Big Al Posted October 23, 2012 Report Share Posted October 23, 2012 I am getting a true fowling gun for the first time in years - I have fallen in with an 3.5 inch Camo Beretta xtrema 1 at not too dangerous money. Two things. Firstly, I know the xtrema 2 will be better but are there any common issues I should watch out for with the xtrema 1? I hope the fact it is a beretta means it should be solid enough. Secondly the foam inserts in the fore end are a bit worn. Thats why I got it cheaply. Is it possible for these inserts to be replaced or upgraded? It isnt an issue long term as the gun is mechanically sound and well able to cope with the rigours of the shore and the insert damage is really only a cosmetic thing. I havent got it yet - but the deal is done. Looking forward to getting it out when the paperwork is done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retromlc Posted October 23, 2012 Report Share Posted October 23, 2012 I had a gun in synthetic with the same pads problem as you,you can't change them,or get fore ends as I tried,mine was 26",bit heavy but a very nice gun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kes Posted October 23, 2012 Report Share Posted October 23, 2012 I have one, had it from new, so where are these foam pads then? What do they do/ I have never seen any on mine. It has always been a superb gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Al Posted October 24, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 24, 2012 Thanks for the replies. The foam inserts are the soft hand grips on the the stock and fore end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mudpatten Posted October 24, 2012 Report Share Posted October 24, 2012 If the deal is done then it`s a bit academic but, the first Xtrema had a number of design issues which meant that it had the shortest production run of any Beretta auto ever. It was a sales disaster in the US, Beretta`s biggest market, where it`s poor handling, great bulk and appalling trigger meant that sales of it bombed. These flaws were sorted with the Xtrema 2 which is a superb gun. They are completely different guns which look similar but have almost no interchangeability of parts. All production of the 1st model has now ceased and parts are difficult to get even from GMK, the importers. I looked at trying to obtain a 26" barrel for mine in an attempt to solve the awful handling issues inherent with it. I was quoted a price deliberately inflated to encourage the purchase of a new model and with an 18 month delivery time. It will undoubtedly go bang,eventually, when you pull the trigger. Sadly, wether you`ll be able to hit anything with it is another question. As you can probably tell, my experience of the first model, like many other owners, was not good and, if it really is`nt too late, I`d strongly recommend walking away from it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Al Posted October 24, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 24, 2012 Hmmm. Id be walking away from a £100 deposit too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kes Posted October 24, 2012 Report Share Posted October 24, 2012 If the deal is done then it`s a bit academic but, the first Xtrema had a number of design issues which meant that it had the shortest production run of any Beretta auto ever. It was a sales disaster in the US, Beretta`s biggest market, where it`s poor handling, great bulk and appalling trigger meant that sales of it bombed. These flaws were sorted with the Xtrema 2 which is a superb gun. They are completely different guns which look similar but have almost no interchangeability of parts. All production of the 1st model has now ceased and parts are difficult to get even from GMK, the importers. I looked at trying to obtain a 26" barrel for mine in an attempt to solve the awful handling issues inherent with it. I was quoted a price deliberately inflated to encourage the purchase of a new model and with an 18 month delivery time. It will undoubtedly go bang,eventually, when you pull the trigger. Sadly, wether you`ll be able to hit anything with it is another question. As you can probably tell, my experience of the first model, like many other owners, was not good and, if it really is`nt too late, I`d strongly recommend walking away from it. I have to say my experience was nothing but good. It handles well, isnt bulky to my mind and the trigger has always worked for me too !As for hitting things, two 3's at geese, many other very long range duck and thousands of clays - maybe mine is a one off or perhaps yours was. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mudpatten Posted October 24, 2012 Report Share Posted October 24, 2012 I`ve never critiscised it`s reliability. Like any Beretta it`s well made and reliable.My reference to the trigger was not that it did`nt work, but that it has about a quarter of an inch of creep before the let off point, something which cannot be removed. It took me quite some time to get used to having to pull the trigger so far back, especially since I was used to the much crisper pulls of a Beretta o/u. Myself and a lot of other people found that it was actually quite good on long targets where its ponderous handling and great length worked very well in it`s favour. It was whilst shooting teal in the half light that one`s kill to cartridge ration came unravelled. There are undoubtedly people whom the guns dimensions and handling, suit to a T. Sadly, I was`nt one of them - neither were the millions of American hunters who did`nt buy them either. It had the shortest production run of any Beretta auto because it had the worst sales of any Beretta, with the possible exception of the UGB excell or whatever that weird drop down /semi auto hybrid was/is called. Ironically, both guns came from the same Beretta design team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Al Posted October 24, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 24, 2012 Interesting points. Thanks for that. I feel happier about it now as I have shot the gun - I shot a round of compact sporting with it before I put the money down. I kept the half choke in and resisted the temptation to open it up a bit for the compact layout. I shot pretty well with it. Better- when I missed (not too often) - I knew where I missed and was able to get the target next time. I agree that it is not a gun for fast close targets but I would use my o/u for that type of stuff. What I wanted was a shore gun. I think that is what this is. Thanks for the comments guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Al Posted October 24, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 24, 2012 Mudpatten BTW as an ex-tighthead prop, I am a freakish shape and find it hard to get guns I can shoot with. Maybe this oddball gun with suit me ...... Heres hoping. Your comments are greatly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mudpatten Posted October 25, 2012 Report Share Posted October 25, 2012 As an ex loose head prop I understand what you mean. For me, the real irony with this gun is that it was the only auto that truly fitted me and had sufficient length of stock. Very best of luck with it. It won`t let you down mechanically. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted October 25, 2012 Report Share Posted October 25, 2012 I have to say my experience was nothing but good. It handles well, isnt bulky to my mind and the trigger has always worked for me too ! As for hitting things, two 3's at geese, many other very long range duck and thousands of clays - maybe mine is a one off or perhaps yours was. Maybe i'm not fussy, but i shoot (generally) very well with my xtrema. It doesn't seem bulky, handles just fine and i've killed most things with it. I've used it on all kinds of targets and it is mustard in the pigeon hide. I can't understand how anyone could have a problem with one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Al Posted October 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2012 Thanks. I was very worried there for a while! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Al Posted December 10, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 10, 2012 (edited) Just a wee update. I have had two outings with the gun and things are going well. 5 ducks on each outing. On my firsy time out I even managed a treble. It is undoubtedly a shore gun for me. Its length is great for a smooth swing but awkward for closer targets. It is also so long I have to remove the barrel to store it in my cabinet but that is just a minor inconvenience. All in all I feel I got what I wanted - a reliable semi auto for heavy loads and can handle the knocks, bumps and general rigour of shore life. Thanks to those who took time to reply. Edited December 10, 2012 by Big Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WelshAndy Posted December 10, 2012 Report Share Posted December 10, 2012 I have the same problem with my xtrema 2! Does your recoil pad have the quick release like on my xtrema 2? With it removed it just fits in with the barrel left on :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Al Posted December 10, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 10, 2012 The recoil pad is a gel tek one. Thats a good tip - I'll try that later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WelshAndy Posted December 10, 2012 Report Share Posted December 10, 2012 Yeah I think mines the gel tek one, does yours have the little metal clip? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Al Posted December 10, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 10, 2012 Yip. Thats the one but without the fancy recoil system! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WelshAndy Posted December 11, 2012 Report Share Posted December 11, 2012 Did it work? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Al Posted December 11, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 11, 2012 Sadly not. Still a couple of inches too long - mine is the 30 inch one. There is a world of double entendres in that last sentence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retromlc Posted December 13, 2012 Report Share Posted December 13, 2012 Sadly not. Still a couple of inches too long - mine is the 30 Millimeters one. There is a world of double entendres in that last sentence. fixed that for you lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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