Beretta A400 Upland 12 Gauge 26in Walnut — Superb Semi Auto Field Shotgun

Description

The Beretta A400 Upland is the walnut-and-nickel field gun in Beretta’s flagship autoloading line, and this configuration pairs a 26 inch barrel with a 3 inch chamber and a two-round magazine. The receiver is nickel finished and engraved with upland game scenes, and the stock is Xtra Grain walnut with Beretta’s Kick-Off recoil reduction built in.
Twenty-six inches is the classic upland length. It clears brush, comes to the shoulder quickly on a flushing bird, and keeps the gun balanced between the hands rather than out at the muzzle.

The Blink gas system and why it is fast

The A400 series runs Beretta’s Blink system, and the claim behind it is straightforward: it cycles faster than competing gas guns. In practice that means the bolt is closed and the next shell is chambered before most shooters have recovered the sight picture, which matters when a second bird gets up behind the first.

The gas piston is self-cleaning, and the system vents surplus pressure so light 2 3/4 inch loads and 3 inch magnums both run without adjustment. For a walk-up gun that might see a box of light dove loads in September and heavy pheasant loads in November, that flexibility is the whole point.

Barrel, chokes, and stock

The barrel is Steelium, Beretta’s tri-alloy steel, cold hammer forged and then vacuum distended. The long forcing cone that comes with the Optima-Bore HP profile softens the transition from chamber to bore, which reduces shot deformation and tightens patterns at the edges. Three OptimaChoke HP tubes come with the gun, covering the usual field constrictions.

The Kick-Off system places hydraulic dampers inside the buttstock. On a light field gun firing 3 inch loads that is not a luxury. Wood is Xtra Grain walnut with a grain treatment that brings out figure, and the nickel receiver carries engraved game birds rather than the plain anodizing on the working-grade models.

Specifications

• Model: Beretta A400 Upland, part number J40AN16
• Gauge: 12
• Chamber: 3 inches
• Capacity: 2+1 rounds
• Barrel length: 26 inches, Steelium with a ventilated rib
• Bore: Optima-Bore HP with an extended forcing cone
• Chokes: three OptimaChoke HP tubes
• Action: semi-automatic, Blink gas system with a self-cleaning piston
• Receiver: nickel finished, engraved
• Stock: Xtra Grain walnut with Kick-Off recoil reduction
• Hand: right

Why it is worth considering

• A gas system that cycles fast enough to matter on a covey rise.
• Hydraulic recoil reduction in a light field gun, which is where it counts most.
• Optima-Bore HP barrel geometry and three choke tubes covering ordinary field work.
• Nickel engraved receiver and figured walnut, so it looks like a bird gun should.
• A self-cleaning piston that tolerates a full season between deep cleanings.

Who it suits

This is a bird hunter’s shotgun. Grouse, woodcock, pheasant, quail, and doves are all well inside what a 26 inch 12 gauge does best, and the light weight means it is still pleasant on the fifth mile of a walk-up day. It also handles a round of skeet without embarrassment. It is not a waterfowl gun in the wet-marsh sense, because walnut and nickel deserve better treatment than a layout blind provides, and it is not a clays competition gun, where longer barrels and heavier weight win.

Anyone who wants the same platform in a smaller bore should look at the 20 gauge version.

Shells, chokes, and transfer notes

Shotshell dimensions and pressures are standardized by SAAMI, and the 3 inch chamber accepts both 2 3/4 and 3 inch 12 gauge shells. For pheasant we stock 1 3/8 ounce number 5 loads, and for practice on clays the 1 1/8 ounce heavy target load is inexpensive and consistent. Steel shot is fine through improved cylinder and modified OptimaChoke HP tubes; do not run steel through a full choke, and check your state regulations on non-toxic shot before hunting public ground.

Shooters who want the same Blink gas system with a synthetic stock and a longer barrel should compare the A300 Ultima, which trades the walnut and the engraving for a lower price. Every long gun we sell ships to a licensed FFL for transfer and background check, and Pennsylvania buyers should plan on the state point of contact check at pickup.