School me on the big Beretta field autoloaders

[International Harvester]

I’m narrowing my fall autoloader purchase to one of:

a391 xtrema 2 (discontinued)
a350 xtrema
a400 xtreme unico camo (discontinued)
a400 xtreme plus

All are 3.5” 12 gauge

The 391 has a noticeably longer bolt and receiver while the other three seem to share the shorter bolt and receiver (blink action). Is the newer and shorter action an improvement or more of a cost cutting shortcut? I’m interested in what you Beretta fans have to say are the pros and cons of these guns. The only thing I dislike about any of them are the flimsy oversized charging handle and bolt release.

Regards and happy hunting!


IH

 

[Caboose]

Xtrema II owner and it runs like a Champ. The older KO system is not as ###y as the newer guns, but it is more durable. A buddy of mine has a new a400 with the KO built into the middle of the stock...the rubber is falling apart

 

[sherlockbonez]

I also have a 10 yo xtrema 2. Works fine.

 

[dilly]

I have an Extrema 1 and love it. I found they all fit slightly different and the first gen was the one I liked the best. Runs great.

 

[870supermag]

I own a a400 extreme and a a400 excel both are great guns and i dont thinknyour going to be unhappy with any of the guns listed.

 

[International Harvester]

Thanks gents. I’m leaning towards the a350, basically a dressed down a400. If I could find an excellent condition a391 xtrema 2 I’d probably go that route though, seems a little more substantially put together.

 

[International Harvester]

Found a new old stock a400 Xtreme Unico in Optifade. Went for it. First modern autoloader, hopefully I can hit birds with it!

 

[Redsoilreaper]

Congrats on your purchase!

 

[Shibby!]

It’ll treat you well. I have a A400 1301 comp and a A400 Unico Extreme. Both function flawlessly.

They will cycle almost everything except insanely light loads. (My reloads). I’ve also seen a new one not cycle the AA featherlite. Both of these rounds are like 7/8 or 3/4 ultra light loads.

 

[Bluedevil25]

I have a 391 Xtrema great gun, very reliable. You can Ghost Load it as well.

 

[mbogo3]

I went old school with a 3" A303 with Briley chokes and picked up a new Browning B80 2 3/4" barrel with screw in chokes for lighter field loads.

 

[Westward1]

I went old school with a 3" A303 with Briley chokes and picked up a new Browning B80 2 3/4" barrel with screw in chokes for lighter field loads.

That is a good set up. 303’s were great guns.

 

[International Harvester]

The a400 xtreme unico arrived. As per Beretta I broke it in with a box of 1 1/8 oz 3” loads. Patterned great at 40 yds. It’s finished with marsh optifade. Looking forward to taking it out to the field.