Beretta A400L semi-automatic shotgun review

Key features include the all-new, very well-executed floral-type engraving on the aluminium action, which is both tasteful and eye-catching. The high-grade walnut stock is a knockout in both colour and figure, and has been subtly redesigned for improved comfort. DLC-finished components reduce friction and abrasion, keeping the A400L aligned with modern finishes, with bluing becoming old hat these days.

The lightning-fast B-Link gas-operated system remains, along with the steel-shot-proofed Steelium barrel, showcasing the technology for which Beretta is renowned. The aluminium trigger group delivers a lighter, crisper pull with shorter reset times for follow-up shots.

I have always liked the A400, having owned a few, and my 28-bore was a honey with its lightning-fast bolt operation and ejection, minimal recoil and superb handling. The A400L is no different except for the 12-bore sizing. It still handles extremely well for its 3.2kg weight, with the balance point positioned perfectly at the forend/action joint.

The wood really stands out on this new model L, with a higher gloss finish than is usual. The oil has been rubbed to a bright lustre that certainly enhances and brings out the grade three walnut beneath. Both colour and figuring are excellent, and the stock and forend are matched very well – a small touch, but you would notice if they were different.

The forend, with its redesigned ergonomics, is interesting, as it has carbon-fibre vents at the end to allow any excess gas to pass freely. The redesigned and larger panels of chequering are very finely cut and do actually grip, which is not always the case with some guns.

Interestingly, the end cap allows you to fit additional weights, thus altering the balance of the gun very precisely. This system is called B-Balance and allows the gun’s weight to be adjusted by up to 55g. I weighed the end cap itself at 84g, making a maximum of 139g in total. The weights are in two halves, so you can adjust to your own taste.

Moving to the rear, the grip now benefits from an ambidextrous palm swell. I really like it as it finally centralises and correctly positions the firing hand. Again, well-defined cut chequering is used. The Extralight recoil pad uses Beretta’s Microcore recoil-absorbing construction for better comfort and stability in the shoulder without snagging, as its open-cell polyurethane structure is allowed to expand after firing, thus increasing the surface area with the shoulder for secure and precise support. These pads are available in different sizes, allowing length-of-pull adjustments in combination with Beretta spacers.

The A400L is available in 12-bore only, with a single barrel offered in either 28in or 30in, with both having a 3in chamber. Whichever length you choose, the cold hammer-forged Steelium Plus barrel (Ni-Cr-Mo steel) incorporates a triple progressive forcing cone (up to 320mm) for optimum terminal energy and recoil reduction, producing even, dense shot patterns with a wide variety of shot.

Up top is a 10x8mm rib with a non-reflective surface, a midpoint brass bead and a white bead at the muzzle. There are eight vents beneath it to provide adequate cooling during rapid fire and to reduce mirage. The extended chokes are all steel-proofed, and each gun comes with M, IM, and IC restriction sizes as standard.

Now to the action, with its elegant sweeping profile and aluminium construction. The most obvious difference is the new nickel-plated finish, with full floral engraving and an inked background applied in a tasteful style. You also now get an enhanced action with refined top and bottom profiling, plus an enlarged loading port, extended bolt handle and release, all designed for fast and intuitive handling.

Being a gas-operated semi-automatic, the A400L is powered by Beretta’s ultra-efficient B-Link gas operating system that ensures 36% faster follow-up shots and better control for faster target acquisition. The self-cleaning gas piston is enclosed with a polymer shield that is attached to the twin action bars, which really helps reduce the maintenance needed. The barrel’s gas ports have also been redesigned to maximise consistency and improve cycling with lighter loads, which is always a useful feature in a semi-auto.

The loading port and the competition-grade pro lifter have both been enlarged for faster, hassle-free loading. The lifter stays in the raised position when the bolt is closed, allowing new rounds to be inserted into the magazine more quickly, whether singly or in dual or quad mode. It also reduces the risk of getting your thumb caught.

The trigger is light and crisp for a semi-auto, and the manual safety catch is enlarged and reversible for both left and right-handed shooters.

As usual, I fitted the ½ (Modified) choke and shot some patterns at 30yd, my usual hunting distance, to assess the pattern spread and density for three 12-bore loads. Being hunting-based, I focused on pigeon loads, though I also included a nice clay cartridge.

First up was Hull’s High Pheasant cartridge (32g, No 5, fibre), with its 67mm case. It cycled incredibly smoothly through the A400L, operating the action in a trice. I recorded 101 inner hits within 15in, while the outer 30in accumulated another 137 pellets, giving an impressive total of 238 hits with very good coverage and density for a larger shot size.

Next came a very good pigeon load, the 70mm Eley Pigeon HV (32g, No 6, fibre), which again cycled the action well. This produced a total of 275 pellet strikes, with 85 in the inner zone and the remaining 190 around the periphery. That meant fewer inner hits than the High Pheasant load, but more overall coverage to intercept fast-flying pigeons as they cross the pattern in the air.

Finally, a cost-effective clay load that always outperforms its pay grade, so to speak. Hull’s Super Fast Competition Line (24g, No 7.5) functioned flawlessly, and when I fired three in succession the sight picture was barely disturbed, allowing smooth tracking of the clays – or rabbits in my case. The load produced 157 inner pellet strikes and 156 outer, giving a superbly balanced inner-to-outer ratio and a total of 313 strikes. It is an outstanding load and also very effective for small vermin.

Whenever a bright-action engraved shotgun comes out, my initial thought is always, “I hope it’s not too gaudy.” Well, have no fear on that score – the Beretta A400L is elegance personified, as the nickel action and tasteful engraving enhance the lines and looks and make it stand out in a good way. I found the handling to be extremely fluid and natural, even with the longer 30in barrel, and the action, as seen in the tests, is 100% reliable, super-fast and, I have to say, pretty clean afterwards too. It is a premium semi-auto at a price that these days seems quite reasonable.

Name: Beretta A400L

Calibre: 12-bore

Barrel length: 76cm/30in

Overall length: 131cm/51.5in

Weight: 3.25kg/7.16lb

Length of pull: 36.8cm/14.5in

Price: £2,690

Contact: GMK – www.gmk.co.uk