BERETTA 390 SHOTGUN

BERETTA 390 SHOTGUN

BERETTA 390 SHOTGUN

Most of us who hunt with shotguns know that the 3.5-inch shotshell is no longer a necessity. Non-toxic ammunition and choke technology is such that you don’t need to buy a 3.5-inch gun anymore, so I almost made the case for the A390 being the best autoloader ever. But Benelli, Beretta, and Winchester all make stout 3.5-inch guns that are slightly more advanced than the Silver Mallard (mostly due to exterior features and finishes). But if you can’t afford a Super Black Eagle III, A400 Xtreme, or Super X4, the 390 is the next best option.

There are multiple reasons why the Beretta 390 is a gun to own. Chief among them is price. The price of a Beretta 390 has risen in the last decade, because more people are realizing what great shotguns they are, but you can still pick one up for $1000 from our shop.

The gas system in the A390 is also slightly better than the earlier 300 series models. It is more tolerant of lighter loads, so it cycles 7/8- and 1-ounce shotshells reliably. I have had a few target loads hang up in my action over the years, but it rarely happens with heavier 1 1/8-ounce payloads.

The square backing of the shotgun receiver also gives you a better sight plane than a rounded action, which is the reason I vault this gun ahead of the earlier 300 series Berettas. Some of the most accurate shotguns in history have been humpbacks. John Browning’s Auto-5, Benelli’s Super Black Eagle, Franchi’s AL-48, and the Browning B-80 are all fine examples.

The Beretta 390 Toughest Competition

There are a few 3-inch guns that I would put on an almost equal footing with the A390. The first is Benelli’s new Super Black Eagle III. The Italian gunmaker finally debuted the 3-inch version of the SBE3 last year. It’s a fine gun, and in terms of functionality it can keep pace with the Silver Mallard. But the A390 is $1,000 cheaper. You could buy the 12- and 20-gauge version of the Silver Mallard for the price of one SBE3. The M2 is also a quality 3-inch gun, but again, you’re paying $1,400 for it.