Fabarm Lion H368 Reverse Semi-Auto Shotgun
A friend who was giving up shooting due to ill health had kindly given me an old over/under. There was nothing wrong with the gun and whilst I was very grateful for his kind gift, the simple fact was that the gun was very much cast over for a right hander which didn’t suit a left handed shot like me. Unfortunately our friend passed away and the gun didn’t really get to see the light of day very much, but I kept hold of it for a couple of years sentimental reasons. However the time came when I decided it was better that I was to enjoy my late friend’s gift, even if that would mean trading it for a gun that really suited me better. This was how I came about my Fabarm Lion H368. I bought the gun second hand from a local dealer, but apart from a single scratch on the receiver this gun really hadn’t seen very much shooting before I bought it.
Why a semi-auto?
I wanted a gun that I could take out on rainy days, drag through muddy fields and launch heavy steel loads through. I’d also been impressed after borrowing a Remington 1100 for some clay shooting and really just wanted to try something different. I never quite meant to buy anything as nicely finished as the Fabarm but although it gets properly cleaned and dried at the end of a day I don’t cut it any slack when I’m out and about. It’s been in some ridiculously heavy rain storms…
So what’s it like to shoot?
The first thing you notice about this H368 is that it is light. Under 7 lb light. This can make it kick quite hard with punchy loads, which is particularly noticeable if you’re shooting a fast round of skeet. However it will shoot light loads, right down to 21g on a plastic wad reliably. Stock fit is a personal thing. Mine is a true left handed gun, with a left hand palm swell and a grove cut for your thumb. The stock is a little on the short side but it can be adjusted with different pads. There are also shims which can be used to alter drop and cast. It also had the bolt on the left hand side, which means I don’t get any powder coming back into my face. It’s great fun to let right handers have a go, as they tend to give it back quickly asking how anyone could ever shoot such horrible a set-up. I can’t say they get much sympathy from a leftie who has to make do in a right handed world!
Why a semi-auto?
I wanted a gun that I could take out on rainy days, drag through muddy fields and launch heavy steel loads through. I’d also been impressed after borrowing a Remington 1100 for some clay shooting and really just wanted to try something different. I never quite meant to buy anything as nicely finished as the Fabarm but although it gets properly cleaned and dried at the end of a day I don’t cut it any slack when I’m out and about. It’s been in some ridiculously heavy rain storms…
So what’s it like to shoot?
The first thing you notice about this H368 is that it is light. Under 7 lb light. This can make it kick quite hard with punchy loads, which is particularly noticeable if you’re shooting a fast round of skeet. However it will shoot light loads, right down to 21g on a plastic wad reliably. Stock fit is a personal thing. Mine is a true left handed gun, with a left hand palm swell and a grove cut for your thumb. The stock is a little on the short side but it can be adjusted with different pads. There are also shims which can be used to alter drop and cast. It also had the bolt on the left hand side, which means I don’t get any powder coming back into my face. It’s great fun to let right handers have a go, as they tend to give it back quickly asking how anyone could ever shoot such horrible a set-up. I can’t say they get much sympathy from a leftie who has to make do in a right handed world!
The gun has a 26 inch barrel which makes it nice and compact when walking through grown up woods. It is however necessary to make a conscious effort to keep swinging through a target as the light weight and short barrel make it all too easy to snap shoot. There is a bright red fibre bead at the muzzle, and the gun came with chokes cylinder, ¼, ½ and full. The first 3 are also proved for use with steel shot. There are groves for fitting a scope (which I tried out of interest). Although it looked the business the comb of the stock is obviously set up to give a flat sighting picture along the top the barrel, so with a scope you have to move your head up off the stock. The trigger is stippled for grip although I would have liked a larger buttons for the bolt release and safety catch.
Under the forend is a beautifully machined and very clever little gas system. The gas system is Fabarm’s “Pulse Piston” which uses friction from a compressible polymer insert to self-regulate the amount of gas used to cycle the action. I’ve shot 21g – 36g loads with it and I’ve never had a problem. I assume the piston has a limited life span but it could be easily replaced by the user as it just drops out when the barrels are removed. I’m not sure how I’d get a new one however as the UK importers never answered my e-mail enquirers. Be warned - it does like to throw spent shells a long way… In theory that bolt can be easily removed by prising out the charging handle with a cartridge rim. In practise it takes a trip to the gun shop followed by a lot of swearing from the gunsmith. On the plus side dirt doesn’t build up behind the bolt so there’s no desperate need to remove it regularly.
Under the forend is a beautifully machined and very clever little gas system. The gas system is Fabarm’s “Pulse Piston” which uses friction from a compressible polymer insert to self-regulate the amount of gas used to cycle the action. I’ve shot 21g – 36g loads with it and I’ve never had a problem. I assume the piston has a limited life span but it could be easily replaced by the user as it just drops out when the barrels are removed. I’m not sure how I’d get a new one however as the UK importers never answered my e-mail enquirers. Be warned - it does like to throw spent shells a long way… In theory that bolt can be easily removed by prising out the charging handle with a cartridge rim. In practise it takes a trip to the gun shop followed by a lot of swearing from the gunsmith. On the plus side dirt doesn’t build up behind the bolt so there’s no desperate need to remove it regularly.
Using the gun is no more difficult than any other semi-auto but you will need to practice. To lock the bolt to the rear its first necessary to pull back on the loading gate until you hear a click. I’m not sure why they did this rather than use a small push button?! After dropping the first round through the ejection port press the bolt release button. You can then feed a further 2 rounds into the magazine. A word of warning though. If you manage to pull the loading gate back whilst loading the magazine, it will kick a cartridge under the bolt, and probably nip your fingers in the process. You won’t be able to load any more without first unloading the cartridge in the chamber, chambering the round that has kicked out and starting again. It drove me mad at first until I got the hang of it. There is an automatic magazine cut off which means you can’t cycle the bolt to empty the magazine. Instead you have to reload through the magazine loading gate. This means you can unload the gun without having to empty the magazine.
What’s its favourite diet?
For clays I use Hull HP 24g on a plastic wad or Trust 21g also on plastic wad. It doesn’t like light (<28g) fibre wad cartridges. However I haven’t found a fibre wad game cartridge it didn’t like.
Overall Impressions
A great little semi-auto which could use a little more weight. The wood is beautifully figured and the action very reliable. The loading gate takes a little getting used to but it soon becomes second nature. It most feels at home out in the field where it’s very comfortable to carry all day or when taking quick shots from a hide. Second hand these goes for about the same price as a new budget semi-auto - I'm glad I put my money into this Fabarm.
For clays I use Hull HP 24g on a plastic wad or Trust 21g also on plastic wad. It doesn’t like light (<28g) fibre wad cartridges. However I haven’t found a fibre wad game cartridge it didn’t like.
Overall Impressions
A great little semi-auto which could use a little more weight. The wood is beautifully figured and the action very reliable. The loading gate takes a little getting used to but it soon becomes second nature. It most feels at home out in the field where it’s very comfortable to carry all day or when taking quick shots from a hide. Second hand these goes for about the same price as a new budget semi-auto - I'm glad I put my money into this Fabarm.
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