Berreta AL390

[bama stripes]

I have an almost new (bought 9/08) AL390 Berreta and am having problems. This past weekend, it would not fully eject shells, and after breaking it down for cleaning, I found the gas piston was stuck in the gas cylinder. I cannot force it loose by hand. I have soaked it in Breakfree CLP, but still cannot break it loose.

Any suggestions, I hate to send it back to Berreta's service center.

 

[Pete409]

I would suggest that you go to an auto parts store and buy a can of Berryman B-12 Chemtool Fuel Treatment. It's for cleaning carburetors, fuel injectors, and intake valves.

Soak the piston/cylinder interface surface in this stuff full strength. That should dissolve enough of the carbon junk to allow the piston to be punched out from the muzzle end of the cylinder (through the gas relief holes).

Use in a well ventilated area and wear rubber gloves and eye protection when handling it.

 

[bama stripes]

After letting the piston soak in Breakfree all night, I was able to break it loose. Not sure why it seized-up up like it did, I have only run a box of shells through it since its last cleaning. The manual recommended that the piston not be lubricated. Has anyone experienced a problem of this type with an AL 390 Berreta ?

 

[Pete409]

I know of lots of people who have shot many thousands of rounds through their 390 without ANY cleaning of the gas system and never had this happen.

This seems very strange to me. I think there is more to the story than just shooting a few boxes of shells through the gun without cleaning it.

 

[Jim_M]

My first thought was that the piston and cylinder had been lubed and more than once. That'll gum things up good.

Jim

 

[Pete409]

I've put a light coat of oil on the piston and cylinder of my 390 MANY times and never had a problem. In fact, when I lube the gun, I lube the stem that the piston rides on.

I wonder if the rust protectant that was put on the gun when it was new was ever removed? If not, that might be part of the problem.