The Shooter’s Companion

Shotguns·makers·models·history

An independent reference on sporting shotguns, for shooters, collectors, buyers and sellers.

Beretta
391

A gas-operated semi-automatic in Urika, Urika 2 and Teknys versions

AL391 Urika · USAL391 Teknys · USAL391 Urika 2 · USAL 391 Urika/Teknys

Drawing of a Beretta 391 from the right: one barrel, a rib, a dark receiver with an ejection port and bolt handle, a single trigger, a walnut stock and a rounded walnut fore-end.
Drawing: 12-bore Urika Optima field, 28 in, right side

he Beretta 391 is a gas-operated made as the Urika, Urika 2 and Teknys.1, 2, 3 Beretta offered it in field, Sporting, and Parallel Target versions.4, 5 The original field Urika has a blued barrel, gold receiver lettering and a wood .6 The Teknys has a nickel receiver, and the Teknys Gold Sporting adds blue enamel inlays.7, 8

The is gas-operated, with a self-compensating exhaust valve.1 The magazine cut-off sits on the left side of the receiver.9 On the Urika 2, expandable piston fingers clean the gas cylinder as the action cycles.10 Its revised piston also spins and carries scraper teeth.10

Specifications

12-bore · game

LockworkGas-operated semi-automatic with self-compensating exhaust valve11
Made inGardone Val Trompia, Italy12, 13, 14
Introduced199915
Bore12-bore
Chambers76 mm (3 in)
Barrels26, 28 in
ChokesOptima-Choke Plus; removable; 5 tubes

16, 11, 17 Compare specifications

Specifications

ConfigurationBoreChambersBarrels, inRib, mmFore-endGradeChoke systemYearsMarketsStockFinish
Urika Parallel Target RL23, 24, 1712-bore76 mm (3 in)28, 30RoundUrika Parallel Target RLOptima-Choke; removable; 5 tubes2003USRound fore-end
Urika Parallel Target SL23, 24, 1712-bore76 mm (3 in)28, 30RoundUrika Parallel Target SLOptima-Choke; removable; 5 tubes2003USRound fore-end
Urika 2 Parallel Target RL X-Tra Grain25, 26, 2712-bore28, 30Urika 2 Parallel Target RL X-Tra GrainOBS; removable2007US
Urika 2 Parallel Target SL X-Tra Grain25, 26, 2712-bore30, 32Urika 2 Parallel Target SL X-Tra GrainOBS; removable2007US
Urika 2 Gold Parallel Target SL25, 26, 2712-bore30, 32Urika 2 Gold Parallel Target SLOBS; removable2007USFloral motif engraving
Urika 2 Parallel Target SL28, 2912-bore76 mm (3 in)30, 32SlimUrika 2 Parallel Target SLOptimaChoke; removable2007–2008Slim fore-end
Game
Game16, 11, 1712-bore76 mm (3 in)26, 286.35RoundUrika OptimaOptima-Choke Plus; removable; 5 tubes2003USRound fore-end
Game16, 11, 1720-bore76 mm (3 in)26, 286.35RoundUrikaMobilchoke; removable; 5 tubes2003USRound fore-end
Game16, 11, 1720-bore76 mm (3 in)246.35RoundUrika YouthMobilchoke; removable; 5 tubes2003USRound fore-end
Game16, 11, 1712-bore76 mm (3 in)26, 286.35RoundUrika Synthetic OptimaOptima-Choke Plus; removable; 5 tubes2003USRound fore-end
Game16, 11, 1712-bore76 mm (3 in)246.35RoundUrika Camo Hardwoods Green HDOptima-Choke Plus; removable; 5 tubes2003USRound fore-endHardwoods Green HD action
Game16, 11, 1712-bore76 mm (3 in)266.35RoundUrika Camo Hardwoods HDOptima-Choke Plus; removable; 5 tubes2003USRound fore-endHardwoods HD action
Game20, 21, 1712-bore76 mm (3 in)26, 286.35RoundTeknysOptima-Choke Plus; removable; 5 tubes2003USRound fore-endNickel action
Game20, 21, 1720-bore76 mm (3 in)26, 286.35RoundTeknysMobilchoke; removable; 5 tubes2003USRound fore-endNickel action
Game30, 31, 1712-bore76 mm (3 in)26, 286.35RoundTeknys GoldOptima-Choke Plus; removable; 5 tubes2003USRound fore-endHunting scenes and coloured enamel engraving
Game30, 31, 1720-bore76 mm (3 in)26, 286.35RoundTeknys GoldMobilchoke; removable; 5 tubes2003USRound fore-endHunting scenes and coloured enamel engraving
Game32, 33, 1720-bore76 mm (3 in)26, 286.35RoundCovey Quail UnlimitedMobilchoke; removable; 5 tubes2003USRound fore-endGold-filled conservation engraving
Game32, 33, 1712-bore76 mm (3 in)26, 286.35RoundRingneck Pheasants ForeverOBF; removable; 5 tubes2003USRound fore-endGold-filled conservation engraving engraving
Game25, 26, 2712-bore26, 28Urika 2 X-Tra GrainOBF; removable2007USFine-line scroll engraving
Game25, 26, 2720-bore26, 28Urika 2 X-Tra GrainMCF; removable2007USFine-line scroll engraving
Game25, 26, 2720-bore24Urika 2 Youth X-Tra GrainMCF; removable2007US
Game25, 26, 2712-bore28Urika 2 GoldOBF; removable2007USGold-filled game birds engraving
Game25, 26, 2720-bore26Urika 2 GoldMCF; removable2007USGold-filled game birds engraving
Game3412-bore76 mm (3 in)24, 26, 28, 306Ultra-slimStonecoatOptimaChoke Plus; removable2007–2008Ultra-slim fore-endNickel/chrome/titanium/zirconium action
Game3412-bore76 mm (3 in)24, 26, 28, 306Ultra-slimStonecoatMobilchoke; removable2007–2008Ultra-slim fore-endNickel/chrome/titanium/zirconium action
Game3420-bore76 mm (3 in)24, 26, 286Ultra-slimStonecoatOptimaChoke Plus; removable2007–2008Ultra-slim fore-endNickel/chrome/titanium/zirconium action
Game3420-bore76 mm (3 in)24, 26, 286Ultra-slimStonecoatMobilchoke; removable2007–2008Ultra-slim fore-endNickel/chrome/titanium/zirconium action
Game3412-bore76 mm (3 in)24, 26, 28, 306Ultra-slimStonecoat GoldOptimaChoke Plus; removable2007–2008Ultra-slim fore-endNickel/chrome/titanium/zirconium action
Game3412-bore76 mm (3 in)24, 26, 28, 306Ultra-slimStonecoat GoldMobilchoke; removable2007–2008Ultra-slim fore-endNickel/chrome/titanium/zirconium action
Game3420-bore76 mm (3 in)24, 26, 286Ultra-slimStonecoat GoldOptimaChoke Plus; removable2007–2008Ultra-slim fore-endNickel/chrome/titanium/zirconium action
Game3420-bore76 mm (3 in)24, 26, 286Ultra-slimStonecoat GoldMobilchoke; removable2007–2008Ultra-slim fore-endNickel/chrome/titanium/zirconium action
Game3512-bore70 mm (2¾ in)26, 286Ultra-slimGreystoneOptimaChoke Greystone; removable2007–2008Ultra-slim fore-endGreystone action
Game3512-bore76 mm (3 in)24, 26, 28, 306Ultra-slimUrika PremiumMobilchoke; removable2007–2008Ultra-slim fore-endSatin back and polished black sides action
Wildfowl
Wildfowl16, 11, 1712-bore76 mm (3 in)286.35RoundUrika Camo Waterfowl WetlandsOptima-Choke Plus; removable; 5 tubes2003USRound fore-endWetlands action
Wildfowl25, 26, 2712-bore28Urika 2 Synthetic Kick-OffOBF; removable2007US
Wildfowl25, 26, 2712-bore28Urika Camo Advantage Max-4 Kick-OffOBF; removable2007USAdvantage Max-4 engraving
Wildfowl25, 26, 2712-bore26Urika Camo RealTree AP Kick-OffOBF; removable2007USRealTree AP engraving
Wildfowl25, 26, 2712-bore28Urika 2 SyntheticOBF; removable2007US
Wildfowl25, 26, 2712-bore26Urika Camo Advantage Max-4OBF; removable2007USAdvantage Max-4 engraving
Wildfowl25, 26, 2712-bore28Urika Camo RealTree APOBS; removable2007USRealTree AP engraving
Sporting
Sporting23, 24, 1712-bore76 mm (3 in)28, 30RoundUrika SportingOptima-Choke; removable; 5 tubes2003USRound fore-end
Sporting23, 24, 1720-bore76 mm (3 in)28, 307.94RoundUrika SportingMobilchoke; removable; 5 tubes2003USRound fore-end
Sporting23, 24, 1712-bore76 mm (3 in)28, 30RoundUrika Gold SportingOptima-Choke; removable; 5 tubes2003USRound fore-endSilver action
Sporting23, 24, 1720-bore76 mm (3 in)28, 307.94RoundUrika Gold SportingMobilchoke; removable; 5 tubes2003USRound fore-endSilver action
Sporting22, 3612-bore76 mm (3 in)28, 30RoundTeknys Gold SportingOptima-Choke; removable; 5 tubes2003USRound fore-endSatin nickel action; Blue enamel inlays engraving
Sporting22, 3620-bore76 mm (3 in)28, 307.94RoundTeknys Gold SportingVictory Mobilchoke; removable; 5 tubes2003USRound fore-endSatin nickel action; Blue enamel inlays engraving
Sporting25, 26, 2712-bore30Urika 2 Sporting X-Tra GrainOBS; removable2007US
Sporting25, 26, 2720-bore28, 30Urika 2 Sporting X-Tra GrainMCS; removable2007US
Sporting25, 26, 2712-bore28, 30Urika 2 Gold SportingOBS; removable2007USFloral motif engraving
Sporting28, 2912-bore76 mm (3 in)28, 3010SlimStonecoat Gold SportingOptimaChoke; removable2007–2008Slim fore-end
Sporting28, 2920-bore76 mm (3 in)28, 3010SlimStonecoat Gold SportingVictory Mobilchoke; removable2007–2008Slim fore-end
Sporting28, 2912-bore76 mm (3 in)28, 30, 32SlimUrika 2 Gold SportingOptimaChoke; removable2007–2008Slim fore-end
Sporting28, 2912-bore76 mm (3 in)28, 30, 32SlimUrika 2 SportingOptimaChoke; removable2007–2008Slim fore-end
Sporting28, 2920-bore76 mm (3 in)28, 30SlimUrika 2 SportingVictory Mobilchoke; removable2007–2008Slim fore-end
Trap
Trap23, 24, 1712-bore76 mm (3 in)30, 32RoundUrika Trap OptimaOptima-Choke; removable; 5 tubes2003USRound fore-end

Scroll for more columns.

Identify and date

The barrel side carries the and length.37 The original field Urika has gold lettering on the receiver.6 The Covey and Ringneck conservation versions are marked 1 OF 1000.38 Italian proof stamps sit on the rear underside of the barrel and on the action.39 The year stamp dates the proof test.40

WhereMarkings
Barrel sideGauge and chamber length41
Original field Urika receiverGold lettering18
Covey and Ringneck conservation versions1 OF 100033
Rear underside of barrel and actionItalian proof stamps42

Proof date

The stamp gives the year of proof. CZ applies up to 31 May 2020, and 20 from 1 June 2020. The later stamp encloses the year’s last two digits in a rectangle.40, 43, 44

Proof date codes

Before you buy

  1. Make sure any replacement barrel is an AL391 barrel; Beretta states that these barrels do not interchange with AL390, A390 ST or A304 barrels.45
  2. Check that the gas piston slides freely in the cylinder and its bush moves freely in its seat.46, 47
  3. Inspect the gas cylinder, piston, cap stem and compensating valve for residue; Beretta specifies that these gas parts stay free of lubricant.48, 49
  4. Try the take-up and release; Gun Tests reported a creeping, poorly defined release on the Urika it tested.50
  5. Match replacement tubes to the barrel system; Beretta’s choke families do not interchange.51
  6. Read the chamber mark on a Greystone: the Annual lists it with 70 mm chambers, and the Urika and Stonecoat with 76 mm.52, 53
  7. Identify the piston before comparing parts; the Urika 2 piston has expandable fingers and scraper teeth.10

History

Shooting Times dates the introduction of the AL391 Urika to 1999.54 Compared with the AL390, the AL391 has a thinner and a differently shaped .55 Beretta added the Teknys and Teknys Gold in its 2003 US catalogue.7, 56 In 2007 Beretta introduced the Urika 2, with a revised gas piston and X-Tra Grain walnut.2, 10 The 2007–2008 Annual also lists the Stonecoat, Greystone and Urika Premium.53, 52

Urika

by 2000. The original AL391 field gun, with a blued barrel, gold receiver lettering and a wood stock.18, 57

Urika 2

2007. A revised gas piston that spins and has expandable fingers and scraper teeth.25, 27

DateChangeObservable feature
2003Optima- and Optima-Choke become standard on US 12-gauge Urika competition versions23Optima-Choke barrel system
2003Beretta adds Teknys and Teknys Gold20, 30Nickel receiver on Teknys; decorated finish on Teknys Gold
2007The Urika 2 brings a revised gas piston25, 27Expandable fingers and scraper teeth

Sources

  1. Beretta USA catalogue 2003 — Onyx, Diamond Pigeon, Gold E and AL391, urika-field-specifications. Beretta USA, 2003. maker catalogue · Archive
  2. Beretta USA New Products 2007 — Urika 2 and Gold E Unsingle, urika-2-finishes. Beretta USA, 2007. maker catalogue · Archive
  3. Beretta USA catalogue 2003 — Onyx, Diamond Pigeon, Gold E and AL391, teknys-specifications-and-chokes. Beretta USA, 2003. maker catalogue · Archive
  4. Beretta USA catalogue 2003 — Onyx, Diamond Pigeon, Gold E and AL391, urika-field-offers. Beretta USA, 2003. maker catalogue · Archive
  5. Beretta USA catalogue 2003 — Onyx, Diamond Pigeon, Gold E and AL391, urika-competition-offers. Beretta USA, 2003. maker catalogue · Archive
  6. The AL 391: Beretta’s Best, field-identification. Shooting Times, 2005-08-05. magazine · Archive
  7. Beretta USA catalogue 2003 — Onyx, Diamond Pigeon, Gold E and AL391, teknys-offers-and-finish. Beretta USA, 2003. maker catalogue · Archive
  8. Beretta USA catalogue 2003 — Onyx, Diamond Pigeon, Gold E and AL391, teknys-gold-sporting-offers. Beretta USA, 2003. maker catalogue · Archive
  9. Berettas New AL391 Urika: A New Standard For Shotguns?, cutoff-location. Gun Tests, 2000-09-28. magazine · Archive
  10. Beretta USA New Products 2007 — Urika 2 and Gold E Unsingle, urika-2-piston-and-offers. Beretta USA, 2007. maker catalogue · Archive
  11. Beretta USA catalogue 2003 — Onyx, Diamond Pigeon, Gold E and AL391, Urika field specifications. Beretta USA, 2003. maker catalogue · Archive
  12. Sustainability Report 2025, Place. Fabbrica d’Armi Pietro Beretta. maker website · Archive
  13. Sustainability Report 2025, Production site. Fabbrica d’Armi Pietro Beretta. maker website · Archive
  14. Sustainability Report 2025, Production site continued. Fabbrica d’Armi Pietro Beretta. maker website · Archive
  15. The AL 391: Beretta’s Best, Introduction. Shooting Times, 2005-08-05. magazine · Archive
  16. Beretta USA catalogue 2003 — Onyx, Diamond Pigeon, Gold E and AL391, Urika field offers. Beretta USA, 2003. maker catalogue · Archive
  17. Beretta USA catalogue 2003 — Onyx, Diamond Pigeon, Gold E and AL391, Choke code chart. Beretta USA, 2003. maker catalogue · Archive
  18. The AL 391: Beretta’s Best, Field identification. Shooting Times, 2005-08-05. magazine · Archive
  19. Berettas New AL391 Urika: A New Standard For Shotguns?, Cutoff location. Gun Tests, 2000-09-28. magazine · Archive
  20. Beretta USA catalogue 2003 — Onyx, Diamond Pigeon, Gold E and AL391, Teknys offers and finish. Beretta USA, 2003. maker catalogue · Archive
  21. Beretta USA catalogue 2003 — Onyx, Diamond Pigeon, Gold E and AL391, Teknys specifications and chokes. Beretta USA, 2003. maker catalogue · Archive
  22. Beretta USA catalogue 2003 — Onyx, Diamond Pigeon, Gold E and AL391, Teknys Gold Sporting offers. Beretta USA, 2003. maker catalogue · Archive
  23. Beretta USA catalogue 2003 — Onyx, Diamond Pigeon, Gold E and AL391, Urika competition offers. Beretta USA, 2003. maker catalogue · Archive
  24. Beretta USA catalogue 2003 — Onyx, Diamond Pigeon, Gold E and AL391, Urika competition specifications. Beretta USA, 2003. maker catalogue · Archive
  25. Beretta USA New Products 2007 — Urika 2 and Gold E Unsingle, Urika 2 piston and offers. Beretta USA, 2007. maker catalogue · Archive
  26. Beretta USA New Products 2007 — Urika 2 and Gold E Unsingle, Urika 2 finishes. Beretta USA, 2007. maker catalogue · Archive
  27. Beretta USA New Products 2007 — Urika 2 and Gold E Unsingle, Edition. Beretta USA, 2007. maker catalogue · Archive
  28. Beretta Annual 2007–2008 — AL391 and Gold E, PDF page 68. Beretta, 2007–2008. maker catalogue · Archive
  29. Beretta Annual 2007–2008 — AL391 and Gold E, PDF page 69. Beretta, 2007–2008. maker catalogue · Archive
  30. Beretta USA catalogue 2003 — Onyx, Diamond Pigeon, Gold E and AL391, Teknys Gold offers and finish. Beretta USA, 2003. maker catalogue · Archive
  31. Beretta USA catalogue 2003 — Onyx, Diamond Pigeon, Gold E and AL391, Teknys Gold specifications and chokes. Beretta USA, 2003. maker catalogue · Archive
  32. Beretta USA catalogue 2003 — Onyx, Diamond Pigeon, Gold E and AL391, AL391 conservation offers. Beretta USA, 2003. maker catalogue · Archive
  33. Beretta USA catalogue 2003 — Onyx, Diamond Pigeon, Gold E and AL391, AL391 conservation specifications. Beretta USA, 2003. maker catalogue · Archive
  34. Beretta Annual 2007–2008 — AL391 and Gold E, PDF page 16. Beretta, 2007–2008. maker catalogue · Archive
  35. Beretta Annual 2007–2008 — AL391 and Gold E, PDF page 17. Beretta, 2007–2008. maker catalogue · Archive
  36. Beretta USA catalogue 2003 — Onyx, Diamond Pigeon, Gold E and AL391, Teknys Gold Sporting specifications. Beretta USA, 2003. maker catalogue · Archive
  37. Beretta AL391 Urika / Teknys Italian instruction manual, gauge-and-chamber-marks. Beretta. manual · Archive
  38. Beretta USA catalogue 2003 — Onyx, Diamond Pigeon, Gold E and AL391, al391-conservation-specifications. Beretta USA, 2003. maker catalogue · Archive
  39. Conarmi: Italian proof marks and year codes, shotgun-stamp-positions. Consorzio Armaioli Italiani. magazine · Archive
  40. Beretta USA catalogue 2004: National Proof House Year Stamp Markings, proof-year. Beretta USA; PDF hosted by BerettaWeb, 2004. maker catalogue · Archive
  41. Beretta AL391 Urika / Teknys Italian instruction manual, Gauge and chamber marks. Beretta. manual · Archive
  42. Conarmi: Italian proof marks and year codes, Shotgun stamp positions. Consorzio Armaioli Italiani. magazine · Archive
  43. Conarmi: Italian proof marks and year codes, code-table. Consorzio Armaioli Italiani. magazine · Archive
  44. Cambio marchio anno di prova, numeric-stamp. Banco Nazionale di Prova, 2020. proof house · Archive
  45. Beretta AL391 Urika / Teknys Italian instruction manual, barrels-do-not-interchange. Beretta. manual · Archive
  46. Beretta AL391 Urika / Teknys Italian instruction manual, piston-movement. Beretta. manual · Archive
  47. Beretta AL391 Urika / Teknys Italian instruction manual, piston-bush. Beretta. manual · Archive
  48. Beretta AL391 Urika / Teknys Italian instruction manual, gas-part-scope. Beretta. manual · Archive
  49. Beretta AL391 Urika / Teknys Italian instruction manual, gas-parts-stay-dry. Beretta. manual · Archive
  50. Berettas New AL391 Urika: A New Standard For Shotguns?, trigger-check. Gun Tests, 2000-09-28. magazine · Archive
  51. Beretta choke-tube guide — marks and compatibility, families-cannot-interchange. Beretta. maker website · Archive
  52. Beretta Annual 2007–2008 — AL391 and Gold E, pdf-page-17. Beretta, 2007–2008. maker catalogue · Archive
  53. Beretta Annual 2007–2008 — AL391 and Gold E, pdf-page-16. Beretta, 2007–2008. maker catalogue · Archive
  54. The AL 391: Beretta’s Best, introduction. Shooting Times, 2005-08-05. magazine · Archive
  55. The AL 391: Beretta’s Best, al390-difference. Shooting Times, 2005-08-05. magazine · Archive
  56. Beretta USA catalogue 2003 — Onyx, Diamond Pigeon, Gold E and AL391, teknys-gold-offers-and-finish. Beretta USA, 2003. maker catalogue · Archive
  57. Berettas New AL391 Urika: A New Standard For Shotguns?, Review date. Gun Tests, 2000-09-28. magazine · Archive

Revised