Mastering the Marsh and Field: The Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus 12 Gauge Shotgun

For serious waterfowl hunters, upland enthusiasts, and competitive shooters who demand unyielding performance in the most challenging conditions, the Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus 12 Gauge semi-automatic shotgun stands as a testament to engineering excellence. This isn't just another shotgun; it's a meticulously crafted instrument designed to overcome the elements, minimize fatigue, and deliver unparalleled reliability shot after shot. If you've ever found yourself battling biting winds, freezing rain, or the relentless chill of a duck blind, while struggling with a shotgun that feels cumbersome or delivers punishing recoil, the A400 Xtreme Plus offers a definitive solution.

Imagine a shotgun that feels like an extension of your body, allowing you to focus purely on the target, not on the discomfort of a harsh recoil or the worry of a malfunction. The Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus is engineered precisely for this experience, empowering hunters and shooters to perform at their peak, whether facing a flock of mallards on a blustery morning or challenging clays on a long sporting course. Its advanced features are specifically tailored to address common pain points: reducing felt recoil, ensuring lightning-fast follow-up shots, and providing absolute reliability in the harshest environments.

Unrivaled Performance: Why the A400 Xtreme Plus Stands Apart

What truly distinguishes the Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus from its counterparts? It's a harmonious blend of innovative technology, superior materials, and thoughtful ergonomic design. Beretta's commitment to pushing the boundaries of shotgun performance is evident in every detail.

Conquering Recoil: The Kick-Off System and Soft Comb

One of the most significant challenges for any shotgun shooter, especially when dealing with powerful 12-gauge loads (including 3.5-inch magnums), is managing recoil. Excessive recoil leads to flinching, reduced accuracy, and premature fatigue, shortening your time in the field or on the range. The Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus tackles this head-on with its revolutionary Kick-Off system, integrated into a fixed synthetic stock. This isn't merely a simple recoil pad; it's a hydraulic damping system that absorbs a substantial amount of the recoil energy before it reaches the shooter's shoulder.

Complementing the Kick-Off system is an ultra-soft Micro-Core butt-pad, further dissipating energy and enhancing comfort. But Beretta didn't stop there. The A400 Xtreme Plus features a soft comb directly on the stock, designed to reduce the felt recoil imparted to the shooter's cheek. This often-overlooked detail is critical for maintaining a consistent sight picture and preventing cheek slap, which can be particularly jarring during extended shooting sessions or when firing magnum loads. The result? A remarkably smooth shooting experience, allowing for quicker target reacquisition and significantly less shooter fatigue, translating into more successful hunts and more enjoyable time at the range.

Lightning-Fast Action: The Beretta Blink System

In fast-paced hunting scenarios, such as pass shooting ducks or flushing pheasants, the ability to deliver rapid, accurate follow-up shots can make all the difference. The Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus incorporates the proprietary Blink gas operating system, an engineering marvel that sets a new standard for semi-automatic shotgun speed. This system is designed to cycle shells an astonishing 36 percent quicker than any other type of semi-auto shotgun available.

This incredible speed isn't just a number; it's a tangible advantage in the field. It means you have more time to react to multiple targets, ensuring you can cleanly engage a second or even third bird before they're out of range. The Blink system achieves this impressive rate of fire while maintaining exceptional reliability, even when subjected to diverse loads, from light target shells to heavy 3.5-inch magnums.

Precision and Durability: The Steelium Plus Barrel and OptimaBore HP

The heart of any shotgun is its barrel, and Beretta's commitment to ballistic excellence shines through in the A400 Xtreme Plus. This model boasts Beretta's exclusive Steelium Plus barrel, crafted from a unique tri-alloy steel blend that undergoes a highly specialized production process. This includes deep drilling, cold hammer forging, and vacuum distension, resulting in a barrel with exceptional strength, elasticity, and resistance to wear.

The Steelium Plus barrel provides the best patterning possible from all hunting loads, thanks to its lengthened forcing cones. Longer forcing cones allow the shot charge to transition more smoothly from the chamber into the bore, reducing pellet deformation and resulting in tighter, more consistent patterns downrange. This is crucial for maximizing effective range and ensuring clean, ethical kills.

Furthermore, the OptimaBore HP barrel's finish offers superior resistance to the elements, including water, powder, sand, and salt spray. This robust finish, combined with the Steelium Plus construction, ensures that the barrel maintains its integrity and performance even after countless rounds and exposure to the harshest environmental conditions. The barrel also utilizes a step rib with an integral mid-bead and a fiber optic front bead, providing a clear, fast sight picture for instinctive aiming in various lighting conditions.

Built for the Elements: Aqua Technology and Robust Finishes

Waterfowl hunting often means enduring the most extreme weather Mother Nature can throw at you – rain, snow, sleet, and salt spray. The Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus is engineered from the ground up to thrive in these conditions, thanks to its Aqua Technology. This is a highly protective coating applied to internal and external components, creating an impervious barrier against moisture and corrosion. Unlike many firearms that require meticulous drying and oiling after exposure to wet conditions, the Aqua Technology on the A400 Xtreme Plus provides an additional layer of defense, giving you peace of mind that your shotgun will perform when it matters most.

The Mossy Oak Bottomland camouflage pattern adorning both the stock and receiver not only provides exceptional concealment in swampy, timber, and field environments but also features durable, weather-resistant properties. This integrated approach to weatherproofing ensures that every critical component, from the internal mechanisms to the external surfaces, is safeguarded against the corrosive effects of a demanding outdoor life.

Enhanced Controls for Gloved Hands

When hunting in cold weather, dexterity can be compromised by thick gloves. Beretta has thoughtfully addressed this by equipping the A400 Xtreme Plus with an enlarged loading port, an extended charging handle, and an oversized bolt release. These seemingly small details make a monumental difference in usability, allowing for quick, fumble-free operation even when your hands are cold, wet, or encased in heavy gloves. Reloading, clearing a jam, or simply locking the bolt back becomes a swift, intuitive action, ensuring you stay focused on the hunt.

Who is the Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus Designed For?

This shotgun is a prime candidate for a specific type of shooter and hunter who values performance, reliability, and comfort above all else:

• Dedicated Waterfowl Hunters: Its 3.5-inch chamber, Aqua Technology, extreme recoil reduction, and Mossy Oak Bottomland finish make it an ideal choice for duck and goose hunting in any weather.
• Serious Upland Bird Hunters: While optimized for waterfowl, its fast cycling and excellent patterning capabilities make it highly effective for pheasant, grouse, and other upland game where quick shots and reliable performance are paramount.
• Sporting Clays and Trap Shooters: For those who shoot high volumes of shells, the significant recoil reduction and fast cycling speed provide a distinct advantage, minimizing fatigue and allowing for longer, more comfortable shooting sessions.
• Hunters in Harsh Environments: If you frequently hunt in conditions involving rain, snow, mud, or saltwater, the A400 Xtreme Plus's superior weather resistance will be a game-changer.
• Shooters Seeking Comfort: Anyone sensitive to recoil or looking to maximize their comfort during long days afield will greatly appreciate the Kick-Off system and soft comb.

Addressing Common Questions About the Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus

What makes the Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus an ideal shotgun for duck hunting?

The Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus is specifically engineered for duck hunting due to its 3.5-inch chamber (accommodating magnum waterfowl loads), the Aqua Technology for unparalleled weather resistance, and the Mossy Oak Bottomland camouflage pattern for concealment. Its Kick-Off recoil reduction system also allows for comfortable shooting of heavy loads, critical for long days in the blind.

How does the Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus reduce felt recoil?

The shotgun employs a multi-faceted approach to recoil mitigation. It features the innovative Kick-Off hydraulic dampening system within the stock, an ultra-soft Micro-Core butt-pad, and a soft comb on the stock. These elements work in concert to absorb and dissipate recoil energy, significantly reducing the felt impact on the shooter's shoulder and cheek, even with powerful loads.

Is the Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus reliable in cold and wet conditions?

Absolutely. The Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus incorporates proprietary Aqua Technology, a protective coating on its internal and external components, specifically designed to withstand the harshest elements including water, salt, and mud. Its gas operating system is also known for its robustness and reliability across a wide range of ammunition types and environmental conditions.

What type of barrel does the A400 Xtreme Plus have, and how does it affect patterning?

It features Beretta's exclusive Steelium Plus barrel with OptimaBore HP technology. This barrel, crafted through a specialized manufacturing process, includes lengthened forcing cones. These longer cones ensure a smoother transition of the shot charge from the chamber to the bore, minimizing pellet deformation and resulting in denser, more consistent, and effective shot patterns, especially at longer ranges.

Can the Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus shoot all types of 12-gauge shells?

Yes, the Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus is highly versatile and capable of reliably cycling a wide array of 12-gauge ammunition, from light target loads (2¾ inch) to heavy 3.5-inch magnum waterfowl loads. The Blink gas operating system is designed for adaptability across various shell lengths and power levels.

What are the benefits of the enlarged loading port and controls?

The enlarged loading port, extended charging handle, and oversized bolt release are critical ergonomic enhancements, especially for hunters wearing gloves or operating in adverse conditions. They allow for faster, easier, and more reliable loading, unloading, and manipulation of the shotgun's controls, minimizing fumbling and maximizing efficiency in critical moments.

What chokes are included with the Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus?

This model comes with five (5) black extended Optima HP choke tubes. These commonly include Full (F), Improved Modified (IM), Modified (M), Improved Cylinder (IC), and Cylinder (C), providing versatility for various hunting situations and target presentations. The extended design of these chokes also makes them easier to change in the field.

Conclusion: Your Ultimate Hunting Partner

The Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus 12 Gauge semi-automatic shotgun with its 26-inch barrel in Mossy Oak Bottomland camouflage is more than just a firearm; it's a strategic investment for the dedicated outdoorsman. Its unparalleled combination of rapid cycling, extreme recoil reduction, all-weather durability, and precise patterning makes it an indispensable tool for waterfowl, upland, and competitive shooters. Engineered for comfort, reliability, and peak performance, it allows you to extend your time in the field, focus on the hunt, and achieve your best results, no matter how demanding the conditions. When performance cannot be compromised, the A400 Xtreme Plus answers the call.

Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus 12 Gauge Specifications

Feature	Detail
Brand	Beretta USA
Series	Xtreme Plus
Model	A400
Gauge	12 Gauge
Action	Semi-Auto
Capacity	2+1 (Max 2 Rounds)
Chamber	3.5"
Barrel Length	26"
Barrel Type	Vent Rib Steelium Plus
Barrel Finish	Mossy Oak New Bottomland
Receiver Finish	Mossy Oak Bottomland
Stock Finish	Mossy Oak Bottomland
Stock Material	Synthetic
Stock Type	Fixed Kick-Off
Hand	Right Hand
Sights	Integral Mid-Bead, Fiber Optic Front Bead
Choke Conf.	Optima-Choke HP (5 Included)
Application	Waterfowl
Operating System	Gas
Overall Length (OAL)	51"
Length of Pull	14.25"
Weight	7.40 lbs
Receiver Material	Aluminum
Safety	Crossbolt
Trigger	Chrome-Plated
Includes	Carrying Case
UPC	082442893846