Was at the local gunstore and was browsing for ideas on a semi-auto shotgun. Saw some mossbergs, remington's, benelli's, but the owner showed me a Beretta. It was in a compact model and it was absolutely a beauty. Fortunately, I held off until I could ask for some opinions from the THR folks. Well, what do you think? Function, reliability, durability. I know the Beretta costs quite a bit more, but it is (in my eyes) a real work of art.
Opinions on Beretta Urika AL391?
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TrapperReady
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Nice gun. I posted a short review in the last week or so.
On Saturday, I went out and put just shy of 500 shells through it. No problems, and I continue to be quite accurate with it. In fact, while shooting trap, it seems like I have to do something VERY wrong in order to miss.
I'm be shooting 4 league rounds of trap tomorrow night, and think it's very possible that my misses will be easily counted on one hand. I've not felt this confident when shooting any of my other shotguns.
Prior Thread on Beretta 391 Urika Sporting
On Saturday, I went out and put just shy of 500 shells through it. No problems, and I continue to be quite accurate with it. In fact, while shooting trap, it seems like I have to do something VERY wrong in order to miss.
I'm be shooting 4 league rounds of trap tomorrow night, and think it's very possible that my misses will be easily counted on one hand. I've not felt this confident when shooting any of my other shotguns.
Prior Thread on Beretta 391 Urika Sporting
BlackJack
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I have to admit that most of my experience is with doubles and pumps. I know the Mossberg and Rem 870s best. My Urika is my first semi-auto, so I can't give you a lot of comparison info. However I can tell you I absolutely love it. It's a beautiful gun that's a joy to handle. The fit and finish is excellent and the decoration very classy. But of course that's meaningless if it doesn't do the job. I have only shot clays with mine to date, but it had done excellent for me. I do better with it than with any shotgun I've ever used, also possibly because it's the first one I've had that's big enough for me. It's smooth operation and I have not had a failure to eject or jam of any type in my first 500 rounds. I'm glad I bought mine and I'd do it again. My vote is get it.
You really can't go wrong with this gun. Despite my afinity for breaking guns the AL391 would be my semi of choice. There are only two potential drawbacks according to my friends who own them. The first is the trigger which is a bit creepy for my liking but definitely fixable. The second is the foreend cap which can seize up. A drop of grease on the threads does wonders or so I'm told.
I owned a 390, the predecessor to the 391, and it was a very good gun.
Paul
I owned a 390, the predecessor to the 391, and it was a very good gun.
Paul
Kingcreek
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highly recommended
The differences between the 390 and 391 are minor.
I have a 12g 390 for clay games and some hunting.
My next SG will be a 391 in 20g
The differences between the 390 and 391 are minor.
I have a 12g 390 for clay games and some hunting.
My next SG will be a 391 in 20g
I love mine, over 2000 rounds through it in 3 months and not a hiccup. Some say the trigger isn't perfect but it's a shotgun so I couldn't care less. I haven't had any problems with the forend cap nor have I heard of others having this problem but I always put a drop of oil on the threads anyway. Check out
www.shotgunreport.com for more info on the gun.
www.shotgunreport.com for more info on the gun.
TrapperReady
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The trigger on mine has a moderate amount of creep, but a fairly light pull. It's light enough that I have to be pretty careful when shooting with gloves (which is almost always). In comparison, my Browning and Benellis have crisper triggers (no creep), but heavier pulls.
I tend to fall into the "shotguns need light triggers" camp, but unlike a rifle, a little creep doesn't bother me at all with a shotgun. So far, the only downside is that the gas mechanism requires more time when cleaning. I'm also more fond of the the controls on the Benelli.
I tend to fall into the "shotguns need light triggers" camp, but unlike a rifle, a little creep doesn't bother me at all with a shotgun. So far, the only downside is that the gas mechanism requires more time when cleaning. I'm also more fond of the the controls on the Benelli.
Wow. Thanks everybody! This is almost what I did NOT want to hear......now I gotta get it 
Trapper.....thanks for the field report. It sounds like the kind of shotgun I'm looking for.
At the local shop, their asking price IIRC was $798 (excluding tax). Is this a good price? I looked at some prices on the internet, though some outstate prices were lower, considering all costs (shipping, FFL fee, etc.), this looks about to be a good price. I even went to Wal-Mart and their price was somewhere around $856 (I think). BTW...Walmart has a catalog behind the counter with all kinds of rifles and shotguns and prices.
Trapper.....thanks for the field report. It sounds like the kind of shotgun I'm looking for.
At the local shop, their asking price IIRC was $798 (excluding tax). Is this a good price? I looked at some prices on the internet, though some outstate prices were lower, considering all costs (shipping, FFL fee, etc.), this looks about to be a good price. I even went to Wal-Mart and their price was somewhere around $856 (I think). BTW...Walmart has a catalog behind the counter with all kinds of rifles and shotguns and prices.
TrapperReady
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Sounds decent for retail. I don't shop around a ton, but I've seen them (the sporting model at least) range from $815 to $839.
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