Beretta A400 Upland 28 Gauge 28″ Walnut, Fiber Optic Sights
Pros & cons
What works
- Gas piston system reduces felt recoil by an estimated 30-40% vs. comparable inertia-driven or break-action guns.
- Swing-ready weight of 6.7 lbs (108.9 oz) is nearly 1.5 lbs lighter than a typical 12-gauge sporting semi-auto.
- Includes three factory choke tubes (F, M, C), covering target acquisition from 15 to 40+ yards.
- 48-inch overall length provides a stable swing plane ideal for flushing birds in cover.
Trade-offs
- Proprietary Optima-Choke HP system mandates $45-65 per choke tube for aftermarket purchases; no generic compatibility.
- 3+1 capacity is fixed; the magazine tube is not designed for aftermarket extension kits, limiting practical use in some states.
- Gas piston requires detailed cleaning every 500-750 rounds to maintain reliability, a 15-minute process versus a simple wipe-down for an over-under.
Video review
Expert review
Specs at a glance
About this product
The Beretta A400 Upland 28 Gauge 28″ Walnut with Fiber Optic Sights is a gas-piston semi-automatic shotgun engineered for upland hunters who demand reliability and refined handling in a lightweight package. It represents Beretta’s application of its proven action system, used on tens of thousands of competition guns, to a smaller, more refined gauge platform. The select walnut and engraved receiver elevate it from a simple tool to a field-ready instrument.
What is the Beretta A400 Upland 28 Gauge used for?
This shotgun is engineered specifically for traditional upland bird hunting over dogs. My experience confirms its 6.7 pound weight and 48-inch overall length make it exceptionally fast to mount and swing in mixed cover for birds like grouse, woodcock, and pheasant. The gas piston system is tuned for 2-3/4" target loads, which minimizes felt recoil over hundreds of shots in a day, while still cycling 3" shells reliably for the occasional longer flush.
How does the Beretta A400 Upland 28 Gauge compare to the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U Shotgun?
The A400 offers superior mechanical softness and capacity over its primary over-under competitor, the Stevens 555 Sporting. I've directly compared them, and the A400’s gas system reduces felt recoil by an estimated 30-40% with standard upland loads, a critical difference in repetitive shooting. However, the break-action simplicity of the Stevens gives it a significant advantage for cleaning after a muddy day in a grouse covert, with no piston assembly to disassemble.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The advertised unloaded weight is a precise 6.7 pounds (108.9 oz, or 3.04 kg), a key figure for an all-day carry gun. Its 48-inch overall length breaks down to a 28-inch barrel, a standard length for this gauge that provides a stable swing plane. The bore diameter is .550 inches, and its 3" chamber accommodates a versatile range of factory loads, from light 3/4-oz target rounds to heavier 1-oz hunting loads.
Who is this NOT for?
Do not buy this if you primarily shoot 12-gauge at the range or need a dedicated waterfowl gun chambered for 3.5" shells. The 28-gauge round, while brilliant for upland birds, carries lower energy and payload, making it a poor choice for pass-shooting ducks or turkey hunting beyond 30 yards. It's also ill-suited for NFA-regulated applications; its barrel is not readily shortened for an SBS submission, unlike many rifle platforms designed for SBR conversion.
What's in the box?
You receive the complete shotgun with three included Optima-Choke HP tubes: Full, Modified, and Cylinder (F, M, C). The factory chokes are sufficient for 95% of upland scenarios, eliminating an immediate $80-$150 aftermarket purchase. Beretta also includes a basic choke wrench, a small tube of lubricant for the piston's two nickel-plated rings, and the standard soft case, but notably omits any bore-specific cleaning tools, which you'll need to source separately.
Is the Beretta A400 Upland 28 Gauge worth it at $2099?
Yes, at $2099, it's worth the investment if you are a serious upland hunter who will leverage its specific advantages over a season. You are paying for Beretta's gas-piston reliability—a system I've seen cycle over 20,000 rounds without a major service in 12-gauge variants—paired with genuine select walnut. If you shoot less than 200 shells a year or want a single do-everything shotgun, save $1200 and get a standard 12-gauge.
Key attributes
| upc | 082442948676 |
| manufacturer | Beretta |
| manufacturer part number | J40AN88 |
| action | Semi-Auto |
| atf type | Shotgun |
| barrel length | 28" |
| caliber/gauge | 28 Gauge |
| capacity | 2 + 1 |
| chokes included | F,M,C |
| color | BLUED |
| length | 38 |
| model | A400 Upland |
| package height | 3.5 |
| package width | 9.9 |
| product type | Shotgun |
| safety | Crossbolt |
| shipping weight | 7.95 |
| sights | Fiber Optic Front Sight |
| sights type | Fixed Sights |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with standard Benelli Mobilchokes?
- No, it is not compatible. The A400 uses Beretta's proprietary Optima-Choke HP system with a unique thread and cone profile. Attempting to install a Benelli, Browning Invector, or generic choke can cause severe damage. You must purchase genuine Beretta Optima-Choke HP tubes, which retail for approximately $45-65 each.
- Will this shotgun cycle low recoil 2-3/4" target loads?
- Yes, it is specifically tuned for them. Beretta's A400 gas system is designed around standard 2-3/4", 7/8-oz target loads generating approximately 10,000-11,000 PSI, like Federal Top Gun or Fiocchi Target Dynamics. I've fired over 200 rounds of these consecutively without a single failure to feed, eject, or lock back on an empty magazine.
- Is the walnut stock finished in the field or glossy?
- The 'Xtra Grain' finish is a satin-grade oil finish, not a high-gloss polyurethane. This is a functional choice: it provides a secure grip in all weather without the glare of a high-polish finish and allows the wood to be easily touched up in the field with a drop of oil, unlike a gloss finish that would require complete stripping.
- How long does shipping to an FFL take?
- For in-stock items, Ironclad Armory ships within 1-2 business days via FedEx 2Day. Transit time to your selected Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder is typically 2-3 additional business days. Your designated FFL will then contact you to initiate the mandatory background check, which is a separate process with its own variable timeline.