[john305]

Some people like synthetic stocks. I for one will only buy wood, but some people like the durability of a synthetic. They do sell cheaper cause they cost less new usually. It is all personal preference.

 

[PygmyHippo]

I purchased a Beretta AL390 from WalMart which I use every weekend. I have a couple comments regarding the post above by "collky2":"The 390 is made for walmart and is a cheapened up version. "I contacted Beretta USA about this last year and the gun is not manufactured especially for WalMart. In my personal experience, it is in every way the equal of Berreta 390s to be found in any small, medium, or large firearm store. The AL390 itself though is not being produced anymore, and all those available are the final holdings at central distribution. I was also told this by the store manager, but contacted Beretta USA just to be sure "For one it has a butt plate instead of the butt pad. "The AL390 came with a butt pad, NOT a butt plate."I believe it also comes with only 1 choke where the other beretta guns come with more. "The AL390 came with 3 chokes."Ill have to look next time im there to see but i was told it doesnt have a mag cut off either. "Not sure what that means, but if it is in regards to the magazine coming with a plug, it comes from the factory plugged to hold 2 rounds in the magazine. The plug is removable. If the 'mag' reference is regards to 3" shells, the AL390 will feed both 2.75" and 3" shells."Walmart really doesnt buy in as big of quantities as you think they would in the individual store. Their Distribution center buys in big quantities but serve alot of stores. "I don't work there, so I can't really comment on that, other than what the manager said regarding a central distribution center. I was told that there is a finite supply of AL390s in their national supply, but that he (the manager) had no definitive number on the quantity.---As far as the gun itself, I believe it was $526 before tax (waaaaaay lower than any other gun store around), it came with 3 chokes, a choke wrench, and an instruction manual. It has synthetic stocks, and has a matte black finish. Internally, I saw no burrs or markings that would lead me to believe that this gun was anything but the quality one would expect from Beretta. All parts mate well together with no gaps or jiggles. (Bear in mind that the firearms in the cases at WalMart are sometimes partially assembled, usually just attaching the barrel, by the associates at the store. You should always go through your manual and ensure the firearm is properly assembled before use. This is actually just a good practice regardless of who you buy the gun from.) I have had the shotgun since summer of last year, and have put over 2000 rounds through it (mostly skeet and light game loads, but a few heavier loads as well.) I am nothing short of thrilled. Michigan Man, I don't think you would regret getting this shotgun one bit.I too prefer the look of natural wood, but the synthetic stocks have their merits. Light weight, matte (non-reflective) finish, holds up well to moisture. The slight weight increase of wood might help curb recoil for a smaller shooter, but on average, I'd say the difference in that department would be slight. I guess other than the plusses I mention, looks would be the final factor for most.I don't own the other shotgun you mention so I can't comment on it specifically, but from what I've seen at the skeet ranges, you couldn't go wrong with either.

 

[Guest]

for all you people out there, THERE IS NO WAL-MART version of any beretta gun. Why would beretta make a lesser than model of anything? It'd degrade it's paramount name. I have the al 390. It's never malfunctioned, never misfired. It's a magnificant gun, just an older model. Rick has said most of what needs to be said. Wal mart buys in bulk, so they have some left over. It's not a deficient gun. It's like Rolex; it's a masterpiece.

 

[RemingtonII]

The Wal-Mart gun is a plain Jane. However, I have seen some with painted stocks that look pretty spiffy.

You might consider buying a used Beretta 390, as these guns are commonly in the pawn shops in very minty condition for $450, ever since the announcement of the 2004 models.

 

[RemingtonII]

There is a new 390 on Guns America for $450 right now.

 

[ctrout]

Hastings makes a couple of fully rifled barrels for the Beretta 390. www.hastingsbarrels.com

 

[Guest]

you really dont duck or goose hunt then if you think you dont need 3 1/2" shells! LOL check the shell payload and velocity. Thats why!!!

 

[whitedogone]

Make sure to check all the Wally world's in the area. Some have them cheaper.

 

[JimmyP]

At the Walmarts here in Kentucky they are 3901, not a 390, or a 391. I was told, but I have no proof that they are a 391 without the bells and whistles. It is on Beretta's website.
http://www.berettausa.com/product/produ ... s_main.htm

 

[Guest]

I agree, I think that's right. I don't think it's 'exactly' the 390 OR the 391 that you see in regular gun stores. The one I saw at a Wal Mart is a 3901, which is listed in the website. It looks to be based functionally (inside) on the discontinued 390 with differences on the outside that make it less expensive than the regular 390 used to be (no mag cutoff etc), hence the low price. It doesn't share anything with the 391 as far as I can tell. For about the same price as a Remington, I would personally take the 3901 over the Remington even with it being synthetic and less features. The quality and reliability of any of the modern Berettas are better in my experience, comparing equal priced guns of course. I'd take the quality and the action of a Beretta over the wood of the Remington, but that's just me.

 

[hopperdamage]

It's a 3901. The receiver is like a 391 with out the mag cut off. The barrel is a 390. I've owned 390's, 3901 and 391. They are good guns. Take a Rem 1100\1187 and Beretta apart and look at the parts. The Rem is made of cheap sheet metal. I think the Beretta is a better made gun. I also know that the Rem's are good shooter's. My favorite Rem is the 870.

 

[Guest]

I love my brownings but already have a bretta 390 with wood.
Just purchased a Walmart 390 for clay shooting. Mine has black matte finish with synthetic stock which has a removalble 1 inch piece at the butt plate so it can be a youth gun. It came with 3
chockes and a magazine cuttoff and has a chrome lined barrell
just like my 750.00 model. And it was on sale for 450.00. I can
see no difference in quality. As always I did a complete disassembly for cleaning and relubeing with Break Free lube. All
parts quality seem the same as my other bretta. My favorite
clay shooting preserve only stocks bretta 390's for rental because of their reliability. Good luck on whatever you choose.

Browningfan

 

[Guest]

Just bought the W-mart 3901 for under $450 and found following reference on the Beretta web site. http://www.berettausa.com/nra_partners/nra_level3.htm

 

[Guest]

My local Walmart has one 390 left in 12 gauge but their price is $529 (list). They said they're not aware of any sale or special going on on this model. Can someone give me a number to their local Walmart that sells it for $450?

I'd see if the manager of my local store can call them to confirm the $450 price.

any help would greatly appreciated...

jake

 

[Guest]

I just purchased one of these in 20 ga. for 300 bucks at my local Wal-Mart. I am very impressed w/ this gun. If you're still interested, my local wal-Mart's phone number is (541) 471 - 2822. That's in Grants Pass, Oregon.

 

[nickspnick]

I was in wally world making my usuall rounds by the sporting goods department and I noticed the Remington 1187 and the Beretta 390. I ask my friend who works there if the beretta 390 was a special product made just for wal mart. He did not know. However he did call to the wal mart gun depot and ask his friend there if the beretta was a special gun made just for wal mart, he told him no that wal mart just orders mass amounts of the beretta 390. My friends friend called to beretta in maryland and ask them about the beretta 390 at wal mart. He was told that the 390 was a quality shotgun and it was at wal mart to keep up with the Remington 1187 sportsman. Both shotguns are quality made , but remember both the 1187 Sportsman and the Beretta are made for the working man and woman that likes to own a quality without the price of the high end shotguns. Both the Remington 1187 sportsman and the Beretta 390 are made the same way not the very best components but still high quality. Better than Charles D, Mossberg, Stoger.

 

[Shotguner Bill]

Both the Remington 1187 sportsman and the Beretta 390 are made the same way not the very best components but still high quality. Better than Charles D, Mossberg, Stoger.

Is this statement coming from your first hand experience of the quality of a Remington 11-87 a Beretta 390, a Charles Daly, a Mossberg, and a Stoeger, or did it come from a Beretta rep to your friends friend, to your friend, to you???

If you think the Beretta is a good gun, so be it, but I tire of people cracking on guns they don't own, or have never even shot!

 

[nickspnick]

Bill, perhaps I could have been clearer. I own an extensive gun collection including Beretta Shotguns, Browning Shotguns, Parker Shotguns, Winchester(X3), Ithaca Shotguns, Remington Shotguns(1100, 1187, 870 wingmaster), Mossberg(9200 Viking, 935,930, 835, 500, 550). However I would not own a CD if you tried to give me one I do have some pride about myself. I should have explained myself better, I have been a avid gun collector for 26 years and I really did not need to ask any one about any of the guns that wrote about I have more than enough experience. As I stated before, The remington 1187 Sportsman and the beretta 390 are very close it comes down to a matter of opinion.

 

[Fish Springs]

Pretty much nonsense:

The Rem is made of cheap sheet metal. I think the Beretta is a better made gun.

But to the question at hand: Choose the one that fits you best and know that either will likely have a service life well beyond your expectations.

If the Beretta chops you on the cheek bone or the Remington does not allow for your eye to align with the rib you will be unhappy, shoot poorly and have to make some adjustment.

I've owned and shot both--no problem with the function of either gun nor thier manufacturing. Berettas chop my cheek bone and that is not good for consistant mount and scores.

Sign me short necked fat man and shooter of Remington 1100s :shock:

 

[txgolfer45]

Pretty much nonsense:

The Rem is made of cheap sheet metal. I think the Beretta is a better made gun.

But to the question at hand: Choose the one that fits you best and know that either will likely have a service life well beyond your expectations.

If the Beretta chops you on the cheek bone or the Remington does not allow for your eye to align with the rib you will be unhappy, shoot poorly and have to make some adjustment.

I've owned and shot both--no problem with the function of either gun nor thier manufacturing. Berettas chop my cheek bone and that is not good for consistant mount and scores.

Sign me short necked fat man and shooter of Remington 1100s :shock:

LOL You summarized it pretty well. I have a Remington 11-87 Premier and it is very well made with nice attractive wood. I also have a couple of Beretta AL391's (one sporting and one field) too. The Berettas are a slimmer design most noticable in the forearm. Both the Remington and Beretta are well built and will last a very long time. The Remington has a steel receiver while the Berettas have alloy receivers. Not sure about the AL390.

Get the one that fits you the best and then go out and shoot it a lot!