I have may have come back around to buying a gas operated shot gun and I am looking at buying a Beretta. As I look over their web site I don't seem to put together all the options when it comes to the synthetic stock. (Looking for black not camo) Anyway, I only intend to shot a few birds when I get into retirement and the largest bird might be a pheasant mostly dove and quail and maybe a few rabbits. I see a few models will shoot up to a 3.5" shell and others will shoot up to 3" shells. I see some synthetic stock come with the "Kick Off" option and some come with water proofing and some have something called OBF what ever that means. Anyway, I was wondering if any of you would like to give me your opinion as to what might be a good way to go here.
Beretta Shot Gun Question
- Thread starter primerman
- Start date
Flapjack23
New member
3" should be adequate for what you indicate you want to shoot. I do not know much about the options and models Beretta so I wont be much help there.
As above, I’d say a 3” is plenty. I’ve never shot a 3901 but I’ve shot a few thousand shells through a 391, which is fairly similar, and would say the Kick-Off system is not necessary. They’re soft enough shooting without it. I’ve heard the Kick-Off system puts the weight towards the stock more so than the regular models.
With the 3901 the price is right and they have a good rep. I’d make sure whatever model you purchased has the stock shims so you can adjust the fit.
With the 3901 the price is right and they have a good rep. I’d make sure whatever model you purchased has the stock shims so you can adjust the fit.
oneounceload
Moderator
The kick off system does a great job on the A400 Xplor field model
For your situated uses, 2-3/4 shells will do anything you want
For your situated uses, 2-3/4 shells will do anything you want
oneounceload
Moderator
Not really, this model weighs only 6.75# or so, and it does help a lot with heavier target loads (it is my wife's sporting clays gun and will never see heavy field loads, let alone 3 or 3.5" behemoths), but you can easily discern my light 7/8oz reloads and factory 1 oz loads when shooting.
If your plan is to use the uber-large loads in that light gun, get the KO system.
They are supposed to bring out a new and improved version where the KO system is closer to the wrist, looks interseting
If your plan is to use the uber-large loads in that light gun, get the KO system.
They are supposed to bring out a new and improved version where the KO system is closer to the wrist, looks interseting
DutchTexan
Inactive
I'll repeat that 3" should be more than adequate.
I also recommend the AL391 or Urika line. You probably won't need the kick-off and it does add weight to the gun so consider that if you will be doing upland hunting.
I also recommend the AL391 or Urika line. You probably won't need the kick-off and it does add weight to the gun so consider that if you will be doing upland hunting.
oneounceload
Moderator
The 391 is a pound heavier than the A400 - something to consider, as you said, when upland hunting. I would rather have the KO system and the 4 ounces it adds along with its help in mitigating recoil over schlepping another pound plus in the uplands - but is JMO
DutchTexan
Inactive
Nice guns, HKGuns.
I shoot the A391 Xtrema2 and so do a couple friends.
Another friend shoots the A400 with camo and he loves it. I've only shot it once. It does have better balance than the A391 but I have not compared it to the AL391 Urika2.
I shoot the A391 Xtrema2 and so do a couple friends.
Another friend shoots the A400 with camo and he loves it. I've only shot it once. It does have better balance than the A391 but I have not compared it to the AL391 Urika2.
.300 Weatherby Mag
New member
You simply cannot beat the 3901 for the money... I really like mine for hunting and clay shooting... The 391s handle quite well too... The A400s feel very good but I have not had the chance to shoot one yet...
Oldogknewtrick
Inactive
Beretta experience
I've put well over 100K rounds thru my Beretta 391 over the years and personally, I've never had a part break.
I do perform regular tune ups by changing stock bolt spring, firing pin/spring and I keep my guns silly clean.
I own one retired 390 and five 391's, but choose to shoot 90% of clays with just one of them.
Everyone on larger sporting clays circuit acknowledges their reliability and their pointing characteristics. There are other very good guns around and I'm not trying to belittle Antibes choice of shotgun-this is a personal decision, after all.
What I can do is vouch for the fact that with proper care, any version of the beretta gas guns can last for years.
I personally think that having the action polished and getting a good trigger job will add alot to your enjoyment of the gun.
The action polish, when done properly, virtually eliminates the 'ka-klank' vibration and internal wear- making for a smoother gun.
Trigger job is more important to some people than others, and some 391's come with decent triggers. I just think it's more important than most people think.
The adjustability of the guns for fit is very important, parts are easy to get and the guns just work.
I'm not a fan of the rotary bolt on new 400 but it has other great features.
Best of luck
Good luck
I've put well over 100K rounds thru my Beretta 391 over the years and personally, I've never had a part break.
I do perform regular tune ups by changing stock bolt spring, firing pin/spring and I keep my guns silly clean.
I own one retired 390 and five 391's, but choose to shoot 90% of clays with just one of them.
Everyone on larger sporting clays circuit acknowledges their reliability and their pointing characteristics. There are other very good guns around and I'm not trying to belittle Antibes choice of shotgun-this is a personal decision, after all.
What I can do is vouch for the fact that with proper care, any version of the beretta gas guns can last for years.
I personally think that having the action polished and getting a good trigger job will add alot to your enjoyment of the gun.
The action polish, when done properly, virtually eliminates the 'ka-klank' vibration and internal wear- making for a smoother gun.
Trigger job is more important to some people than others, and some 391's come with decent triggers. I just think it's more important than most people think.
The adjustability of the guns for fit is very important, parts are easy to get and the guns just work.
I'm not a fan of the rotary bolt on new 400 but it has other great features.
Best of luck
Good luck
andhen2003
New member
my first gun, purchased about a year ago is an AL391. I went pheasant hunting with it recently and it did the job just fine. I was shooting 2 3/4" shells and I nailed a chukar cleanly from at least 40 yards off (guide said it was one of the best shots he had seen in a while...but he was probably just looking for a better tip 
). I'll be taking it duck hunting next season but seems to be 3" shells should be fine.
I've put about 1,000 rounds through it at clays and it has been flawless. Maybe 1 or 2 misfeeds. I have the black synthetic stock.
). I'll be taking it duck hunting next season but seems to be 3" shells should be fine.I've put about 1,000 rounds through it at clays and it has been flawless. Maybe 1 or 2 misfeeds. I have the black synthetic stock.