I think that this topic has been covered in several threads over the years. Try a search.

The earlier 30x models (A300, 301, AL-1, AL-2) came in either a standard model (2 3/4") or a Magnum model (3"). The Magnum action was beefed up a bit (ejector, ejector spring, recoil spring) and the ejection port may have been a little longer, although in the ones I have measured there isn't much difference. The Magnum model would cycle OK with heavy 2 3/4" loads, but not with lighter loads such as most target ammo. How light a load would work varies a bit from one gun to another. I have an A301 Magnum that will just barely cycle with Rio 1 1/8 oz target loads, but not with Rio 1 oz loads. If you have a Magnum and want to shoot lighter loads you need a second barrel, with 2 3/4" chamber. If you have a 2 3/4" gun and want to shoot 3" loads, you are out of luck - get a second gun.

Beginning with the A302, all receivers were the Magnum type, so you could use a barrel of either chamber length on any receiver. However, you still need two barrels, unless you stick to fairly heavy loads when you shoot 2 3/4" shells in a 3" barrel. Never try to shoot 3" shells in a 2 3/4" barrel - potentially dangerous!

So the short answer is, the A301 will take 3" shells ONLY if it is an A301 Magnum and has a barrel with a 3" chamber.

First question, re: differences between A301 and A302.
1. All 302 receivers are "magnum" type as discussed above.
2. 302 has a magazine cutoff lever on the right side of the receiver.
3. The 302 was available with interchangeable choke tubes, drop-in type with a screw-on collar to hold the tube in place.

Some early 303's also used the 302-type cutoff lever on the receiver. Trigger groups designed for use with the cutoff lever will not interchange with other models.

I had a similar question some time ago and here’s a response I received.

The 300s are generally interchangeable, but not all parts. The Browning B80 had an Aluminum (AL) model that is NOT compatible with the steel model Beretta for many pieces. Learned the hard way $$$.
The 303 barrels have the mobil chokes where the 301 & 302 models do not. The Browning B80 barrels can be used on the Berettas, but those barrels use the invicta chokes.

I have an AL2 20ga and 302 12ga and am on the lookout to pick up others and wondering how interchangeable common parts are?

What are the differences and similarities between theses models? Are most of the parts (same gauge of courseJ interchangeable such as barrels, bolts and gas pistons. I have an AL2 20ga and 302 12ga and am on the lookout to pick up others and wondering how interchangeable common parts are?

All the models after the 390 were simply tweaks in an attempt to sell more shotguns by making the 390 APPEAR to be outdated so that they could sell a new gun to the gullible buyers. Also, cost cutting changes were often made on the newer models in order to increase their profit margins. As a result, the buying public ended up paying more money for a cheapened quality gun. All of these changes made perfect business sense for the Beretta company, but they did nothing for the buyer except to extract more money from their wallet for a lesser quality product.

That's a pretty cynical view, as if buyers don't have many other choices. Actually, the 391's were far more costly to make than the 390's, but they had severe problems: bad bolt buffers, cracked gas pistons, the well-known shell lifter problem, etc. No one yet has been able to explain the wacky 391 forearm nut.

That kind of confirms my point. For models after the 390, the buyer ended up paying more money for a lesser quality gun (and perhaps less desirable design).


The best Beretta's were the 303's and Browning B-80's with 2-3/4 inch chambers as far as I'm concerned: simple and essentially bullet-proof. It is the obsession with light loads, helped along by steel shot mandates, etc., that complicated things.

I'll grant you that the 303 was simple and reliable provided that your ammo choices were something that the gun liked because the 303 had no compensating gas system to automatically adjust from light 2 3/4" target loads to 3" magnums and everything in between.

With the 303, you had to purchase a different barrel if you wanted to shoot magnum loads. Also, the really light 2 3/4" target loads might not function well even in the 2 3/4" chambered barrels. Additionally, the 303 stock adjustment shims changed drop only, but not cast. So if you needed a different cast on your stock, you either had to "jerry rig" the cast shims or modify (cut) your stock.

The 303 was a good gun and the best of the 301, 302, 303 series, but it lacked several very desirable features found standard on the 390. That's why I said the 390 was the high water mark for the Beretta autos.