Milkmaster
Member
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!
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!