[12 Gage]

I have an new A400, 30" barrel with kickoff that I have customized, disassembled the trigger and polished all the parts and reassembled it works smooth now, installed a 3/4 " high rib, took 3/8" off the top of the stock and made and installled an adjustable parallel comb (not too much room to work with installing the comb hardware) cut finger grips into the left side of the grip, installed a palm swell on the right side, installed a pad adjuster and had to cut 3/4" off the stock then I had to redrill the stock to accomodate the Kickoff. I refinished the complete stock using 10 coats of Tru Oil. Had the gun ready to shoot a week after I purchased it, being retired give me plenty of time to work on my projects. The gun is mainly used for Sporting Clays.

 

[Ton]

I shoot 5 stand with my Parallel Target 32" w/KO. It is the most reliable, purest shooting gun I've ever shot. I was a mediocre shooter, trying many different gun combinations, until I bought my smurf. 97 my was my ATA average last year.

 

[Bergman]

Has anyone had the opportunity to shoot both the Sporting and Parallel target models for shooting trap and sporting clays? The parallel target seems to make the most sense to me for both games, but I'd be happy to skip the KO system as the gun is already has a very gentle recoil.

 

[lls581]

I've shot them both at trap. I own the Sporting model & another guy I shoot with owns the Parallel model. We talked at one point of trading so we swapped guns for a couple rounds. Both models had the KO system which I like a lot. We decided not to trade because when we swapped they just didn't fit correctly for us. Not sure of his issues but with me, I needed the little extra drop on the Sporting for it to fit me correctly. Even with the slightly raised/ramped rib on the Parallel it didn't work for me.

With that being said, it's my go-to gun for any clays game (although I shoot mainly trap) with the exception of doubles (I just like my o/u better).

My suggestion is to try to shoot both before making the investment. Get the one that fits you best. And get the KO system. Recoil may not be an issue now but it may be later in your life due to health problems. Also, after you break your first 100 straight with it, good luck with trying to keep others from asking to fondle or shoot it! lol

 

[Ton]

I totally agree about the KO system. It's a must have.

 

[pedulla]

Looking for a good sporting clays, skeet gun. Ill be trying this shotgun over the weekend.. I brought one up to my shoulder and my sight picture was perfect.

 

[jmoser]

I have the A400 30" Parallel Target with KO. Took a while but I have it setup perfect for me now and ran my first 25 straight with it recently.

Notes:
Benefit of the Parallel comb is that your mount or clothing / vests / etc wont change LOP which changes drop on a conventional sloped comb stock and will change POI on a trap gun [or any gun.]
The PT stock is made for the 45mm drop spacer max - Beretta says stocks can crack with higher spacers [there is a debate on this.] In my case [I like a lot of drop] the 45 made me look down from above on the rib; I experimented with other spacers all the way up to 65 before installing a 1/2" Add-a-Rib and moving back up one spacer at a time until I am now at 45 with a 'normal' rib/bead picture.

As for the KO system I shot 4 rounds [100 shells] in a 1.5 hr stretch; 1 1/8 oz 1200 fps bangers and did not feel a thing. My shoulder is acting up and this is a blessing.
Get a shell catcher and you are all set.

This is now a dedicated trap gun; I tried it in various configurations on skeet range and never could hit anything well.

I would get the KO on any A400 model.

As for the action I am impressed with the bolt design, stays pretty clean, and never fails to cycle. I don't like that you cant pop the bolt handle out without manipulating the bolt into precise position but that is a nitpick. Also the bbl / piston takes a bit of wiggling to take on and off; not like a Remington or Benelli where it just drops in.

But overall the A400 is a great gun; some like the blue some hate it. I only use mine at the range so it doesn't bother me.

 

[Swamp_Yankee]

Great gun, love my 400 sporting KO and all. It took awhile to get used to the LOP. Hold the forearm in in close as that helps. I shoot sporting with mine so no pre mount LOP issue.
Named mine Papa Smurf . It is easy to find in the gunrack

 

[jktphd]

Just got one with the 32" . It works very well on trap right out of the box. With the current shim it seems too high for other games. I might experiment with the extra shim if it would increase the drop a little. The A400 is, in my experience, a really nice, reliable auto. It works with every brand of cheap shell I have found so far. Only change would be smoothing up the trigger at some point. It stays very clean and is very easy to clean also.

 

[Claypoppy]

I totally agree about the KO system. It's a must have.

Disagree 100%.

I have a Beretta Multitarget w/o Kick-off and it's great.

If someone gave me an A400 with a Kick-off on it, I would take it, but I wouldn't spend the extra money for it.

The A400 is a soft shooting gun and as such, the Kick-off is not necessary.

 

[Cubdriver]

I purchased a 12 ga reduced length parallel target for my 10 yr old daughter after unsuccessfully finding a 3901. It had kick off, had doug braker remove kick off and cut stock down for my 80 lb little girl. Even without kick off it is extremely soft shooting she can shoot 3 rounds of trap 7/8ths oz top guns with no discomfort at all. Trigger is rough for sure but that will be tuned up before spring, gun has been flawless and strongly recommend. By the way she likes the blue....

 

[slide action]

I can't believe Tadgarvin is calling Beretta a liar. I've owned both the
A400 sporting and trap. Both worked fine. During the Grand, I bought
the A400 Muti-Target. What a sweet gun! Adjustable comb, adjustable
rib, extended controls. I feel it has eclipsed the blue receiver guns.

Don't really see the connection with my post and Tadgarvin 's but , Like I said each to his own. I tried the 400 and wasn't that impressed . If you are, that's fine. We all shoot different guns for a reason. I shoot the 391 when I have neck/back trouble now and then due to the light recoil. I never was a fan if adjustable ribs and I can get any POI I desire in the adjustments on stock shims and comb since I put an adjustable comb on my 391. It cost me about 200 bucks which still leaves my 391 way under the cost of the 400 . Tron has probably done as much trigger work on Berettas as anybody and I agree with him about the triggers. Different strokes for different folks. Enjoy-- It's all good. Shoot Well!

 

[jmoser]

I popped out the trigger group on my A400 Excel and tuned it up; lighter mainspring from Wolff does a lot on its own.
Sear angle and engagement can be tweaked easily also - having said that I have done trigger and sear work on countless pistols rifles and shotguns.
[Not messing with my O/Us however . . .]

Next time I strip it I'll take a look and remind myself what I did.

 

[GRUMPY11]

I have the A400 parallel comb with ko. I bought it because I have a problem with recoil. I'm no high scoring shooter but I'm happy with the gun. It is a reliable gun for $1500. I shoot guns with high ribs like Browning high post, etc. It is ok for trap, sporting.