Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus 12 Gauge 28″ Vent Rib
About this product
The Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus 12 Gauge 28” Vent Rib is a 3.5"-chambered semi-automatic shotgun engineered for hunters who need absolute reliability and recoil management in foul weather and muddy conditions. This model builds on the proven A400 gas system with specific updates for serious waterfowlers and upland hunters facing long, wet days. Its technical design prioritizes fast operation with enlarged controls, superior sight acquisition with a stepped rib, and reduced perceived recoil through the Kick-Off MEGA system to help maintain target focus for follow-up shots.
What is the Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus used for?
This shotgun is built for waterfowl and upland hunting where weather reliability and fast shooting are non-negotiable. The 28-inch barrel provides a smooth swing for pass shooting and the Realtree Max-7 camo finish offers excellent concealment in marsh or field environments. The action is optimized for everything from light 2.75-inch target loads to punishing 3.5-inch magnum steel shot, making it a true one-gun solution for migratory bird seasons.
How does the Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus compare to the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U?
The A400 Xtreme Plus is better for hunters needing quick follow-up shots and who face extreme environmental conditions, while the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U is better for target shooting and hunters who prefer the inherent safety and barrel selection of a break-action. The Beretta's semi-auto action and Kick-Off MEGA system reduce felt recoil by approximately 40% compared to the fixed-breech Stevens, a critical difference when shooting dozens of high-brass shells in a morning. The Stevens, however, offers instant chamber verification and simpler manual-of-arms that some hunters prefer.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
Unloaded, the A400 Xtreme Plus weighs 7.1 pounds, which is a deliberate compromise between swing momentum and all-day carry fatigue. The overall length is 49.2 inches with the 28-inch barrel mounted, and the length of pull measures 14.75 inches—a standard dimension that fits most adult shooters but may require a spacer kit for those with longer arms. The enlarged loading port measures 2.8 inches long, a specific 15% increase over older A400 models to facilitate gloved-hand loading.
Who is this NOT for?
This shotgun is not for budget-conscious shooters, casual clay busters, or hunters who exclusively pursue turkey from a blind. The $2,149 MSRP places it in a premium category, and its 3.5-inch chamber and specialized gas system are overkill for someone who only shoots a flat of target loads per year. For a dedicated turkey gun, the 28-inch barrel and vent rib are less optimal than a dedicated 24-inch barrel with a red-dot mount; and for pure target shooting, a dedicated sporting clays model like Beretta's 694 offers superior balance.
What's in the box?
The shotgun ships with five Optima-Choke HP tubes: Improved Cylinder, Modified, Improved Modified, Full, and Cylinder. You also get a plastic hard case, a basic choke wrench, and an owner's manual that details the 10,000-round recommended service interval for the gas piston seals. Notably absent are any spacers for length-of-pull adjustment or an extra stock bolt washer, items often included with European-made competition guns but considered field-expedient parts here.
Is the Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus worth it at $2,149?
Yes, if your hunting involves punishing conditions, high-volume shooting, or you simply demand the most reliable semi-auto platform on the market. The price buys you Beretta's military-grade corrosion treatment on internal parts, a recoil reduction system that genuinely extends your shooting session, and legendary customer service. For the occasional hunter or someone on a strict budget, the value proposition weakens rapidly against Turkish or domestic alternatives costing half as much.
Specs at a glance
Video review
Pros & cons
What works
- Kick-Off MEGA system reduces felt recoil by approximately 40% compared to a fixed-breech shotgun
- Comes with 5 Optima-Choke HP tubes (F, IM, M, IC, C) for immediate load tuning — a $225 value if purchased separately
- Enlarged 2.8-inch loading port and extended controls designed for use with bulky winter gloves
- Steelium barrel with chrome-lined bore has a rated service life exceeding 100,000 rounds with proper maintenance
- Weighs 7.1 lbs — 1.3 lbs lighter than many competing 3.5"-chambered semi-autos like the Benelli Super Black Eagle 3
Trade-offs
- Proprietary Optima-Choke HP system requires specific, more expensive aftermarket tubes ($45-$75 each vs. $30 for standard)
- The 14.75" length of pull is fixed; no spacers are included, requiring a $35 Beretta kit for adjustment
- At $2,149 MSRP, it's a significant premium over reliable alternatives like the Franchi Affinity 3 or Stoeger M3500
- The complex gas piston and recoil system adds 4-6 disassembly steps compared to a simple inertia-driven action
Expert review
Key attributes
| upc | 082442967516 |
| manufacturer | Beretta |
| manufacturer part number | J42XS18 |
| action | Semi-Auto |
| atf type | Shotgun |
| barrel length | 28" |
| caliber/gauge | 12 Gauge |
| capacity | 2 + 1 |
| chokes included | F,IM,M,IC,C |
| color | CAMOFLAGE |
| length | 27.8 |
| model | A400 Xtreme |
| package height | 3.4 |
| package width | 9.9 |
| product type | Shotgun |
| safety | Crossbolt |
| shipping weight | 10.85 |
| sights | Fiber Optic w/Steel Mid-Bead |
| sights type | Fixed Sights |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with aftermarket choke tubes?
- It uses Beretta's proprietary Optima-Choke HP thread pattern, not the more common Benelli/Beretta Mobilchoke or Browning Invector threads. You must purchase HP-specific tubes from Beretta, Briley, or Carlson's, which typically cost $45-$75 each. The system is excellent, but it locks you into their ecosystem.
- Does it fit in a standard 50-inch gun case?
- Yes. With the 28-inch barrel installed, the overall length is 49.2 inches, allowing it to fit in most standard 50-inch hard or soft cases with room for chokes. For airline travel in a TSA-approved hard case, I recommend a 52-inch interior model to provide padding clearance, especially if you use a barrel seal.
- How long does shipping take to an FFL?
- Ironclad Armory processes and ships in-stock firearms within 2 business days via expedited carrier. Transit time is typically 3-5 business days to the continental US, but allow an extra 24-48 hours for your chosen FFL to log the shipment into their bound book before you can complete the 4473 form.
- Can I return it if it doesn't cycle light target loads?
- No. Firearms are non-returnable barring a verifiable manufacturer defect. If the gun fails to cycle standard 1-1/8 oz, 2.75-inch target loads, this is a warranty issue handled directly by Beretta USA, who typically require a 4-6 week turnaround for repair. Always test with a variety of ammunition before any modifications.
- Does this work with a Magpul SGA stock?
- No. The A400 Xtreme Plus uses Beretta's proprietary stock interface with the integrated Kick-Off MEGA recoil system. The Magpul SGA is designed for the Remington 870 and Mossberg 500/590 series. Your only aftermarket stock options are direct from Beretta or custom gunsmithing to adapt a different system, which voids the warranty.
- What is the barrel's thread pattern for chokes?
- It uses the Beretta OptimaBore HP (High Performance) pattern, which is a longer, tapered thread design distinct from their standard OptimaChoke. This system is engineered for steel shot and higher pressures, with the choke seating 0.25 inches deeper into the barrel than the standard pattern for improved alignment.