A400 or A391
- Thread starter rock_o
- Start date
I have no experience with the 391 but I own an A400 Xplor Unico with Kick off and 28 inch barrel. I absolutely love this shotgun. So much so that I am finnally going to sell my long loved winchester superx model one. The Beretta is easy handling, quick to mount, and points naturally right out of the box. (it comes with spaces for cast adjustment if needed). I've used light trap loads for clays and heavy 3.5 inch loads for goose and this shoygun performs as advertised. Never had a stopage yet. Recoil is managable with the KO, I could hammer magnums all day (if I could afford it) without too much difficulty. I honestly barely feel the trap loads.
Is there a problem with the new Beretta 400's. I waited for the sporting version to arrive. When it arrived it was priced at over $1800, which I thought was too much. I didn't see anyone shooting them at the clubs. The price then dropped to $1500 in the fall. Now I see the price at Lebaron's is just over $1300. I have read in forums that kick-off systems are not working correctly and now I am hearing rumors of problems with the aluminum receivers. For a new gun they are already showing up used at the gun stores. Has anyone heard about these problems?
Ahsan Ahmed
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
The 400's predecessor, the 391 has aluminum receiver as well. The 400 has been in the market since early 2011 only and perhaps a reason for subdued visibility to date. I believe that 400s will do equally well.
Can't say I agree that well with the receiver colours and that "Casio" type gadget (gun pod) some of those models wear on their grip - however, its a simple matter to resolve such issues and in the process, also relegate the idiot (who thought up those designs in the first place) to work instead in Beretta's clothing line.
Can't say I agree that well with the receiver colours and that "Casio" type gadget (gun pod) some of those models wear on their grip - however, its a simple matter to resolve such issues and in the process, also relegate the idiot (who thought up those designs in the first place) to work instead in Beretta's clothing line.
The 391's had problems with their carriers and were fixed by replacing them with the 390's. Gas system unnecessarily complicated too many parts for cleaning.Should have left the 390 as is except they feel the need to have a new model every year. beretta owners.com has all the info ........Harold
Huh......unnecessary complicated gas system!!?? The 390/391 gas system consists of a steel piston - no O rings! How can you get any earier than that??
When I got into hunting about 10 years ago, my first shot gun was the Beretta Urika 391, had it for many years, hunting ducks, geese, rabbits and deer, plus hundreds of rounds skeet shooting, never a jam. Sold it, what a mistake bought a remington 11-87, one word =>Junk. Then bought a Benelli SBE2, it jamed on me a few times, sold it back to the Beretta 391 Urika 2, hundreds of rounds never a jam. Just bought the A400, wanted to have a 3.5" gun for geese. These guns are built to last!
I had a 391 for several years -- when the A400 came out, I thought it was just another cosmetic upgrade to sell more guns -- Then I shot one and was I ever wrong! I bought the A400 Unico/Kickoff 3 1/2". I use it for an all around gun (waterfowl), sheet and S clays). I've shot 3/4oz hand loads down to 1000fps with no hiccups -- I ran 10 cases of shells through it to see if it would screw up (no problems) I finally cleaned it as a precaution before a tournament. I'm convinced that the A400 is the best gas gun ever.
I'm going to stick with my 391s for now. Shot the Kickoff and didn't really care for it. And the hideous receiver on the sporting version has held me at bay.
But resistance may be futile.
The blue definitely stands out on the gun rack. It's not easy to miss.
The other thing that I wonder about is the "Gun Pod." I can't see a burning need to know the time, termperature or how many shots the gun has fired.
Today I got my first look at the Xplor Light. Nice looking gun with definite potential. Hmmm.....
Ahsan Ahmed
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Upon handling one recently, my personal impression was that the 400 Excel Sporting is a well balanced clay gun. The excellent build quality is definitely visible. I don't have a semi at this time and its the color that has held me back from acquiring one for Skeet/SC.
Off topic, I also looked at a Citori 725 Field in the shop and it fit me the same as my 686 SP....a first time, I handled a Browning 12ga that did not at all seem much different than a Beretta in terms of profile (and a vent rib that did not sit like that bridge on PEI), fit/handling. In fact, the Browning felt a bit lighter too in comparison! That was another reason why I postponed the decision to pick up that 400.
Off topic, I also looked at a Citori 725 Field in the shop and it fit me the same as my 686 SP....a first time, I handled a Browning 12ga that did not at all seem much different than a Beretta in terms of profile (and a vent rib that did not sit like that bridge on PEI), fit/handling. In fact, the Browning felt a bit lighter too in comparison! That was another reason why I postponed the decision to pick up that 400.
Let us know how it works out for you. The nice weather is here and it's new gun buying time!
I havent used the previous Beretta autoloaders, but I recently purchased an A400 Xcel with 28" barrel and kickoff. I really like the way this one shoots and its easy to disassembly and clean. My only negative with this one is the kickoff system. It does help to reduce recoil, but it sure isnt necessary. I like to have a solid cheek weld, and with the kick off it allows to much stock movement when fired, in other words it makes my cheek sore. So I simply put a couple of screws through the kick off system to make it solid, and now I'm much happier. Wish I had just got the version without KO.
Pure marketing. That's normal. The life cycle of a product must be taken into consideration. They live in a competitive environment, so if Browning is introducing something, then Beretta must too to steal the spotlight and not lose the share of the pie.
Cranky Pants
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I just bought an A400 action last week from "The Gun dealer" for a very good price. It is my first autoloading shotgun so I can't compare it to anything else but it does seem to be very well built and a quality firearm.
I thought the new bronze receiver is quite classy.
I thought the new bronze receiver is quite classy.
