Beretta SO10 Instruction Manual

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STEEL SHOT
The fixed-choke barrels of the new Beretta SO10 over-and-under, as well as the new “SP” (Steel Proof)
Beretta stainless steel Optimachoke®tubes, are designed for use with factory steel shot cartridges loaded to
standard specifications. When firing steel shot cartridges, with fixed-choke barrels or Beretta stainless steel
Optimachoke
®tubes, the best results are obtained using open chokes (C0000/CL, 0000/IC, 000/M). When
utilizing steel shot, Full choke constrictions (0/F, 00/M) do not increase pattern density and will distort
normal pattern density associated with lead shot (i.e. “blown pattern”). (See also the paragraph:
“BERETTA STAINLESS STEEL OPTIMACHOKE
®TUBES”).
WARNING:Read and familiarize yourself with the loading and unloading procedure for this shotgun by
reading this manual prior to using the shotgun.  Do not use a loaded firearm until you can perform these
procedures correctly.
Before loading the gun, make sure that the safety is on. A safety is fully engaged only when it can move no
further into the safe position. In that position the marking “S” is fully visible (Fig. 1, 3, 5 page 61). A safety
which is not fully engaged will not prevent weapon discharge. Always point the firearm in a safe direction!
WARNING:Beretta assumes any responsibility for any injury or property damage resulting from improper
or careless handling, intentional or accidental discharge of the firearm. 
WARNING:Be sure that you have the correct cartridges for your shotgun. 
WARNING:The shooter and bystanders must always wear eye and hearing protection.  Particles of shot,
lead, powder, lubricant, etc. may cause injury to persons. Hearing protection reduces the risk of hearing
damage caused by exposure to shooting noise.
LOADING AND FIRING
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WARNING:Point the shotgun in a safe direction. Keep your fingers away from the trigger guard whenever
you do not intend to fire. Never point the firearm at something that is not safe to shoot.
•With the shotgun assembled (see “ASSEMBLY”), push the top lever to the right and open the shotgun by
levering the barrels downwards. 
•Hold the barrels up to the light and look down the barrels from the muzzle to make sure they are free of
any obstructions.
•Insert a cartridge of the proper gauge into the chamber of the barrel you want to use, or into both
chambers for two shots.
•Close the shotgun.  Be sure that the top lever has moved fully to its center position.  Engage the safety if
it is not already engaged.
WARNING:In case the shotgun is provided with an AUTOMATIC SAFETY, the safety is automatically
engaged by the operation of the top lever during the opening of the shotgun.  (The marking “S” will be
visible in this case).
NOTICE:If the shotgun features a DOUBLE TRIGGER, the pull on the front trigger allows to fire the
cartridge inserted into the first barrel (the lower-one) and  the pull on  the rear trigger allows to fire the
cartridge inserted into the second barrel (the upper-one).
If the shotgun features a SINGLE TRIGGER, the pull on the trigger allows the gun to fire first the cartridge
inserted into the first barrel and then the cartridge inserted into the second barrel.
If the gun features a SINGLE SELECTIVE TRIGGER, the pull on the trigger allows the gun to fire first the
barrel you have selected with the barrel selector:
•(Selector to the right) = first barrel (See page 61).••(Selector to the left) = second barrel (See page 61).
•When you are ready to fire, disengage the safety and pull the trigger.  This will fire the barrel you have
selected to fire first.
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WARNING:If the shotgun does not fire a live cartridge when the trigger is pulled, activate the safety, wait
one (1) minute, then open the shotgun and manually remove the unfired cartridge.
NOTICE:The Manufacturer assumes no responsibility for any injury or property damage resulting from
improper or careless handling, intentional or accidental discharge of the firearm.
•Completely release the trigger after the first shot to re-set the shotgun for the next shot.  There is no need
to operate the barrel selector (if present) since the gun is automatically ready to fire the second cartridge.
•To fire a second shot from the second barrel, pull the trigger again or pull the second trigger.
WARNING: Always unload the shotgun immediately after shooting is completed. To store the firearm
please refer to the paragraph: “STORAGE”.!
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UNLOADING THE SHOTGUN
②
③
①④
Fig. 18 Fig. 17
!WARNING:Do not rely on ejectors to unload Beretta SO10 shotguns!  The selective ejectors do not eject
live ammunition.  They eject spent shell casings when the chambers are locked open, while the unfired
cartridge/s will be only pulled up.  To unload the shotgun, manually remove the live cartridge/s and check
to ensure that both chambers are empty.
•After firing or to otherwise unload the shotgun, engage the safety, push the top lever to the right, open
the shotgun by holding the receiver in place and by levering the barrels downwards.
•The automatic selective ejectors will only eject spent shell cases.  Unfired cartridges will only be raised
and need to be extracted by hand.
•Prior to closing the shotgun, inspect the chambers.  Be sure both are empty.
•Decock the hammers as indicated in the paragraph: “DECOCKING THE HAMMERS”. 
						

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WARNING:Always be certain the shotgun is unloaded before attempting disassembly.
WARNING:Always point the shotgun in a safe direction and keep the fingers away from the trigger.
NOTICE:In order to preserve the wood and metal surfaces from the possibility of corrosion and scratching,
it is advisable to wear cotton cleaning gloves before handling any part of the Beretta SO10.  It is also
recommended to handle the shotgun over a soft and smooth surface.  The beautiful walnut grain is enhanced
by multiple, hand-applied, layers of oil, wax and Tru-Oil
®(upon request).  The surfaces of the stock and
fore-end can be subject to scratching or marring if not properly handled and stored.  Similarly, the metal
parts (barrels and receiver) are susceptible to the moisture and acidity of the hands.
•Check to ensure the chambers are empty  (See previous paragraph).
•Decock the hammers (See paragraph: “DECOCKING THE HAMMERS”).
•Remove the fore-end from the barrels by pulling the fore-end catch lever down (Fig. 18).
CAUTION:Do not pull the fore-end down too far before pulling it forward to remove it. This will prevent
the fore-end iron from knocking against the receiver.
DISASSEMBLY
CORRECT UNLOADING SEQUENCE(Fig. 17)
WARNING:Always unload your shotgun before placing it in a vertical position such as against a wall,
fence, tree, etc. as it may fall and be irreparably damaged.  The gun may fall from a standing position with
sufficient force to be discharged. If you need to put the Beretta SO10 down temporarily when out hunting,
it is advisable to unload it and leave it with the barrels open on a soft surface completely insulated from the
damp ground.
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•Push the top lever to the right.  Fully open the shotgun by levering the muzzle end of the barrels downwards.
Lift the barrels out of the receiver.  Disengage barrel recesses from hinge pins of the receiver.  The top
lever remains open.
•Fit the fore-end onto the barrels and press it to catch the barrel hook. 
NOTICE:It is advisable to place the top lever in its centered position when the shotgun is being stored or
transported in a gun case.  
Proceed as follows:  push the top lever completely to the right past the stop position and depress the top
lever plunger (located on the lower section of the breechface of the receiver) (Fig. 19). Once the top lever
plunger is completely depressed, release the top lever to its centered position.
CAUTION:No further disassembly of component parts is recommended unless done by a competent
gunsmith.
NOTICE:Once the shotgun is handled, always
and accurately clean all external surfaces (wood
and metal) with a soft and clean patch in order to
preserve the delicate finishes over time.  The
Beretta Cleaning Cloth (FAW08), available at
fine gun dealers, is specially designed to clean
your fine shotgun.  Poor handling and cleaning of
the firearm could compromise your Beretta
warranty.
CAUTION:The hinge pin and the locking areas
are very important mating surfaces. The receiver,
the barrels and the fore-end iron are subject to
Fig. 19 
						

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very high loads. Improper lubrication of these components can cause seizing of parts or malfunctioning of
the shotgun. (The areas to lubricate are indicated by the arrows on Fig. 8 page 70). Before using the shotgun
make sure that lubricant is present as instructed. 
NOTICE:It is recommended to use Beretta-Interflon
®lubricant with Teflon®(product code OL38) or high
quality gun lubricants exclusively. These products are available at fine gun dealers. 
						

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The side plates/side locks of the Beretta SO10 over-and-under may be manually removed from the receiver
for inspection, cleaning, or merely to access the firing mechanism and admire the precious engraving and
finishing that adorn the visible surfaces.
CAUTION:It is recommended that this operation be limited to the times of need.  A frequent and
unnecessary disassembly of the side locks could cause premature wear of the locking keys and/or the damage
of the sideplates and relative engraving.
WARNING:Always check that the firearm is unloaded. Always point the shotgun in a safe direction and
keep the fingers away from the trigger.
NOTICE:Clean the side plates on a soft surface
to avoid damaging the parts.
NOTICE:In order to preserve the wood and
metal surfaces from the possibility of corrosion
and scratching, it is recommended to wear cotton
cleaning gloves before handling any part of the
Beretta SO10.  It is also advisable to handle the
shotgun over a soft and smooth surface.  The
beautiful walnut grain is enhanced by multiple,
hand-applied, layers of oil, wax and Tru-Oil
®
(optional).
DISASSEMBLY OF THE SIDE LOCKS
Fig. 20
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The surfaces of the stock and fore-end can be subject to scratching or marring if not properly handled and
stored. Similarly, the metal parts (barrels and receiver) are susceptible to the moisture and acidity of the
hands.
•Be sure the hammers are decocked (See paragraph: “DECOCKING THE HAMMERS”).
•Remove the barrels from the receiver and push the top lever into the home position (Fig. 19 page 82) (See
paragraph: “DISASSEMBLY”). 
•Using the tool provided, press on the end of the front key on the left side plate of the receiver (Fig. 20)
to allow you to rotate the handle of the key (Fig. 21). 
•Turn the key anticlockwise and until it comes right out of the slot (Fig. 22).
•Then do the same with the rear key (Fig. 23 page 88).
Fig. 21Fig. 22 
						

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Fig. 23 Fig. 24
Fig. 26Fig. 25