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Fausti GRAND SLX Side-by-Side Shotgun: A Masterpiece of Italian Craftsmanship
Explore the Fausti GRAND SLX side-by-side shotgun: calibers, models, performance, and user insights. Discover why this Italian masterpiece dominates hunting and clays.
For hunters and competitive shooters seeking a blend of tradition, precision, and elegance, the Fausti GRAND SLX side-by-side shotgun stands as a testament to Italy’s storied gunmaking heritage. Designed for those who demand excellence, this firearm combines cutting-edge engineering with timeless aesthetics. In this comprehensive review, we’ll dissect its technical specifications, performance nuances, and real-world applications, ensuring you understand why the GRAND SLX has earned its place among elite shotguns.
Overview: The Legacy of Fausti
Fausti Armi, founded in 1948 in Brescia, Italy, has built its reputation on meticulous craftsmanship and innovation. The GRAND SLX, part of their premium "Boutique" line, represents the pinnacle of their vertical shotgun offerings. Unlike mass-produced models, each GRAND SLX is hand-assembled by master gunsmiths, with attention to detail that includes exhibition-grade walnut stocks and intricate engravings.
Technical Specifications Fausti GRAND SLX Side-by-Side Shotguns
Core Features
Calibers: 12, 20, 28 gauge, and .410 bore (compatible with 12/76 and 20/76 cartridges for versatile hunting).
Barrel Lengths: 28", 30", and 32" options, optimized for balance and swing dynamics.
Weight: 6.8–7.2 lbs (varies by gauge), ensuring manageable recoil and quick target acquisition.
Chokes: Interchangeable system with 5–7 chokes (cylinder, improved cylinder, modified, full, etc.), included in a deluxe case.
Action: Boxlock with Four Locks System—dual vertical lugs and lateral locking bolts for unmatched durability under high-pressure loads.
Ergonomics
Stock: AAA-grade walnut with hand-checkered grip and oil finish. Adjustable length of pull (14.5"–15.5") for custom fit.
Rib: Ventilated upper rib with brass bead sight for improved alignment; solid side ribs for stability.
Triggers: Double-trigger configuration (standard) or single selective trigger with inertia-based barrel selector.
Models and Customization
The GRAND SLX series offers tailored configurations for diverse shooting disciplines:
GRAND SLX Classic: Entry-level luxury with coin-finished receiver and laser-engraved pheasant motifs. Ideal for upland game hunters.
GRAND SLX De Luxe: Enhanced with gold-inlaid engravings, hand-polished bluing, and exhibition-grade wood. Targets collectors and competitive shooters.
GRAND SLX Sport: Features extended 32" barrels and reinforced chokes for waterfowl and long-range clays.
Performance in the Field
Effective Range
Hunting: 25–45 yards for upland birds (pheasant, quail) and waterfowl. The 12-gauge excels with steel shot, while the 28-gauge offers finesse for fast-moving targets.
Clay Shooting: Proven in skeet and sporting clays due to its fast swing and balanced weight distribution.
Reliability
Tested with pressures up to 1,370 BAR, the GRAND SLX’s chromoly steel barrels and chrome-lined bores resist corrosion, even in harsh environments. Users report consistent ignition and smooth ejection across thousands of rounds.
User Reviews: Pros and Cons Fausti GRAND SLX
Praises
Craftsmanship: Hand-engraved receivers and AAA walnut stocks are frequently lauded as "heirloom-quality".
Balance: Shooters compare its pointability to Beretta’s DT11, noting its intuitive handling in dense cover.
Custom Fit: Adjustable stock dimensions and choke versatility cater to diverse body types and hunting styles.
Criticisms
Price: Starting at $12,000, the GRAND SLX is prohibitive for casual shooters.
Maintenance: Intricate engravings require meticulous cleaning to preserve detail.
Weight Distribution: Lighter gauges (e.g., 28) may feel barrel-heavy for smaller-framed shooters.
Why Choose the GRAND SLX?
Heritage: Built in Brescia, Italy’s "Valley of the Gunsmiths," with a legacy spanning three generations of the Fausti family.
Versatility: Equally adept in a duck blind or on a skeet range, thanks to modular chokes and gauge options.
Resale Value: Limited annual production (approx. 1,400 units) ensures strong secondary market demand.
Final Verdict
The Fausti GRAND SLX is more than a shotgun—it’s a statement. While its price tag may deter budget-conscious buyers, serious hunters and competitors will find its blend of artistry, reliability, and adaptability unmatched. For those prioritizing craftsmanship over cost, the GRAND SLX is a worthy investment that transcends trends.
Fausti gun in the hands of the beautiful Johanna Clermont :)
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Are All Benelli Shotguns Made in Italy? A Deep Dive into Manufacturing, Myths, and Markings
When it comes to premium shotguns, few names carry the weight and reputation of Benelli. Known for their sleek design, inertia-driven systems, and military-grade reliability, Benelli shotguns are a staple among hunters, sport shooters, and tactical professionals alike. But one question continues to surface across forums, gun shops, and search engines:
Are all Benelli shotguns made in Italy?
Let’s unpack the facts, clear up the confusion, and explore what “Made in Italy” really means when it comes to Benelli firearms.
🔍 What People Are Asking Online
Before we dive into the answer, here are some common variations of this question that users search for:
• Where are Benelli shotguns manufactured?
• Is Benelli USA making shotguns in America?
• Are Turkish Benelli shotguns real?
• Which Benelli models are made in Italy?
• Is the Benelli M4 made in Italy or the USA?
These variations reflect a growing curiosity - and sometimes skepticism - about the origin of Benelli firearms.
🇮🇹 The Short Answer: Yes, Benelli Shotguns Are Made in Italy
Benelli Armi S.p.A. is headquartered in Urbino, Italy, where the company was founded in 1967. According to multiple sources and factory documentation, all genuine Benelli shotguns are manufactured and assembled in Italy, specifically at their state-of-the-art facility in Urbino A B.
This includes iconic models like:
• Super Black Eagle series
• M2 and M4 Tactical
• Montefeltro
• Nova and SuperNova
• 828U over/under
• Ethos and Vinci
Even though Benelli USA handles distribution, marketing, and customer service in Accokeek, Maryland, it does not manufacture firearms A.
🏭 What About Turkey or the USA?
Some confusion stems from the global nature of firearms manufacturing. Here’s what’s true:
• Benelli does not operate any shotgun production facilities outside Italy A.
• Some components (like synthetic stocks or small parts) may be sourced globally, but final assembly and quality control are done in Italy A.
• Benelli USA is a subsidiary that handles logistics and support - not manufacturing.
• Turkish-made “Benelli-style” shotguns exist, but they are not made by Benelli Armi S.p.A. and are often clones or unauthorized copies B.
If a shotgun claims to be a Benelli but is marked “Made in Turkey,” it’s not an authentic Benelli.
🧪 Why “Made in Italy” Matters
The “Made in Italy” label isn’t just a marketing flourish - it’s a guarantee of craftsmanship, precision, and quality control. Benelli’s Italian facility uses:
• CNC machining for ultra-precise tolerances
• Hand-fitting and inspection by skilled artisans
• Rigorous testing for every firearm before it leaves the factory
This commitment to quality is why Benelli shotguns are trusted by U.S. Marines, law enforcement agencies, and Olympic shooters.
🧠 How to Verify Authenticity
To ensure your Benelli shotgun is the real deal:
• Look for “Made in Italy” markings on the barrel or receiver
• Check the serial number and model against Benelli’s official database
• Buy from authorized dealers or distributors
• Be wary of unusually low prices or vague origin claims
🧭 Final Thoughts
So, are all Benelli shotguns made in Italy? Yes - every authentic Benelli shotgun is manufactured and assembled in Urbino, Italy, under the strict standards that have made the brand legendary.
If you’re holding a Benelli, you’re holding a piece of Italian engineering - not just a firearm, but a legacy.
Belgian farmers call for weaker protection of wolves, as environmentalists want greater
Their populations in Europe have been on the rise for a number of years.
Wolves are back in Belgium and their growing presence is creating tensions with farmers, who fear for the safety of their livestock.
They want to reopen the debate on wolf hunting in Europe, which forbids it under both the EU's Habitats Directive and the Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitat.
Euronews spoke to Ludwig Heinen, a dairy farmer with 320 cows, who said that there are currently three packs of wolves near his farm in the High Fens mountains.
Despite none of his animals so far not being attacked, he is still worried.
"If the animals are torn apart by wolves, that's one thing, but if wolves make the animals - who are free in the field - nervous, you cannot easily calm down those animals again," Heinen said in an interview.
"My opinion is clear: if a wolf causes trouble, then we should be able to put it down and shoot it."
So far this year, in this area, one calf and several sheep have been killed by wolves.
The leader of the Farmers Association of Eastern Belgium, Ingrid Mertes, told Euronews that wolves do not belong in the farmers' fields and the debate on wolf hunting in Europe should be reconsidered.
Earlier this year, the European Commission called for a review of the protected status of wolves, as it thinks the growing population poses a danger to livestock.
"The farmers want only to have that the many wolves that are able live in nature and feed themselves there, do it," Mertes said.
"If the wolves are leaving their habitat for the farming area to attack animals, then we have too many of them. That's why we want to set a limit."
Joachim Mergeay, a wildlife expert from the Institute for Nature and Forest Research, follows the everyday lives of wolves in Belgium. He told Euronews that they represent a low risk to the economy.
In fact, he says it is more to do with humans no longer being used to living near them.
"The issue is not about economy. The issue is about how does the presence of the wolves make me feel as a farmer, as a rural actor?" he said.
Mergeay explained that contact between livestock and wolves can be avoided by fences.
But even if the EU were to lower the preservation status of wolves - it would not mean a green light for hunting and the problems of farmers would likely remain.
"Under these reduced protection levels, you can only hunt if the populations are in a healthy situation, in a favourable conservation status," Mergeay told Euronews.
"We are not there yet. Changing this protection level would not mean that you can hunt. These wolf populations still need to grow and it would not resolve any of the conflict that is currently at the basis of these questions."
While the debate around wolves becomes heated, Belgium's wolf population - approximately around two dozen - is mainly being decimated by road traffic.
