Alex1Nat2 Posted February 20, 2023 Report Share Posted February 20, 2023 Evening all, A question for Beretta auto aficionado's. Friend has just bought a 20b 302 from a member on here. Cracking little gun in great condition for the money he paid. It had previously only been used on clays for a junior so only ever loaded 2 cartridges (1+1) Friend used it for roost shooting on saturday afternoon & can only get a single cartridge into the mag. Mechanism works as required i.e. one up the spout, bottom mechanism button releases the firing pin carriage etc. First cart into mag no problem, 2nd cartridge goes in but then it stops approx 10mm before being fully into the tube. Its as it the mag tube has been crimped (previously original 5 shot) in the wrong place. Or, blockage in the end of the mag? When shooting, gun cycles perfectly as required ejecting both cartridges etc. No, he's not using 3" cartridges ! Any guidance/advice/ideas much appreciated. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arjimlad Posted February 20, 2023 Report Share Posted February 20, 2023 I wonder if you can clean the inside of the magazine? Might be clogged up a bit and the mag follower not retreating as far as it should. My Dad had a 302, great gun but it had to be crimped from 5 shot to 2 in the magazine after 1987. Still worked fine for many years after. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy H Posted February 20, 2023 Report Share Posted February 20, 2023 I wonder if they were a bit over cautious and set the crimp distance for 65mm cartridges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westley Posted February 20, 2023 Report Share Posted February 20, 2023 Take the retaining nut off the front of the forend and check that there is no magazine reducing rod down the centre of the threaded section. Beretta used to include this in the box, when the gun was new, maybe someone has installed it ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westley Posted February 21, 2023 Report Share Posted February 21, 2023 (edited) Best way of trying it is to take the gun OUTSIDE, apply the safety catch, I would put a 20 bore snap cap into the chamber and close the bolt. Now, load one cartridge into the magazine, then try a second one. IF that will not load, then unscrew and remove the forend retaining cap and try again. If the steel rod magazine restrictor is fitted, it should now be sticking up out of the middle of the threaded portion, just remove it. If it is not fitted, then you will have to strip the magazine tube to check for a plastic restrictor which fits inside. If you need to strip the magazine PM me, it is a simple job, IF you know how. Edited February 21, 2023 by Westley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westley Posted February 21, 2023 Report Share Posted February 21, 2023 Sorry, wrong information. The 'rod' magazine restrictor is only on the 390 onwards models. 300/301/302/303 do not have this facility. If it is a magazine restrictor it is inside the magazine. Beretta_A303.pdf Beretta_A303.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex1Nat2 Posted February 21, 2023 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2023 Thanks for the advice guys. We will have a look at it tonight in the safety of the man-cave! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westley Posted February 23, 2023 Report Share Posted February 23, 2023 On 21/02/2023 at 15:45, Alex1Nat2 said: Thanks for the advice guys. We will have a look at it tonight in the safety of the man-cave! Did you manage to sort the problem ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex1Nat2 Posted February 23, 2023 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2023 Unfortunately not. Mate has just taken it to the local gunshop to see what he thinks. He's collecting it on saturday, hopefully sorted! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GingerCat Posted February 24, 2023 Report Share Posted February 24, 2023 You can measure the mag easily enough to where the crip is my 390 has been crimped and its very easy to see. I would guess theres something that's go in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westley Posted February 25, 2023 Report Share Posted February 25, 2023 It is easy to remove the front end of the magazine tube to check. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.