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Made the leap last night and bought a Beretta AL391. It's a 12/32 Gold Parallel Target. Started shooting trap and sporting clays recently and really like it. Picked up a well used BT99 and a Citori in 2010. Have been using both with some success. Average 23-24 from the16, and 22's handicap. Struggle a bit at sporting clays with the Citori. I hope to improve with the ability to change chokes.

Got to shoot a 391 last weekend and loved it. Three 23 @16yds. In rather adverse conditions (27, snow and wind). Weight and balance seemed right and the recoil was really light. I just had to have one.

Any comments on these, good or bad? Advise regarding care and maintenance?

Let us know how you like it. I bought a like new Beretta S686 Essential on Saturday. I'll be shooting skeet on Friday and using it on my friends farm on Sunday. I'm interested in the 391....

I have a 391 its an awesome gun. Very low recoil. I bought it used a few years ago and have shot it alot with minimal cleaning and no malfunctions of any kind. I shoot my 391 very well too, they point very nice.

my al390 is top notch, I can only imagine the 391 equally so.

Thanks guys. Locals have no complaints either. Beretta web sight sucks. I wish it gave more pics and details.

I'll post pics when it arrives. Should get here by next Friday (Feb 24). Weather permitting there are 2 local shoots that weekend. Just finished loading a couple hundred rounds of both 1 oz and 7/8. Hope to shoot them all!!

I have the AL390 and I love it! What a great shotgun it is. I have been amazed at what I have done with it. It has really improved my kill ratio on waterfowl and I am not sure as to why. It will shoot in horrific conditions with minimal maintenance. I belive the 391 is very similar to the 390 and as a result you should have a great shotgun. My guess is by this time next year it will be your favorite shotgun of all time.

I have a AL390 trap and two AL391s and all are great guns. The 390 has eaten thousands of shells without a hiccup. For me nothing points like a Beretta.

The 391 parallel target is one of the few guns that fits me right from the factory. I'm a huge fan of the comb being parallel to the rib. Felt recoil is reduced quite a bit too. I'm not sure why most factory guns have such a huge drop at the heel. You're going to be really happy with that one...

nyskt100 hit it right there. I have owned a few 391's and the only one I cared for was the Parallel Target. I think you will enjoy the gun should be a good choice for both trap and sporting.

Parallel comb for sporting? Man we have to talk.
Or better yet, have a conversation with Duffy re: parallel combs. Especially when it comes to targets below your feet.

Excellent! Thanks for the heads up. Now I can start working on the reasons I need another shotgun .

" yes dear that is right.....I need a shotgun without the parallel comb for sporting clays"

Anybody using recoil reducers? At this point I don't think I'm recoil sensitive. Majority of my shooting is 1 oz loads @ 1250fps. I do load 1 1/8 with Longshot for the occational Annies. Also have a couple of young sons who may be using the gun. So far I've looked at the Mercury types and Berreta's. Which (if any) do you recommend? Are the magazine mounted ones better than the butt stock ones? How about using both?

The new Beretta XCell with the KO system in the stock is the least kicking shotgun I have ever played with.

Battue I never had a problem with it. Not saying its right but pretty much fixes shooting with a high head. As the Caeser Guerini Impact with the high rib/coomb. My Benelli isn't set-up all that much different then a 391 Paralle Target. You've seen me shoot that gun.

Just playing around. Some use the parallel comb with little problem.

On targets below our feet we have a tendency to shoot over. The English boys figured out a long time ago that with a drop comb when you bend forward to shoot targets below, your face will slid back on the comb and it reduces the chance of shooting over.

The reverse applies to targets climbing. Your face will move up on the comb and give you some lead over.

Drop combs are a compromise for the variety of presentations one will encounter in the field or SC course.

Some use them well, but I have little use for a parallel comb. For those who shoot a lot pre-mounted I think they work fine, for Fitasc or unmounted and in the field I find them un-natural.

My "group" all bought 391's in 2003/2004. There are probably 9 or 10 of them floating around in various stages of dress (gold, field, synthetic, optima) and we all love them. I used to always look at the shotguns when in a gun store, now I have no reason to, my field shotgun need is complete. I'd still like a good side by side, but for an everyday carry pheasant gun, I have zero complaints.

I really dont see the need for recoil reducers in my 390. It really does have fairly low recoil already. If anything was to happen to mine, I would pick up another without a second thought.

How many rounds do you shoot in a year?

This year I would guess around 10000. Majority trap. Some ATA but mostly practice and games. Less than 1000 sporting clays. Number could go up somewhat depending on opportunities.

Is your "burg" Pittsburgh?

10,000 plus per year and recoil will eventually rear its ugly head. Do what you can to cut it down and keep the shotgun in balance.

Is there any other Burg, than Pittsburgh?

Guess not, but thought it prudent to ask rather than assume. I'm real close to Wheeling WV. Visit "The Burg" on occation.

First go at Sporting Clays was Hunting Hills. Had a blast and now I'm hooked. I would go more often if time allowed. I guess though if time allowed that would mean I'm working less and likely could not afford it.

I think I'll shoot the Beretta a month or so before deciding on the recoil accessories. Might get some more opinions also from those at the clubs.