Beretta A390

Fabbrica d'Armi Pietro Beretta S.p.A. · Shotgun · Discontinued · 1992

Also known as: Beretta A390 Silver Mallard, Beretta A390 Sport

Overview

The Beretta A390 is a gas-operated semi-automatic shotgun chambered in 12 gauge with a 3-inch magnum chamber. Introduced in 1992 as the successor to the A303, it used a self-compensating gas valve that allowed it to cycle both light field loads and heavy magnum shells without adjustment. Marketed in field, deluxe, and sporting configurations such as the Silver Mallard, Gold Mallard, and Sport, the A390 earned a reputation for soft recoil and reliability among hunters and clay shooters before being replaced by the A390 Silver Mallard's successor, the AL390 and later A391 series.

Specifications

Weight (empty)3400 g (119.9 oz)
Overall Length1245 mm (49.02")
Barrel Length711 mm (27.99")
Action TypeGas Operated
Firing MechanismHammer Fired
Trigger TypeSingle Action
Magazine Capacity3 rounds
Magazine TypeTubular
Muzzle Velocity400 m/s (1312 fps)
Muzzle Energy2560 J (1888 ft·lbf)
Effective Range40 m (44 yd)
Barrel RiflingSmoothbore
Frame MaterialAluminum Alloy
Slide MaterialSteel
Barrel MaterialSteel
Stock MaterialWalnut
FinishBlued

Calibers

Features

Variants

Production

Production years: 1992-1996

Produced as a civilian hunting and sporting shotgun; succeeded by the AL390 and A391 Urika series

Origin

Country of origin: Italy

Designer: Fabbrica d'Armi Pietro Beretta

Discontinued: 1996

Notes

The A390 bridged the A303 and the AL390/A391 in Beretta's gas-operated autoloader lineage. Its self-compensating gas system is the defining feature, automatically venting excess gas to handle the full range of 2.75-inch and 3-inch 12-gauge loads.

Background

The A390 continued Beretta's long line of gas-operated autoloaders that began with the Model 60 and A300, lineage that traces back to one of the world's oldest continuously operating firearms manufacturers, founded in Gardone Val Trompia in 1526.