Pleased to say i was lucky enough to get my hands on this! So its now back in Staffordshire Great review, your review made my mind up that id like one. Then just so happened to stumble on this exact one. Couldn't believe my luck
A great review (and a lovely example of a 390), but you've overlooked the greatest single innovation of the 390 over the 303 - the gas release valve! The spring you mention at around 6:50 is a pressure release valve - it covers holes in the front of "piston cup" so that if a heavier load is shot through the gun, instead of all of that extra pressure slamming the piston (and thus the bolt) back into the receiver, any extra pressure compresses that spring and vents through the front of the "piston cup." This allows the gun to adapt to heavier vs light loads. The 303 and earlier guns didn't have this - if you wanted to shoot lighter/heavier loads, you had to switch barrels. This also explains the vent you mention at 8:45 which was put in place to allow somewhere for the over-presssure gasses to vent. Same system Beretta used on the 391 only they affixed that spring to the barrel so it wouldn't be easily misplaced during (dis)assembly. Lovely gun and thanks for showing it off! Cheers!
Thank you for your comment, I am pleased that you enjoyed the video. You are completely right about the gas release valve and I am surprised that I didn't mention it (I guess it shows that my videos aren't scripted 😊). Kind regards, Matthew
That 390+ series was brought in not long after the 28g load became mandatory in clay shooting. My 303 was a bit tricky with some of the 28g loads, especially so if it wasn't scrupulously clean.....🫣The 390/391 worked really well with 28g by comparison, though no fault to the 303, which was made when the standard clay load was 32g. What a mint example of a 390. Thanks for posting Matt 👍
I'm not sure what to say about Beretta's choices on this specific gun. Functionally, the 390 is as good as any they have ever produced but the execution (i.e., gold, hump-back, mutant fowl) is questionable. Beretta has never been afraid to 'try' new concepts. The problem is that with try sometimes comes fail. Well done finding a NIB example and continuing to fill in the Beretta auto timeline.
Thank you for your comment, I am pleased that you enjoyed the video. I really like this particular gun and as you say mega reliable. Kind regards, Matthew
@@eastfieldgunroom After studying the bird on the 390 some more I realized that I had seen it before on another shotgun. Back in the late 50's and early 60's when the S5* series guns were being imported Beretta marketed a model simply called the Silver Snipe. The birds are pretty much identical. Oddly, the bird on the Silver Snipe is in relief on a cartouche that is inlayed in the bottom of the fore end.
Always nice to view and be informed of something a little different, enjoyed it. Thanks.
Thank you for your comment, I am pleased that you enjoyed the video. Kind regards, Matthew
Pleased to say i was lucky enough to get my hands on this! So its now back in Staffordshire
Great review, your review made my mind up that id like one. Then just so happened to stumble on this exact one. Couldn't believe my luck
Thank you for your comment and kind words. I doubt that there is a better example in existence, enjoy. Kind regards, Matthew
A great review (and a lovely example of a 390), but you've overlooked the greatest single innovation of the 390 over the 303 - the gas release valve! The spring you mention at around 6:50 is a pressure release valve - it covers holes in the front of "piston cup" so that if a heavier load is shot through the gun, instead of all of that extra pressure slamming the piston (and thus the bolt) back into the receiver, any extra pressure compresses that spring and vents through the front of the "piston cup." This allows the gun to adapt to heavier vs light loads. The 303 and earlier guns didn't have this - if you wanted to shoot lighter/heavier loads, you had to switch barrels. This also explains the vent you mention at 8:45 which was put in place to allow somewhere for the over-presssure gasses to vent. Same system Beretta used on the 391 only they affixed that spring to the barrel so it wouldn't be easily misplaced during (dis)assembly. Lovely gun and thanks for showing it off! Cheers!
Thank you for your comment, I am pleased that you enjoyed the video. You are completely right about the gas release valve and I am surprised that I didn't mention it (I guess it shows that my videos aren't scripted 😊). Kind regards, Matthew
@@eastfieldgunroom Thanks Matthew - keep up the great work - love the video!
That 390+ series was brought in not long after the 28g load became mandatory in clay shooting. My 303 was a bit tricky with some of the 28g loads, especially so if it wasn't scrupulously clean.....🫣The 390/391 worked really well with 28g by comparison, though no fault to the 303, which was made when the standard clay load was 32g. What a mint example of a 390. Thanks for posting Matt 👍
Thank you for your comment and thanks for sharing that information (which I was not aware of). Kind regards, Matthew
Love my 20 guage silver mallard. Taken many pheasants and wood ducks…..
Thank you for your comment. Kind regards, Matthew
I'm not sure what to say about Beretta's choices on this specific gun. Functionally, the 390 is as good as any they have ever produced but the execution (i.e., gold, hump-back, mutant fowl) is questionable. Beretta has never been afraid to 'try' new concepts. The problem is that with try sometimes comes fail. Well done finding a NIB example and continuing to fill in the Beretta auto timeline.
Thank you for your comment, I am pleased that you enjoyed the video. I really like this particular gun and as you say mega reliable. Kind regards, Matthew
@@eastfieldgunroom After studying the bird on the 390 some more I realized that I had seen it before on another shotgun. Back in the late 50's and early 60's when the S5* series guns were being imported Beretta marketed a model simply called the Silver Snipe. The birds are pretty much identical. Oddly, the bird on the Silver Snipe is in relief on a cartouche that is inlayed in the bottom of the fore end.
It is such a shame Beretta didn't feel like putting there name on it😂😂
Thank you for your comment. I know right 😂😂. Kind regards, Matthew
Their not there
Thank you for your comment and observation. I will give my editor a Chinese burn 😂. Kind regards, Matthew