Help with Beretta A.302

[LANShark42]

Looking for some help with this gun. Anyone have one? Comments, praise, criticisms? Value? Any Idea how I can tell its age?
Thanks!

[/URL][/IMG]

[/URL][/IMG]

[/URL][/IMG]

 

[LANShark42]

Lots of look, zero replies. Must not be a very popular shotgun...

 

[MordecuS]

Outside of stating the obvious, that it's an absolutely beautiful shotgun, I have got nothing of substance. The 60 seconds of Google work suggested that new models sell between 600-800, but they lack the ornateness of this one.

 

[LANShark42]

I appreciate your response! I agree it's beautiful. But it was traded to me as a $1200 gun. Fortunately, I didn't give that much in trade. My research tells me it's probably not worth that. Beretta made an A.302 and an A.302 Super Lusso. SL was supposed to have finer engraving and a "presentation quality" stock, as well as more gold trim. I'm just not sure...

 

[gregkl]

I have an AL2-Magnum. Basically the same shotgun without the gold. I have the engraving, but its just black. Great shotguns and as said above I would put the value at $600-800.

I am looking for a 30" Full choke barrel for mine, but I use it now with the 28" Mod for Trap.

 

[indykid]

To find the build date, look for two letters in a box somewhere either on the receiver or around the trigger guard. If it is older than 1975 it will have a Roman Numeral type date code. Beretta USA list them, but if you could find the stamping I can give you the date.

 

[LANShark42]

To find the build date, look for two letters in a box somewhere either on the receiver or around the trigger guard. If it is older than 1975 it will have a Roman Numeral type date code. Beretta USA list them, but if you could find the stamping I can give you the date.

I read that somewhere else as well. I've gone over it with a flashlight and a magnifying glass, twice. I cannot find a box with letters in it. The SN starts G47...

 

[indykid]

Try plugging your serial number in here: Firearm Technical Data

 

[LANShark42]

Try plugging your serial number in here: Firearm Technical Data

No joy. Their system doesn't recognize it.

 

[indykid]

I hate to say this, but that date code is hiding very nicely from you. Every Italian made firearm that I have, be it Franchi, Beretta or even the old Sites had a date code stamped on it, along with the inspection stamp or two. It seems to be a standard for all Italian firearms that are exported.

"Almost Paradise" doesn't happen to be near Westfield?

 

[indykid]

Just for the heck of it, check the barrel closely.

Guessing by it being a "Super Lusso" it will have an "A" with a second letter inside the box.

 

[LANShark42]

Ok, found the date code - AM - so it was made in 1984. Wow, this gun is in great shape to be 30 years old. She must have spent most of her life as a safe queen.

I'm near Evansville, BTW...

 

[badapples]

Just pulled my 302 out of safe and mine is marked ah on the bottom of the receiver just below the forearm. Hope that helps.


edit: sorry must of posted at same time

 

[indykid]

Congrats on finding it!. I was wondering where you were in the event you couldn't find the date. I was willing to help you look for it. I have one Beretta that is very faintly stamped and almost can't be read without a flashlight held at just the right angle.

 

[LANShark42]

How can I ascertain whether or not its a Super Lusso?
NM. I just sent the previous owner a PM. He said the gave the SN to Beretta and they told him is was a SU. Sweet!

 

[indykid]

The Super Lusso is almost a trademark of Beretta. They have done that with several of their firearms. The firearm is treated to a super deep blue finish, with special gold detailing including inscriptions. Operating parts like the trigger, safety and depending on the firearm, trigger and slide release are finished in gold to match the detailing.

They were all short run firearms and usually command a higher value than the standard models.