We are fortunate that many manufacturers continue to introduce various shotgun models to satisfy individual preferences. Let’s face it, many shotguns on the market look very similar. However, some models have a more exciting and modern appearance with the latest technologies.

Today I’m looking at a shotgun that is fairly new to the market. I consider it a relatively budget-priced sporting shotgun that has appealing aesthetics and impressive modern technologies, while setting itself apart from many other sporting shotguns. I introduce to you the Fabarm Elos N2 RS Sporting.

The original Fabarm Elos N2 Sporting has now been fine-tuned into the Elos N2 RS Sporting. It retains all the performance features of the standard N2 Sporting, making it a great shotgun for clay target shooting. This model is aimed towards the serious competition shooter who wants an over-and-under sporting shotgun that offers exceptional value for money.

The RS has a completely new stock dimension and forend design to enable the shooter to achieve a more comfortable mount and allow the gun to sit in the hands with ease. This has been achieved by making the RS stock slightly chunkier than the original N2 and giving it a pistol grip that is deeper and turns down at a steeper angle with a thicker palm swell. The barrel weight has been increased and adjusted to put more weight between the hands, improving handling and reducing recoil. Additionally, the wood set has been upgraded to oil-finished Turkish walnut, giving the gun a premium look without the premium price tag. 

With these changes, the RS now weighs in at 8lb 4oz as opposed to sub-8lb with the original N2, making it very similar to most other modern sporting shotguns. Looking at all the technical changes that have been made to improve this model, everything sounds great. There have been some excellent changes to improve the gun to make it better suited to shooting clays, but there was only one way to know this for sure: time for some clays!

On the Clays

After assembling the gun, I decided to put a ¼ and ½ choke into the barrels from the selection of four extended chokes provided. I have heard great things about the Exis HP competition chokes that come with this model. They apparently achieve incredible patterns through the Tribore HP barrels, so I was looking forward to testing this myself. As I mounted the gun for the first time I could see over the barrel, but it wasn’t as high as I wanted and I was looking slightly down the side of the barrel. However, this was not a problem as all the RS is fitted with an adjustable cheekpiece, so every shooter can achieve the exact fit they require. 

It was very easy to adjust, with two screws in the side of the cheekpiece to alter the height and two adjustable pillars under it to alter the cast. After five minutes’ adjustment I was happy with the picture I was seeing down the barrel and ready for my first shots. I decided to shoot a sportrap layout that consisted of various targets to get a true feel for how the gun handled and performed. After finishing a couple of rounds I was extremely happy with its performance and can confirm that the alterations Fabarm made to the RS model have improved the handling of the gun for the better.

The chunkier stock dimensions allow the gun to sit comfortably in my shoulder pocket and the thicker palm swell allowed my hand to hold the gun firmly and guide the stock into my shoulder with ease. I really like the new style of forend. I wasn’t overly fond of the schnabel forend design on the original N2, but the thicker rounded forend on the RS sits in my hand more comfortably and I feel that I can move the gun more assertively. The 10-8mm tapered rib guided my eye comfortably to the end of the gun where I could pick up and maintain a clear focus on each target. The 28g load I was using was very manageable, with smooth recoil in my shoulder and little muzzle flip. The extra weight in the barrels on the RS model has certainly helped achieve this.

It is also important to note that the Tribore HP barrels on this model are overpressure tested to 1,630 bar and high-performance steel proofed with 3in chambers, so the gun will be fit for the future if non-toxic loads have to be used.

Better Control

The Elos N2 RS I had was fitted with 32in barrels. The gun wasn’t perfectly balanced as the weight was slightly forward of the hinge pin, although I did like this as it gave me better control when swinging the gun as I am used to shooting a shotgun that is heavier than this one. The negative side is you don’t have the option of adding weight to the stock or barrel to achieve a balance you require.

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Conclusion

Fabarm states: “There is no other sporting clay gun that offers a better combination of handling, features and overall quality for anywhere near this price.” For a new modern sporting shotgun, I would have to agree. I am a classic example of following brands that have stood the test of time, but Fabarm has put a lot of development into its recent products and is now up there with some of the better-known manufacturers. 

I believe the RS model to be a great improvement on the old N2 because its specification is better suited to the modern sporting shooter. It will appeal to club-level shooters who are looking for a fresh-looking, fast-moving shotgun with stock adjustability for the perfect fit. Left- and right-handed stocks are available, so all shooters are catered for. I’m very impressed with the gun and look forward to having another go with it again soon.

Many thanks to Matt Panter from Anglo Italian and Coombe Farm Sporting for enabling me to review this gun.