Gun Review: Beretta A400 Xtreme

Beretta self-proclaims their A400 Xtreme Plus “the world’s softest shooting waterfowl shotgun.” While the jury remains out on measuring recoil in the duck blind, the one certainty is that the new iteration in the A400 lineup is purpose built for waterfowlers and high-volume shooter’s alike.

Hardcore hunters often dig heavy loads but with those rounds come considerable recoil. As gun companies work to tame the beast, Beretta improves upon an already well-appreciated recoil-minimizing setup. Our test A400 Xtreme Plus -- already a softer-shooting semi-automatic platform -- is made even more shoulder-friendly with the company’s Kick-Off recoil-reducing buttstock system as well as a soft rubberized comb. For those not familiar with the Kick-Off in its earlier iterations, the design sports a hydraulic shock absorber in the buttstock that eats up recoil from the bolt as it slams rearward each time the action cycles.

In addition, the soft comb feels surprisingly nice on the face in wet, cold conditions, keeping the cheek firmly planted on the comb. At around 8-pounds when loaded the gun is on the hefty side. While this, no doubt, helps with recoil it still balances and swings exceptionally well.