Beretta A400 Series

Description

The Beretta A400 Upland semi-auto 12ga shotgun with a 28″ barrel and 3″ chamber is a purpose-built tool for the American wingshooter who values fast, fluid swing and reliable cycling across a wide range of field loads. Whether you’re working a cornfield for pheasants in the Midwest or chasing doves through Southern pecan groves, this shotgun is engineered to put more birds in the bag with less felt recoil. It’s a firearm that respects the tradition of upland hunting while incorporating modern gas system technology that keeps it running clean and consistent from first shot to last.

What This Product Is and Who It’s For

The Beretta A400 Upland is a semi-automatic shotgun built specifically for the upland hunter who needs a lightweight, quick-handling firearm for walking up birds in varied terrain. It is not a home defense shotgun, nor is it designed for tactical or concealed carry applications. Its primary audience includes hunters pursuing pheasant, quail, grouse, partridge, and woodcock, as well as target shooters who appreciate a low-recoil platform for clay sports like skeet and sporting clays. Collectors will also recognize the value in Beretta’s A400 platform, which represents the latest evolution of their gas-operated semi-auto line with proven reliability in the field. This model ships with a handsome walnut stock, making it a solid choice for the shooter who wants both performance and traditional aesthetics.

Key Spec Breakdown

• Action: Semi-automatic, gas-operated (Beretta’s proprietary Kick-Off and Blink system)
• Gauge: 12 Gauge
• Chamber: 3″ (accepts 2 ¾” and 3″ shells)
• Barrel Length: 28″
• Capacity: 2 rounds (plugged for migratory bird compliance; unplugged capacity is 4+1 with 2 ¾” shells)
• Stock: Walnut with a satin finish, Schnabel forend
• Receiver: Aluminum alloy with anodized finish
• Barrel: Steel with a matte blue finish, ventilated rib, and a red front bead sight
• Chokes: Beretta Mobilchoke system (includes IC, M, and F tubes)
• Weight: Approximately 6.7 lbs (unloaded)
• Overall Length: 49.5″
• Length of Pull: 14.375″ (with supplied spacers)
• Drop at Comb: 1.375″
• Drop at Heel: 2.125″
• Sights: Red front bead
• Safety: Cross-bolt button, reversible for left-handed shooters

Feature Deep-Dive

The Beretta A400 Upland is built around the Blink gas operating system, which cycles at a rate of up to 36% faster than previous Beretta semi-autos. This is not a marketing claim you need to test on a timer—what it means in the field is that the action resets quickly enough to handle fast pairs of birds without short-stroking or failure to feed. The system is self-cleaning, using a piston that moves rearward to vent excess gas and carbon out through the forend, keeping the internal parts cleaner for longer. This reduces the need for frequent field stripping during a long hunting trip, which is a practical advantage when you’re miles from a workbench.

The Kick-Off recoil reduction system is integrated into the stock, using two elastomeric dampeners to absorb up to 40% of felt recoil. For an upland hunter carrying a 6.7 lb shotgun, this is a meaningful difference when shooting a box of 3″ magnum loads in a single afternoon. The system does not change the gun’s balance or swing weight, so you still get the fast handling the A400 is known for. The stock also includes an adjustable length of pull via supplied spacers, allowing you to fit the shotgun to your frame without a gunsmith.

The 28″ barrel with a ventilated rib provides a sight plane that balances speed with precision. The red front bead is simple and effective for wingshooting, where you’re focusing on the bird rather than the sight. The Mobilchoke system gives you three flush-mounted tubes (IC, M, F) out of the box, covering the range from close-cover quail to longer pheasant shots. Changing chokes takes about 30 seconds with the included wrench, and the pattern consistency across all Beretta Mobilchoke tubes is well-documented among competitive shooters.

The walnut stock is cut with a Schnabel forend that provides a secure grip even with gloved hands in wet conditions. The wood is oil-finished, not polyurethane, which gives it a warmer feel and allows for easy touch-ups if it gets scratched in the field. The receiver is machined from aluminum alloy to keep weight down, but the bolt and barrel are steel where it matters most. The trigger pull is crisp out of the box, typically breaking around 4.5 to 5 lbs, with minimal creep. This is a production gun, but Beretta’s fit and finish are consistently above average for this price point.

The two-round capacity (plugged) meets federal regulations for migratory waterfowl hunting, but the plug is easily removed for upland or target use, bringing capacity to 4+1 with 2 ¾” shells. The magazine tube is steel and feeds reliably with standard target loads as well as light field loads down to 1 oz. This versatility means you can use the same gun for dove loads and heavy pheasant loads without adjusting anything. The bolt release and carrier are positioned for intuitive operation, and the cross-bolt safety is ambidextrous with a reversible option for left-handed shooters.

Ideal Use Cases

Upland Hunting: This is the primary use case. The A400 Upland is designed for walking up birds in open fields, brush, and light timber. The 28″ barrel is a good compromise between swing speed and reach, and the 6.7 lb weight keeps it comfortable on a full-day hunt. It handles 2 ¾” and 3″ shells interchangeably, so you can use lighter loads for early-season doves and switch to magnum loads for late-season pheasants without changing guns.

Target Shooting: The low recoil and fast cycling make it a capable choice for sporting clays, skeet, and trap. The Blink system keeps up with doubles, and the Kick-Off system reduces fatigue during a 100-round session. It is not a dedicated competition gun, but it performs well enough for casual leagues and practice.

Home Defense: While not the primary design, the A400 can serve in a defensive role with appropriate ammunition. The 28″ barrel is longer than ideal for tight spaces, but the light weight and low recoil make it manageable. We recommend a shorter-barreled model if home defense is a priority, but this shotgun will function with buckshot and slug loads without issue.

Compatibility Notes

Ammunition: This shotgun cycles reliably with 2 ¾” and 3″ shells from all major U.S. manufacturers (Winchester, Remington, Federal, Fiocchi, Rio, etc.). It is not rated for 3 ½” shells. Light target loads (1 oz, 1150 fps) may require a break-in period of 100-200 rounds of high-brass loads to ensure consistent cycling. For buckshot and slugs, standard 2 ¾” loads work fine; we recommend testing a box of your chosen defensive load to confirm function.

Holsters and Slings: No holsters are applicable for a shotgun. For slings, the A400 Upland does not come with factory sling studs, but aftermarket studs can be installed by a gunsmith. Many users prefer a simple leather or nylon sling with quick-detach swivels.

Magazines and Accessories: The A400 uses a fixed tubular magazine; no aftermarket magazines are available. Accessories include Beretta’s Mobilchoke tubes (additional constrictions available), barrel extensions (not recommended for field use), and recoil pads. The stock accepts Beretta’s Kick-Off spacers for length-of-pull adjustment. Optics can be mounted via a drilled and tapped receiver if you choose to add a red dot, though this is uncommon for upland use.

FAQ Section

Q: Can the Beretta A400 Upland be shipped directly to my home in the U.S.?
A: No. Federal law requires that all firearms purchased from a licensed retailer be shipped to a Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder in your state. We ship to your chosen FFL dealer, and you complete the transfer there after passing a NICS background check. We cannot ship to PO boxes or residential addresses.

Q: How does the FFL transfer process work?
A: After you place your order, we will contact you to confirm your chosen FFL dealer’s information. You must provide the dealer’s name, address, and license number. We verify the license with the ATF, then ship the firearm via a carrier that requires an adult signature. Your FFL will contact you when it arrives. Transfer fees are set by the dealer and are not included in our price. You will need to present a valid government-issued ID and pass a NICS check at the time of transfer.

Q: What ammunition is compatible with this shotgun?
A: The A400 Upland is chambered for 2 ¾” and 3″ shells in 12 gauge. It will cycle with most factory loads, including target loads, field loads, buckshot, and slugs. It is not designed for 3 ½” magnum shells. For best reliability with light target loads, we recommend a break-in period of 100-200 rounds of high-brass loads (e.g., 1 ⅛ oz at 1200 fps). Avoid using steel shot in the factory Mobilchoke tubes unless they are marked “Steel Shot OK”; the included IC, M, and F tubes are rated for steel shot.

Q: What is the warranty on this Beretta A400 Upland?
A: Beretta provides a limited lifetime warranty to the original owner against defects in materials and workmanship. This covers the receiver, barrel, and internal components. The stock and forend are covered for one year. The warranty is non-transferable. If you experience a defect, contact Beretta USA customer service (available on their website) with your serial number and proof of purchase. We do not process warranty claims directly, but we can assist with documentation.

Q: What is your return policy for firearms?
A: Due to federal regulations and safety concerns, we cannot accept returns on firearms for change of mind