New Beretta 391 jams

[45crittergitter]

OK, so the wife's brand-new 20 ga. 391 is sluggish with 7/8 and 1 oz loads to the extent that the bolt does not travel all the way back, creating a jam with the empty and fresh shell, or with a failure to eject. Works fine with 3" shells, but we got it for use with standard 7/8 and 1 oz loads. The gun has been cleaned and nothing appears out of order. Just needs breaking in? Suggestions?

 

[MAX100]

I needs to be broke in with heavy loads. Some don't consider a semiauto shotgun broken in until a 1000 rounds or so. The fact that the bolt does travel part way back is a good sign it will cycle the light loads after it is broke in. Keep the bolt pulled back open when not in use and that might help break it in also.


GC

 

[Bad Flynch]

Maybe this will help you out:

Many brands of shotshells are now loaded with powders that give low operating pressures. Now, add that to light loads that usually generate lower pressures anyway, and things can get tough for an autoloader that feeds on gas pressure.

I suggest that you try different brands of ammo to see if that will help and, while that is going on, you will accumulate that aforementioned 1000 rounds.

My 391 in 12 ga. is exceptionally tolerant of different loads, so maybe yours is just a little tight.

 

[JNewell]

None of our 390s or 391s had any kind of break-in required. I'd call Beretta and see what they suggest.

 

[JNewell]

Might be worth re-posting in the Shotgun section to see if anyone there has any ideas.

 

[45crittergitter]

Update

Kinda weird. First day it worked with cheap 7/8 oz. loads, but was sluggish, just dropping the empties under the gun. Next time, would hardly fire two one oz. shells in a row. This continued for a box or more of shells. Cleaned and checked out - didn't help. Worked perfectly with 3" mags. Then it gradually started working with the 1 oz. and 7/8 oz. loads. Guess it just needed a little breaking in, but that doesn't explain why it started out working with the lightest loads before choking. Weird.

 

[45crittergitter]

Update

Kinda weird. First day it worked with cheap 7/8 oz. loads, but was sluggish, just dropping the empties under the gun. Next time, would hardly fire two one oz. shells in a row. This continued for a box or more of shells. Cleaned and checked out - didn't help. Worked perfectly with 3" mags. Then it gradually started working with the 1 oz. and 7/8 oz. loads. Guess it just needed a little breaking in, but that doesn't explain why it started out working with the lightest loads before choking. Weird.

 

[rcmodel]

Maybe Beretta uses better / slicker oil then you do!


rcmodel