Beretta's: I think mine are in a bad mood !

BJP

BJP

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I started the spring with a trip to Joel Etchen's because I thought he had the Krieghoff I was looking for (he didn't). I ended up buying a 690 Sporting Black and a 686 Onyx Pro Sporting in 28 Ga.

They arrived mid-April. I also had the urge for a new semi so when I got back I made a deal with my local range and also picked up a new A400 Xcel Parallel Target. I figured I was about as ready as I could be for any clay target that made the mistake of letting me see it.

The 690 has been flawless in the first 600 rounds, the Onyx won't eject the bottom barrel unless I sacrifice a chicken to the gods and the mid bead fell off the A400 sometime prior to shot number 200 ! Small problems that are easily rectified but aggravating none the less. Shotguns are STUPID !!!

At least they all shoot where I'm pointing them, and now I have some unexpected projects.

I feel better now ...............
 
I'm thinking of buying a new Beretta myself and was wondering if there is a saving in buying it from Joel Etchen's and bringing it back here and how hard was it to import it here?
 
BJP said:
I started the spring with a trip to Joel Etchen's because I thought he had the Krieghoff I was looking for (he didn't). I ended up buying a 690 Sporting Black and a 686 Onyx Pro Sporting in 28 Ga.

They arrived mid-April. I also had the urge for a new semi so when I got back I made a deal with my local range and also picked up a new A400 Xcel Parallel Target. I figured I was about as ready as I could be for any clay target that made the mistake of letting me see it.

The 690 has been flawless in the first 600 rounds, the Onyx won't eject the bottom barrel unless I sacrifice a chicken to the gods and the mid bead fell off the A400 sometime prior to shot number 200 ! Small problems that are easily rectified but aggravating none the less. Shotguns are STUPID !!!

At least they all shoot where I'm pointing them, and now I have some unexpected projects.

I feel better now ...............
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You're not the first person to notice some issues coming out of them lately. One of my members summoned it up nicely a couple of months back "Beretta never made a 390 that jammed and never an A-400 that didn't". A few members have bought and shortly afterwards sold off an A-400 for cycling issues or breakage.
 
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BJP said:
the mid bead fell off the A400 sometime prior to shot number 200 !
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Lost mid-beads are a regular event with Berettas not just the A400. I've had them detach from a 391 and 390. It's an easy replacement and the problem is solved by a dab of Loctite on the threads.
 
The 68x series of Beretta has an ejector assembly in the forend, made up of small bits. My 687 20 gauge was unreliable in ejecting the lower barrel. The gunsmith took the assembly apart while I was watching, to see what the problem was. A tiny set screw needed Loctite to ensure it stayed in place.
 
Maritime Storm said:
You first person to notice some issues coming out of them lately. One of my members summoned it up nicely a couple of months back "Beretta never made a 390 that jammed and never an A-400 that didn't". A few members have bought and shortly afterwards sold off an A-400 for cycling issues or breakage.
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I shoot a beretta a400 for duck/goose and have never had a jam or issue. What is the common issue with them? Not sure if it matters but I believe in stripping a new gun down wiping off the factory oil/ grease and putting my own quality oil/lube down.
 
While I don't have many rounds through my A400 yet it has cycled everything without any malfunctions. I'm really enjoying shooting it so far, I didn't want the Kick-Off system but the only one left had it. I can only say that it really does work in taming recoil. The mid-bead is something I've seen fall off every make that I've seen on the range so it's not a big deal.

I used Prophet river for the importation and from the day I paid for the guns in PA to the day they showed up at my door was 3 1/2 weeks. No issues at all, simple process, and the folks at Prophet River are top notch to deal with. I didn't save any money buying at Joel Etchen's, what I did get was a choice of really nice wood for the same price (and the exchange was better when I bought) and a road trip to a very nice gunshop.
 
North of 7 said:
I shoot a beretta a400 for duck/goose and have never had a jam or issue. What is the common issue with them? Not sure if it matters but I believe in stripping a new gun down wiping off the factory oil/ grease and putting my own quality oil/lube down.
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I've shot several A400s including a couple I was considering buying and several demo guns provided by Stoeger. The A400 is fairly common at our club and I've also spent time at a higher-end private Ontario shooting club that uses various Beretta A400s as club and school guns. The club guns are not that well maintained to put it mildly.

From what I've seen the biggest cause of malfunctions in an A400 is using light target loads in the 3.5" models. The 3" versions however are as reliable as their predecessors and I own a couple of 391s and formerly owned a 390. Berettas like most semi-auto shotguns need to be properly maintained and lubed. Most times if a 3" gun is hanging up a quick spray of G96 usually solves the problem. If I didn't already have a couple of 391s I'd own an A400.
 
I have heard of issues with the A400 short stroking with the light trap loads. I took a buddies and stripped it down, it had never been cleaned and had been shot with dirty shells. I stripped off the lube and re-applied my own. Hes yet to complain of any further issues. Moral of the story, even 2k guns need cleaned and never rely on factory lube to last...
 
We've had a few through the club in past couple of years, one 2 I can think of the functioned properly, I witnessed one break that had few rounds through. It was fixed under warranty. Could just be me, but I find Beretta has been slipping in quality on heir sub-$8000 models the past couple of years, Browning seems to be staying consistent.
 
Maritime Storm said:
We've had a few through the club in past couple of years, one 2 I can think of the functioned properly, I witnessed one break that had few rounds through. It was fixed under warranty. Could just be me, but I find Beretta has been slipping in quality on heir sub-$8000 models the past couple of years, Browning seems to be staying consistent.
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Browning seems to put out decent shotguns for a fair price, and they tend to fit me, so I have owned many Brownings, and only one Beretta. If I am going to step up to a higher end shotgun, I will skip Beretta, and go right to a German gun.
 
Maritime Storm said:
We've had a few through the club in past couple of years, one 2 I can think of the functioned properly, I witnessed one break that had few rounds through. It was fixed under warranty. Could just be me, but I find Beretta has been slipping in quality on heir sub-$8000 models the past couple of years, Browning seems to be staying consistent.
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What sub $8000 model does Browning offer ? Sub $4000 Maybe.
 
Last time I looked Browning still offered Grade VII wood down here, basic 725 Golden Clays is over $6000, the fancier ones going up from there. Beretta still puts a real effort into the DT-11, nice wood and a finish to match. I've nicer wood on some turkish O/U's than the current crop of 686 & 692 wears, and cheap finish on them is an insult at that price point. Put a 686 next to a Citori CX and I which of the 2 I'd rather spend my money on.
 
Maritime Storm said:
We've had a few through the club in past couple of years, one 2 I can think of the functioned properly, I witnessed one break that had few rounds through. It was fixed under warranty. Could just be me, but I find Beretta has been slipping in quality on heir sub-$8000 models the past couple of years, Browning seems to be staying consistent.
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I'd say Beretta's fit and finish has been declining across the line and not just in the lower price ranges. Today's DT11 isn't nearly the same gun as the ASE90 that preceded it. But I'd also say the same thing about most makers with the possible exception of Krieghoff.

Westward1 said:
Neither of my 390 Sporters have mid beads.
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There's no consistency among Beretta guns. I've seen 390s with mid-beads and some without. Same with their o/us.
 
There isn't a manufacturer out there who hasn't produced a dud now and then. I was tempted by a DT-11 but at that kind of money I would just up the budget and get a Krieghoff or Kolar. I'd really like a K20 Pro Sporter with 20/28 ga 30" barrels (Etchen's only had a 20 with 32" barrels) and will actively look for one this summer. I'm planning on retiring in the next year and am hoping to spend my winters in Florida shooting clay targets. .

I also consider the Caesar Geurini, Zoli, and Blaser lines to be an upgrade over Browning & Beretta.
 
Maritime Storm said:
Last time I looked Browning still offered Grade VII wood down here, basic 725 Golden Clays is over $6000, the fancier ones going up from there. Beretta still puts a real effort into the DT-11, nice wood and a finish to match. I've nicer wood on some turkish O/U's than the current crop of 686 & 692 wears, and cheap finish on them is an insult at that price point. Put a 686 next to a Citori CX and I which of the 2 I'd rather spend my money on.
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I would take the CX as well. Beretta's are actually different as you move up through the price ranges. Brownings are all Citoris with different levels of trim.
 
BJP said:
I was tempted by a DT-11 but at that kind of money I would just up the budget and get a Krieghoff or Kolar. I'd really like a K20 Pro Sporter with 20/28 ga 30" barrels (Etchen's only had a 20 with 32" barrels) and will actively look for one this summer. I'm planning on retiring in the next year and am hoping to spend my winters in Florida shooting clay targets.
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If comparing retail prices I agree about the DT11. The extra money for a Krieghoff or Kolar would be well spent. The main reason I acquired at DT11 was the chance to buy a dealer demo at a very favourable price. I'd also had the opportunity to shoot it and another similarly configured gun before deciding.

Two years later and I have absolutely no regrets. There are some aspects of the DT11 I don't like as much as the MX8 or my previous K-gun but I shoot the gun well and am impressed with Beretta's Steelium barrels.
 
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