Shotgun Review: Fausti's DEA SLX

guns56
Oct 9
2 min read

The Fausti DEA SLX is a modern interpretation of the classic side-by-side, a shotgun that blends high‑level Italian gunsmithing with modern manufacturering techniques meant to elevate the practical hunting performance.

Designed for demanding upland and wingshooting applications, the DEA SLX pairs a stout, purpose‑built action with Fausti’s attention to fit, finish, and ergonomics, producing a shotgun that feels immediately comfortable in the shoulder and responsive on the swing. This is a gun for shooters who want traditional handling and sight picture but with the precision of contemporary manufacturing.

Under the hood the DEA SLX is engineered for consistency and durability. It’s offered across a wide palette of gauges (12, 16, 20, 28, and .410) and a variety of barrel lengths, and the receiver and action components are proportioned to the chosen gauge for optimal balance and strength. Barrels come with either fixed or interchangeable chokes, and the flat, anti‑glare guilloched rib with a classic brass bead gives a clean, glare‑free sight plane. Fausti machines key components from solid billets and stresses tight tolerances in the action and barrel fit, details that translate directly into repeatable point of impact and improved pattern consistency.

Trigger, lockup, and handling are central to the DEA SLX’s appeal. Buyers can choose either a single selective mechanical trigger or traditional double triggers depending on preference, and Fausti’s trigger timing and break are tuned to be fast, crisp, and reliable, an important feature for those quick upland shots.

Stocks are cut from quality English/Turkish walnut, finished in oil for a classic look, and sized with user‑friendly dimensions so the gun mounts consistently off the shoulder. That feeling when a shooter mounts a shotgun to their shoulder and it seemingly floats to the right spot time and time again with great balance is exactly what Fausti achieved with the DEA SLX. These ergonomic choices, combined with a well‑balanced action and stock geometry, make the SLX comfortable for long days on the uplands.

Aesthetics and finishing on the SLX allow a lot of customization. Fausti offers coin or color case finishes, deep laser or hand‑applied engraving, and a range of stocks and forend styles (English type or semi‑beavertail, depending on gauge). The receiver can be finished with tasteful scroll or full coverage engraving for those who want a showpiece; alternatively the SLX’s subtler coin finish presents an elegant yet understated field gun. With Fausti’s in‑house finishing and hand assembly, each SLX carries the hallmarks of boutique production, carefully blended checkering, matched wood figure, and tight mechanical fit.

On the range and in the field the DEA SLX performs like a premium side‑by‑side: quick to shoulder, fast on target, and forgiving through follow‑through. It’s versatile enough for close‑quarters upland cutting or more open‑country flushing, particularly when paired with appropriate barrel length and choke choices. For shooters who value classical handling, elegant finishing, and modern mechanical standards, the Fausti DEA SLX is a compelling option, an Italian‑made shotgun that balances artistry with real‑world hunting capability.

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