break-in for new beretta 390?

[dcrollins]

Hi, new member here who found this site through the excellent "Hit and Run" discussion at reason.com. I used this site to narrow my new shotgun purchase to a Benelli SBE or a Winchester SX2.

I bought a Beretta 390 last summer and have fired maybe 25 loads through it: heavy shot, target, low-recoil (all 2 3/4). It won't eject the spent casing or load the next one.

A friend thinks I assembled it wrong, that there should be another spring (other than the magazine cap spring) fore of the end-of-magazine ports (just in front of the grey threaded piece and its black cap). We disassembled his Beretta 20 ga. and could find no similar part, however.

Do I need to just keep shooting to break it in? It's not recoiling enough to eject the casing. Or am I missing a part?

My new Benelli SBE worked just fine from the first round.

 

[berettashotgun]

A new 390? From wallyworld, maybe?? 25 ftf or fte? Do you have an owners manual? I have never had a problem with either FTF or FTE from any of my shotguns, and I do have a few berettas, snicker-giggle. Need more info to do a diagnostic check on the 'net BTW the magazine cut-off on the REAL 390 might be "ON"

 

[dcrollins]

fail to eject

It fires OK, but doesn't eject. Purchased at Wal-Mart, I don't have the manual and the closest one I can download from Beretta is for the AL390. Is this the same?

 

[HSMITH]

The AL390 is close enough, if I a not mistaken the only difference is finishes.

Something is wrong for your gun to not cycle 25 out of 25. Most Beretta autos need a flat or so to get into their final form of almost perfection, but I have never seen one puke more than 3 or 4 times in 100 rounds right out of the box.

 

[fecmech]

Are you sure it's a 390 and not a 391?? The gas valving arangement is different on those guns. Here is a drawing of the 390 system and how it should be assembled. It sounds like you may be missing the gas valve( a little washer like peice) that the spring holds over the holes in the end of the gas cylinder. That traps the gas from the shell so that it acts against the piston to move the operating rod that ejects the shell. When the gas exceeds a predetemined pressure the valve opens against the spring and vents the excess. Good luck Nick

 

[dcrollins]

I have the gas valve

Wow, thanks for the scan! I've got the washer type piece, and it's even in the right direction as shown in the picture (was wondering about that).

I'll take it to the gunsmith this afternoon. Wish I had cleaned the gun -- it's like going to the dentist without having brushed your teeth. Only 25 rounds, though, so it won't be too dirty.

I'll post the diagnosis here.

 

[Camjr]

I've run thousands of rounds through an AL390 12 ga (from Wally World by the way) on the skeet and sp clays range, and never had a FTE. The only spring in the forend visible on disassembly is the spring that keeps tension on the end cap when screwed on and off. The guns are very simple to break down and reassemble.

The only thing I can think of is that the gun comes packaged with a heavy protective grease that must be cleaned from all parts.

I added a hi-viz fiber optic sight and a Beretta gel-tek recoil pad, and love it.

 

[dcrollins]

assembled wrong

Thanks for the help. It cost me $50 to learn that I had put the gas piston in the wrong way. Now it shoots like a charm. If only I could find that choke wrench!

 

[fecmech]

Thats one gunsmith I'd not give any more business to and I would tell him that to his face. If it took him more than 5 minutes to find that problem he's dumber than a rock. He's got some pretty big ones to charge you $50. for that fix. Come to think of it , he is dumber than a rock to tell you that was the fix! Oh well at least your gun works now. Nick

 

[Camjr]

I agree with Fecmech. That guy could have easily have shown you what the issue was, not charged you, and had your business for years.

 

[dcrollins]

bad advice

FWIW this was Young Guns in Apex, NC. You don't get to talk to the gunsmith, you simply leave your gun with the front desk guy (who knows very little about semis, it seems), and ten days later you get it back with a bill.

I can't figure out how the piston could have been inserted backwards -- it won't fit any other way. I did notice, however, that the black washer cap (exhaust valve) was at the other end of the spring at the end of the magazine cap relative to where I had put it.

Agreed this is a rookie mistake, he shouldn't have charged me so much money. They've lost me as a customer.

 

[JeffPo]

Ah yes, Young Guns, the anti-gun gun store. They have a sign in the front window that says no loaded firearms. What use is a firearm if it's not loaded?

I've been in there a few times. I usually find an employee laughing it up with what I assume is a regular. The topic seems to be conspiracy theories and such. They seem down right ticked off if they have to stop their conversation to help a new customer. Because of their attitude, I just use the store to price stuff. I buy elsewhere. Thanks for the warning on avoiding them for gunsmithing too.

 

[SwampWolf]

Though I'm from Ohio, one of my daughters lives in Apex and, while I'm visiting I naturally go to Young Guns just to kill time when the family is otherwise occupied (at the mall or some other pedestrian endeavor!). As others have said, charging $50.00 to rectify a misassembly is a blatant gouge and would forever cause me to never give them any gunsmithing business again. My gunsmith in Loudonville, Ohio (Whitetail) has actually installed sling swivel bases on a rifle while I waited and refused to accept any monetary compensation for the service. Will he get my business again...?

 

[hillblade]

all you expert hobby gunsmiths, please read regarding your advice and attitude

OK, so this is an old thread.... but I can't let this go regarding these guys flaming the gunsmith. let's see, how can I be polite.... what the heck to these "experts" do to earn their pay? Do they have a job and expect a paycheck?

My minimum is $55/job. The gunsmith who put the beretta back - also checked many other things no doubt, and it doesn't matter... I don't care if he or she put it back together in 1 minute... pay the bill and GO BACK TO THIS GOOD GUNSMITH!!!!! geeeesch! don't expect us to work for you for free. most professional gunsmiths are hanging on unless they have other jobs or are envolved in other money making aspects of the business. Come on you "armchair gunsmiths" , you experts, you - who DON'T HAVE TO COMPLY WITH BATFE and local laws and business reporting expenses. give me a break!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PAY THE MAN AND BE LUCKY TO GO BACK TO HIM FOR OTHER WORK. !!!!!!!

 

[hillblade]

also...

thanks fecmech for the M 390 info sheet post.

 

[oneounceload]

hats one gunsmith I'd not give any more business to and I would tell him that to his face. If it took him more than 5 minutes to find that problem he's dumber than a rock. He's got some pretty big ones to charge you $50. for that fix. Come to think of it , he is dumber than a rock to tell you that was the fix! Oh well at least your gun works now. Nick

Sorry, I'll disagree - he had to spend HIS time to diagnose and find the issue - whether it is 5 minutes or 55 minutes, you are paying for his time and expertise - no different than a lawyer, accountant or similar

Maybe you folks should become gunsmiths and make a fortune