tamworth.

Telephone: 01827 383300.