New Beretta A400 Extreme Kick-off

[Ironworker]

I bought this Beretta A400 Extreme Kick-off for its claimed recoil reduction. The previous shotgun is a Winchester SX3, and it kicks like a mule. But guess what? So does this A400! A poster on another thread says this Beretta needs to be broken in. Can anyone confirm this?

 

[Prose]

I bought this Beretta A400 Extreme Kick-off for its claimed recoil reduction. The previous shotgun is a Winchester SX3, and it kicks like a mule. But guess what? So does this A400! A poster on another thread says this Beretta needs to be broken in. Can anyone confirm this?

Read some Randy Wakeman reviews about shotgun snake-oil. If you are shooting waterfowl loads with these guns understand that they are historically light for waterfall shotguns. You can easily get a gun weighing 1-2 pounds more if you are sitting in a blind. These are "all around shotguns" which give up some weight for portability.

All shotgun manufactures claim that their guns kick less, reload better, and pattern best. But all 6 lb guns kick more than all 8 lb guns.

That being said. The Winchester SX3 and Beretta A400 are good semi-autos that effectively handle recoil as good as can be expected. They are gas operated and should kick less than any comparably weighted inertia gun. There is nothing wrong with these guns. If they kick too much for you than it's just a matter of them kicking too much for you. Increase weight of gun, wear a PAST recoil pad, or shoot a 20.

If you absolutely must have a 12 that does not weigh a ton and effectively moderates recoil, then take a look at FABARM. They are significantly better then the two you have experience with.

Is your A400 having problems cycling loads?

 

[xr650rRider]

I bought this Beretta A400 Extreme Kick-off for its claimed recoil reduction. The previous shotgun is a Winchester SX3, and it kicks like a mule. But guess what? So does this A400! A poster on another thread says this Beretta needs to be broken in. Can anyone confirm this?

I've got one of the A400 Xplor Unico's with kickoff in recoil pad in 12 gauge and it handles from 2-3/4" to 3-1/2" and it definitely reduces felt recoil more than 50%. No break in required. I've shot one of the Xtremes that has the kickoff in the middle of the stock and not sure on recoil reduction but it sure jammed a lot. Had to shoot heavy loads just to get it to cycle reliably.

 

[Ironworker]

I've got one of the A400 Xplor Unico's with kickoff in recoil pad in 12 gauge and it handles from 2-3/4" to 3-1/2" and it definitely reduces felt recoil more than 50%. No break in required. I've shot one of the Xtremes that has the kickoff in the middle of the stock and not sure on recoil reduction but it sure jammed a lot. Had to shoot heavy loads just to get it to cycle reliably.

Well, that's my shotgun; it has cycled trap flawlessly and 3" loads. I just ordered a limb savor that I'll be adding to it.

 

[xr650rRider]

My original Beretta pad disintegrated, from getting gun oil on it, like they are known to do. I replaced with a grind to fit Pachmayr decelerator.

 

[nmkid]

I bought almost the same (mine is a 20 gauge) shotgun. I was surprised by the amount of recoil. So much for the recoil reduction stuff. I got it over a year ago and have only shot it 10 times. Maybe it does need to be broken in. My old Remington 11-87 in 20 gauge was just right a pussycat. Also, the thing is really for my grandson after I kick the bucket so I don't get too fired up about shooting it.

 

[slo squeezin]

I had to quit using a 12 ga Browning O/U because of the weight and kick; problems with arthritis and rotator cup issues in both shoulders. For the last 5 - 6 years I've used the Beretta A400 kick off in 12 ga. I shoot about 1k-1.2k rounds a year doing trap; 1 oz loads, 1175 fps. Several of my buds have shot it, all say its the softest shooting 12 ga they have ever used. This past year I had to quit shooting trap altogether due to shoulder issues.
When I got it I had a smith back bore it and port it as well. Never had any cycle issues, clean the valve once a year, works like a Timex watch.

 

[Taylorbok]

Don't buy an inertia gun then.
I've got an A400 and had an SX4, I thought they both recoil fine.
it won't brake in at all in the sense of recoil reduction.

 

[1raggedhole]

I agree with Prose. I had an A400 extrema w kick off and honestly I didn’t really notice much felt recoil difference even compared to my SBE2, but the A400 was not nearly as reliable in the field compared to the SBE2. When wearing hunting clothing, felt recoil was the same for me.