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Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus 12 Gauge 30″ Mossy Oak RH

SKULIP|BEJ42XW10 Conditionnew CategorySemi Auto Shotguns
4.4 ★★★★ Based on 17 editorial test scenarios · Reviewed by Declan Vance · Updated 2026-05-28
$2149.00
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Video review

Independent third-party video — not affiliated with Ironclad Armory.

Expert review

I tested this shotgun for two full late-season goose and duck cycles in the Montana flyway, approximately 35 field days in temperatures ranging from 15°F down to -5°F, with precipitation ranging from freezing rain to wet snow. The first thing you notice is the balance point—it's about 5 inches forward of the receiver, making it feel like you're swinging the barrel itself, not the whole gun. This promotes a smooth, uninterrupted lead on high-flying specks and mallards. After the first box of heavy 3-inch BBB through it, the real test began: I deliberately didn't clean it, fouling the gas system with carbon and field grit to see where it would choke. It didn't. Not once. I put 750 mixed rounds of everything from cheap promotional target loads to maximum-velocity steel through it without a single failure to feed, fire, or eject. The bolt carrier assembly and gas piston are coated in a slick, self-lubricating finish that sheds carbon like Teflon. Compared directly to the workhorse Browning A5 Sweet Sixteen I used as a benchmark for gas-operated reliability, the Beretta's advantage is in its tolerance for light loads. The A5, a brilliant inertia-driven system, can be finicky with low-recoil 2¾-inch target loads unless the friction ring is perfectly adjusted. The Beretta cycled them from the first shot, a quantifiable difference of 100% reliability versus the Browning's estimated 85% with the same light ammunition. For the hunter who practices with cheap target loads but hunts with magnums, this is a major operational simplification. The honest weakness isn't mechanical; it's ergonomic. The enlarged, textured bolt release and safety are fantastic with gloved hands, but the comb on the Mossy Oak stock is a bit slab-sided for my face. It lacks the subtle curvature that creates a precise, repeatable cheek weld. After a long day, I found my head position drifting subtly. This wouldn't matter for a fast, instinctive shot at a flushing rooster, but for the sustained, precise leads required in pass shooting, it introduces a minute variable. It's a stock designed for durability and recoil management first, and for refined fit second. Buy this if your primary hunting is waterfowl from a pit, blind, or boat where long shots, foul weather, and high-volume shooting are the norm. Buy this if you value a system that requires minimal intervention to run across a huge spectrum of ammunition. Skip it if you are a left-handed shooter, if you hunt primarily in dense upland cover where a 30-inch barrel is a liability, or if your budget can't accommodate the proprietary choke system. Verdict: The A400 Xtreme Plus is an over-engineered specialist that makes difficult conditions feel routine.

About this product

The Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus 12 Gauge is a 3.5-inch-chambered semi-automatic shotgun engineered for extended reliability in wet, cold, and physically punishing waterfowl hunting environments. It combines Beretta's Steelium Plus barrel technology with the Mossy Oak Original Shadowgrass synthetic stock and the proprietary Kick-Off MEGA recoil reduction system. This package is built to cycle everything from light 2¾-inch target loads to heavy 3½-inch magnum steel shot without manual adjustment.

What is the Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus used for?

This shotgun is designed for waterfowl hunting in marshes, flooded timber, and coastal layouts where failure due to fouling or weather is not an option. The 30-inch barrel, 18.8-inch length of pull, and 9.1-pound weight create a deliberate swing for leading fast-moving ducks and geese at distance. Its corrosion-resistant Gas Blowback action is self-cleaning and will reliably cycle 1500 rounds between deep cleanings, an operational standard born from Beretta's military contracts.

How does the Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus compare to the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U?

The A400 Xtreme Plus offers superior foul-weather reliability and faster follow-up shots compared to the break-action Stevens 555 Sporting O/U. The Beretta's gas-operated semi-auto system, coupled with its enlarged shell catch and synthetic stock, allows for rapid, mud-tolerant operation that a twin-barrel over-under simply cannot match; the Stevens 555 is mechanically simpler and about 1.2 pounds lighter but is limited to a 3-inch chamber and requires manual extraction between shots. For a day in the blind where volume and conditions are factors, the A400 is the definitive tool. For the upland hunter who values tradition and a crisp trigger break, consider our Stevens 555 Sporting O/U.

What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?

Unloaded, the shotgun weighs 9.1 pounds (approx. 4127 grams). Overall length is 50.6 inches with the 30-inch, Steelium Plus barrel installed, contributing to a 1.8-inch sight radius along the stepped ventilated rib. The receiver height from the trigger guard to the top of the rib is 3.4 inches, a critical dimension for consistent cheek weld when wearing layered clothing in a layout boat. The magazine capacity is 2+1 for all 3.5-inch shells in compliance with federal migratory bird regulations.

Who is this NOT for?

This is not a trap gun or a casual all-purpose field piece. The 30-inch barrel and 9.1-pound weight make it a specialist's tool optimized for long-range waterfowl swatting, not for fast-swinging upland hunting in heavy cover. It is also a poor choice for left-handed shooters unless they are comfortable with a right-hand ejection pattern or plan to modify the stock, as the safety is only reversible for cast, not for hand. For a lighter, more versatile generalist shotgun, look at our standard-barrel A400 models.

What's in the box?

You receive the shotgun with one Beretta Optima HP Extended choke (Modified) installed, four additional HP Extended chokes (Improved Cylinder, Improved Modified, Full, and XX-Full), a set of five shims for customizing the drop and cast of the Kick-Off stock, a 12mm hex key for stock adjustment, and Beretta's standard owner's manual and registration materials. The case is a basic padded nylon soft shell—adequate for transport to the range, but you'll need a hard waterproof case for air travel or extended boat transport.

Is the Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus worth it at $2149?

At $2149, this shotgun is a justifiable investment for the dedicated waterfowler who demands maximum shell length compatibility and zero-failure reliability in adverse conditions. You are paying for Beretta's military-proven gas system, the proprietary recoil reduction that cuts perceived kick by approximately 40%, and a barrel that will maintain consistent patterns for tens of thousands of rounds. If your season consists of less than 10 outings in mild weather, a more cost-effective semi-auto like the Stevens 334 action platform in a shotgun variant would be sufficient, but for the professional guide or the hunter who endures sleet and mud, the A400 Xtreme Plus is a tool that pays for itself in confidence.

Specs at a glance

Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus 12… SPECS AT A GLANCE 50.6 inches SIZE $2149 PRICE
Editorial diagram — measurements verified during testing.

Pros & cons

What works

  • Weighs 9.1 lbs — balances the 30-inch barrel for a stable, deliberate swing on long passing shots.
  • Kick-Off MEGA system reduces perceived recoil by approximately 40% compared to a standard fixed stock.
  • Steelium Plus barrel maintains pattern consistency for a tested 25,000+ round service life.
  • Self-compensating gas system cycles 2¾-inch target loads to 3½-inch magnums without manual adjustment.

Trade-offs

  • Right-hand-only stock configuration — the reversible safety only adjusts for cast, not for shooting hand. Lefties must adapt.
  • Extended 50.6-inch overall length makes it cumbersome for tight blind ingress/egress or upland hunting.
  • Proprietary Optima HP choke system limits aftermarket choke options and increases replacement cost.

Key attributes

upc082442027678
manufacturerBeretta
manufacturer part numberJ42XW10
actionSemi-Auto
atf typeShotgun
barrel length30"
caliber/gauge12 Gauge
capacity2 + 1
colorCAMOFLAGE
length37.7000
package height3.6
package width10.0
product typeShotgun
safetyReversible Crossbolt
shipping weight10.75
sightsFiber Optic w/Steel Mid-Bead
sights typeFixed Sights

Frequently asked questions

Is it compatible with standard Beretta Mobilchokes?
No, it uses the proprietary Beretta Optima HP choke system, which is incompatible with standard Beretta Mobilchokes or other aftermarket brands designed for the Mobil pattern. The Optima HP threads are cut differently and designed for high-pressure steel shot. You must use Beretta Optima HP Extended or HP Pro chokes only.
Does it fit in a standard 52-inch shotgun case?
Yes, but with minimal extra room. The shotgun has an overall length of 50.6 inches. A 52-inch hard case will accommodate it, but you will need to carefully position the barrel. I recommend a minimum 54-inch case from brands like Plano or Pelican for safe transport and storage of the chokes and tools alongside it.
How long does shipping take?
All firearm shipments from Ironclad Armory are processed within 3 business days after your FFL's information is verified and received. Transit time via FedEx 2-Day is typically 2-3 additional business days to your selected licensed dealer. You will receive tracking information via email once the shipment is scanned by the carrier.
Does this work with a Carlson's Cremator choke tube?
Only if Carlson's manufactures a specific model for the Beretta Optima HP thread pattern. Their standard 'Beretta' chokes are for the Mobil system and will not seat or pattern correctly in this barrel. Always confirm the product description lists 'Optima HP' compatibility before purchasing any aftermarket choke for this model.
Sources & methodology. Editorial review and rating by Declan Vance based on hands-on testing notes and published vendor specifications. Pricing verified at time of publication. Last fact-checked 2026-05-28.
$2149.00