Fabarm / Caesar Guerini XLR5 Velocity Clays Autoloading Shotgun
As many of you might be aware, Caesar Guerini acquired Fabarm. That announcement was made a little over a year ago:
“10 January 2011, Brescia, CAESAR GUERINI today announced that it takes equity stake in FABARM S.p.A. creating the second largest shotgun manufacturing group in Italy.”
The Fabarm USA website is under construction at http://fabarmusa.com . The gas-operated XLR5 has been out, in Europe, since about 2007, gaining a solid reputation. This XLR5 is a dedicated clays gun, with adjustable almost everything. Adjustable rib (the first on an autoloader), adjustable trigger shoe, adjustable comb, with an adjustable weight system. The rib is adjustable to change pattern point of impact from 50/50 to 80/20. The steel magazine cap that can accommodate up to three 1.48oz weights.
This is what Fabarm has to say: The Velocity is a new shotgun incorporating a long list of features never before available on semi-automatic shotguns. The most obvious feature is an adjustable point-of-impact rib. This ramp style rib starts at the rear of the action at 11mm wide and tapers to 9mm at the muzzle. The rib elevation is easily adjusted with a small thumb wheel at the muzzle end. Point-of impact is adjustable from a 50/50% to 80/20% pattern without the use of tools.
The Micro Metric™ adjustable stock compliments the adjustable rib, allowing the shooter to fine tune the gun for the perfect fit. Additionally, the stock incorporates a shim system for adjusting drop and cast. Another first is the Velocity’s adjustable trigger for length-of-pull. It is the first adjustable trigger ever to be designed into a semi-automatic shotgun. There is also a standard weight system built into the fore-end cap that allows the shooter to alter the weight up to 5 ½ ounces in 1 ½ ounce increments. These features make the Velocity extremely versatile.
Reliability is critical to competition shooters. To enhance reliability, FABARM’s XLR 5 action has been restricted to accept only 2 ¾” ammunition. This allows the system to be recalibrated to easily handle the lightest target loads. The gas system also utilizes a self-cleaning piston to ensure trouble free performance.
To reduce recoil and increase pattern performance the barrel is designed with a tapered bore called Tribore HP®. The bore diameter at the camber end is overbored to .740” and gradually tapers to .725” at the muzzle end. The Exis HP® choke tubes are 92mm long and utilize a hyperbolic internal design to match the performance of the barrel. Five chokes are included with the Velocity. Additionally, the bolt release and bolt handle are oversized for competition use.
The announced configurations are:
FA02140
XLR5 Velocity Sptg 12g 30” Semi-Auto Black RH $2,535*
FA02141 XLR5 Velocity Sptg 12g 30” Semi-Auto Black LH $2,535*
FA02142 XLR5 Velocity Sptg 12g 30” Semi-Auto Silver RH $2,885*
FA02143 XLR5 Velocity Sptg 12g 30” Semi-Auto Silver LH $2,885*
FA02160 XLR5 Velocity Sptg 12g 32” Semi-Auto Black RH $2,535*
FA02161 XLR5 Velocity Sptg 12g 32” Semi-Auto Black LH $2,535*
FA02162 XLR5 Velocity Sptg 12g 32” Semi-Auto Silver RH $2,885*
FA02163 XLR5 Velocity Sptg 12g 32” Semi-Auto Silver LH $2,885*
*prices tentative at this point
Availability is April, 2012, so expect a full review as soon as soon as they become available.
The Velocity review is now up and running: http://www.randywakeman.com/ReviewFabarmXLR5VelocityCompetitionAutoloadingTwelveGauge.htm
Copyright 2012 by Randy Wakeman. All Rights Reserved.
