Smoothbore Italian semi-automatic shotgun Bernardelli Mega

Weapons manufacturer Vincenzo Bernardelli SpA has long been known as the developer and creator of high-quality Italian weapons. Guns under the Bernardelli brand have been officially produced since the second half of the nineteenth century, although the history of gunsmiths goes back more than 300 years, it is one of the oldest Italian gun brands.

The Bernardelli Mega smoothbore semi-automatic shotgun is one of the best examples of modern weapons from this company. The Bernardelli Mega self-loading shotgun with a gas exhaust system is an excellent choice for any hunter. At the same time, every shooting enthusiast can choose a suitable modification for himself.

Historical reference

The history of the hunting rifle, known as Bernardelli, began quite a long time ago. In 1721, in the town of Gardone in Valle Trompia, located in Lombardy, an Italian family with the surname Bernardelli acquired a large arms factory, which began producing weapons under the brand of the same name - Bernardelli.

Officially, the company was founded in 1865, when Vincenzo Bernardelli and his sons founded the arms company Vincenzo Bernardellis.pa, which began serial production of pistols supplied to the Italian army.

The company began producing smooth-bore hunting rifles at the very beginning of the twentieth century, which immediately led to the emergence of many new customers and world fame. This allowed the company, already in 1903, to greatly increase production capacity and build a new enlarged factory. In addition to shotguns, Bernardelli also produced revolvers, automatic and small-caliber pistols

In 1947, Bernardelli was the first of all Italian arms companies to produce a semi-automatic shotgun, which they did until the end of the 60s.

Nowadays, occupying a space of several square kilometers, the enterprise fully provides all stages of the technological process for the production of hunting weapons, thanks only to its facilities. The plant, located near Brescia, employs more than 80 professionals. Bernardelli guns have become the epitome of quality and beauty.

Bernardelli shotguns represent versatility and elegant simplicity of design, as well as the perfect operation of every small mechanism, which is the result of the use of the latest technology. Bernardelli shotguns are made only from the most reliable and proven materials, which allow us to talk about maximum durability. Steel barrels and a block, which is usually made from very strong alloys, allow the design to be both light and strong. By the way, Hemingway himself spoke about accuracy, who hunted only with a Bernardelli gun in his hands.

General description Bernardelli Mega

Self-loading smoothbore shotguns Bernardelli Mega 12 and 20 caliber, the automatic operation of which uses the principle of a gas engine. The magazine is under-barrel, tubular, and the stock is semi-pistol. The weapon belongs to a high price class.

The classic Cigno and Silver versions have a natural walnut stock, and the newer Camouflage is painted in either Max 4 or Api Brown. The sides of the receiver are also finished differently. Bernardelli shotguns can safely be called products for the elite - after all, no more than three thousand copies are produced per year, and their price is above average.

Bernardelli Mega smoothbore shotguns are based on the use of kinetic energy of gas, which is released through special holes in the wall of the barrel channel. These holes are located at a distance of 3.2 cm from the cut of the trunk.

Hunters note a high level of comfort when shooting from this weapon. This is achieved due to the fact that the manufacturer has made the butt and fore-end of an ergonomic shape. A separate advantage is the ability to charge the device with both Russian and foreign cartridges.

Bernardelli's guns have always been considered elite, this is due to the number of units produced, and about 2500-3500 of them are produced per year. The exclusivity is also indicated by the price, which is always in the above-average segment.

Gun Bernardelli Anniversary Ceramica k.12/76

Question?
Answer! 1) What is a hunting firearm?
Hunting firearms include hunting carbines, smooth-bore shotguns, smooth-bore shotguns with a “paradox” drill with rifling of 100 – 140 mm at the beginning or end of the barrel, hunting rifles with a “supra” drill, combined shotguns that have both smooth and rifled barrels, hunting small-caliber rifles. The length of the barrels of smoothbore shotguns and hunting rifles must be at least 450 mm, and the total length of the weapon must not be less than 800 mm. (no. 745, clause 8.8)

2) At what age can I buy a hunting firearm?

Citizens of Ukraine over the age of 21 have the right to purchase hunting smooth-bore firearms.

Citizens of Ukraine have the right to purchase hunting rifled firearms from the age of 25 (n. No. 745, clause 12.1)

3) How to buy weapons?

To purchase weapons, you must have permits. The issuance of permits is carried out by the authorities of the permitting system of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.

4) How to buy hunting firearms?

Permits for the purchase of firearms can be obtained from the department of the permit system of the district administration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine at the place of registration. To purchase rifled firearms, you must contact the licensing system department of the regional department of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine. Residents of the city of Kyiv can also contact the city permitting system of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.

5) What documents are needed to purchase hunting firearms?

To obtain permission to purchase and store smooth-bore and rifled firearms, you must submit the following documents to the licensing authorities of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine at your place of registration:

• Application addressed to the head of the district (for rifled firearms - regional) department of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine for the issuance of a permit
• completed application card
• medical certificate (form 127 - region) to obtain a permit (license) for an object of the licensing system;
• receipt of payment for services for issuing a permit
• 4 photo cards 3x4 cm
• photocopy of passport data
• certificate of no criminal record
• certificate of completion of training and passing tests on knowledge of the material parts of weapons, rules of use and safety regulations
• compulsory civil liability insurance for damage that may be caused to a third party

If the actual place of residence is different from what is indicated in the passport, then it is necessary to provide a document that confirms the actual place of residence of the citizen (lease agreement for housing premises, certificate of ownership of housing premises). (no. 745, clause 12.2)

6) How many hunting firearms can I own?

A citizen of Ukraine can purchase an unlimited number of weapons, provided they have permits for their acquisition and storage. (no. 745. Clause 12.1)

7) How many hunting firearms can I buy with one permit?

A purchase permit is issued for one unit of the specified type of weapon.

Is it possible to order hunting firearms and ammunition by mail?

It is prohibited to send hunting firearms and ammunition by mail!

Design features of Bernardelli Mega

The shotgun barrel of the Bernardelli Mega shotgun is equipped with threads for replaceable constrictions. The calculation is based on the use of steel shot. The gun has a chrome-plated chamber, the same applies to the channel. The delivery package includes a bullet barrel with flat rifling of large width. Aiming is carried out using two main elements - a fiber-optic front sight, and in addition to it - a ventilated bar. The receiver is made of nickel-plated steel by milling on a single piece. Spent cartridges are thrown to the right. The hopper window on the bottom side is used for loading ammunition, and on the inside of the same side there is an ejector for the cartridge.

A tubular under-barrel magazine serves as the basis for the return spring and gas engine, which can be adjusted. Its material is stainless steel, resistant to powder gas. The gas mechanism is equipped with a pair of coaxial pistons, which are marked with a certain type of marking. They have different skirt diameters, which allows the use of ammunition with different powder weights. To adjust these pistons, it is necessary to disassemble the device and change their location.

It is important to focus on the markings to avoid discrepancies.

The gas engine is closely connected to the bolt frame using a rod. There is a round face, one extractor tooth and a flat mirror. The rocking lever is designed for locking; its tooth clings to a protruding area on the receiver.

When the last ammunition is fired, the bolt frame moves to the delay position. In order to remove it, there is a special button located on the right side of the receiver, immediately above the magazine hopper. The trigger stroke and its resistance cannot be adjusted in the Bernardelli Mega shotgun. The trigger mechanism is of the hammer type. The magazine is equipped with a special lever for intercepting ammunition. While it blocks the movement of the elevator, cartridges are not transferred to the charge line.

The fuse in Bernardelli Mega is mechanical. At the same time, a flag button is conveniently located on the rear branch of the trigger guard. This checkbox needs to be moved to the left, then a red ring mark will become visible. The stock has a straight plastic comb, its size can be adjusted for sport modifications. The handle is developed, the stock is semi-pistol type, made of wood or plastic, depending on the model. The rifle forend acts as a casing for the gas engine.

In some cases, it may be necessary to disassemble the device, and below are detailed instructions on how to do this.

• To begin with, be sure to unload the weapon and pull the bolt frame 3-5 times, carefully position it in the direction of the delay. Next, remove the shaped nut on the forend and remove it by moving it forward.
• Remove the magazine spring and cartridge feed mechanism. Unhook the barrel from the receiver.
• If this level of disassembly is not yet enough, then we continue.
• Gently holding the handle with your finger, remove the shutter from the delay. Remove the elements from the gas engine from the magazine up to the frame pusher ring.
• Remove the handle from the bolt, and then the bolt from the receiver. To do this, it is necessary to apply force to the rod placed on the magazine.
• Remove the return spring for protection and the weighting material from the magazine.
• Finally, remove the trigger mechanism located there from the receiver; To do this, you first need to knock out a couple of pins holding it.

Operating principle

Bernardelli Mega smoothbore weapons operate using the power of powder gas, part of which is taken from the barrel. When a shot is fired, gases flow to the gas piston, moving it closer to the butt, at the same time compressing the return spring and moving the bolt frame. Then the cylinder lever is lowered and unhooked from a groove located inside the receiver, namely on the barrel shank.

As the bolt carrier moves toward the stock, in the opposite direction, the cartridge case exits the chamber. As soon as it is ejected, the cartridge is transferred to the magazine hopper, and the firing pin is cocked. On the way back, the cartridge is picked up by the feed elevator and transferred to the charging line, where it is instantly captured by the bolt face.

Before loading the Bernardelli Mega semi-automatic shotgun, you must move the button to the right, thereby installing the safety. The ammunition is fed one after another and secured inside the magazine, with the cartridge case facing forward with its muzzle.

If there is a need to load the weapon with an additional cartridge, you should press the locking lever, which is located between the magazine hopper and the trigger guard located in front. Next, you need to pull back the bolt frame and insert the cartridge through the window that serves to install the cartridge case on the feed line. At the end, do not forget to lower the bolt frame back.

To conveniently change the type of ammunition equipment, it is enough:

• activate the locking lever;
• move the bolt frame in the opposite direction;
• remove the ammunition from the chamber;
• place the required bullet in the receiver;
• in the end the bolt frame falls into place.

A little history

The Bernardelli arms company is quite well-known and one of the most respected companies producing various types of weapons, both smooth-bore and rifled. It was founded in 1721. year by siblings, and since 1865 it was officially registered as the family arms company of the Bernardelli brothers, which exists to this day and successfully flourishes in the market of smooth-bore hunting (and not only) weapons. The Bernardelli Mega Silver was introduced in the 2000s and remains one of the best semi-automatic shotguns in the world. Moreover, the Bernardelli Mega Silver semi-automatic hunting rifle has become more affordable with the release of several more affordable modifications. Cheap variations of the Bernardelli Mega Silver hunting rifle are in no way inferior to the basic model. In more affordable modifications, Bernardelli Mega Silver replaced expensive wood with more practical and inexpensive plastic. In Russia, the smooth-bore semi-automatic Bernardelli Mega Silver appeared in the 2010s and is represented by all modifications in which it is produced.

Technical characteristics of Bernardelli Mega

Advantages and disadvantages

The main drawback of the Bernardelli Mega shotgun, if it can be considered that way, is the lack of 16 gauge. Otherwise, the gun has a large number of advantages.

Very high quality workmanship, impeccably crafted barrels. Whether coating chambers and channels with chrome is considered an advantage or disadvantage is a personal matter for each hunter, since there is still no unity on this issue. The manufacturer itself positions the barrels as suitable for firing steel shot.

The original design of the gas engine, which can be adjusted for cartridges with different amounts of gunpowder. To do this, there is no need to increase or decrease the gas outlet hole in the barrel; you just need to swap the pistons, which are marked in order to eliminate discrepancies. The simplicity of the design - it only has two pistons, an O-ring and a return spring - ensures high reliability of the weapon in any operating conditions.

The set of trigger mechanism controls is complemented by a cartridge interceptor lever in the magazine. This allows you to quickly change the type of equipment or unload a weapon for transport without emptying the magazine.

The quality of workmanship is complemented by exquisite finishing, this gun is pleasant to hold, it is aesthetically pleasing and beautiful.

Some people will like the use of a fiber-optic front sight instead of a classic bronze one; it really helps to build a sight line with fewer errors.

Unfortunately, but this is the general rule of foreign manufacturers, 16 gauge is ignored, 12 and 20 are offered. One is too large and is mainly suitable for shooting at a duck or goose, the other is too small and is more suitable for hunting swamp game.

The ergonomics of the stock can be considered exemplary. In addition, the delivery set includes a set of spacers that allow you to adjust the inclination of the butt to the axis of the barrel at the angle desired by the shooter.

Compared to semi-automatic weapons from other weapons companies, Bernardelli Mega is significantly lighter, up to half a kilogram.

Varieties and modifications

Models are divided into two groups: Gauge 12 and Gauge 20, each of them contains five or six models.

The Gauge 12 group is represented by the following models:

• Mega. Basic version of the gun. The receiver is blued, unadorned, the barrel is blued, with a chrome-plated bore and chamber. Made by drilling. The stock is semi-pistol, made of selected walnut wood, varnished. The butt plate is plastic. The ridge is straight, inclined to the axis of the trunk. The trigger and safety button are plated in gold. Sights – ventilated rib and front sight – fiber-optic white “stump”. An additional bullet barrel is included in the package.
• Mega Silver. It differs from the previous model in its nickel-plated receiver.
• Mega Sporting. The metal parts are covered with carbon mesh. The front sight is made of red fiber-optic thread. The stock is semi-pistol, walnut, with a butt comb of adjustable height and a shock-absorbing butt plate.
• Mega Synthetic. A shotgun with a plastic stock and a shock-absorbing butt pad on the butt. There are swivels for attaching the belt. The receiver is covered with carbon mesh. The barrel is blued, the front sight is a white fiber-optic “stump”. The delivery set includes a bullet barrel with rifling.
• Mega Levriero. A shotgun with an exquisite finish: the nickel-plated receiver is decorated with an engraving with gold checkering, the semi-pistol stock is made of premium quality dark walnut wood, the trigger and safety button are gold plated.
• Mega Camo. A shotgun with a plastic stock with a camouflage color. The same coating on the barrel. Otherwise the model is similar to Synthetic.
• Mega Anniversary and Anniversary Ceramica. Shotguns with nickel-plated receivers, which have a chic finish with engraving and gold checkering, differ only in the theme of decoration. Produced for the 60th anniversary of the company's first semi-automatic model.

The Gauge 20 group is represented by:

• Mega. The basic model of the group, differing from the 12-gauge only in the type of front sight - it is made in the form of a piece of red fiber-optic thread. The delivery set includes a short rifled barrel for a Paradox bullet.
• Mega Silver. Features a nickel-plated receiver. The front sight is in the form of a fiber-optic “hemp”.
• Mega Sporting. A complete analogue of the twelve-gauge model with the same designation.
• Mega Synthetic. Synthetic stock, butt with shock-absorbing butt plate. The metal parts are covered with carbon mesh. There are swivels for attaching a belt.
• Mega Camo. A camouflage shotgun with a plastic stock.
• Mega Anniversary and Anniversary Ceramica. Shotguns with beautiful finishes.

Modifications

There are two model ranges from which a person will choose a suitable gun. Each row is divided into 6-7 types.

Varieties of 12 gauge:

• "Mega" is a classic option. The remaining types differ in some elements, improvements, and additions to their appearance. There is a bullet barrel. There is no decoration of the receiver, the channel and chamber are chrome-plated, lacquered walnut stock. The release hook and flag button are gold.
• "Silver" - nickel-plated receiver.
• “Sporting” - carbon mesh, fiber optic front sight.
• “Synthetic” - butt plate to soften the blow, plastic comb, white front sight, blued barrel.
• “Levriero” - gold inscriptions and drawings, unusual appearance, dark walnut stock.
• "Camo" - camouflage-colored stock.
• “Anniversary” is a luxurious model invented in honor of the 60th anniversary of the company.

The 20 gauge types have identical names. Only "Mego Levrieri" is missing.

Disassembling the gun

It may be needed when changing the amount of gunpowder in the cartridge up or down to change the position of the gas piston.

1. Unload the weapon by jerking the bolt frame several times until it is set to a delayed position.
2. Unscrew the shaped nut on the forend and remove it by sliding it forward.
3. Remove the magazine spring and cartridge feeder.
4. Remove the barrel from engagement with the receiver.

The pistons are marked: Magnum Heavy and Light STD, supplemented by arrows. When changing position, the piston corresponding to the type of hitch should be the first. The arrows must look at each other.

If further disassembly is necessary, do the following:

• Release the shutter from the delay (hold the handle with your finger, avoiding sudden forward movement).
• Remove the gas engine parts from the magazine up to the bolt carrier pusher ring.
• Pull the handle out of the bolt and remove it from the receiver by pulling the rod placed on the magazine.
• Remove the weight and recoil spring from the magazine.
• Knock out the two pins holding the trigger mechanism and remove it from the receiver.

The Bernardelli Mega shotgun is a powerful and beautiful weapon for a real man. A wide selection of modifications allows you to choose an option to suit your taste, and ease of use and a design perfected to the smallest detail will certainly make the hunt successful.

The cost of such Italian weapons is 80-120 thousand rubles, depending on the caliber and external design.

Appearance of the gun

The originality of the appearance of the Bernardelli Cigno lies in the anodized black receiver, finely sandblasted, matt finished; Fine engraving shines on the side polished surface. The back is made of rubber material, not plastic like other models. The wooden fore-end and butt are oiled.

The Bernardelli Cigno model from the Italian manufacturer is the most successful choice for a novice hunter both in terms of its cost and the capabilities it provides. Using the Cigno as an example, you can perfectly train gun control tactics.