When it comes to upland hunting, aside from a great dog, you want a shotgun that’s predictable and reliable: it instinctively snaps to your shoulder, has a clear sight picture and always goes bang. And better yet, it possess a classic aesthetic that compliments the tradition and art of wingshooting to make you feel a bit prouder about that downed bird.

Here in the Red Hills Region of South Georgia and Northern Florida, where King Bob prospers, you’d be hard pressed to find a better side-by-side companion than the 28-gauge Fausti DEA SLX. It’s a natural fit for the plantation stands of longleaf pines that echo the bobwhite hunting tradition of nearly 200 years.

Refined over the years, the DEA SLX is a straightforward, honest piece of engineering that contributes to its dependability. The shotgun relies on the proven Anson & Deeley boxlock action. The receiver is machined from a single billet of steel. Lockup is simple, comprising of an underbolt that engages a lug on the lower monobloc. The barrels hinge on a sturdy cross pin with a second pair of lugs inside the monobloc providing more of a mating surface compared to trunnions. Our model had a single non-selective inertia trigger that pulled at about four pounds, but for the more traditional minded double triggers are available.

Fausti’s DEA SLX doesn’t disappoint in its presentation. The laser engraved vine on scroll over  coin-finish sideplates are attractive and eye-catching (the shotgun is also available with a case-hardened receiver). The long trigger tang complemented the flow of the satin-finished AAA walnut straight grip. 

Fausti says the stock dimensions as 14½-inch length of pull, 1½-inch drop at comb and 2¼-inch drop at heel. For some wingshooters, the length of pull may initially seem a tad short, but given the weather conditions we often shoot under the shotgun takes into account the added layers of clothing.

The forearm can be described as a hybrid beaver tail, which was nice to shoot compared to splinters by providing better anti-barrel burn and handling control. Fausti did a great job with the blemish-free laser checkering. Everything about the Fausti DEA SLX simply flows in an elegant profile, which arguably bestows that Italian penchant for flair onto a definitive British classic style.

Our shotgun arrived with 28-inch barrels that featured a solid rib and single muzzle bead. The flawless finish on them can be described as semi-gloss. The barrels’ forcing cones are lengthened and the right bore measures 0.550 inches, and at 0.549 inches. An anti-glare finish on the solid rib will certainly help if you’re shooting into the sun. The rib solder seams appeared perfect – again underscoring the overall quality of the DEA SLX. The rib’s dimensions are ¼-inch at the rear that narrows to ⅛ inch at the muzzles. You can also spec the shotgun with 26-inch or 30-inch barrels.

The shotgun comes with five flush chokes including cylinder, improved-cylinder, modified, improved-modified and full. The barrels and chokes are proofed for steel shot.

We shot clays with the DEA SLX. At a well-balanced 4.9 pounds, the shotgun is as nimble and neutral as you’d hope to expect. It shoulders quickly and swings evenly – underscoring that you’re technique better be tip-top given the shotgun’s responsiveness, meaning it would be easy to over-correct especially on wild covey of quail. At a 28 gauge, recoil is a non-issue, but instead you should be focusing on trigger feel and handling when it comes to hunting – in a word “instinctive.”

Getting back to dependability, you can examine the shotgun as hard as you’d like under a shop lamp and recognize the high level of quality control in its appearance. The inletting is perfect everywhere. Clearly, Fausti has been investing a bundle in advanced manufacturing equipment.

The shotgun’s MSRP is $6,595. You can order it in 12, 16, 20 and 28 gauge as well .410. Sounds like that would make a lovely flight of Fausti DEA SLXs.

Irwin Greenstein is the publisher of Shotgun Life. You can reach him at the Shotgun Life Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/shotgunlife

The Fausti USA web site

Irwin Greenstein

Irwin Greenstein is Publisher of Shotgun Life. Please send your comments to letters@shotgunlife.com.

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