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Beretta A400 Unico

Beretta A400 Unico

Beretta are a massive concern making a vast number of sporting shotguns each year, something in the region of 100,000 semi-automatic smoothbores and 50,000 over and unders (not to mention 200,000 odd pistols) . The scale of the operation is unbelievable and sometimes I wonder just where all these guns go. But go they do, because Beretta is one of the most popular shotgun brands in the world, and with good reason. Their products are always the result of considerable original development and R&D work, and, they go on working for years, and typically look good into the bargain.

I have used Beretta over and unders and semis for years, my fondness for my old 32” barrelled 303 is no secret. Not so long ago, Beretta moved on from the wonderful, and highly developed 300 series guns (the last incarnation of which is the 391) and moved to the 400 series which incorporates a rotating bolt-head which may have been inspired by Benelli a concern also owned by Beretta (the Benelli action, unlike the Beretta one, is inertia operated and combines this with a rotating bolt – nearly all Beretta semis are gas operated). Just before moving on, I might also mention - just to cover all the bases - that there is a new budget Beretta A300 Outland semi-automatic model available which uses an action something like the old 303 (although it is unique to the model and not a re-badged 391 or similar).

Mega Kick-off

O.K. on with the test which focuses on an A400 Unico Xtreme which is presented with a 3 1/2” chamber, 30” barrel and ‘Max 4’ Camo. This gun incorporates the new Kick-off Mega system which is a recoil reduction system like the old Kick-Off but not positioned at the end of the gun, but rather between the pistol grip and the main part of the synthetic butt. The camo pattern is rather attractive (though I always worry about losing camouflaged guns in the woods or on the foreshore!). There is another camo stocked option too, the A400 Xtreme Unico Optifade, but only available with a 28” tube. [There are also 3” chambered game and sporter 400s, the former beginning at RRP £1514. for the A400 X-Plor and the attractive Xcel Sport is priced from £1640 with or without Kick-off and comes with extended HP chokes].

The barrel of the test 400 is made from a tough alloy steel that Beretta call Steelium. It is ‘Optibored’, fleur de lys steel shot proofed, and comes with three flush fitting HP Optichokes. The Optibore package includes extended forcing cones, a modest over-bore, and longer than average chokes. My impression of Optiboring has been very positive previously. I really think these modifications make a real ballistic difference – especially in a gun intended for use with large payloads as this one is.

The rest of this big gun’s spec – it weighs in at around 8lbs – includes detachable sling swivels, a 14 1/2” stock which may be extended by means of a spacer supplied to 15”, and a new type of magazine/forend nut which locks into place which Beretta call the B-lock. One other feature might be mentioned – ‘Aqua technology’ which is a protective coating to make corrosion less likely. The gun is visually impressive too.  As is always evident with Beretta a lot of effort has gone into the design detail.

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Variable Payload

Perhaps the cleverest things about the A400 Xtreme is that it will digest a wide range of loads from 24 grams to 64 grams, and, in any case length from 2¾” to 3½. One has, again, to be impressed by this, as it is quite a task for the engineers to achieve it without any need for adjustment on the gun. When Beretta launched the A400 series, they noted 36% faster cycling for the new action design and a dramatic 60% reduction in recoil with the Kick-Off3 recoil reduction. To quote their own material on the A400 Xplor Unico: “This innovative new gun has passed through three years of development, 8,000 hours of engineering, 2,000 hours of testing and more than 100,000 cartridges….[it] represents the Beretta revolution in semi-automatic shotguns and a major advance in technology, innovation and design.” Beretta do not do things by halves.

Hype apart, though, it was clear that a tremendous effort had gone into the development of the A400 and Beretta had staked a lot on the new semi-automatic chassis in both its 3” and 3 1/2” guises. My own view, meanwhile, is that the 400 guns really come into their own in magnum chambered form where all the new technologies may make a practical difference both to ballistics (and in particular ballistics with steel shot) and on recoil reduction (so important with roman candle loads).

Other Features

Apart from the rotating bolt, one relatively new feature of interest is a self-cleaning piston. Conveniently, this also remains in the gas shroud when the barrel is removed (it must be positioned properly in its housing before the gun is put back together though after disassembly). A short steel cocking sleeve is positioned on the exterior of the mag tube and there are twin steel cocking rods as seen in the old Xtrema welded to this. The magazine tube itself has a plastic cover. There is no ‘rat’s tail’ to the rear of the breech-block that is seen in many semi-automatic designs. The working parts once they have gone rearwards are brought forward again and back into battery by a large helical spring positioned between the rear of the cocking-sleeve and the receiver body.

The trigger mechanism of the test gun, like other 400s, has been influenced by that of the old 391s and Xtremas. The hinged, plated, carrier at the bottom loading port has been replaced by a stainless steel one. The action design incorporates a magazine cut-off, which, especially in a gun of this sort which might be used on marsh for duck or goose, is a useful feature (though I usually prefer to completely unload a weapon and then reload it myself).

Shooting Impressions

I have to say frankly that I have not been a fan of all the 400s. I did not like the rear mounted Kick-Off much. I found this new one positioned in the middle of the stock much, much, better and more effective in reducing apparent recoil to face and shoulder. The 7mm sighting rib presented a good picture to the eye too (without distracting) and kept frontal weight down in this substantial gun. The controls all worked very well including the bar type safety which could be easily manipulated with gloved hands. The trigger was adequate, felt recoil overall was good to excellent with a wide variety of cartridges, and the general handling good too. Reliability with a variety of loads as specified was excellent. If I was looking for a serious wildfowling tool for use with heavy steel loads, this would be right at the top of the list. GM

  • Beretta A400 Unico - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Beretta A400 Unico - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Beretta A400 Unico - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Beretta A400 Unico - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Beretta A400 Unico - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Beretta A400 Unico - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

gun
features

  • Make: Beretta
  • Model: A400 Unico Xtreme Max 4
  • Bore: 12
  • Chamber: 3 1/2”
  • Barrel: 30” (28” option)
  • Rib: 7mm
  • Weight: 8lbs approximately.
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