3901 Observations

[Milkmaster]

I don't intend this to be a review. It is simply my attempt to share my first impressions after looking closer at the Beretta 3901 shotgun. I own or have owned a few gas operated semi-auto shotguns including the famous Remington 1100 in a couple of variations, the Winchester 1400, the Baikal/Spartan 453, and even the S&W 1000 that I didn't keep for long. Being a mechanically inclined individual, I am always curious how a gas operated shotgun accomplishes the recoil cycle. For years now that one design feature has made shotgun models come and go. Engineers accomplish the feat in similar ways with varying levels of success. Some models like the 390 series have stuck around a while. I really could not find any complaints from anyone on THR about the Beretta gas guns new or old, so I decided to buy one and witness the magic inside the old Beretta 390 series for myself.

As with any gun I buy new or used, I spend time getting to know the assembly and cleaning routine. That way I have a chance to see what I bought, and how it has been treated. This gun had hardly been used. The previous owner told me a day or so ago that he had never disassembled it. It was still clean inside for the most part. Each individual part inside was smooth, without burrs or machine marks, and substantial in build durability. I am not necessarily fond of a matte black finish, but the finish on this specimen is consistent and complete throughout the gun. The matte finish matches even though the barrel was manufactured in Italy, and the receiver is US made. I noticed the piston assembly has a replaceable bushing should it ever become worn and need to be replaced. The manual stated several times to run the gas system dry. I am guessing less mess is generated this way and longer shooting periods between cleanings can be achieved. I used CLP for cleaning and then wiped the gas system all dry as instructed during reassembly. The parts fit was precise. Even so, the reassembly went to together easily into a nice tight feeling shotgun. So far I am impressed with the quality of build.

Next I researched the serial number. The previous owner says he bought it new les than two years ago. I was then surprised to find the build year to be 2008. The labeling on the box coincides with his story of the store where he bought it. I guess the gun shop had this gun around a while before selling it. I don’t really care. I am not aware of any changes or consequences resulting from my discovery. Heck, I am a 1959 model myself!

I really hope the ergonomics of the new to me Beretta 3901 gas gun work out. Fit is so darned important! It will probably be a week or two before I get to the pattern board. The recoil pad is nothing special. I will wait until I see if the gun shoots straight. Afterwards a nice recoil pad, any fit adjustments, and maybe a set of more specifically loaded springs will make shooting it easy and the recoil as soft as possible for my skeet loads.

Thanks for reading my story!

 

[jmr40]

Not unusual for guns to sit in store rooms for years before being sold. I've bought guns that were 10 years old that were still in the original box from big box stores such as K-Mart. There is an old guy that has a small gunshop a few miles up the road that has brand new guns that may well be 20 years old in his store room.

 

[Milkmaster]

Not unusual for guns to sit in store rooms for years before being sold. I've bought guns that were 10 years old that were still in the original box from big box stores such as K-Mart. There is an old guy that has a small gunshop a few miles up the road that has brand new guns that may well be 20 years old in his store room.

Not unusual at all JMR. It just wasn't what I expected to find knowing the gun shop where it was purchased.

 

[Kingcreek]

You mentioned the importance of fit. Did your 3901 come with the stock shims? My 390 sporting has them and the fit is perfect for me. I could sell all my shotguns except the beretta and an old 870 and be adequately equipped.

 

[Milkmaster]

You mentioned the importance of fit. Did your 3901 come with the stock shims? My 390 sporting has them and the fit is perfect for me. I could sell all my shotguns except the beretta and an old 870 and be adequately equipped.

It did not have extras, however the manual talks about turning the existing shims already there around to make adjustments to the drop etc. I did not take the buttstock off during disassembly. It is something I will be investigating after I take it to the patterning board and see where it shoots for me. With any luck it will be fine and not need anything.

Things just don't usually work out that easy for me I will admit! What was your experience with the shims?

 

[Old Unc']

I've been shotgunning for about 30 plus years. I've owned three Beretta auto-loaders. Two 391's and a 3901 synthetic which I bought from Bass Pro Shops on sale for $399! The gun has been nothing short of fabulous and has performed like a champ. Duck hunting on the river, winter birds and lots of clays. Not one part replaced, just give her a good cleaning every now and then. BTW, you don't even need a recoil pad on the gun, it's such a soft shooter.

My pair of 391's, I sold them over 5 years ago. Tells you something, huh...

 

[Kingcreek]

Mine was perfect the way it came but it has extra shims and can be added to or reversed to change the cast off and drop

 

[Snarlingiron]

I bought an aged Beretta AL390 ST used for $450.00 a couple of years ago. The LOP was way too long for me, so I removed the extremely thick recoil pad the previous owner had put on it and replaced it with a thin (1/4") one. Perfect. I did need to adjust the drop and cast so I ordered the shims from Cole if I remember correctly. I have shot many thousands of rounds through this gun and I can truly say that I have never had a failure of any kind.

I liked it so much that I bought another one with synthetic furniture on sale at Bass Pro. I just couldn't bear to subject the pretty walnut on the first one to rough hunting. I traded a Remington 11-87 in on it (never could get the thing to cycle properly) and walked out for $250.00 out of pocket. Again, this gun has been perfection. Lots of Dove hunting. It has been dragged through the brush, filled with fine dust, dropped in the mud, whacked against trees, etc. and it too has never failed in any way.

In my opinion this is about as good as it gets in the world of auto loading shotguns.