Beretta 390 12 Gauge?

many auto experts think the B390 is superior to the later models 391 and A300. I also have a 3901 which has the smooth non hump receiver but same action in 20ga. I have 4 and the 390 is very good and dependable there are several versions varying in fit and finish but the action is the same.

Bull

I prefer Remingtons, but I personally think Beretta peaked with the 390. Many "new and improved" things since were not. They are very good guns.

Walkalong said:

Thanks guys, sounds like I might need to buy it. Any dissenting opinions?

I forgot to mention it has the synthetic stock. I thought I had typed that out in the first post, but obviously did not.

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No, I would take one over Remington 1100/1187 or a Benelli.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/bad-bad-bad-day-for-my-beretta-390.731514/ I was searching for cracks in the alloy receiver (if it has one?) and seen this .

I have one, has always ran just fine. I am one of the 1100 guys though and use them more. One could make worse choices in an auto for sure.

Most any 3xx beretta is a good gun as far is I can tell. I missed the 390 edition but the a300 is impressive with slight changes to the gas system.

Go for it.

I've got a 390 Sporting. Excellent shotgun, no failures of any kind but it's probably only had 10,000 through it.
Any extra barrels are almost as expensive as another shotgun so buy it like you want it.

Nothing wrong with the Beretta 390 series in my experience.

Milkmaster said:

Nothing wrong with the Beretta 390 series in my experience.

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It's gonna be hard to find anyone that will say a bad thing about the 390. The worst that I can say is that they're kinda clunky in the hand compared to a Benelli. On the other hand, they are among the most durable and reliable auto-laoders ever made.

Mine would reliably cycle 3/4oz powderpuff loads just as well as heavy field loads, and never ever missed a beat - not once.

I have the "Wal-Mart" Beretta 390 in 20-gauge. I love that gun, and so does everybody who shoots it. I've used it to introduce new shooters to shotgunning. In one class we had a 14-year-old girl who had never fired a shotgun before -- only .22 rifles. With that gun, she hit a flying clay on her very first shot.

a friend of mine bought a black synthetic 390 had it camo dipped for $100 and it looks and shoots very well. he is a duck hunter and the camo dip protects the metal.
go for it!

Bull

Bull Nutria said:

many auto experts think the B390 is superior to the later models 391 and A300. I also have a 3901 which has the smooth non hump receiver but same action in 20ga. I have 4 and the 390 is very good and dependable there are several versions varying in fit and finish but the action is the same.

Bull

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A300 is an American made receiver 390.

Anywhere between $400 and $500 is a good price. Locally, $500 to $600 would be the norm.

A300 is an American made receiver 390.

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I was of the impression that the A300 was a completely new model. I certainly was not aware that any 390s were ever made in the US, or that the A300 was the recycling of any prior design...

The 3901 is the US made 391 - is that what you were thinking of?

Walkalong said:

Inside is super clean. Chamber and bore are mirror bright.

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Good deal -- looks like a new gun!

To the OP: Congratulations on a beautiful firearm at a good price. I paid much more for mine, but still enjoy it immensely.

rbernie said:

Anywhere between $400 and $500 is a good price. Locally, $500 to $600 would be the norm.

I was of the impression that the A300 was a completely new model. I certainly was not aware that any 390s were ever made in the US, or that the A300 was the recycling of any prior design...

The 3901 is the US made 391 - is that what you were thinking of?

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I believe the Beretta 3901 is the 390 but without the "hump" on the receiver - also made in USA. It has the same forend nut.

The Mobilchoke system is most likely used on your 390. Pictured is a IC (improved cylinder, steel shot); cylinder version is installed presently.

NOTICE: Beretta Mobilchoke® SP (Steel-Proof) screw-in chokes tubes have
been specially designed to take the punishment of non-toxic steel shot.
For best results with steel shot, Beretta recommends a modified choke. Full
choke constriction when using steel shot does not increase pattern density
and often distorts normal pattern density associated with lead.
Remember that standard old type Beretta Mobilchoke®
tubes were not de-
signed for steel shot. Before shooting steel shot cartridges check that the
Beretta Mobilchoke®
tubes are marked SP.

rbernie said:

Anywhere between $400 and $500 is a good price. Locally, $500 to $600 would be the norm.

I was of the impression that the A300 was a completely new model. I certainly was not aware that any 390s were ever made in the US, or that the A300 was the recycling of any prior design...

The 3901 is the US made 391 - is that what you were thinking of?

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Just today I had a US made 390, with an Italian barrel in my hands. The 3901 was renamed the A300 so that the entry level Beretta semi-auto would be the A300 and the premium model the A400. The 3901 and the A300 are based on the 390. Neither have the myriad of parts in the screw on cap the 391 had.

Walkalong said:

Inside is super clean. Chamber and bore are mirror bright.

View attachment 226439 View attachment 226440

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Very nice, just like the one I mentioned above. If the rib on your barrel is checkered on top, it's an Italian made barrel. If smooth, it's made by Stoeger, which is owned by Beretta, in Turkey.