Where's Beretta?

[Vapor63]

Since I bought it when I was 14, my Beretta A390 20 gauge semi-auto has served me very well, at around $390. I always keep an eye out for it on gun forums but it seems that the Beretta A390 (now the A391/Urika) recieves almost no mention. I understand that you cannot extend the magazine tube beyond it's three shell (plus one in the chamber) capacity, but that can't be the only reason. Are they scarce? Overpriced? I bought it when I was young, so I could easily accept that I was ripped off or made a bad decision.

Where's Beretta?

 

[zinj]

Actually the Beretta 390/391 series is extremely popular, among both target shooters and hunters. They just don't get much press here because:

A. They don't break often, so you don't see many posts asking for repair advice.

B. THR seems to be more of a rifle and handgun board, so most of the posts in the shotgun forums are from people who keep a utility pump shotgun for stuff like personal defense.

 

[PJR]

Search the terms "Urika," "391," and "390" and you'll find many posts on the Berettas. They are favorites of mine.

 

[TrapperReady]

Searching for "391" in the Shotgun forum here provides 294 threads.

The 391 is the autoloader of choice at every sporting clays tournament I've attended in the last two years. I shot one for over a year and still use it from time to time. As PJR has mentioned in other threads, if Beretta ever offers a 391 in 28ga, there will be a few of us fighting to see who can get one first.

 

[SwampWolf]

The 390 used to be a favorite of mine- until it started jamming (failure to eject) with almost any "high-base" factory load from a clean and well lubricated gun. I know this model seems to be well-liked by a majority of people but a couple of gunsmiths couldn't get mine to run right. And, has anyone ever tried dealing with Beretta's "service" department?

 

[TrapperReady]

SwampWolf - Not too long ago, there was a thread about Beretta customer service.

 

[mswestfall]

IMO the AL 391 is a fine shotgun. I bought a Trap Parallel Urika from a fellow club member because of the reputation. I shoot it in our 5 Stand Flurry each month.

Also, I stood to the right of a gentleman in Sparta, IL this last August. He shot a Urika outfitted with a shell deflector in the Doubles Championship. I spoke with him for a few minutes after shooting. He apologized for chuckin' shells at me. (He didn't) He said that he preferred the recoil (the lack thereof) to the inertia, break action and other gas guns.

I think it's a quality line of shotguns made for just about every use.

Enjoy it and shoot it often.

 

[MCgunner]

Hell, after reading this board, I'd have thought there weren't no other shotgun available, but an 870 Remington....

 

[JNewell]

You don't hear much about the 390/391 guns because (1) not much ever goes wrong with them and (2) they can't be bought with an 18" or 20" barrel. Take out those two factors and you dispose of an awful lot of posts...

I should add that right now there are a total of four shotguns from this series in the safe for various field and sporting activities...never had even a single bobbled shell...

 

[gezzer]

Beretta 390/391 platform is one of the most popular clay sport guns.

Their customer service can suck, but these one usualy don't need much that a smith cannot handle.

No American made semi comes close.

By the way you want tactical (groan I hate that term) get a Benneli.

 

[Kingcreek]

I have posted often about my affection for the 390. My 390 Sporting has failed to feed 1 time in several years and many thousands of rounds, and that was immediately after a thorough disassembly/cleaning/lube. I field stripped and inspected (found nothing unusual) and never had another problem. The 390/391 is a great design.
I need a 20g 390 with nice wood and a 26" tube.

 

[JNewell]

For the record, I noticed they've introduced a revised gas system for the AL391 that's supposed to be even better. My only beef with the 391 system is that you need the wrenches to take it apart, compared to the tool-less disassembly of the 390 system. Not a big deal either way...

 

[DogExploder]

Use Beretta Autoloaders exclusively for Waterfowl + Clays. Never and issue. Thousands of rounds...Have seen every other manufacturer fail in the field....Beretta can chew through candlesticks non-stop!

 

[redactor]

I've got mine.

And I love it. A Walmart Beretta 390 in 12 ga. for about $15 more than the camo Remington 1187 in 20 ga. that they had sitting next to it in the display case.

 

[RNB65]

The last few trips I've made to the sporting clays range I paid close attention to what others were shooting. Beretta 391's and O/U's seem to be the most popular by far. I'm seeing fewer and fewer Browning O/U's and more Berettas.

 

[JohnBT]

"Where's Beretta?"

Still in Italy after 500 years.

I guess after 500 years in business there isn't much left to talk about.

Dave bought a Beretta, so they must be at least as good as an 870.

 

[wildfowl]

Go to a forum that is more hunter based and you will see lots of fond comments on the 390.

GREAT guns in my opinion.

 

[Dave McCracken]

John, good first impressions so far, but the jury's still out. Ask me again around 2057....