Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Beretta A 400 ?

Good the Bad the Ugly anybody have any thoughts Thanks

It's a Semi auto Beretta.

It should run...
Dependably.....

390,s run like the energizer bunny on nuke power.

Shot an A400 Xcel 200 rds of sporting handles like a dream and never a glitch. Nicest sporting auto I’ve shot.

Thats what I was hoping for Thanks

I have an A391 3.5 and I have never had a glitch. A lot of turkeys met their end with that shotgun.

$$$.

Looking for an auto 20 and once I saw the price compared to several other options including the A300 Ultima I didn't look into the 400 anymore.

Cannot get past the looks of that Kickoff system either.

Excellent shotgun got about 1000 rounds through mine, no hiccups at all. Handles perfectly for me

My A390 quit shooting 3” high vel duck loads and Beretta’s gunsmiths couldn’t tell me why. It was completely gone through and pronounced good to go. Wrong.

Sold it to a new owner who was good with shooting normal loads. I bought a new A400 and am good now.

It killed me to have to sell my 390……I loved that gun.

I would like to find one of these in a 20 gauge in like new condition.

Very fine guns.

Failure to eject or failure to feed or failure to chamber???

Would it fire a few shells and then malfunction.
Did it do that repeatedly to a certain # of shots.

I bet it was a weakened buttstock operating spring or a weak bleedoff spring in the forearm/ retaining cap.
Chances are the Beretta people gave it a visual inspection and didn't even test fire the gun.

Cole Fine guns sells spring kits of different poundages.
You can also call them and they will happily let people pick their brains to trouble shoot problems.
Another guy out of Missouri on trap shooters forum IIRC, can't remember his name for the life of me right now.
But he is a well known source of parts and tech info on Berreta semi auto,s nation wide
He will talk to you over the phone and will let you pick his brain also.


It sucks you sold you gun for possibly basic spring compression issues from heavy loads.

Seen a lot of Browning Gold and Winchester Super X2 get sold because of a broken spring in the piston.

Hot waterfowl loads for ya. Never shot anything over 1300 fps for this very reason.

I owned an A400 with the cerakote receiver . I shot plenty of 3 inch steel and 2 3/4 lead and it cycled great with everything .

To me personally the A400 has a lighter recoil than the Benilli . It runs good if you keep it clean .

I

Gas operated vs inertia.

Lotta variables with operating springs, loads, chokes, operating pressures on semi auto SG,s.
At 1st factory poundage springs are able to handle stuff especially with heavy loads.

Be they loose strength as time goes on.
Not a uncommon problem.
Some manufacturers sell spring kits to address the issue tailored for specific use .
Some don't and then their are aftermarket companies that sell them.

Some manufacturers address the issue with variable rate gas systems for different loads.
Some have reversible gas pistons for light or heavy loads.

Sometimes a simple soaking/ cleaning of the retaining cap on many gas guns and blowing out with compressed air solves cycling problems.
Gas pressure bleed off retaining caps are a part of the overall gas system on many guns also.

If you want the best SA shotgun with outstanding customer service should the need arise you want a Fabarms.

If you get one that's a wood stock only gently tighten the cap that holds the fore end. Anything even close to 870 tight will crack the fore end. Very thin wood. My first one lasted 37 rounds.

Thinking about an A400 for all things 12 gauge with 26” tube. Considering an A300 too. I plan to shoot target/field 2 3/4 inch loads to 3” buckshot.

I have a 30” SBE I for ducks, geese, and other 3.5” needs but it’s long. Thinking the A400 will be more user friendly for a grab and go gun for pheasant, deer drives, ‘varmints, informal clays, dove, and general 12 gauge use. I have turkey guns covered.

I like the idea of a gas gun for softer recoil compared to the Benelli.

What’s the A400 known for? Other forums state it’s the better gun than the A300 but better for what?

I have a couple in 12 gauge, a couple of bennelis as well. I much prefer the 400 for multiple reasons. Both brands have been trouble free.
Both brands I let my shooting team members use, plenty of rounds thru all and no issues.

Osky

Benelli 20 is lighter and faster handling than the Baretta but cycles a bit slower which can be a problem on covey flushes.

I've got one on GunStroker right now, NIB. It's only up to $500 bucks.
After that complete chit show debacle over my Ithaca 37, I figured I wouldn't waste my time posting it for sale here.

Tony

I have the high bid on a Benelli right now. Would have saved the hassle and bought a new one but this one is sorta hard to find.

Had a 391 Urika when they first came out and loved it but it was a little heavy for the upland fields. Sold it and bought an A400lite and it is a dream to carry all day (weighs 6lbs. 12oz.) and fits me like a glove. I also bought an A300 for the goose pit, turkeys and clay targets as it’s a little heavier. I absolutely cannot complain about either Beretta. I know some guys like the Benelli’s, but I much prefer a gas gun!

I say buy a Beretta, you won’t regret it!!

Elk Country

I've got a bunch of benellis, and shoot them almost exclusively for waterfowl. A 20 ga a400 ended up in my hands for a song. It's a great gun. Taking it and another for pheasants soon. It's too dang pretty to take to the places I duck hunt.

Tough to beat any Beretta auto. I love my 390s! That said, I have always found it interesting that my 4-H kids prefer and shoot better with my 1100.

Beretta 390 was my first semi-auto shotgun and I was amazed at the lack of recoil. Can stay on target so easily!

I've got a pair of them now and am sure not considering replacing them with anything.

Guy

I’ve had a A390 Silver Mallard I bought new in 98. Gun still fires flawlessly with the 1000s of rounds I put through it. It might be the favorite gun I own. Had to replace the forearm. It cracked over t he years of duck hunting in fowl weather.

I bought an SBEII because I wanted to be the cool kid in the marsh like everyone else. Inertia is nice for its simplicity, but she kicked like a mule. I had for ten years and sent it down the road.

Bought an A400 with Kick-off. This thing is smooth on the shoulder. Gassers always are. But this one goes a bit further. Duck and geese, SC and trap. Takes all loads from 7/8ths to 1 9/16 3.5”. Good gun.

I have both with me out here in NoDak right now. Chasing ducks, geese, and ditch chickens. Used the 390 tonight with BOSS shells hammering birds in a 50mph wind. Shoulder feels great. Both guns shoot like a dream

I am shooting a A400 in 20 gauge non kickoff for skeet this year. Close to 1000 rounds without a hiccup. I went with beretta waiting to fit a good over under. The lightest recoil of any of the guns that regularly shoot at the skeet range. I just gave it to local gunsmith to put an adjustable but plate on it. I need some more drop and length.
I shoot with a couple guys with Smurf’s and black 12 gauge and they run well.

I was not able to shoot fiocchi shotgun shells, haven’t tried since initial break in.

Just a small rebuttal, I have been shooting sporting clays competitively for ~25+ years. I have never seen a Fabarm SA on the podium at the national level. Beretta SA, multiple times.

I’ve got the A-400 extreme 3 1/2” and it’s hands down the best shotgun in my lifetime.

It’s a handsome, even elegant shotgun. Mine cycled fine but got dirty fast and for a walking upland gun was bit heavy for my tastes.

I have a new A400 black I’ve never fired. Need to get that thing out..

So you can outshoot the cycle of a Benelli?

LOL

I’d love to see that.

You know, for when that covey of doves flush!

My first day with it at the Sporting Clay range was a case of my reloads and after that I’ve shot 1 oz fiocchi 7 1/2s without a failure to cycle. I did a charity five man shoot a couple years ago and we had two teams paid for and only enough guys showed up for one team. So having paid for both we shot for both teams simultaneously and one of the guys had a over/under malfunctioning so he shot mine at close to 400 rds for the day between us. I shoot Boss 2 3/4” 1 1/4 oz for ducks and 3” 1 1/2oz for geese zero failures to cycle across all rounds.

Was looking hard at the Beretta A400 but the Browning Maxus had a better feel for me and is the softest shooting 12ga Ive shot, benellis feel good in the hands but more recoil than I wanted!

I don't know how they do it where you're from but in Texas we refer to a covey flush as being when a flock of quail fly up all pretty much at the same time.

Why you want to lick Deflakes nuts is beyond me, maybe because your stupid enough to think flushes are with doves.

Remember when you were in grade school and high school and boot camp and coll...,(did you attend college), etc there was always some asswhole fughking with others trying unsuccessfully to show how cute they were?

My question to you is, what happened to make losers like you that way?

Here's a clue or two.

Lol

The comment was made in jest because your (bullschit) quail/Benelli saga was accompanied by a pic of doves.

Dumb fugk.

Is there a single aspect of life you don’t need explained?

LOL

I'll put this on there for [bleep] and grins

how did exactly the same time myself and a friend of mine decided to buy a new semi-automatic shotguns basically to use on a skeet field

have you chose one of the Blue Smurf model Beretta a400
I decided to spend a lot less money and bought an ATA Venza

his cost about three times $$ mine did. we both disassembled and clean the packing grease and done all the proper preparations

then we both agreed we would not clean a gun until we had a malfunction. well his malfunction before mine several hundred rounds.

now I'm sure it was probably just a fluke being as mine was a turkey's gun and his was a Beretta. but I've never let him forget this LOL he's moved on to some real high end [bleep] I still like my Benelli super sport briley performance shopping edition.. which of course the Benelli is ultra reliable...

You both shot the same ammo?

High roller, pard.

Which type pard?

I won't swoop in pard. Double pard promise, pard.

I'm not sure what your intent with the shotgun is but I have the 1301 in 12 gauge and it's a smooth running bitch. I use it for everything from sporting clays, to 3 gun, to aiming at my dog's head when I'm angry.

But if I am going to walk around and shoot birds I would take my Benelli M2 in 20 gauge. It weighs nothing, hits everything.

The 1301 would be great in dove fields but I would not want to carry it all day. It would make my arms sore which would make me a cranky-pants.

Hope this helps, pard.

I love my a390. I did add a spacer to the but stock though, my wingspan is wider than most.

Flave, I will fill you in on the details this evening.

Hay bayler Pard please use pard next time ok Pard

If you are referencing the birds on the tailgate, they are not dove. They are scaled quail or blues as they are locally known as. If you were looking in the mirror when you said “Dumb fugk”, I understand.

only answer is a full auto scatter gun

I got to handle an A400 Excel this past week and really liked it. The stock is interesting to reduce recoil. I’m probably going back to get it!

I love mine. It’s digested everything I’ve fed it without a glitch.

I know this is an old thread, but if anyone is still considering an A400...

I have a an A400 20 gauge with a 26" barrel. Love the way it handles. It feels good in my hands and recoil is super soft. From day one though, the frikken thing will not reliably cycle 7/8 oz loads. 1 oz and greater though, no issues whatsoever. Cycles them every time. For the price I paid, cycling a standard 7/8 load should not be an issue. Other than this, I love the gun.

Fwiw,I started with a Benelli Montefeltro in a 20 ga/26" barrel. After a year of ownership, I sold it. Was almost too light and didn't like the way it felt or handled compared to the A400. It also kicked noticeably harder than the Berretta.

Favorite shotgun of all time though is my 12 ga Beretta AL-391. Feels and handles much like my A400, with a bit heavier feel obviously. I bought it new in 99' and have shot thousands of rounds through it with out one malfunction. Amazing gun. Wish I would've bought one in a 20 ga back then as well.

….went back and got the 28” A400 Excel. Wood and black bolt….can’t wait to shoot it. I will put it through its paces Thanksgiving week.

Assuming this is the a400 lite? There’s a rubber oring in the piston on the barrel, take that out and try to shoot it. Mine handles the 7/8 loads better without it.

My a400 explor 20 gauge has digested everything right out of the box.

A400 Excel has been excellent. I patterned buckshot yesterday with it at 40 yards. The “M” choke held much tighter patterns than the “IM” did with 2 3/4” 0 buck. Recoil was mitigated very nicely with the stock.

I shot backyard wobble trap today with Winchester promo pack 7 1/2 loads from Academy. The “IC” chokes broke most clays but the “M” choke powdered them with authority.

The gun handles and points very well. I really like the oversized bolt handle. I look forward to hunting with it but so far, I’m very pleased.