enniskillen Posted August 18, 2005 Report Share Posted August 18, 2005 Hi guys,have been thinking of changing my old fias 12g o/u for a beretta 304 semi multi choke,lovely gun and has done very little .Anyone used this model and is it good enough at handling all loads. Thanks in advance for all advice u all can give. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ernyha Posted August 18, 2005 Report Share Posted August 18, 2005 enniskillen, I owned a 304 from new and after early jamming which I rectified myself, it was very satisfactory. However the downside is that it had a limited production run compared to the better known Berettas and was a stop gap gun between the 303 and the 390. The manual that came with it emphasized that parts were not interchangeable with the earlier models. One other problem I had with it was with the fore end nut which had a ball bearing and a spring to act as the ratchet when doing it up. On mine the ball came out of its retaining crimp and had to be carefully held in place when doing up the nut. Summing up, a nice gun to shoot but could have a problem with spares due to it being an interim production model. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enniskillen Posted August 18, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2005 Thanks for that ernyha,what were the problems with jamming and how did u cure it.The gun is priced at £350,is that good value for it considering it has done very little shooting and the wood is in very good order.I downloaded the manual from beretta and seen that it said about the parts not being interchangable. I will be using it for duck shooting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ernyha Posted August 18, 2005 Report Share Posted August 18, 2005 I put the jamming down to the newness and I cured it after letting the gunshop try twice by taking out the piston and spring in the magazine tube, polishing the bore and piston with fine wet and dry paper and from then on I had no trouble. Coincidence or not, I don't know but it worked fine from then on. As for price I dont know but the dealer only allowed me £350 on mine 4 plus years ago against a brand new A391 cammo synthetic. He did have me by the short and curlies though as he knew I had travelled a long way to see it and they were scarce at the time only just coming into the country. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Posted August 19, 2005 Report Share Posted August 19, 2005 Enniskillen, I have the A304 and love it. I have had the gun for 4 years now and have never had a jam, with any shells iv fired through it, except for 3 inch magnums, its designed only to shoot up to 2/3/4 inch I have fired thousands through it. Its a work horse and ideal for duck shooting . Very easy to clean too. Iv shot everything from rats to big dog foxes with great results . Hope this helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enniskillen Posted August 19, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2005 Thanks ernyha and frank,went and bought it today £320,couldnt get him any lower.Got home cleaned it and took it out back of house to fire at some clays and worked great with Eley Superd competition 28g,only fired 20 shots and not one jam,so should be great for the heavier duck cartridges. I was using 1/2 choke so take it this should be ideal for the ducks too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Posted August 19, 2005 Report Share Posted August 19, 2005 The best of luck with it. Im sure you will have hours of fun. . Watch out ducks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ernyha Posted August 19, 2005 Report Share Posted August 19, 2005 Don't think you will go far wrong with it, just keep your eye on that little ball bearing in the fore end nut. Spent a lot of time on my hands and knees looking for it on the carpet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Dog Posted August 20, 2005 Report Share Posted August 20, 2005 Enniskillen Welcone to the forum, I am from Banbridge Co. Down. Might buy a 391 for field shooting?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enniskillen Posted August 21, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2005 Hi and thanks Big Dog,im sure there are loads of people on here on can tell u things about the 391. Looking forward to the start of the new duck season,not long now. Hope the A304 works well for me. Three of us sleep out over nite on the 31st,been using the same island for 14 yrs,same island as my father used for 15 yrs before me. Really counting the days down now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Dog Posted August 21, 2005 Report Share Posted August 21, 2005 Enniskillen, all that talk about you and your dad's tradition to use the same island for years, seems like something that could become a new N. Irish tradition to fight over I used to shoot down your area many years ago. I was out, I think Derryconly or something like that. The man who invited us down, Tommy Bailey, ran a pack of Harrior hounds, he was well known but most likely dead now. He was a gentleman and his wife was a lovely woman. Hope the gun is a big hit for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul tony cassidy Posted August 22, 2005 Report Share Posted August 22, 2005 391 is an excellant gun guys, btw im from magherafelt co.derry... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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