RANDY WAKEMAN OUTDOORS: Shotguns & Wingshooting

Fabarm Elos 2 Elite

New for 2021 is the Fabarm USA Elos 2 Elite, available in both 12 and 20 gauge with your choice of 28 or 30 inch barrels. Fabarm also offers a left-handed stock option. The tested example is the Elos 2 Elite in 20 gauge, with a 28 inch barrel set.

Some years back, Fabarm re-engineered the Elos line, lightening the patented Tri-Bore barrels a bit for more lively handling, and improving the forearm design and lock-up. This steel receiver 20 gauge weighs 6 pounds, 6.7 ounces as supplied: an ideal weight for an upland hunting O/U. The triggers are excellent, breaking crisply at about 4-1/2 pounds. There is a subtle palm swell on the right of the pistol grip. The face of the gold-plated trigger is nicely stippled.

The Elos Elite features upgraded oil-finished walnut, beautifully figured with the forearm and buttstock well-matched in color and tone. The case-coloring is breathtaking, with a three-dimensional look to the gold inlays. The extreme attention to detail is easy to appreciate, such as the treatment of the bottom of the receiver shown below.

One of the annoying problems with some O/U's is the close to flush, slippery tang safety that is good for nothing except unintended pheasant conservation. I'm happy to say that the Elos Elite does not have this problem, with good purchase for your thumb on the safety. As supplied, this Elos Elite thankfully does not have an annoying self-resetting safety.

As with all Fabarm shotguns, the barrels are proofed to the highest standard in the world at 1630 BAR(some cheap O/U shotguns are not proof-fired at all), and the factory chokes are steel and tungsten-rated, even for the 7/10 “Full” chokes. Fabarm USA firearms come with a five-year warranty and backed by some of the best factory-trained gunsmiths in the industry. Five inner HP choke tubes are supplied, as is the very nice Integrale soft case. More info is at https://fabarmusa.com/elos-2-elite/ .

On the dove field, the verdict was universally that this shotgun is breathtaking stunning. It handles and shoots as good as it looks, and that's saying something. As far as I'm concerned, this is the most desirable O/U on the market, the best I've used in years. You can certainly spend more, far more on a shotgun than the Elos Elite sells for, but you can't buy a better hunting O/U. Congratulations to Fabarm USA for offering American hunters and shooters the very best of breed in a gorgeous field gun.