Fausti Falcon Sporter shotgun review

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.
Garlands of
Tamworth,
Staffs
who made a very successful transition
from retail into importer and distributor
are now representing Fausti in the UK
and, thanks to them, they are having
guns made to a specification that
should be attractive to UK sportsmen.
Called the Falcon, this O/U 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 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 141/2in
including a black ventilated pad of
approximately 3/4in. Drops at comb
and heel are 11/2in and 21/2in
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.
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 that a 20 bore
version called the Merlin should be
available soon and the importers
also have plans to sell an upmarket
O/U for around £2,000 in the not
too distant future. This will be an
interesting venture ? so watch this space!
Full recommended retail price of
the Falcon is £899 but that, of
course, will come down when the
discount shops take delivery of it.

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 Quality6
Handling6
Styling7
Value for money6
More information from Garlands
of Tamworth on 01827 383300