Every upland hunter should have a 28-gauge side-by-side. Not only is the gauge plenty for most upland opportunities, but also guns chambered for it are smaller and lighter for all-day carry. A fine example is the FAIR (Fabbrica Armi Isidoro Rizzini) Iside 702. The sub-gauge costs less than $5,000 and has the look and feel of higher-end break-actions, though it does not boast some of the ornate scrollwork found on more expensive side-by-sides. FAIR was started in 1971 by Isidoro Rizzini in Italy. Through the years several companies have represented FAIR in the US, and currently the Italian Firearms Group, in Amarillo, Texas, imports the guns. FAIR also produces over/under shotguns and single-shot break-action rifles.
Upland hunters have long known that the 28 gauge is ideal for wingshooting. With no hunting seasons open but wanting to get a feel for the gun in the field, we toted the Iside 702 on a search for spring morels. At two pounds lighter than most 12s, it was an easy carry. The Iside produced 50/50 patterns from both barrels at 40 yards. We shot three rounds of skeet with the gun, breaking more than 20 clays each time (typical of our ability). With its light weight and mild recoil, the Iside 702 28-gauge would be perfect for chasing quail, grouse, Huns and even pheasants. And it would leave you with plenty of energy to do it again the next day and the day after that . . . . Price: $4,470. For more information, visit italianfirearmsgroup.com.
- A light oil finish was applied to the European-walnutstock, which features laser-cut checkering on both sides of the grip. The wood buttplate could be swapped for a rubber recoil pad. The splinter forend is attached with an Anson-style pushbutton latch. Coarse basket-weave checkering on the forend assures a solid grip. Stock measurements were: 14.5" length of pull, 1.42" drop at comb and 2.28" drop at heel. Recoil energy was a mild 17.7 foot-pounds using Winchester AA 2¾" target loads at 1,300 fps.
- FAIR engineered the Iside 702 on a solid cross-locking bolt that sits on double lugs. Lockup between the barrels and receiver was exceptional—the break-action opening and closing without stiffness. The action is color case hardened. The sideplates, trigger guard and bottom of the receiver include gold-ribbon inlays, and “FAIR Iside” is etched into the underside. Our gun had a single selective trigger, though double triggers (shown) are available, and pulls averaged 3 pounds 4 ounces. The safety, which houses the barrel selector, is located on the top tang, and the bottom tang extends into the English-style stock for added strength. Automatic ejectors dispense spent hulls.
- Our 28-gauge test gun had 30" barrels (26" and 28" are available) and was chambered for 3” shells. FAIR also offers the Iside 702 in 12, 16 and 20 gauge as well as .410. The chopper-lump blued barrels are highly polished and have a matte-finish rib and brass bead front sight. Our gun came with five flush-mounted chokes—Cylinder, Improved Cylinder, Modified, Improved Modified and Full—in a black plastic box with a choke wrench. The 702’s overall weight of 5 pounds 5 ounces was ideal.
