Beretta Outlander as 1st shotgun

[WolverineNation]

Hey all,

I'm a life-long deer hunting finally making my way into waterfowling. I'm trying to decide on a first shotgun. I'm a college student, so budget is a huge factor. The primary use will be as a duck gun, but it might get some use on Turkeys too. I have no desire to shoot 3.5 inchers
I've been looking at the Beretta Outlander A300 (with black synthetic stock). It's $650 at my local Cabelas. 28'' barrel, comes with 3 or 4 choke tubes. All the reviews I've read have been good, but I was hoping for some more input. Would this be a good choice for my needs? And what do you think the lowest price I could hope to find this at might be?

Any feedback would be great!
Thanks,

 

[rcmodel]

You can't hardly go wrong with a Beretta.

I believe $650 is as good a price as you will find on-line.
And then you will have to add shipping and FFL transfer fees to that.

Jump on it!

rc

 

[MJD]

Pretty good price.

If you're really just getting your feet wet with shotguns and price is a factor? You can't hardly go wrong with a Remington 870 or Mossberg for ducks, pheasant, turkeys, rabbits...you name it. My 870 has put more meat on the table than all my other rifles and shotguns combined.

However, $650 is a good price for that Beretta. If you can swing it on the college budget, that'll serve you quite well.

 

[f4t9r]

Excellent choice

 

[Virginian]

I prefer the feel of a Remington and I don't like black plastic, but I can't say anything bad about most of the Berettas. From everything I have heard and the ones I have shot it appears the A300 is a solid, reliable gun.

 

[oneounceload]

If the Cabela's is local, there shouldn't be any shipping or transfer fees, just sales tax and the NICS background call. This is the newer version of the older 3901 sold through wally world for years. it is the basic version with less frills and a few minor differences. I own 2 A400s, the Xplor and Xcel and both have been flawless, even with my 3/4oz 12 gauge reloads

 

[rule303]

Great choice. The Beretta will last a lifetime. You might be able to find it a bit cheaper online or at another shop, but not enough to bother with shipping, transfer, etc.

 

[RPRNY]

Good gun. Good price. Enjoy.

 

[clang]

Good choice for an all around gun. If you want to try to save a few more bucks, look for a used AL390 or 3901. You might find one in the $500 price range.

The older guns AL300, 301, 302, 303 are nice too, but do not have the same gas system as the 390/3901. The 390 was one of the first semi-autos that could reliably shoot anything from a light load to a heavy 3" magnum without having to make any adjustments.

 

[cat_IT_guy]

No complaints with mine whatsoever. I say go for it.

 

[toivo]

I have the predecessor, the 3901, in 12-gauge, and the pre-pre-decessor, the 390, in 20-gauge. I love those guns, both of them. No-frills and not all that pretty, but good-handling and reliable. I say yes.

 

[bowhntr04]

Just purchased one at the end of our waterfowl season. Super light and all reviews indicate it's reliable. Got rid of my browning gold which was reliable and accurate, but heavy to carry long distance and I no longer see the need for 3 1/2. I believe I picked mine up for $600 at dick's.

 

[MagnunJoe]

I have one (with furniture) $700 OTD brand new. not a single problem in 18 months of good consistent shooting. I'm amazed there are so few threads about this great gun.

 

[cdb1]

To me it is all about fit. I like Beretta's but don't shoot them well because of fit. If you can, which I understand may not be possible, shoot a few shotguns and see which one you shoot the best. The shotguns I shoot the best are the least expensive I own, a couple of Franchi's and a Weatherby SA-08.