Beretta 390 ST problem cycling

[MileHighHunter]

I own a Beretta 390 ST that I like but have problems with. I go, once a year on a Pheasant/Quail/Chukar hunt where I shoot an awful lot. Last year I went on a Mexico bird (doves mostly) trip where I shot exponentially more! Literally a case a day.

When shooting this much, I have to have a recoil pad or I my shoulder gets creamed. (I probably need to have a fitting too, but...) This pad reduces the effectivness of cyclying my shells into the chamber properly and I get very frequent jams. I try to keep the spring lubed up but it it just doesn't seem to be enough.

Can anyone reccomend a solution where I'm not buying a new gun? Can I beaf up the spring? Any other advice?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Strongbad]

Milehigh, unless yours is special the 390's are gas operated not recoil operated so the fact that you're wearing a pad shouldn't make any difference. Inertia is still inertia, but that pad shouldn't be absorbing enough to cause what you're talking about. Not to mention the fact that my father stuck a big piece of foam inside his shirt on his trip to Argentina last year and his 390 didn't give him a lick of problems and we're talking case after case of shells. If you've checked the magazine tube and it's clean and lightly lubed I'm thinking maybe a dirty action? Have you taken the action apart and given it a thorough cleaning on the inside? You wouldn't believe how much stuff gets trapped in there. Good luck nonetheless I hope you get it figured out.

Oh I almost forgot to mention. Does your 390 have an o-ring on the magazine tube? If it does, make sure that it's in good shape and sealing like it's supposed to.

 

[MileHighHunter]

OK, so, the spring that slides the shells back ( in the magazine tube) has nothing to with it? I have taken it apart and cleaned and lubed it, time after time. Doesn't seam to help. Don't think I ever noticed an O-Ring. Where would it be? Not on the space Shuttle rocket, right?

Thanks.

 

[HSMITH]

HOW is it jamming?

 

[berettashotgun]

The bolt spring

The recoil buffer spring, located in a tube extending from the reciever into the stock, needs attention. Remove the barrel-bolt-trigger assy. Remove the recoil pad, remove the stock (it is only attached by a nut) and ta-da you have acess to the recoil buffer spring.DON'T try and do this with the bolt in the reciever- the spring is under compression. Anyhows~see what you have now?? The spring needs a little oil or replacement. I have shot a AL-2 magnum model since it was spankin new in '72 without ever replacing the recoil buffer spring.Surecycle offers a replacement spring if you need one. See my previous sentence for my opinon. Good luck. PS- have heard of (not saw ) a bolt cracking- give yours a close looksee. ~~had to edit- said "DON'T try and do this ___without___ the bolt " whoops ~~ my bad.........

 

[Strongbad]

Sorry MHH, I said magazine spring out of habit. Been working on too many Auto-5's, Rem 11's, and CZ's lately. berettashotgun worded it correctly.

I was able to track down a manual for you too. It has pictures so hopefully it'll shed some light on your situation.

http://www.berettaservices.com/index.aspx?m=53&did=160