Beretta A400 vs Browning Maxus Sporting what length barrel?

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Looking for some first hand knowledge on the Beretta A400 sporting semi auto and the Browning Maxus Sporting semi auto.This is going to be my first "expensive" wood dressed shotgun and I have narrowed it down to these two models, it is going to be used for sporting clays and I am only interested in Semi auto's so please don't try and change my mind LOL.I would like to hear some stories good or bad about these two shotguns, I know the browning uses an O-ring and the Beretta does not but outside of that what are your opinions.

Hey guys thanks for all your input here you all have been very helpful, I am still sitting on the fence with which one however the Browning is gaining some strength due to it seems to should a little better. I have a few more weeks until I have the funds all together for either one at which point it will be back to the gun shop and shoulder them both again with my outdoor clothing on and see which feels better from there.

However I have one more question for you guys and that is, 30 inch or 32 inch barrel and why, again mainly using it for sporting clays. :confused:
 
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Just got the a400 and I'm glad I spent a little more than I usually would on a hunting shotgun. It's nice and light and while letting 3.5 waterfowl loads fly it feels like a gentle nudge. I used to own a stoeger pump shotgun and 3.5" was brutal so for that reason alone it was worth the extra money.
 
I was in this exact same position a couple of years ago and ended up going with the Maxus. To tell you the truth it was a really hard decision because when I held and compared them I absolutely loved them both. The only thing that tipped the scales for me towards the Maxus was I like the way it shouldered better. I haven't shot the A400, but the Maxus is probably the smoothest softest shooting shotgun I've come across and I LOVE it.
 
I went to the shop (after extensive research) to purchase the Beretta 400 and came home with the Browning Maxus Sporting. Couldn't be happier so far. Buy the one that fits you as they are different animals in my hands. I didn't like the feel of the Beretta but a lot of folks really like them. You will find a few bad reviews, but they are equally reliable from all I have read.
 
I can't comment of the Browning Maxus, and my comment about the A400 are for the 3.5 inch Xtreme model which is slightly different then the sporting model in the stock not having the split rubber insert in it like the Xtreme model. That said I am very happy with my A-400, it has some great feature which I am sure you have researched by this point in time. It didn't quite fit me right when I 1st got it and I was shooting high on the birds (plus a little rusty at wingshooting the truth be known) but I play with the stock recoil pad shorting it up a bit and the shims and got it fitting me wonderfully and started to connect on the ducks and geese a lot better. It is without a doubt the softest shooting shotgun I have ever owned and I really like it...so a definite 2 thumbs up from this guy. From what I have read in the way of reviews of both guns you can't go wrong with either of your final 2 choices as both are carrying excellent reputations. Good Luck to you.

Jim
 
Had the same (ok similar) dillemma - went in to buy an A400, walked out with a Maxus. Shouldered better and just fit better overall. The A400 is nice, but the other thing I couldn't get used to was the safety in FRONT of the trigger. After shooting 870's and the like for years, I didn't want to re-learn muscle memory for a new safety setup.

You'd be more than happy with either - comes down to personal preference and FIT more than anything.

Also - Maxus set me back a little under $1000 (they were on sale) and the cheapest A400 at the store was $1600+. Made the decision a little easier!
 
Personaly id get a Benelli Supersport before either of those. But if your between those 2 i have shot both and much prefered the browning maxus. Keep in mind shotguns are alot about fit and you need to see which one fits you best. Most likely both of those will NOT fit you. So pick the one that does. Both are great shotguns.
 
A400 Sporting. 16,000 over a 3 year period with not one FTF or one FTE. Fired everything from 3/4 oz to 1 1/8 high dram loads. Excellent adjustability for fit and easy on the shoulder for those 200+ round days.
I had a Maxus Sporting for a short time to see what all the hype was about. Didn't impress me other than the beautiful Browning stock set. I found it a bit on the light side for a sporting gun which compounded into too much recoil for my liking. They had (maybe still have?) an issue with the walnut forend quickly developing play which rattled and could be quite annoying. The one thing I absolutely hated was the maxus safety. It's obtrusive to many, as even clicked to off, I found the button was too pronounced and was irritating to my trigger finger. Nice thing is they're easy to remove.
My opinion...A400 Sporting.
 
If you are looking for a dedicated Sporter, the Beretta a good choice. If you are going to to use it as a do-all, the Maxus would be OK.
 
I haven't fired both but the beretta shouldered better for me. My brother has the beretta and it is amazing. Super soft recoil and very reliable. If I could afford one I would already have one
 
our group of goose hunters have 2 maxus 2 vinci and 1 berreta a400 extrema.one maxus went back to browning as a one shot wonder.the other maxus is only having problems with the 3.5 kent fast steel.the berreta eats everything without a hiccup and is the softest shooter.the vinci kicks like a mule with heavy loads and one of them had a slip on recoil pad wich caused stove piping.get the berreta a400 with kick off extrema you wont be disapointed .you can see a lot of maxus on sale on ee but not as many extremas. i can tell you one thing i know as soon as the maxus comes back from browning hes selling it.he got a sb2 benneli and is in love.me im looking at a new auto5 3.5 inch.as long as reviews are favorable
 
dogger1 said:
our group of goose hunters have 2 maxus 2 vinci and 1 berreta a400 extrema.one maxus went back to browning as a one shot wonder.the other maxus is only having problems with the 3.5 kent fast steel.the berreta eats everything without a hiccup and is the softest shooter.the vinci kicks like a mule with heavy loads and one of them had a slip on recoil pad wich caused stove piping.get the berreta a400 with kick off extrema you wont be disapointed .you can see a lot of maxus on sale on ee but not as many extremas. i can tell you one thing i know as soon as the maxus comes back from browning hes selling it.he got a sb2 benneli and is in love.me im looking at a new auto5 3.5 inch.as long as reviews are favorable
Click to expand...

Did you even read the OP's first post?

Looking for some first hand knowledge on the Beretta A400 sporting semi auto and the Browning Maxus Sporting semi auto.This is going to be my first "expensive" wood dressed shotgun and I have narrowed it down to these two models, it is going to be used for sporting clays and I am only interested in Semi auto's so please don't try and change my mind LOL.I would like to hear some stories good or bad about these two shotguns, I know the browning uses an O-ring and the Beretta does not but outside of that what are your opinions.
Click to expand...

He doesn't want an Xtreme, he wants a wood stocked sporting model. He is going to use it for sporting clays, not for goose hunting, and the sporting clays model only has a 3" chamber, so recoil with 3-1/2" loads isn't an issue. And by the way, there is no A-400 Extrema.:)
 
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After trying out a dozen or so shotguns for fit approx 2 months ago i went with the maxus sporting as it fit me best right out of the box. It came with all the stock adapters, 5 or so additional lite pipes and 5 chokes. The wood is nicer on the sporting as well.

The only thing i noticed was i thought the forend felt a little cheap at first but that went away after shooting it and is a non issue now.

If your looking for a dedicated sporting gun i would recommend the Maxus.

And just to give you a heads up not all maxus guns have the same butt stock and the hunting guns will fit differently from the sporting guns.
 
Everything Beretta has put out since the 391 seems to be reliable and soft shooters but they handle like canoe paddles and are often times very ugly. If not the "laser etched" wood to the blue receivers, to the other funky colours and/or designs I just can't warn up to them. The A400s I've handled just felt bulky and dead in my hands. The Maxus is ok and does fit me much better, I just don't particularly care for it's styling either. At least the A400 is a continuation in the evolution of the 391 and has a strong pedigree. The Maxus was redesigned from the ground up and while not a new gun wouldn't give me the same confidence as the Beretta.

And don't even get me started on the stupid names that Beretta comes up with for their guns.

Try and find a used 391, much more subdued, refined and a lot less bling bling.

Patrick
 
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I have no experience with Maxus other than handling them but I bought an A 400 sporting a year or two ago. Unfortunately I haven't used it near as much as I hoped but on the hunting and skeet trips I have taken it on it has not had a hiccup. It is shockingly light and I sure wouldn't want to hit the thin front stock on anything! It seems to be a nice gun and fit and finish are nice. Recoil is very soft and I don't have the kick off stock. Mine only takes 3" shells and that's fine as I don't do any waterfowl hunting (yet)


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I've shot both guns and both are well made, reliable shotguns that will serve equally well. Once you get past that part it's strictly personal preference and you won't go wrong with either one. Personally, I would lean toward the Beretta because I have a couple of 391s and the A400 is more familiar feeling but I wouldn't argue against anyone who likes the Maxus better.
 
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