Bought an AL390 today...

[Snarlingiron]

2 shells is the maximum number you can load in sporting clays, skeet, or trap. If it will hold two, that's all you'll ever need for clay shooting.

Just to add my .02 cents worth, I have been hunting for a long time. Two shots is all you are going to need in upland hunting much more often than not. I have rarely seen a 3rd shot bring down anything but air. The exception is if you are fortunate enough to get in to a situation where the dove are coming over in waves (I have had this happen to me only a few times). You might then get a good shot at 3 succesive birds. Quail are usually gone before you even get a second shot much less a third. There has probably been more upland game taken with old SxS doubles and single shots than anything else. Besides, for migratory game birds in the U.S., you are limited to a 3 round capacity anyway.

Spray and pray isn't the way to bring down game.

I dear hunted for many years with a friend that used an old .22 Hornet single shot. Everyone teased him about his gun. His response was "If you know what you are doing 1 shot is all you need."

Guess what...He was right.

Capacity is not an issue in clays or hunting, even though many think it is.

 

[jmr40]

The only time I have ever hit anything on the 3rd shot was to finish a crippled bird.

 

[sernv99]

ok then what's the point of buying an autoloader if you can't load more than 2 shells in the gun when doing sporting clays? Why not get a O/U or SxS?

are we talking about professional sporting clays competition or just going down to the range and paying a few bucks for a round of clays?

 

[PJR]

ok then what's the point of buying an autoloader if you can't load more than 2 shells in the gun when doing sporting clays? Why not get a O/U or SxS?

Two of the biggest advatages of an autoloader are the gas guns are softer shooter and they are less expensive than o/u for comparable quality guns.

The Beretta guns are also very tolerant of a wide range of shells. My 391 can shoot the very lightest of factory loads right up to 3" shells. The autoloader is generally more versatile IMO than the o/u.

 

[Snarlingiron]

You pays your money, and you takes your choice. Nothing wrong with a SxS. It will get it done, but PJR is right on. You can buy a whole lot more shotgun in an autoloader than you can for the same money in a SxS. Many people find the extremely wide sight pattern of the SxS distracting. Some won't shoot anything else. I too think the autoloader is a more versatile gun for all around use. With that said one of my favorite upland guns is a spanish made SxS 20 ga. Very slim, light, fixed IC and IM chokes. It is a joy in the field. I prefer my autoloader for skeet and sporting clays. The recoil thing is an issue when you are shooting 200 - 300 rounds in a weekend.

Try both. Get the one YOU like. I have a number of shotguns. I have a SxS, and an O/U. The autoloaders get the most use by far. I was shooting 870's, but the pumping was making my left elbow hurt like crazy, so I went to autoloaders.

Folks are different, some play Pinochle, some like World of Warcraft, some bowl, some like single shots, and some like uber tactical shotguns that hold 10 rounds. It's what makes the world go 'round. {aw hell, get the Beretta, you know you want to.}

 

[RNB65]

ok then what's the point of buying an autoloader if you can't load more than 2 shells in the gun when doing sporting clays?

Because a quality autoloader can be had for about 1/2 of what a quality O/U costs. That's the biggest reason. I regularly shoot clays with both a Browning O/U and a Beretta autoloader and I don't really prefer one over the other.

 

[TX1911fan]

I have a Stoeger, so inertia guns are not an issue. I thought I was a die hard Benelli fan and that I would be getting an Ultralight when the money was available. Then I held a 20 gauge Beretta Urika. It felt fantastic. Shouldered great! I thought a gas gun would be bulkier due to my exposure to Browning and Remintons. I'm thinking very seriously about getting a Teknys gold for my "fancy" gun.

 

[Hawk]

Teknys Gold is just plain yummy, and I didn't think I was easily swayed by "pretty".

The field model in 20 Ga. is supposed to be under 6 pounds and looks like art in wood and steel. Were I ever to find myself looking at 1,900.00 MSRP autos that guy would be right at the top of the list.

Don't go into Ray's - they had one in stock last I was there - probably in 12. I went out of my way to not look too hard.

 

[Pete409]

As far as the AL390 in wood, I don't think Beretta offers it that way

.

They don't offer them any more, but they used to. I've got 2 of them. If I lost either of them, I would immediately be on the lookout for a replacement of one just like them. They are available on the used gun market, but you may have to look for awhile because most people who have them don't want to sell them.

 

[Grayrock]

So, bottom line, I bought the Beretta AL390. I walked out the door for $319.00, Tax, Title and License.

So was that the real price or what you paid after trading in your 11-87?

 

[Snarlingiron]

So was that the real price or what you paid after trading in your 11-87?

The price was $599.00. They gave me $300.00 for my 11-87. I walked out for $319.00 including sales tax, and the $5.00 discount from the card that I bought from the Boy Scouts for $10.00.

If I hadn't had the discount card it would have been $324.00 difference.

 

[Grayrock]

DANG IT! I knew there was a catch. I was all excited about buying me a new sling-o-matic for under 5 bills! I guess I'll have to keep shopping.