Beretta DT11 Supersport review: is this the ultimate DT11?

The Beretta DT11 has long been one of the most dominant competition shotguns. Now, to celebrate their 500th year, Beretta has unveiled the limited-edition DT11 Supersport – prompting Lloyd Pattison to see whether these subtle updates elevate the legendary platform.

Prices are RRP at time of publication and may have changed.

The evolution of the Beretta DT11

In 1994 Beretta replaced the highly regarded DT10 competition shotgun with the newly released DT11. The DT10 was already a high water mark for reliability and longevity, derived from the hand-built ASE with a massive receiver bearing surface mating the barrels to the action and a cross bolt acting on lugs protruding from the similarly massive face of the monoblock. The DT11 improved this design with a newly widened action to increase weight, and shift the gun’s centre of mass more neutrally between the shooter’s hands. In addition, the barrels had been redesigned with a new backboring system and forcing cones that Beretta termed “Steelium Pro” – optimised for plastic wad competition cartridges to throw the best pattern with the least recoil. This system was offered on a special edition of the DT10 called the Anniversario, but the DT11 was equipped with them as standard. The barrels also benefitted from the newish Optima HP chokes which were derived from the Optima Plus system designed to withstand higher pressures while not increasing weight by moving the threads further down away from the muzzle, where constriction is tightest, to allow for greater wall thickness in that area. The trigger plate action features a removable inertia trigger unit with leaf springs that offers superb crisp trigger pulls and the ability to swap out the unit should it fail. Carried over from the DT10 this was very much a case of “if it ain’t broke…”

The first release of the DT11 (in the UK) featured woodwork that was, initially, rather lumpen and suited only to users with big paws, but a revision followed that slimmed down the pistol grip somewhat to widen the gun’s appeal. Since then, Beretta have continued to refine and release new versions of the gun for various disciplines and shooting styles, and frankly have never looked back. I could attempt to iterate the models but this list would be long and I am almost sure to omit something, suffice to say that there are models that run the gamut in terms of engraving, woodwork, and barrels to suit more than a few circumstances and shooters. The DT11 had remained incredibly popular for much of the last 32 years (there’s a fact that makes me feel old, thanks Beretta) and has been king of the range for competition shooters in their line-up until the recent release of the SL2. The ’11 remains a favourite, however, due to the balance of features and value for money, a loyal fan base and great dealer support. The SL2 having been launched at a higher price point and having quite a different character, leaves plenty of room for its older sibling to continue to exist.

Beretta celebrates 500 years with the DT11 Supersport

Unless you have been living under a rock I am reasonably certain you will have spotted that this year marks Beretta’s 500th anniversary, and I am told they are planning a number of special editions over the year to commemorate their quincentennary (yeah, I had to Google it) and the DT11 Supersport is the first to break cover. The SS is being made in a limited run of 500, with a special serial number and marking on the top tang, “1 of 500”. Note, all of them are marked 1 of 500, the serial denotes the actual number in the run. Thematically, the gun is accented in what looks to me like a sea green, much less lairy than the acid green used on the DLC, for a muted businesslike appearance that still differentiates it from the blue used on the standard guns. This subtlety carries on in the nature of the changes applied to the SS, that while minor, add up in a way that is somehow greater than the sum of its parts.

What is new on the Beretta DT11 Supersport?

Starting with the case, the SS comes in a genuinely handsome compact case finished in the sea green to match the paint used on the gun. The case, lined in black velvet, unfolds like a clam shell and holds all the usual accessories like wrenches, oil, and B-Fast O-rings and weights, but also a selection of beads and a spare trigger blade. Also in the box are six ported chokes finished in a rather cool looking black which is also practical given that’s the colour they will end up after any kind of use. Available in 30 and 32in, the SS barrels are the usual DT11 ventilated top and mid rib with the Steelium Pro logo on the mid rib at the muzzle end. The 10×8 top rib, topped with a white bead, is finished with a tram line – a feature that was so popular on the 694LE it was added to later mainstream runs of the gun. The 76mm chambers and 18.6mm boring remains unchanged from the regular editions.

The fore-end on the SS is 5mm longer than the standard beavertail and while it looks similar in profile the feel is significantly improved by a deepening of the finger choils running down the length. In the hand it feels a little slimmer, a little easier to hold and delivers a pleasing surety over the chubbier standard woodwork. The action is as already noted accented in green and has a subtle but attractive Supersport in italic script on the base which for me feels very, very Italian, evocative of Alfa Romeo or Ferrari. Moving on to the pistol grip, here again we see subtle changes, slimming the neck ever so slightly as it flows into the stock making the gun feel more svelte. The stock feels slightly slimmer too with a modest reading of the drop and a 5mm increase in LOP. Again taking inspiration from the sensationally popular 694 to fit the changing tastes of shooters who are starting to prefer a longer LOP and more rib visibility. The woodwork is grade 3 and will vary with the gun you choose but is always well finished and laser chequered with a very fine border and a good balance of lines per inch and depth.

DT11 Supersport handling and performance on the range

The DT11 is and has ever been a tool designed with the competition shooter in mind, every part of the gun has been thought out with this mindset. The action, the barrels, the jointing, the trigger group, all of it is designed to shoot tens of thousands of rounds and keep going while offering the shooter maximum comfort and repeatability. With that said, I’ll stop waffling about the oily bits and get on with the shooting shall I?

The sum of these minor changes is immediately present when handling the Supersport; it feels in the hand closer to the character of the SL2 or to a Krieghoff than before, and the ergo is just better. I spent a couple of weeks with the SS and shot several hundred cartridges on a variety of disciplines and I can tell you it was no chore, the SS is so at home on the clay ground it feels born to it, the revised drop and minor woodwork tweaks are, for my money, what I would have done were I to go to Beretta Due and have one custom fitted. The gun mounts and shoots sweetly, and swings with excellent balance and inertia. The test gun I had was a 30in which to me felt well suited to Skeet or ABT where rapid gun movement is required although I found no issue with sporting targets. Personal preference for me would be the 32in but that’s as much a preference thing as it is anything, I would happily shoot either length for more or less any discipline and be happy with it. I have seen plenty of the more embellished DT11s in the field and certainly this one could be used to great effect for any game bird you might turn it upon, especially in the 30in guise.

Is the Beretta DT11 Supersport worth buying?

Previously I have stated that the DT11 Black was my recommendation for the best of the bunch when it came to DT11s as it has such a broad range of adjustability in balance to be suitable for anyone to make it feel like their own. I think however that in light of the SS I will have to reconsider – this limited edition gun is my new favourite version of this platform. Limited editions being what they are, you may despair of ever being able to handle, much less own one. But, I wonder whether this special edition will, much like the 694LE, find some of its key features appearing in more mainstream versions of the gun in future. Beretta have always proven themselves to be keen to listen to the market and feedback from shooters so watch this space.

Scores

Design: 17/20

Subtle but effective, the changes from the standard DT11 whisper their presence rather than shout.

Handling: 19/20

Superb, especially with the subtle changes to the standard gun.

Ergonomics: 19/20

Excellent feel and balance – minor changes but adding up to a great package.

Quality: 18/20

Exactly as you would expect for a gun of this level.

Value: 18/20

Still one of the best value premium guns for the money.

Overall: 91/100

Iconic.