Report Pairs 20-Jan-02-8:16 PM Subject: Wal Mart Beretta 390 in handDear Roland,Wally World's Beretta 390 12 Ga. autoloader appears to be built to a price point in order to compete with guns like Remington's 1187. It has a business-like, flat black appearance. Compared to Beretta's normal 390/391 line it's somewhat Spartan but, although certain amenities have been deleted, the 390 lineage seems to have been well preserved. Waterfowlers will probably like it. Mine will get lashed onto an ATV rack for some local adventures here in the boonies of Maine.The Wal Mart 390's receiver is semi-humpbacked without any decorative engraving, in a dull matte finish. The bolt and shell carrier are also matte. The top of the receiver sports a serrated band that extends over and down the rear hump to the stock juncture. The customary magazine cut-off normally found on the left side of the receiver has been omitted on this version. Clearly engraved above the trigger is the "390" model designation, which should placate the suspicious. The magazine would accept two, 3" shells as it came from the factory for a total capacity of 2+1. Regarding the lack of amagazine cut-off control, it's probably worth noting that you can manually eject chambered shells without kicking another shell onto the carrier from the magazine. Just draw the bolt rearward and hold it there to eject the chambered shell and make the change. A shell won't pop out of the magazine until you hit the little bolt latch button that's located underneath, by the carrier.Thus, with a little two-handed practice, one can switch chambered shells without disturbing the contents of the magazine. The barrel is matte finished to match the receiver. It's 28"and sports an unserrated, narrow .240" vent rib with a small silver front bead. The muzzle is machined for Mobile Chokes and the gun comes with IC, Mod and Full tubes, plus a wrench. The chamber is 3" and does appear, along with the bore, to be chrome plated. The barrel went into the receiver hard on the first assembly of my gun. It's still a little stiff, but getting more manageable. The stock is a dull black synthetic affair similar to the molded plastic Remington factory offerings. The butt sports a plastic plate with leather-type texturing (I thought it was a recoil pad until I ran a finger across it). Dimensions are 14 1/4" LOP, 1 1/2" drop atcomb and 2 1/2" drop at heel. An adjustment shim is sandwiched between the stock head and receiver. No extra shims are included with the gun, but at least they're available if needed. A vacant hole is visible where one would normally expect to find a sling swivel stud. A machine-screw threaded stud I had on hand (Uncle Mikes?) went into the threaded socket. No front attachment point is provided but a sling mounting plate is available as an after-market factory part(the plate is installed between the magazine cap and forend). The butt and forend are checkered.As for handling, I liked it. The pistol grip area of the stock feltslimmer than the wood on my 391 and there wasn't any clubby feeling. Recoil seemed mild. Overall, I found it to be a shootable package. I managed to dangle the gun from my RCBS trigger pull scale and came up with a weight just a shade above 7 1/2 lbs. The trigger released at about 5 lbs with plenty of creep. The action of my gun seemed a little stiff and gritty right out of the box. At first, it wouldn't reliably feed Winchester factory AA 1 ounce Lights. Ejected hulls dribbled out by my feet. Factory AA Super Handicaps worked just fine but empties weren't thrown any great distance. Within 20 or so shots ejection had improved and, after a bit, the lighter loads began working too. Later, I did a quick field cleaning, brushed out a few metal chips, and applied some lubrication. The action now cycles noticeably smoother. In the event of continued balky feeding, I'll simply install an aftermarket gas spring calibrated for lighter loads. Changing the spring is both cheap and easy.I dropped by Cole Gunsmithing the other day and discussed the gun with Rich Cole. Rich figures that Beretta probably had a bunch of hump-backed receivers left over. He says the humped version was sort of a marketing flop in the US. The good news is that parts are interchangeable with the old standard 390. Rich has a bunch of 390 parts including stock shims, so personal adjustments for drop and cast are possible. He also stocks an assortment of gas springs.The Wal Mart 390 certainly seems like one heck of a deal at $529.95. I asked a sporting goods clerk about continued availability and was told that the gun is still in the supply chain. I wouldn't wait too long though if planning a purchase because sooner or later, those hump-backed receivers are gonna dry up!There is more, but for brevity, please check this website
www.shotgunreport.com/SR_...an-02.html There is a fine line between a hobby and insanity.Edited by: Rick618 at: 1/2/03 11:00:15 pm
There is a fine line between a hobby and insanity.Edited by: Rick618 at: 1/2/03 10:55:53 pm
