Bernie--I shoot with a lot of guys with both 391's and 390's shooting sporting every week they are both good guns. My 390 has over 35k trouble free rounds thru it since 1999 and I would buy which ever one was in the best shape for the best price. Beretta is still making the 390 as a stripped gun with polymer stock and matt finish they call it the 3901 now. I think they sell for a little over $500. new. Good luck Nick
I could be totally hosed up on this, but I consider them the same basic gun. It is my understanding that the 391 is the result of some improvements in ease of manufacturing that lower cost combined with some aesthetic improvements. The outside of the 391 was designed by 'stylists' and the engineers worked around the contours they came up with, basically installing the proven operating system of the 390 in the shell shape provided.
Both are fine shotguns, pick the one that feels best in your hands.
They're both nice guns, with only a couple minor differences in the gas system & cosmetics/styling. I went looking for a used 390 in 20 guage and ended up finding a new 391 at a bargain basement price. No regrets, but truthfully the 390 appeals to me a little more.
It's been a while since I looked into this, but I believe that the gas system of the 390 is significantly easier to strip for cleaning than the 391. IIRC, the 391 is supposed to function better, but since I've never had or heard of any burps with normal loads in a 390, that seems a little theoretical.
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