Description
The Beretta A400 Upland in 28 gauge is the sub-gauge version of Beretta’s flagship field autoloader, and this one is built on the newer 3 inch magnum platform rather than the traditional 2 3/4 inch frame. That gives the 28 a payload range it never had before while keeping the handling qualities that made shooters fall in love with the bore in the first place.
Part number J40AN88 carries a 28 inch barrel, a two round magazine, a silver receiver, fiber optic sights, and selected European walnut furniture.
Why the 28 gauge keeps winning converts
There is no rational argument that a 28 gauge outperforms a 20 or a 12 on paper. The argument is about how a gun feels in the hands and how it behaves on a bird. A 28 gauge autoloader is light, balances between the hands rather than out front, and produces so little recoil that a shooter can go through a box without ever thinking about it. Almost everyone shoots one better than they expect to.
The 3 inch magnum chamber addresses the historic objection, which was payload. With a full ounce of shot available, this gun reaches further into pheasant territory than the old 3/4 ounce loads ever allowed, while still shooting light target loads for quail and clays.
Blink gas system, Steelium barrel, and walnut
The Blink gas system carries over from the larger bores: a self-cleaning piston, fast cycling, and pressure venting that handles both light and heavy loads without adjustment. A gas action is worth even more on a small gun than a large one, because a light gun has less mass to absorb recoil on its own.
The barrel is Steelium, cold hammer forged and vacuum distended, with the Optima-Bore HP profile and its extended forcing cone, and it carries a 6×6 ventilated rib and a fiber optic front sight. OptimaChoke HP tubes handle constriction. The stock and forend are selected European walnut, and the receiver is finished in silver.
Specifications
- Model: Beretta A400 Upland, part number J40AN88
- Gauge: 28
- Chamber: 3 inches
- Capacity: 2+1 rounds
- Barrel length: 28 inches, Steelium
- Rib: 6×6 ventilated
- Bore: Optima-Bore HP with an extended forcing cone
- Chokes: OptimaChoke HP tubes
- Action: semi-automatic, Blink gas system with a self-cleaning piston
- Receiver: silver finished
- Sights: fiber optic front
- Stock and forend: selected European walnut
- Hand: right
Why it is worth considering
- A 3 inch magnum 28 gauge, which gives the bore a payload range it historically lacked.
- Recoil so mild that shooters stop flinching without being told to.
- Blink gas cycling and a self-cleaning piston in a genuinely light package.
- Fiber optic front sight on a 6×6 rib for fast, unambiguous alignment.
- Selected walnut and a silver receiver, in a gun light enough to carry all day.
Who it suits
This is a bird gun for someone who has already owned a 12 and a 20 and wants to enjoy the walking as much as the shooting. Quail, woodcock, grouse, early doves, and a pleasant round of skeet all suit it perfectly. The 3 inch chamber makes it viable on pheasants in a way older 28 gauges were not, though a 12 still reaches further. It is also an excellent choice for a shooter who is recoil sensitive or coming back from an injury.
Ammunition costs more than 12 or 20 gauge and is harder to find on short notice, so plan ahead before a trip.
Shells, chokes, and transfer notes
Shotshell dimensions and pressures are standardized by SAAMI, and this 3 inch chamber accepts both 2 3/4 and 3 inch 28 gauge shells. We stock 1 ounce number 6 upland loads for general field work and 3/4 ounce 7.5 shot for quail and clays. Buy 28 gauge ammunition when you see it rather than the week before a trip; it is the one practical drawback of the bore. Steel shot is available in 28 gauge but selection is limited, so check your state non-toxic requirements before planning a hunt around it.
Shooters who want the same platform with cheaper and more available ammunition should compare the 20 gauge version, and those who need more reach in open country should look at the 12 gauge. 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.
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