Just bought a Beretta A390ST DU gun...

[mach1.3]

in NIB condition. I know I should file it away in the back of the safe for posterity but I'm not getting any younger. I had an A303 years ago that was quite the shotgun--cycled everthing, shouldered well and shot where I looked.

My question is does the A390 have those same attributes for reliability and field worthiness? So, how does this gun compare to the A303? This gun is so beautiful I shouldn't take it out in the real world for fear of a scratch but I like to shoot my guns.

 

[rcmodel]

The AL390 series was a step up in reliability from the older 303.

IHMO: Maybe the best auto shotgun Beretta has so far made.

Now, you bought it! You shoot it!

Making it a safe queen will just make your heirs a few bucks more at your estate sale.
I say, The heck with them!

Let them earn their money the old fashioned way like we did.

rc

 

[oneounceload]

Some folks love the soft shooting 390 but swear at the job of cleaning the gas system. Gas guns are always a little more of a PITA when it comes to cleaning than other types.

Go shoot it and enjoy

 

[Kingcreek]

I keep a small jar of Shooters Choice solvent on the bench and when the gas piston gets really carboned up, I drop it in and soak over night. It's really not a problem cleaning the 390.

 

[mach1.3]

Thanks for your comments and help. I agree, cleaning a gas operated gun is more involved, but I have several other gas guns that I shoot. Browning Gold Hunter in both 12 and 20ga, Browning Silver Hunter 12ga., Winchester SX3 12and a Weatherby Upland Deluxe in 20ga. Not counting some older guns.

I'll try that solvent soak over night for heavy buildup.

 

[Snarlingiron]

I have 2 of these. One is the exact same model that you have (except not DU). It was used when I bought it and had been shot quite a bit. I replaced the recoil spring and polished the recoil spring sleeve and proceeded to shoot about 10,000 rounds through it. It has never exhibited a single failure. It has nice walnut furniture and I didn't want to bang it up, so I bought another one with synthetic furniture to hunt with. It has been severely abused, dropped, dropped into the mud, banged against tree trunks, etc. Same story never a single failure. In my opinion these are the very best auto loading shotguns Beretta (or possibly anyone) ever made. The 391 was supposed to improve on the gas system. How do you improve on something that never fails??? It did make it more difficult to disassemble. Why own the most reliable auto loading shotgun and not shoot it? It's like owning a Bentley and not driving it.

 

[JAshley73]

Mach 1.3, post up some pictures if you don't mind, I'd Love to see it. I've got an early D/U A303 - and if your A390 is anything like mine, I'm sure the wood is beautiful... Enjoy!

 

[mach1.3]

Alas, I'm a much better shot with a shotgun than a camera but I'll see what I can do. Ususally I just lie the gun on the pool table and flash away but my digital SLR is broken. I'll see if I can get some pics with my wife's Nikon L18.
I may need some advise on uploading the pics from my computer to this site?