The Shooter’s Companion

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

Beretta
A400 Xcel

A gas-operated semi-automatic for clays, with a blue receiver on early guns and a grey one on the Sporting restyle

A400 Xcel Sporting · USA400 Xcel Par Target KO · US

Drawing of a Beretta A400 Xcel from the right: one barrel, a top rib, a lightly engraved action with an ejection port and enlarged controls, and a stock with a pistol grip and palm swell.
Drawing: 12-bore sporting restyle, 30 in, right side

he A400 Xcel is Beretta’s for clay shooting.1, 2 Early Sporting guns have blue receivers and chequered walnut stocks and fore-ends.1 The 2022 Sporting restyle brought a grey Aqua Tech Shield receiver, laser and enlarged bolt controls.3, 4, 5

The Blink combines gas operation with a rotating bolt head and a revised feeding system.1 Its piston has a metallic scraper band that also acts as a seal.1 The US guide gives the gun a shim-adjustable and a crossbolt safety.1

Specifications

12-bore · sporting

LockingRotating bolt head1
LockworkBlink with a compensating exhaust valve and self-cleaning piston1
TriggerChrome-plated ; crossbolt safety1
Introducedby 20116, 7, 8, 2
Bore12-bore
Chambers76 mm (3 in)
Barrels28, 30 in
ChokesOptimachoke HP; removable

1, 9 Compare specifications

Specifications

ConfigurationBoreChambersBarrels, inRib, mmGradeChoke systemYearsMarketsStockFinish
Par Target KO standard stock1, 912-bore76 mm (3 in)30, 32Par Target KO standard stockOptimachoke HP; removable2012USBlue-toned aluminium alloy action
Par Target KO reduced stock1, 912-bore76 mm (3 in)28, 30Par Target KO reduced stockOptimachoke HP; removable2012USBlue-toned aluminium alloy action
Parallel Target14, 15, 1612-bore76 mm (3 in)28, 30, 32Parallel TargetOptimachoke HP; removable; 3 tubesOther
Multitarget (B-Fast)10, 15, 1612-bore76 mm (3 in)28, 30, 32Multitarget (B-Fast)Optimachoke HP; removable; 3 tubes2021Other
Multitarget Kick-Off (B-Fast)10, 15, 1612-bore76 mm (3 in)28, 30, 32Multitarget Kick-Off (B-Fast)Optimachoke HP; removable; 3 tubes2021Other
Multitarget (B-Fast)11, 15, 16, 812-bore76 mm (3 in)28, 30Multitarget (B-Fast)Optimachoke HP; removable; 3 tubesby 2024Other
Multitarget Kick-Off (B-Fast)11, 15, 16, 812-bore76 mm (3 in)28, 30Multitarget Kick-Off (B-Fast)Optimachoke HP; removable; 3 tubesby 2024Other
Sporting
Sporting1, 912-bore76 mm (3 in)28, 30SportingOptimachoke HP; removable2012USBlue-toned aluminium alloy action
Sporting1, 912-bore76 mm (3 in)28, 30, 32Sporting KOOptimachoke HP; removable2012USBlue-toned aluminium alloy action
Sporting1, 912-bore76 mm (3 in)30Sporting Gun Podremovable2012USBlue-toned aluminium alloy action
Sporting14, 15, 1612-bore76 mm (3 in)28, 30Sporting, ready for GunPodOptimachoke HP; removable; 3 tubesOther
Sporting14, 15, 1620-bore76 mm (3 in)28, 30Sporting, ready for GunPodOptimachoke HP; removable; 3 tubesOther
Sporting14, 15, 1612-bore76 mm (3 in)28, 30, 32Sporting, GunPod 2Optimachoke HP; removable; 3 tubesOther
Sporting14, 15, 1612-bore76 mm (3 in)28, 30Sporting Kick-Off, GunPod 2Optimachoke HP; removable; 3 tubesOther
Sporting10, 15, 1612-bore76 mm (3 in)28, 30, 3210Sporting BlackOptimachoke HP; removable; 3 tubes2021Other
Sporting10, 15, 1612-bore76 mm (3 in)28, 30, 3210Sporting Black Kick-OffOptimachoke HP; removable; 3 tubes2021Other
Sporting10, 15, 1612-bore76 mm (3 in)28, 30, 32Sporting VittoriaOptimachoke HP; removable; 3 tubes2021Other
Sporting11, 15, 16, 812-bore76 mm (3 in)28, 30, 32SportingOptimachoke HP; removable; 3 tubesby 2024Other
Sporting11, 15, 16, 812-bore76 mm (3 in)28Sporting VittoriaOptimachoke HP; removable; 3 tubesby 2024Other
Sporting11, 15, 16, 812-bore76 mm (3 in)28, 30, 32Sporting Kick-Off PlusOptimachoke HP; removable; 3 tubesby 2024Other
Sporting3, 4, 17, 18, 15, 1912-bore28, 30, 32Sporting restyleOptimachoke HP Black Edition; removable; 3 tubesOtherpistol grip; palm swellGrey Aqua Tech Shield action; Laser engraving

Scroll for more columns.

Identify and date

The barrel side carries the and length.20 Notches on the rim, from one to five, mark Full through Cylinder.21 The Italian year stamp dates the proof test and usually sits on the receiver or frame and on the barrel.22, 23 From 1 June 2020, the has stamped the year’s last two digits in a rectangle.24, 25

WhereMarkings
Side of barrel and length20
rimOne to five notches identify Full, Improved Modified, Modified, Improved Cylinder and Cylinder21
Receiver or frame and barrelProof-year stamp, in its usual positions23, 22

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.22, 26, 24

Proof date codes

Before you buy

  1. Match replacement tubes to the fitted barrel: an A400 Optima- HP barrel accepts only Optimachoke HP tubes.9
  2. Inspect the tubes for defects, warping and deposits, and check their tightness with the supplied spanner.27
  3. Inspect the gas cylinder, piston, elastic piston seal and magazine tube for combustion deposits.28
  4. Check that the piston slides freely on the magazine tube.28
  5. Check that the shims came with the gun; the early US guide specifies a shim system, and the grey Sporting gun tested came with shims for and .1, 29

History

Beretta listed the Xcel among its new shotguns in April 2011.6, 7 The 2021 catalogue lists a Sporting Black, with a carbon-fibre , and a Vittoria version.10

By February 2022 the Sporting restyle had appeared, with a grey Aqua Tech Shield finish, enlarged controls and optional Kick-Off Plus.3, 4, 30, 5 In the 2024 corporate catalogue, the Vittoria comes only with 28-inch barrels and the Multitarget with 28 or 30 inches, compared with 28, 30 or 32 inches in 2021.10, 11, 15 Between the two catalogues, the third supplied tube changes from four stars to five.10, 11

Blue Sporting

by 2012. Blue-toned receiver and chequered walnut furniture.1

Grey Sporting restyle

by 2022. Grey Aqua Tech Shield finish, laser and enlarged controls.3, 4, 5

DateChangeObservable feature
by 2012The US guide lists blue-receiver Sporting guns.1Blue receiver.
by 2021The catalogue lists Sporting Black and Sporting Vittoria.10, 31The Black has a 10 × 10 mm carbon-fibre .
by 2022The Sporting restyle changes the receiver finish and enlarges the controls.3, 4, 5Grey Aqua Tech Shield receiver with laser ; enlarged bolt handle and release.
2024The corporate catalogue narrows Vittoria and Multitarget barrel choices and changes the third supplied notation.10, 11, 1528-inch barrels on the Vittoria and 28 or 30 inches on the Multitarget; the third tube changes from four stars to five.

Related models

Sources

  1. Beretta 2012 Product Guide — US A400 listings, xcel-specifications-and-codes. Beretta USA; text mirror hosted by Readkong, 2012. maker catalogue · Archive
  2. Beretta's A400s: 21st Century Shotguns, retrospective-xcel-date. American Rifleman; John M. Taylor, 2012-07-18. magazine · Archive
  3. Beretta A400 Xcel Sporting — 2022 announcement report, grey-finish-and-grip. Armi Magazine, 2022-02-01. magazine · Archive
  4. Beretta A400 Xcel Sporting — 2022 announcement report, controls. Armi Magazine, 2022-02-01. magazine · Archive
  5. Beretta A400 Xcel Sporting — 2022 announcement report, date. Armi Magazine, 2022-02-01. magazine · Archive
  6. New Shotguns for 2011 — Beretta A400 Xplor Light and Xcel, new-models. Shooting Times, 2011-04-18. magazine · Archive
  7. New Shotguns for 2011 — Beretta A400 Xplor Light and Xcel, date. Shooting Times, 2011-04-18. magazine · Archive
  8. Beretta Firearms Catalog 2025 — 486 and A400 configurations, xcel-specification-table. Beretta; distributor-hosted PDF, 2025. maker catalogue · Archive
  9. Beretta semiautomatic shotgun user manual C62157 002, a400-choke-compatibility. Beretta. manual · Archive
  10. Beretta Firearms Catalog 2021 — 486 and A400, xcel-specification-table. Beretta; distributor-hosted PDF, 2021. maker catalogue · Archive
  11. Beretta Firearms Catalog 2024 — 486 and A400 configurations, xcel-specification-table. Beretta; distributor-hosted PDF, 2024. maker catalogue · Archive
  12. Beretta 2012 Product Guide — US A400 listings, xplor-unico-specifications. Beretta USA; text mirror hosted by Readkong, 2012. maker catalogue · Archive
  13. Beretta 2012 Product Guide — US A400 listings, xplor-action-description-and-specifications. Beretta USA; text mirror hosted by Readkong, 2012. maker catalogue · Archive
  14. Beretta international catalogue — 486 and A400 configurations, xcel-configurations. Beretta; scan hosted by Caza Acuáticas. maker catalogue · Archive
  15. Beretta semiautomatic shotgun user manual C62157 002, nominal-barrel-lengths. Beretta. manual · Archive
  16. Beretta international catalogue — 486 and A400 configurations, choke-abbreviation. Beretta; scan hosted by Caza Acuáticas. maker catalogue · Archive
  17. Beretta A400 Xcel Sporting — 2022 announcement report, barrel-options. Armi Magazine, 2022-02-01. magazine · Archive
  18. Beretta A400 Xcel Sporting — 2022 announcement report, chokes. Armi Magazine, 2022-02-01. magazine · Archive
  19. Beretta Firearms Catalog 2024 — 486 and A400 configurations, xcel-configuration-2. Beretta; distributor-hosted PDF, 2024. maker catalogue · Archive
  20. Beretta semiautomatic shotgun user manual C62157 002, a400-gauge-and-chamber-markings. Beretta. manual · Archive
  21. Beretta semiautomatic shotgun user manual C62157 002, choke-marks. Beretta. manual · Archive
  22. Beretta USA catalogue 2004: National Proof House Year Stamp Markings, proof-year. Beretta USA; PDF hosted by BerettaWeb, 2004. maker catalogue · Archive
  23. Beretta USA catalogue 2004: National Proof House Year Stamp Markings, position. Beretta USA; PDF hosted by BerettaWeb, 2004. maker catalogue · Archive
  24. Cambio marchio anno di prova, numeric-stamp. Banco Nazionale di Prova, 2020. proof house · Archive
  25. Cambio marchio anno di prova, change-date. Banco Nazionale di Prova, 2020. proof house · Archive
  26. Conarmi: Italian proof marks and year codes, code-table. Consorzio Armaioli Italiani. magazine · Archive
  27. Beretta semiautomatic shotgun user manual C62157 002, choke-condition. Beretta. manual · Archive
  28. Beretta semiautomatic shotgun user manual C62157 002, piston-deposits-and-cleaning. Beretta. manual · Archive
  29. Gun test: Beretta A400 Xcel Sporting, stock-adjustment-and-palm-swell. Sporting Gun; Drennan Kenderdine, 2022-06-15. magazine · Archive
  30. Beretta A400 Xcel Sporting — 2022 announcement report, kick-off-plus. Armi Magazine, 2022-02-01. magazine · Archive
  31. Beretta A400 Xcel Sporting — 2022 announcement report, vittoria. Armi Magazine, 2022-02-01. magazine · Archive
  32. Beretta's A400s: 21st Century Shotguns, common-platform. American Rifleman; John M. Taylor, 2012-07-18. magazine · Archive
  33. Beretta's A400s: 21st Century Shotguns, receiver-and-barrels. American Rifleman; John M. Taylor, 2012-07-18. magazine · Archive

Revised