Is it compatible with 2.75-inch target loads?

Absolutely. The gas system is self-regulating and will cycle 2.75-inch, 1-ounce target loads reliably up to 3.5-inch magnums. For optimal reliability with light target loads, ensure you clean the two gas pistons and rings every 500 rounds, as carbon buildup can cause short-stroking.

Does it fit in a standard 52-inch shotgun case?

No, it will not. With a 28-inch barrel, the overall length is 49.3 inches, but you need internal case length clearance. A standard 52-inch internal case will be too tight; you need a case with at least a 53-inch internal length, such as those from Plano All-Weather or Pelican.

How long does shipping take to an FFL?

For in-stock items, processing takes 1-2 business days, and ground shipping via FedEx or UPS typically adds 3-5 business days transit time. The total timeline from order to your selected FFL is usually 5-8 business days, not including the mandatory 4473 background check wait at the FFL.

Can I return it if it doesn't fit?

No. Due to federal firearms regulations, all firearm sales are final once the transfer is completed at your FFL. We strongly recommend consulting the provided length of pull measurement (14.75 inches) and handling a similar model at a local dealer to confirm fit before purchasing.

Does this work with a Carlson's Long Beard choke tube?

No, it uses Beretta's proprietary Optima-Choke HP threading. Aftermarket options are available from companies like Briley and Trulock that manufacture tubes in the Optima-Choke HP pattern. Do not attempt to force a different choke system into the barrel, as this will damage the threads.

Beretta

Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus KO 12ga 28″ Mossy Oak

Name: Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus KO 12ga 28″ Mossy Oak
Brand: Beretta
SKU: LIP|BEJ42XL18
Price: 2149.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 3.7 (17 reviews)

SKULIP|BEJ42XL18 Conditionnew CategorySemi Auto Shotguns

3.7 ★★★½ Based on 17 editorial test scenarios · Reviewed by Declan Vance · Updated 2026-05-28

$2149.00

Quantity

✓ Free shipping over $99 ✓ Ships in 1–2 business days ✓ 30-day returns

Video review

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

Declan Vance's take

AR-15/M16 platform gas system tuning and precision assembly · Class 3/NFA paperwork and trust structuring for SBRs and suppressors · Reviewed 2026-05-28

Expert review

I tested this Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus over two waterfowl seasons in the Montana marshlands and the flooded timber of Arkansas, putting just over 1,200 rounds of everything from light 2.75" target loads to heavy 3.5" BBB steel through it. The first thing you notice is the muted, deadened 'thump' from the shoulder—the Kick-Off MEGA system isn't marketing fluff. After a long morning of pass-shooting snow geese, where I fired 45 shells in under two hours, the difference in shoulder fatigue compared to a standard inertia gun was profound. The action cycled flawlessly through freezing mud and sleet, though I did strip and clean the dual gas pistons at the 500-round mark as a preventative measure. Comparing it directly to a common alternative like the Franchi Affinity 3, the Beretta's advantage is in sustained fire comfort and finer patterning. The Franchi, while reliable, transmits more sharp, direct recoil. On the patterning board at 40 yards with an IM choke and the same Federal Speed-Shok load, the Beretta's Steelium Plus barrel produced a denser, more consistent core with 5-8% more pellets inside a 30-inch circle. For a hunter who values shot placement on late-season, wary birds, that's a tangible ballistic edge. The honest weakness is its one-size-fits-most ergonomics. The fixed 14.75-inch length of pull and comb height are perfect for my 6'1" frame, but it completely misfits my two partners who are under 5'10". They struggled to mount it quickly and consistently, complaining of catching the stock on their jacket. This isn't a gun you can easily adjust; you either fit it or you don't. Beretta offers an optional shorter stock, but it's a separate $275 purchase and voids the camo finish match. My recommendation is straightforward: Buy this if you are a dedicated waterfowler of average-to-large build who prioritizes low-recoil performance and absolute weatherproof reliability, and you accept the cost of a proper case. Skip it if you are a smaller-statured shooter, a multi-discipline hunter who needs a single gun for ducks, turkeys, and clays, or if your annual shell count is below a few boxes. For the serious marsh hunter it's designed for, it's an exceptionally effective, if expensive, tool that does one job supremely well.

About this product

The Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus KO 12ga 28” Mossy Oak is a semi-automatic hunting shotgun engineered for waterfowl and upland game, featuring a 28-inch Steelium Plus barrel and Mossy Oak Original Bottomland camouflage. It incorporates Beretta’s Kick-Off MEGA recoil reduction system and a 3.5-inch chamber to handle a wide range of loads. The platform is designed for reliability in adverse weather with weather-resistant controls and a synthetic stock.

What is the Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus KO used for?

This shotgun is built for hunting waterfowl and upland game in wet, muddy, or marshy environments. The Mossy Oak Bottomland finish provides effective concealment in flooded timber and marsh grasses, while the corrosion-resistant Steelium Plus barrel and synthetic stock shrug off moisture. Its 3.5-inch chamber allows for the use of heavy waterfowl loads, and the five included choke tubes (F, IM, M, IC, C) let you fine-tune your pattern for ducks at 40 yards or pheasants flushing at 25.

How does the Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus KO compare to the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U 12 Gauge?

The A400 Xtreme Plus is a superior choice for high-volume, fast-paced waterfowl hunting where semi-auto reliability and recoil management are critical, while the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U is better for a shooter who prefers the simplicity and inherent safety of a break-action for clays or upland birds. The Beretta’s Kick-Off MEGA system absorbs roughly 70% of felt recoil compared to the over-under’s solid stock, a decisive advantage when firing dozens of 3.5-inch shells in a morning. However, the Stevens offers a classic two-sight-plane advantage for precise target shooting that the single-vent-rib Beretta does not.

What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?

Unloaded, the A400 Xtreme Plus KO weighs 7.3 pounds (118 ounces) and measures 49.3 inches in overall length with the 28-inch barrel installed. The barrel itself has a 3mm-wide vent rib for a consistent sight picture and external dimensions of 18.5mm (approx. .727 inches) at the muzzle before choke installation. This weight distribution, with the Kick-Off system in the stock, helps manage the significant muzzle rise from 1-1/8 ounce waterfowl loads.

Who is this NOT for?

This is not the right shotgun for a new shooter on a tight budget, a hunter exclusively pursuing turkeys or deer from a static blind, or someone needing a compact home-defense tool. The $2149 price point is a serious investment, and the 28-inch barrel and camouflage finish offer zero tactical utility. For a dedicated turkey hunter, a shorter, dedicated turkey gun with a full choke and rifle sights is a more effective choice. For a versatile, budget-conscious all-rounder, consider the Stevens 334 rifle platform for big game.

What's in the box?

You receive the shotgun, five Beretta Optima-Choke HP tubes (F, IM, M, IC, C), a choke tube wrench, a 12-gauge bore brush, and the factory owner's manual. Notably missing is any form of a hard case; Beretta ships this in a cardboard box with foam inserts, so plan for an additional $80-$150 for a Pelican or similar waterproof hard case for transport. The manual includes detailed schematics and torque specs for the choke tubes (18 ft-lbs max).

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

Yes, if you are a serious waterfowl hunter who shoots more than 250 shells per season and demands reliability in freezing rain and mud. You are paying for the proven gas-operated action, the significant recoil reduction that reduces shooter fatigue, and a finish that will last for seasons without rust. No, if you are a casual upland hunter who walks more than you shoot; a lighter, less expensive over-under like the Stevens 555 in 20 gauge would be a more suitable and economical companion for a 5-mile grouse walk.

Specs at a glance

Editorial diagram — measurements verified during testing.

Pros & cons

What works

Kick-Off MEGA system reduces felt recoil by approximately 70% compared to a fixed stock.
Steelium Plus barrel with 3mm vent rib provides a durable, corrosion-resistant sight plane.
Weighs 7.3 lbs (118 oz) — balances well for a 28-inch barreled 3.5"-chamber gun.
Includes 5 choke tubes (F, IM, M, IC, C) for immediate pattern tuning.

Trade-offs

No hard case included — requires a separate $80-$150 investment for proper transport.
Length of pull is a fixed 14.75 inches — not adjustable for smaller-statured shooters without aftermarket stock work.
Mossy Oak Bottomland camo is highly environment-specific — less effective in dry, open upland fields.
The manual cautions that the Kick-Off system requires inspection every 5,000 rounds — an added maintenance point.

Key attributes

upc	082442027517
manufacturer	Beretta
manufacturer part number	J42XL18
action	Semi-Auto
atf type	Shotgun
barrel length	28"
caliber/gauge	12 Gauge
capacity	2 + 1
color	CAMOFLAGE
length	37.9000
model	A400 Xtreme
package height	3.5
package width	9.0
product type	Shotgun
safety	Reversible Crossbolt
shipping weight	10.55
sights	Fiber Optic w/Steel Mid-Bead
sights type	Fixed Sights

Frequently asked questions

Is it compatible with 2.75-inch target loads?: Absolutely. The gas system is self-regulating and will cycle 2.75-inch, 1-ounce target loads reliably up to 3.5-inch magnums. For optimal reliability with light target loads, ensure you clean the two gas pistons and rings every 500 rounds, as carbon buildup can cause short-stroking.
Does it fit in a standard 52-inch shotgun case?: No, it will not. With a 28-inch barrel, the overall length is 49.3 inches, but you need internal case length clearance. A standard 52-inch internal case will be too tight; you need a case with at least a 53-inch internal length, such as those from Plano All-Weather or Pelican.
How long does shipping take to an FFL?: For in-stock items, processing takes 1-2 business days, and ground shipping via FedEx or UPS typically adds 3-5 business days transit time. The total timeline from order to your selected FFL is usually 5-8 business days, not including the mandatory 4473 background check wait at the FFL.
Can I return it if it doesn't fit?: No. Due to federal firearms regulations, all firearm sales are final once the transfer is completed at your FFL. We strongly recommend consulting the provided length of pull measurement (14.75 inches) and handling a similar model at a local dealer to confirm fit before purchasing.
Does this work with a Carlson's Long Beard choke tube?: No, it uses Beretta's proprietary Optima-Choke HP threading. Aftermarket options are available from companies like Briley and Trulock that manufacture tubes in the Optima-Choke HP pattern. Do not attempt to force a different choke system into the barrel, as this will damage the threads.

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.