2018 Fabarm L4S Grey Sporting 12 Gauge Autoloader

The Fabarm L4S Sporting, introduced in 2017 in both right hand and left hand models, has been a big hit. Expanding the line on the basis of that success for 2018 is this Grey Sporting while an even higher trim level model, the L4S Deluxe Sporting, is also available.

Model	L4S Sporting
Gauge	12 Ga
Operation	Stainless Steel Piston, gas operated
Barrel	TRIBORE HP™
Barrel Length	28", 30", 32"
Barrel Rib Height	6mm
Chamber	2.75"
Chokes	5 EXIS HP Competition Choke Tubes
Frame Finish	Black Anodized (Gray on the tested Gray Hunter or Gray with gold inlays on the Deluxe model)
Stock	European Walnut
Wood Finish	Triwood™ (oiled walnut on Gray and Deluxe models)
Length of pull	14.75"
Drop at comb	1.5"
Drop at heel	2.25"
Cast at toe	.125"
Pitch	5°
Cast to heel	.125"
Weight	7lbs 3oz* (7.5 lbs. as tested)
Proof test	1630 BAR
Case	Hard Case
Warranty	5 years
Left Handed	Available

*Weights may vary based on wood density.

Compared to the L4S 3 inch chambered hunting models, the L4S Sporting comes in longer barrel lengths, has a 2-3/4 inch chamber, a more generous recoil pad, an oversized bolt release, an oversized charging handle, and a wider ventilated rib that is also tapered. It also adds some weight, for my 26 inch L4S Grey Hunter weighs 6-3/4 lbs., while this L4S Grey Sporting 28 inch weighs 7 lbs., 8 oz., unloaded with a factory Exis HP 5/10 extended choke installed. Fabarm estimates the weight at 7 lbs., 3 oz., but this gun comes in at 7-1/2 pounds on the nose as weighed by calibrated digital gauge.

Though the L4S hunting models are soft-shooting themselves, the extra three-quarters of a pound makes the L4S softer-shooting yet, a real cream puff with essentially no muzzle rise or significant gun movement to slow you down from smashing that second bird. Though there is no formula or felt recoil, the gas-operated L4S Sporting has no more recoil than an 8-1/2 lb. or so O/U . . . it may have less. With 1 oz. loads, there just isn't much to feel at all.

One of my favorite race-game guns is an old Browning B-80 with a steel receiver: it weighs 8 lbs. 1 oz. This L4S Grey Hunter is softer-shooting yet than that B-80, due partly to the action design and also due to the Grey Hunter's far more generous factory recoil pad: the B-80 has a thin solid rubber butt-plate. One of the things that you can experience with the B-80 and with the related Beretta 302, 303, and 390 models is slight forearm vibration. It isn't much, but Argentina dove hunters have had their left hands go numb from it on a 1500 round day. The L4S forearm design eliminates that potential. When my B-80 went to Argentina, I didn't experience that, but I did burn my fingers right through the wood.

All gas-operated shotguns need at least some post-shoot cleaning to operate at their best over time. I've been cleaning “self-cleaning” gas actions for the last fifty years. You can reduce the carbon build-up by using better quality ammo, and either use very small amounts of Breakfree ClP or get away from petroleum lubes altogether with Hornady One-Shot. The Fabarm L4S action does have an advantage, as there is no mainspring or mainspring tube in the buttstock to forget about... until your gun stops working. I've seen enough mainspring tubes full of so much stuff growing in there, it is a wonder some of those guns worked as long as they did. With the Fabarm L4S, all the goodies are easily seen, monitored, and cleaned.

The standard, or Black L4S Sporting has Tri-Wood and has a MSRP of $1,895, this Grey Sporting is at $2,295 MSRP, and the Deluxe Sporting is at $2695. Your Fabarm USA dealer sets their own price, but 10% - 15% off of retail seems to be fairly common street pricing. Please don't hold me to that, I don't sell them, but that gives you a general idea of what to expect.

In general, I prefer hand-oiled walnut over fake or enhanced finishes. Of the enhanced finishes out there, Tri-Wood is the best I've seen. It can be machined, it looks great, and it is extremely weatherproof as well-- so, the Tri-Wood is not without its own set of advantages.

For clay sports in general, the L4S Sporting is ideal and a good choice for 60 yard dove spinning as well. It is probably not the best for trap race games, as there is no hull catcher available for it as of yet. It shoulders so well that you won't have a problem using it for preserve pheasant shoots, either. While the L4S Sporting handles slow 1 oz. loads and likely lighter than that (I personally don't use anything lighter than one ounce), Fabarm says you can use any 2-3/4 inch unfolded factory load through it, including 1-1/2 oz. "Baby Magnums).

This gun is just plain fun to shoot and is easy on the eyes as well. The Fabarm L4S deserves an A+ and gets it.

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