Beretta 390 ST experience

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ss1980

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Anybody has a hands on experience with an older Beretta 390 ST?
What does ST stand for? How different is the gas action compared to 391?
How does it handle light loads?
Any advice when buying one? What should I look for?

Thank you. :yingyang:
 
Relax buddy...most folks have jobs that prevents them from surfing the forum all day long! Not to mention the other reason they won't answer your questions too...

So the biggest difference between the 390 ST and the 391 is the way the gas compensating valve is setup. Unlike the 390, the 391 has all part of the gas valve attached to the barrel to help prevent people from loosing them. If the parts on the 390 compensating system aren't assembled properly or 1 piece is lost the gun will not function as reliably (or not at all) with certain loads. I'm not sure what the exact meaning of "ST" is but most likely has to do with the then "new" gas compensating system. The other noteable difference is that 390 has a semi-humpback reciever whereas the 391 is round. Both are good guns, very reliable, and will shoot most 1oz. loads without issues. Lighter/low velocity load reliabilty seems to vary from gun to gun on both models.
 
Thank you for your timely response. I needed the answer sooner than later because I'm picking one up tomorrow so wanted final input before the decision is made.

Still don't get it what "the other reason they won't answer your questions." I'm a good friendly chap, don't offend nobody, live in peace. But I also understand you can't make friends with everyone. But if the vast majority likes me, I'm good with that :)

VLT79 said:
Relax buddy...most folks have jobs that prevents them from surfing the forum all day long! Not to mention the other reason they won't answer your questions too...

So the biggest difference between the 390 ST and the 391 is the way the gas compensating valve is setup. Unlike the 390, the 391 has all part of the gas valve attached to the barrel to help prevent people from loosing them. If the parts on the 390 compensating system aren't assembled properly or 1 piece is lost the gun will not function as reliably (or not at all) with certain loads. I'm not sure what the exact meaning of "ST" is but most likely has to do with the then "new" gas compensating system. The other noteable difference is that 390 has a semi-humpback reciever whereas the 391 is round. Both are good guns, very reliable, and will shoot most 1oz. loads without issues. Lighter/low velocity load reliabilty seems to vary from gun to gun on both models.
Click to expand...
 
ST = Super Trap. They come with 3 comb inserts of various heights, which are fragile. Some that I have seen have been converted to a standard style stock with an adjustable comb.
 
Thank you for that. I've seen all kind of variations for ST translation. Yours at least makes sense :)

Beretta687EELL said:
ST = Super Trap. They come with 3 comb inserts of various heights, which are fragile. Some that I have seen have been converted to a standard style stock with an adjustable comb.
Click to expand...
 
Beretta687EELL said:
ST = Super Trap. They come with 3 comb inserts of various heights, which are fragile. Some that I have seen have been converted to a standard style stock with an adjustable comb.
Click to expand...

Actually that has always been a mis-conception. Yes, Beretta did indeed have a 390 "Super Trap" and the barrels were marked as such but even the 390 "Silver Mallard" was listed as an A390 ST and it was a field gun.

I was pretty sure it had something to do with the gas compensating system so I did a little digging around...the "ST" actually means "Spara Tutto" which is Italian for "shoot everything". With the older A30x series if you wanted to shoot 2 3/4" and 3" you needed 2 barrels or have a 3" gun and be restricted to field loads and heavy target loads to ensure reliable operation. With the A390 ST's new gas compensating valve you could shoot everything thru the one barrel.

The "ST" suffix was dropped not too long after the "AL"390 model was introduced. (1995-1996?)
The "A"390 ST had a SS mag tube and steel forearm nut.
The "AL"390 ST and "AL"390 had an aluminium mag tube and aluminium forearm nut. (some "AL"390's have the older steel forearm nut.)

Edit: Of the +/-50 390 models I have seen all were "semi-humpback" recievers but "round" ones were also made.
 
Should I take it?

Thank you for clarifying, VLT79. All those abbreviations are confusing though. Some of them come with this, others don't and they all were named ST but some of them were not... Steel, aluminium, semi-hump, round receiver... Brrrr!

So basically should I take it or not if it's in good functioning condition? :)


VLT79 said:
Actually that has always been a mis-conception. Yes, Beretta did indeed have a 390 "Super Trap" and the barrels were marked as such but even the 390 "Silver Mallard" was listed as an A390 ST and it was a field gun.

I was pretty sure it had something to do with the gas compensating system so I did a little digging around...the "ST" actually means "Spara Tutto" which is Italian for "shoot everything". With the older A30x series if you wanted to shoot 2 3/4" and 3" you needed 2 barrels or have a 3" gun and be restricted to field loads and heavy target loads to ensure reliable operation. With the A390 ST's new gas compensating valve you could shoot everything thru the one barrel.

The "ST" suffix was dropped not too long after the "AL"390 model was introduced. (1995-1996?)
The "A"390 ST had a SS mag tube and steel forearm nut.
The "AL"390 ST and "AL"390 had an aluminium mag tube and aluminium forearm nut. (some "AL"390's have the older steel forearm nut.)

Edit: Of the +/-50 390 models I have seen all were "semi-humpback" recievers but "round" ones were also made.
Click to expand...
 
ss1980 said:
Thank you for clarifying, VLT79. All those abbreviations are confusing though. Some of them come with this, others don't and they all were named ST but some of them were not... Steel, aluminium, semi-hump, round receiver... Brrrr!

So basically should I take it or not if it's in good functioning condition? :)
Click to expand...

Well, not long ago, you had the newest and best shotgun Beretta has made to date and you got rid of it...so I think you answered your own question when you made that move!
 
Yes, I had A400 and it was a monstrosity! Expensive, blue and a bunch of other stuff. It shot well but I couldn't take it in the blind. It was great for sporting clays. I bought an O/U for sporting and for skeet. Now looking for a cheaper one that I won't baby so much on sporting clays field and for duck / geese.

I freed up some money selling A400, so it was a positive move from the cashflow perspective. You, as a business person, would understand.

Didn't like the kick-off system though. It flexes and moves when you shoulder it. You can feel it and the movement that is there was taking me off the target. Though the kick-off works in A400, it definitely was not for me.

VLT79 said:
Well, not long ago, you had the newest and best shotgun Beretta has made to date and you got rid of it...so I think you answered your own question when you made that move!
Click to expand...
 
ss1980 said:
Yes, I had A400 and it was a monstrosity! Expensive, blue and a bunch of other stuff. It shot well but I couldn't take it in the blind. It was great for sporting clays. I bought an O/U for sporting and for skeet. Now looking for a cheaper one that I won't baby so much on sporting clays field and for duck / geese.

I freed up some money selling A400, so it was a positive move from the cashflow perspective. You, as a business person, would understand.
Didn't like the kick-off system though. It flexes and moves when you shoulder it. You can feel it and the movement that is there was taking me off the target. Though the kick-off works in A400, it definitely was not for me.
Click to expand...

Actually, no I don't understand...as a business person I know to do my research before buying something so that I don't get myself into a situation were cashflow becomes an issue.

I also don't understand folks who buy an expensive gun and then don't want to use it for it's intended purpose (shoot game and targets) because they are afraid it will get scratched or wet. There's nothing I love more than hunting with my Browning Gold Golden Clays...the scratches are stories to remember and add caracter to a pretty sweet looking gun!
 
Then I guess we have more than one misunderstandings but two! :)

VLT79 said:
Actually, no I don't understand...as a business person I know to do my research before buying something so that I don't get myself into a situation were cashflow becomes an issue.

I also don't understand folks who buy an expensive gun and then don't want to use it for it's intended purpose (shoot game and targets) because they are afraid it will get scratched or wet. There's nothing I love more than hunting with my Browning Gold Golden Clays...the scratches are stories to remember and add caracter to a pretty sweet looking gun!
Click to expand...
 
Brought it to the range today. What a beauty! Ejected 1 oz of #9 shot with confidence without hickup. 25/25. Took home, action is relatively clean. Self-cleaning worked as advertised :)
 
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