Beretta A400 xplor unico or light, kick off or not

aikidoforever

aikidoforever

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I'm considering the A400 Xplor. Does anyone have the Light version? Does it cycle 2.75 and 3"? Or just 3"?

I'm primarily a grouse hunter but am interested in duck and possibly geese and turkey.

I'm not sold on the need for 3.5" rounds so the kick off technology isn't necessary..I think.

Ideally I think the A400 Xplor Light with a 24" barrel without the kick off would be ideal for my upland needs with occasional duck and geese. I'm not really recoil sensitive, I shoot my 300 wsm fairly often without issues.

However, if I got hooked on geese and duck and more experienced waterfowl hunters recommended the option for the 3.5", then I would consider the unico with the kick off system.

Thoughts anyone?

Thanks!
 
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all semi auto will have no recoil so no need for kick off if you want to save few buks.
I have tried most 302,303,al391 I, al391II, Xtrema, and do collect them. and find that kick off can help lil but there is not a big difference with or without it.
you can get grouse with 410 n thats powerful enough. Unless you know what exact # shells and size you use for duck, geese,turkey, I'd just get 3 1/2" chamber since you can try any and every shell sizes and #'s available for 12gauage. Try the different shot loads and go with what you like.
for kick off.. if you are very sensative with recoil.. then spend few more and get it but as i mentioned there is no huge difference with or without. all beretta semi auto have light recoil i find.
 
I've shot an A400 Light. It's action is very similar to the Beretta 391 and the 391 is very accomodating with light loads. I don't use 3.5" shells and am very hapy with the performance of 3" but there are many shooters who feel otherwise and I don't disagree with their position.

If you can try the Kick-Off before buying one. Some people like them I am not one of them.
 
I did some more research and the A400 Xplor Light does cycle both the 2.75 and 3" rounds, which I believe would be sufficient for my needs. However, I just called Beretta USA and apparently the 24" barrels are not available in North America, just 26" and longer.

I'm still interested in what you all have to say, so keep the input coming.

Thanks,
 
aikidoforever said:
I did some more research and the A400 Xplor Light does cycle both the 2.75 and 3" rounds, which I believe would be sufficient for my needs. However, I just called Beretta USA and apparently the 24" barrels are not available in North America, just 26" and longer.

I'm still interested in what you all have to say, so keep the input coming.

Thanks,
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The two extra inches of barrel won't matter in the bush. I've use a 28" 391 for grouse and didn't find it unweildy. That extra length however comes in very handy when pass shooting or chasing clays.
 
I have the Unico with kickoff version -- mine will handle everything! I have reloaded down to 1000fps in 7/8 oz loads (cronyed)and everything worked fine -- mind you the empty hulls didn't fly half way across the skeet field but in 10,000 or so rounds I've no fail to fire and no fail to eject. Need the KO? For trap/skeet -- no, for sporting clays -- maybe for big shoots with a lot of rounds fired -- you will be much more comfortable at the end of the day. For waterfowl 3.5" shells, the kick off is much appreciated! These guns are LIGHT with mine coming in at 6.5 lbs. I have always loved Beretta Semi-autos starting with the 300 series on up to the 391's but this is by far the best auto I've ever shot.
 
datatools said:
I got the Beretta A400 Xcel version with kick off. For target loads the kickoff is definately not required. I actually disabled my kick off system by placing a couple of bolts through it. I found that the kick off allowed the stock to compress to much into my cheek for my liking.
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Other than the kick off, any complaints with the A400?
 
Jan1968 said:
Hi,

got my 400 Light today and will take it to the range (sporting clays) on Wednesday. I have the Kick off and the 28" barrel (got it used, that's how it came). Will let you know after Wednesday.

For the look and feel - wow, what an awesome shotgun. Can't wait to shoot it!

Jan
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Sweet, can't wait to hear all about it.
 
I used to own the a400 xtreme unico with kickoff, with the light green receiver. took all shells from what I remember up to 3 1/2. The kickoff helped a great deal, up to the 3", but the 3 1/2" were felt, k/o or not, would not want to put 2-3 boxes a day down the barrel unless you enjoy the pain factor. they also have a nice light feel and would make a nice field gun as opposed to my UGB25 xcel which does not (too heavy).
The a400 also swings and shoots real nice, used it for trap last summer off/on and it was a fun shooter.
 
I have shot the 400 a few times but today I shot half a round of skeet with one with KO. Even though it was chambered for 3 1/2 it had no problem cycling my wimp loads.
The recoil was so soft that I found myself looking to see it it had cycled. Perceived recoil was way less than my 391. The only problem I noticed was a wierd sensation when the stock compressed. I may be able to get used to that.
 
I really enjoy shooting ATA with my A400 Xcel 28" barrel. Its light and works great. Gets lots of attention from the other shooters because the blue receiver stands out in the rack. It really does cycle anything. I loaded some 7/8oz light powder loads and the recoil is almost non-existent, and it allways cycles. No complaints other than the KO isnt required for trap shooting.
 
aikidoforever said:
I did some more research and the A400 Xplor Light does cycle both the 2.75 and 3" rounds, which I believe would be sufficient for my needs. However, I just called Beretta USA and apparently the 24" barrels are not available in North America, just 26" and longer.

I'm still interested in what you all have to say, so keep the input coming.

Thanks,
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I have the A400 XCEL Sporting, it won't cycle 2.75, needed to got to 3dram

Love the gun :)
 
JMD said:
I have the A400 XCEL Sporting, it won't cycle 2.75, needed to got to 3dram

Love the gun :)
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I know a fellow with one that would not cycle light! He put a handfull of heavy field loads through it, followed by some 3 dram. Loads and now it cycles light loads.
 
Covey Ridge said:
I know a fellow with one that would not cycle light! He put a handfull of heavy field loads through it, followed by some 3 dram. Loads and now it cycles light loads.
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I'll try that.

It was a brand new gun so that might be the problem.

Bought a case of 3dram Ill see how it acts after I go through that:ar15:
 
JMD said:
I'll try that.

It was a brand new gun so that might be the problem.

Bought a case of 3dram Ill see how it acts after I go through that:ar15:
Click to expand...

Both Beretta and Benelli have suggested the use of heavy field loads during the break in period.
 
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