First Shotgun tonight

Drummer101 · May 16, 2011, 02:48 PM

I am going out to get a Beretta semi-auto 12ga with synthetic stock
it is the 3901 version with a 28 inch barrel.

Really excited and it is on sale right now for $579.

I have never owned a gas shotgun, what sort of oil/grease/lube should I use before I use it?

oneounceload · May 16, 2011, 03:27 PM

CLEAN it first, getting all of the preservative. then follow the owner's manual. My Beretta A400 recommends oil only, no grease

Drummer101 · May 16, 2011, 03:34 PM

That is tonights project.

Any specific oil?

oneounceload · May 16, 2011, 03:45 PM

Mine came with a bottle of "Beretta Oil" - looks like your basic CLP or Remoil. Your main concern will be understanding how to do a thorough cleaning - There are major differences between the 390, 391, and A400 series as they changed the gas system each time

For the barrel inside, I use the red can of brake cleaner and a brush on a rod in a cordless drill followed by a patch or three and use the oil in the gas area after wiping it down

BigJimP · May 16, 2011, 04:30 PM

I like Break Free CLP as well ....

most any gun solvent will do the job - I know my buddy Oneounce likes brake cleaner ...and its fine in moderation - but be careful if you use that stuff...it might attack the finish on the barrel, etc... ( personally I use Shooters Choice shotgun and choke tube cleaner ) on the inside and outside of all my shotguns ( it won't hurt the finish on a wood stock either ).

http://www.shooters-choice.com/shotg...e_cleaner.html

Make sure you take the choke tube out of the barrel ...on new guns - you need to clean the threads inside the barrel real well / and on the choke itself ....and lube them to the point / where that choke tube will go in and out with just finger pressure ( put finger inside choke tube ) to screw it in and out ....and keep after it until it goes in and out real smoothly .....

On semi-autos / when I take the trigger group out of the gun ...I just spritz it really lightly with a light weight oil like Rem Oil ....but I use Break Free on all the rails, etc / barrel to receiver connection ...and all that.

And congratulations ..and have some fun with it ...

oneounceload · May 16, 2011, 05:48 PM

Just to clarify - the brake cleaner is only used on the inside of the barrels

BigJimP · May 16, 2011, 05:54 PM

I hope most everyone knows that .... (my buddy OneOunce is just frugal ..) ...and it does work real well .....but I'm too sloppy to trust myself to use brake cleaner and not get it on the outside of the barrel or on the receiver or something ...and it would aggravate me ....

BigJimP · May 16, 2011, 05:58 PM

I just read in June issue of Shotgun Sports today ....that mosquito repellant ....will attack the finish on many wood stocks....

I had no idea ....but editor relates a story in the current issue ...where a buddy ruined a finish on a new Perazzi ...because he didn't wipe it down after they were done shooting for the day ....

and another story on a Rem 1100 - where he intentionally sprayed the stock with Deep Woods Off ....and it took all the finish off it overnight.

I don't know what's in mosquito repellent ...but keep it away from your guns !!!

Drummer101 · May 16, 2011, 07:43 PM

Good info, thanks guys.

I just came home with the gun and it did not have any oil so it looks like I am going to have to get some tomorrow.

But tonight I am going to take it apart and see what I can do with it.

Drummer101 · May 16, 2011, 09:41 PM

I am trying to take out the bolt....

It is not working. I can not get the charging handle out.

I looked online and there is nothing I can find for the 3901.

Any help or links?

The manual was for a 390 and it does not seem to correlated.

Bucks Gun Shop · May 16, 2011, 10:18 PM

Drummer:

All you should have to do is to pull the charging handle straight out of the bolt... There is no magic to it... I of course assume that you have disassembled the shotgun by removing the magazine cap, forearm, misc. parts, and barrel... Then just pull straight out...

Hope it works for you...

Drummer101 · May 16, 2011, 10:20 PM

Its a no go

I kind of give up...

I am going to go to a gunsmith in town and fork over the money.

I have also been having issues with my 10/22 getting the screws out of the receiver so I am going to also ask about that.

Bummer

Drummer101 · May 17, 2011, 10:34 AM

Brought both of them to the gun smith. He showed me a few tricks for taking apart the beretta.

Hope to get that done sometime today.

BigJimP · May 17, 2011, 10:54 AM

Good - glad you got a little help / but in a very short time - you'll realize how easy it is to strip those guns down.

oneounceload · May 17, 2011, 10:55 AM

You might also want to download the owner's manual if you didn't get one as well. Besides the lawyer speak for the first half of it, it does have some good basic info on the gun and how operate/maintain it

Drummer101 · May 17, 2011, 11:06 AM

I did find something, http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?t=101242

But even it said that it would be really hard to pull out the charging handle (it said use pliers). Even the gun smith found it rather challenging.

But now that I have seen it done it makes me atleast feel better. Now I have to flip the safety at some point.

I do have the manual but it just said to pop it out, no indication on how tight it would be...

oneounceload · May 17, 2011, 11:18 AM

If it becomes too loose, then it will go flying somewhere when you fire the gun - a friend, on his older 303, has a piece of bright orange survey tape on his handle for just that reason - makes it easier to find in the grass.....

Also - make sure to keep the gas ports clean, especially if you like to shoot light loads - some solvent, compressed air (I use the computer stuff with the straw) - good to go

Drummer101 · May 19, 2011, 03:30 PM

Used it for the first time

did one round of trap and one round of skeet (first time not doing normal hand throws...)

9 for trap
15 for skeet (I like skeet), the person pulling them gave a few pointers but when I used them I missed

But then I did what I was going before and it felt natural and I was able to hit them. I even got some of the doubles!

oneounceload · May 19, 2011, 04:07 PM

AWESOME!..get those basic games under your belt.......then I'll tempt you to come over to the dark side......SPORTING CLAYS.........

May 16, 2011, 02:48 PM	#1
Drummer101 Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 2009 Location: DFW Posts: 943	First Shotgun tonight I am going out to get a Beretta semi-auto 12ga with synthetic stock it is the 3901 version with a 28 inch barrel. Really excited and it is on sale right now for $579. I have never owned a gas shotgun, what sort of oil/grease/lube should I use before I use it? __________________ "I would say that we have to make up criteria." OK, which is better for 2 Bantu, 5 Hottentots, and 3 pygmies playing a war march on a calliope at 3 a.m. during a monsoon? Show your work and round to the nearest decimal. -Mike Irwin Last edited by Drummer101; May 16, 2011 at 04:15 PM.

May 16, 2011, 03:34 PM	#3
Drummer101 Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 2009 Location: DFW Posts: 943	That is tonights project. Any specific oil? __________________ "I would say that we have to make up criteria." OK, which is better for 2 Bantu, 5 Hottentots, and 3 pygmies playing a war march on a calliope at 3 a.m. during a monsoon? Show your work and round to the nearest decimal. -Mike Irwin

May 16, 2011, 07:43 PM	#9
Drummer101 Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 2009 Location: DFW Posts: 943	Good info, thanks guys. I just came home with the gun and it did not have any oil so it looks like I am going to have to get some tomorrow. But tonight I am going to take it apart and see what I can do with it. __________________ "I would say that we have to make up criteria." OK, which is better for 2 Bantu, 5 Hottentots, and 3 pygmies playing a war march on a calliope at 3 a.m. during a monsoon? Show your work and round to the nearest decimal. -Mike Irwin

May 16, 2011, 09:41 PM	#10
Drummer101 Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 2009 Location: DFW Posts: 943	I am trying to take out the bolt.... It is not working. I can not get the charging handle out. I looked online and there is nothing I can find for the 3901. Any help or links? The manual was for a 390 and it does not seem to correlated. __________________ "I would say that we have to make up criteria." OK, which is better for 2 Bantu, 5 Hottentots, and 3 pygmies playing a war march on a calliope at 3 a.m. during a monsoon? Show your work and round to the nearest decimal. -Mike Irwin

May 16, 2011, 10:18 PM	#11
Bucks Gun Shop Member Join Date: April 11, 2011 Posts: 75	Drummer: All you should have to do is to pull the charging handle straight out of the bolt... There is no magic to it... I of course assume that you have disassembled the shotgun by removing the magazine cap, forearm, misc. parts, and barrel... Then just pull straight out... Hope it works for you... __________________ "Like" us on Facebook at Buck's Gun Shop for regular specials and other savings. www.Bucks-Gun-Shop.com [email protected]

May 16, 2011, 03:27 PM	#2
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	CLEAN it first, getting all of the preservative. then follow the owner's manual. My Beretta A400 recommends oil only, no grease

May 16, 2011, 03:45 PM	#4
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	Mine came with a bottle of "Beretta Oil" - looks like your basic CLP or Remoil. Your main concern will be understanding how to do a thorough cleaning - There are major differences between the 390, 391, and A400 series as they changed the gas system each time For the barrel inside, I use the red can of brake cleaner and a brush on a rod in a cordless drill followed by a patch or three and use the oil in the gas area after wiping it down

May 16, 2011, 04:30 PM	#5
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	I like Break Free CLP as well .... most any gun solvent will do the job - I know my buddy Oneounce likes brake cleaner ...and its fine in moderation - but be careful if you use that stuff...it might attack the finish on the barrel, etc... ( personally I use Shooters Choice shotgun and choke tube cleaner ) on the inside and outside of all my shotguns ( it won't hurt the finish on a wood stock either ). http://www.shooters-choice.com/shotg...e_cleaner.html Make sure you take the choke tube out of the barrel ...on new guns - you need to clean the threads inside the barrel real well / and on the choke itself ....and lube them to the point / where that choke tube will go in and out with just finger pressure ( put finger inside choke tube ) to screw it in and out ....and keep after it until it goes in and out real smoothly ..... On semi-autos / when I take the trigger group out of the gun ...I just spritz it really lightly with a light weight oil like Rem Oil ....but I use Break Free on all the rails, etc / barrel to receiver connection ...and all that. And congratulations ..and have some fun with it ...

May 16, 2011, 05:48 PM	#6
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	Just to clarify - the brake cleaner is only used on the inside of the barrels

May 16, 2011, 05:54 PM	#7
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	I hope most everyone knows that .... (my buddy OneOunce is just frugal ..) ...and it does work real well .....but I'm too sloppy to trust myself to use brake cleaner and not get it on the outside of the barrel or on the receiver or something ...and it would aggravate me ....

May 16, 2011, 05:58 PM	#8
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	I just read in June issue of Shotgun Sports today ....that mosquito repellant ....will attack the finish on many wood stocks.... I had no idea ....but editor relates a story in the current issue ...where a buddy ruined a finish on a new Perazzi ...because he didn't wipe it down after they were done shooting for the day .... and another story on a Rem 1100 - where he intentionally sprayed the stock with Deep Woods Off ....and it took all the finish off it overnight. I don't know what's in mosquito repellent ...but keep it away from your guns !!!

May 16, 2011, 10:20 PM	#12
Drummer101 Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 2009 Location: DFW Posts: 943	Its a no go I kind of give up... I am going to go to a gunsmith in town and fork over the money. I have also been having issues with my 10/22 getting the screws out of the receiver so I am going to also ask about that. Bummer __________________ "I would say that we have to make up criteria." OK, which is better for 2 Bantu, 5 Hottentots, and 3 pygmies playing a war march on a calliope at 3 a.m. during a monsoon? Show your work and round to the nearest decimal. -Mike Irwin Last edited by Drummer101; May 16, 2011 at 10:52 PM.

May 17, 2011, 10:34 AM	#13
Drummer101 Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 2009 Location: DFW Posts: 943	Brought both of them to the gun smith. He showed me a few tricks for taking apart the beretta. Hope to get that done sometime today. __________________ "I would say that we have to make up criteria." OK, which is better for 2 Bantu, 5 Hottentots, and 3 pygmies playing a war march on a calliope at 3 a.m. during a monsoon? Show your work and round to the nearest decimal. -Mike Irwin

May 17, 2011, 10:54 AM	#14
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Good - glad you got a little help / but in a very short time - you'll realize how easy it is to strip those guns down.

May 17, 2011, 10:55 AM	#15
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	You might also want to download the owner's manual if you didn't get one as well. Besides the lawyer speak for the first half of it, it does have some good basic info on the gun and how operate/maintain it

May 17, 2011, 11:06 AM	#16
Drummer101 Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 2009 Location: DFW Posts: 943	I did find something, http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?t=101242 But even it said that it would be really hard to pull out the charging handle (it said use pliers). Even the gun smith found it rather challenging. But now that I have seen it done it makes me atleast feel better. Now I have to flip the safety at some point. I do have the manual but it just said to pop it out, no indication on how tight it would be... __________________ "I would say that we have to make up criteria." OK, which is better for 2 Bantu, 5 Hottentots, and 3 pygmies playing a war march on a calliope at 3 a.m. during a monsoon? Show your work and round to the nearest decimal. -Mike Irwin

May 17, 2011, 11:18 AM	#17
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	If it becomes too loose, then it will go flying somewhere when you fire the gun - a friend, on his older 303, has a piece of bright orange survey tape on his handle for just that reason - makes it easier to find in the grass..... Also - make sure to keep the gas ports clean, especially if you like to shoot light loads - some solvent, compressed air (I use the computer stuff with the straw) - good to go

May 19, 2011, 03:30 PM	#18
Drummer101 Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 2009 Location: DFW Posts: 943	Used it for the first time did one round of trap and one round of skeet (first time not doing normal hand throws...) 9 for trap 15 for skeet (I like skeet), the person pulling them gave a few pointers but when I used them I missed But then I did what I was going before and it felt natural and I was able to hit them. I even got some of the doubles! __________________ "I would say that we have to make up criteria." OK, which is better for 2 Bantu, 5 Hottentots, and 3 pygmies playing a war march on a calliope at 3 a.m. during a monsoon? Show your work and round to the nearest decimal. -Mike Irwin

May 19, 2011, 04:07 PM	#19
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	AWESOME!..get those basic games under your belt.......then I'll tempt you to come over to the dark side......SPORTING CLAYS.........