Need help- Beretta Semi-Auto jamming

[Arbor]

I recently acquired a Beretta A L2 shotgun in 12 gauge, 2 3/4" only in almost new condition. I really like the shotgun, but today I finally got to take it out and put a couple boxes of shells through it, and I must say I was disappointed- I didn't make it through a single magazine without a jam! The action works fine, but the recoil isn't enough to push the bolt back everytime, so the shells either don't eject at all or they just barely eject but it doesn't feed another round in. Working the action fixes the problem 100% of the time, so I am inclined to think that there is too much resistance in the action, either from crud buildup or some other problem I can't find. Either way, it only only successfully cycles a round about half the time at best. :banghead:

When I got home I gave the entire gun a thorough cleaning, and I found the action was pretty gunked up, so I'm hoping that cleaning and oiling it will help the problem. Hopefully in the next couple days I'll be able to take it out again, but in the meantime... any idea what's wrong with my gun? Everything looks perfect as far as I can tell, and I've had it apart several times for cleaning. The only part that I couldn't figure out was how to take off the buttstock in order to clean the recoil spring, and I can't find anything about it in the manual from the Beretta website. Anyone know how to do this? Anything else I can try aside from cleaning?

Thanks

 

[sm]

What shells were you using?

 

[Snarlingiron]

The only part that I couldn't figure out was how to take off the buttstock in order to clean the recoil spring, and I can't find anything about it in the manual from the Beretta website.

While I am not familiar with this particular model, I suspect it to be similar to the A390. This can be an issue, because it is not easy to access it doesn't get the attention it sometimes needs. My used A390's recoil spring was rusted and generally in bad shape. I replaced it. The gun has been perfect ever since.

I'm sure someone will come along and give you the specifics on how to break it down.

 

[Arbor]

I was using Remington #7 1/2 shot game loads.

I have the gun apart in front of me right now, and there is absolutely no way that I can find to get the buttstock off, unless it is under the recoil pad which is glued on. I am having a hell of a time even finding information on these guns, so any ideas would be appreciated, especially from people who have A300's/A390's.

 

[Virginian]

There are almost surely two slits in the recoil pad to access the screws holding the recoil pad on. Under good light, pull the pad to both sides with your thumbs. When you find the slit, put some dishwashing detergent on the Phillips #2 screwdriver so you don't bugger up that recoil pad.

 

[Pete409]

Be sure that the gun is not the Magnum version. If it's Magnum, it will say so on the barrel. If it's Magnum, it will likely take the 3" shells to operate properly.

Be sure that the shells are 2 3/4" length, 3 Dram Equivalent, and at least 1 1/8 ounce of shot (for 12 gauge).

Be sure that the gas piston slides freely/easily. Lubricate the rod it slides on. Lubricate the receiver rails too.

Be sure that the two gas ports in the bottom of the barrel (inside the gas cylinder) are cleaned out with solvent.

If the above doesn't fix the problem, then it's probably the recoil spring in the stock. The easy way of lubricating it is to stand the gun on your bench with the muzzle end up and squirt some oil down into the rear of the receiver where the connecting rod contacts the cup on the front end of the recoil spring. Then work the bolt back and forth many times to distribute the oil throughout the recoil spring tube.

If that doesn't work, then you need to remove the buttstock. There are two tiny slits in the recoil pad. Lubricate a #2 Phillips screwdriver and slip it into each slit to reach the screws.

After removing the two screws, the pad lifts off easily. Then you need to remove the stock bolt. You'll need a long socket extension and probably a 13mm socket to remove the stock bolt. Once the bolt is removed, the buttstock just pulls straight off.

Then you need to put the receiver in a padded vise to remove the nut on the end of the recoil spring tube. Be careful when removing that nut because the spring is under pressure and will fly out and possibly injure you or fly across the room. BTW, that nut usually has Locktite on it, so warm it a little with a cigarette lighter or heat gun before attempting to remove it.

Once you've got the nut off and the spring out, just clean and oil everything and put it back together. Always wear safety glasses when doing this type work because the spring could fly out and injure your eyes.

Use a lightweight oil such as RemOil or Breakfree CLP in the lubing process.

If you have any questions, let me know.

 

[Snarlingiron]

Virginian is right the pad is held in place by screws. When you get it off, if it is like most others, you will need a 13mm deep well socket to get the nut off. There is then a cap on the tube that has a threaded extension. There are two flats on the extension. The safest way I have found to break the cap loose is to firmly clamp the flats firmly in a vice and turn the action to break it loose.

Ah, well this is much better than my feeble attempt.

http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?t=101242

 

[3pairs12]

My Beretta gets its gas ports clogged after a long day of shooting. It cycles exactly how you described yours running. They seem to clog a little easier than other semis I have owned or shot. I would venture to guess that would be the most likely problem.

 

[Arbor]

Thanks everyone! Snarlington, that walkthrough was immensely helpful. I've now cleaned pretty much everything except the recoil spring, since that is such a pain I think I'll wait and see if it's necessary.

I'll post once when I get some more shells through her.

 

[elkaholic1]

I have purchased many a semi-auto beretta because people said they would not cycle. Turned out to be the recoil spring every time. Changing the spring is easy, just don't point it near a window.

I wouldn't bother with trying the Beretta factory, I have always found them less then helpful. Google "cole's gunsmith", they know everything there is to know, and cary every part, for Beretta shotguns. Don't get discouraged, the AL2 is a fine gun.

Also, check the Beretta international site, that's where they hide the online manuals....and clean those gas ports!

 

[elkaholic1]

Sorry, meant Beretta Services website...

http://www.berettaservices.com/index.aspx?m=53&did=160

 

[Arbor]

It was the Ammo

I went to the gun shop and talked to the guy, and he recommended that I stop using the "crappy Remington game loads from Bi-Mart," so I tried some Nobel sport loads and some Winchesters and the gun cycled perfectly. Of course, I don't know that it wasn't the cleaning, but I'm willing to bet it was the change of ammo. I'll try some of the Remingtons next time I get the chance. I also noticed that if you don't have it planted against your shoulder, i.e. from the hip, the inertia of the action doesn't work right. Non-issue if you fire it normally, interesting though.


EDIT:

After posting this I randomly tried to fire a couple of 3" magnum shells through my AL2.. and surprisingly enough it worked and even cycled fine! I don't really know what to make of this since the barrel is marked 2 3/4" and nowhere on the receiver does it say "Magnum." Maybe someone can enlighten me on this.

 

[SilverShooter]

Ammo

I had a similar problem with my new AL391 field gun and it only occured with 1 oz Rem Game Loads. No problem with any other Rem ammo or any other brands.

 

[chas08]

After posting this I randomly tried to fire a couple of 3" magnum shells through my AL2.. and surprisingly enough it worked and even cycled fine! I don't really know what to make of this since the barrel is marked 2 3/4" and nowhere on the receiver does it say "Magnum." Maybe someone can enlighten me on this.

You were lucky it didn't open up like a tin can. Don't ever shoot longer shells than the gun is rated for.

 

[rino451]

Hm. Either of these like an A391 3.5"? I've shot Walmart Winchester Universal 1 1/8 oz 2 3/4" shells just fine and yesterday I shot Winchester Super XX 7/8 oz shells. All worked fine and the Universals work 100% compared to them in my 870 Express barrels.

 

[Arbor]

I've had no problems with winchester ammunition of any kind, just the Remington. It is very inconsistent ammo.