I’m in a quandary and wondering what I need to do. I wrote on another thread, I bought an A300 Ultima and it started having cycling problems right out of the box. Thinking it was the trigger group causing the problem, my dealer replaced that. Same problem. So we both agree it will go back to Beretta for warranty repair. I’m trying to decide whether to keep it when it comes back or sell it. I really like the gun, but I’ve read so many war stories about this gun and Beretta repair on low end guns like this, that I’m trying to decide whether to sell it or keep it and hope for the best. It’s more of a play gun at skeet and not worth a lot of hassle. My dealer lives 2 hours away and I’ve already made 2 trips back and forth messing with this gun. Trip number 3 to take it back to send it off. Trip number 4 to pick it up. So you can see why I’m about ready to throw in the towel on an $800 gun. I’ve got my eye on another Browning in the same gauge and a nice price point, so I’m wondering what to do. So guys, opinions please?
Beretta Repair. What to Expect?
Matthew
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I’m in a quandary and wondering what I need to do. I wrote on another thread, I bought an A300 Ultima and it started having cycling problems right out of the box. Thinking it was the trigger group causing the problem, my dealer replaced that. Same problem. So we both agree it will go back to Beretta for warranty repair. I’m trying to decide whether to keep it when it comes back or sell it. I really like the gun, but I’ve read so many war stories about this gun and Beretta repair on low end guns like this, that I’m trying to decide whether to sell it or keep it and hope for the best. It’s more of a play gun at skeet and not worth a lot of hassle. My dealer lives 2 hours away and I’ve already made 2 trips back and forth messing with this gun. Trip number 3 to take it back to send it off. Trip number 4 to pick it up. So you can see why I’m about ready to throw in the towel on an $800 gun. I’ve got my eye on another Browning in the same gauge and a nice price point, so I’m wondering what to do. So guys, opinions please?
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Tried that twice and no go. Thanks for the reply though.
Don’t send it to Beretta. Send it to Cole’s Gunsmithing in Harpswell, ME. They do Beretta warranty service far more efficiently than Beretta does. Their Maine location specializes in the autos And has a couple of gunsmiths who know them inside and out. Go online to Custom And Fine European Shotguns - Cole Fine Guns & Gunsmithing and complete a service request. They can arrange shipping and return to your home address.
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I second sending it to Cole's. Over the years, I have found them to be far more customer centered than Beretta USA.
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It seems to like hot loads but it’s supposed to handle all loads. I’ll only be shooting light loads for skeet so it has to cycle light loads.
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OK I’ll pass that on to my dealer. It will be his call as I may just have him sell it for me or trade it for a Browning when it comes back. I want the best for warranty repair but I feel like I have to work with my dealer. He offered to handle it all at no cost to me.
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Maybe try some 2 3/4 dram 1 ounce loads?
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It will handle hot loads without a hiccup but it’s advertised as handling everything. I shot two boxes that kicked like a mule and it cycled without a hiccup. But I only want to shoot light loads at skeet. Appreciate the advice though.
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What are the shells you are wanting to shoot? Payload? Velocity? Factory or reloads?
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Have you checked the gas port diameter? A lot of them are smaller than the spec.
Is the rubber o ring in front of the piston in place?
Is the rubber o ring in front of the piston in place?
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I’m reloading a light 20 gauge. Longshot powder at around 1145. Currently have some AA light factory target loads.
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Don’t know how to check the ports. I’ve not seen any specs. On required port size. It throws empty’s quite always. Problem is it won’t load second shell. Interestingly enough, I hear about a rubber O ring but this doesn’t have one. Never did. I’ve seen YouTube videos of disassembly and no rubber O ring was found. Scratching my head on this one.
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First off guys, I appreciate ALL the responses. But I’m wondering if Beretta repair is reliable and should I keep or sell when it comes back.
Now more detail. I checked the magazine spring. It spits the shell into the lift with no issues. It’s good. Spring in the butt stock seems to be good as the bolt slams forward with authority when I manually load and trip rhe release. The problem seems to be in the trigger group. When I manually engage the lift to lock the bolt back, it comes back and locks into position. When I trip the bolt to load the shell, it drops down. Pull the trigger, gun fires, ejects shell, second shell comes out of the magazine into the lift and stays there. The lift does not raise for the bolt to catch the shell and load it into the chamber. From my research, it says there is a spring that causes the lift to raise up. It is supposed to trigger to load the second shell but it doesn’t. We replaced with a new trigger group from an identical gun. Did not fix it. Why is likes heavy loads is a mystery since the bolt and magazine springs are working as planned. Since there is plenty of blowback from the piston, that shouldn’t be the issue, O ring or not. That’s about all I know to say at this point. I can load heavy loads but I don’t want to. It’s not a hunting gun. More thoughts are much appreciated.
Now more detail. I checked the magazine spring. It spits the shell into the lift with no issues. It’s good. Spring in the butt stock seems to be good as the bolt slams forward with authority when I manually load and trip rhe release. The problem seems to be in the trigger group. When I manually engage the lift to lock the bolt back, it comes back and locks into position. When I trip the bolt to load the shell, it drops down. Pull the trigger, gun fires, ejects shell, second shell comes out of the magazine into the lift and stays there. The lift does not raise for the bolt to catch the shell and load it into the chamber. From my research, it says there is a spring that causes the lift to raise up. It is supposed to trigger to load the second shell but it doesn’t. We replaced with a new trigger group from an identical gun. Did not fix it. Why is likes heavy loads is a mystery since the bolt and magazine springs are working as planned. Since there is plenty of blowback from the piston, that shouldn’t be the issue, O ring or not. That’s about all I know to say at this point. I can load heavy loads but I don’t want to. It’s not a hunting gun. More thoughts are much appreciated.
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I’m kind of at a loss here. It’s a 20 gauge and it kicks like a mule!! I never heard of a 20 gauge semi automatic doing that. I’m thinking you’re reloads are to light to cycle it
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I think I solved my problem. I called Skeets in Tahlequah OK who is a good friend. He said he thought my gun was short cycling due to a gas port obstruction. He said I could fix it myself and told me how to do it, but said to go ahead and let warranty do it so as not to void the Beretta Warranty, As far as the kick, the kick off system in the stock has been known to increase felt recoil due the way the system is designed. I’ve been told to remove it and replace it with the included stock system. That would take care of the felt recoil. They said the normal gas operation would soften up the recoil.
To continue on with Skeets advice, he said that the heavy loads were probably overcoming the obstructed gas ports and fully cycling the gun. He said a light load wouldn’t have enough pressure to overcome the obstruction.
Lastly, if that isn’t the problem, he said there is a dog in there that may be defective and causing the issues, but he was betting on the gas port obstruction.
He said Cole’s would be best if I can get it sent to them. He didn’t care for Berettas customer service,
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What did he tell you to do to fix the gas port yourself?
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He said to take a piece of metal, didnt catch exactly what, but I’m thinking a drill bit or tiny file, he gave me a size, and ream out the two gas ports. He said they either were too small or partially obstructed causing a restricted pressure.
Thanks for all the helpful replies. It will go back to Beretta next week for warranty work. At least now I know what the problem is. I’m not going to risk losing the warranty by trying the fix myself. I have other guns to Shoot and I can do without this one for a bit.
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