Beretta A300 Piston Assembly (thumbs up) and all the rest...

My posting is based on the fact that at one time or another I owned five Remington 1100s and learned to carry spare parts to replace anything that could and would break during a shoot.  Also, you learn quickly to not just do just a wipe down after shooting, but after a couple of hundred shells also do a cleaning breakdown.

Abandoned Remington with the premise of breakdowns rare on a Beretta semi and complete cleanings something you could easily put off, outside of wiping down.

When I was shooting the Beretta A400, if I had issues it was 100% of the time the Piston Assembly that needed cleaning.  I read in an article the Piston Assembly was the A400s Achilles Heel. I would guess in later production runs they addressed the issue but I wouldn't know. When I owned mine I cleaned the Assembly after every third visit to the range, I also carried a spare.

The A400 is long gone and we have been shooting a pair of A300s for the past several years (sporting models).  I carry no spare parts. I shoot mine straight out of the box. My wife had the stock shortened by 1/4 inch and had an adjustable comb installed (both by Graco).  Women usually need a higher comb.  She shoots skeet, trap and sporting!

I find the A300 Piston Assembly a tighter fit then the A400, just by a hair.

We've been having zero issues with the A300 Piston Assembly.  The first three photos is the Assembly after 1200 rounds.  The last photo is after a cleaning (used a cleaning brush).

Do I recommend shooting 1200 shells before cleaning the shotgun, no, but I wouldn't try it with an 1100.

If it rains all bets are off and it gets a complete breakdown.

Gun comes with chokes but we purchased additional chokes.  We use Skeet for skeet.  Modified for trap. LM for sporting. In sporting at a few clubs we had to put in modified for a couple of stations.

We're currently shooting 1 1/8oz as that was the cheapest, but we normally shoot 1oz. 

If your just interested in a shotgun for all around shooting and not worried about wood and all the rest you'll find the A300 will fit your needs. Reliable and inexpensive!  

If you new to the A300, when doing a breakdown, drop the trigger first (with safety on). And when complete, install the trigger last. Make sure the rails gets a touch of oil. Several cleaning videos posted on YouTube.

If your going to shoot trap a shell catcher is highly recommended.  You may have squad turndowns without. 

 LPGWORKS Shell Catchers 

If I was purchasing loaner/rental guns for a club I'd go with the A300.

Buying / Gift Ideas for Shooters

Something I put together on Amazon, items for sale from clay target machines to ear protection.

Clay Target Shooting

Flashback 2013 ATA Chain Shoot @ Gator

YouTube Short. Gator Skeet and Trap Club - Gainesville, Florida.

Flashback 2012 Wounded Warrior Shoot @ Vernon

YouTube Short.  Vernon National Shooting Preserve, Vernon Center, New York

Cross-eye dominance

A discussion about eye dominance issues got me thinking about the years I shot registered skeet, not uncommon to see right hand shooters with a small patch on the left lens. The provided link will explain it better then I can. Some had to move the patch to different locations until they felt they had it located correctly. Used in all shooting sports, but for me most noticeable used by NSSA skeet shooters.

Also, for those who just can't shoot with both eyes open (even after a couple of years). Start with both eyes open and when you acquire the target, close one eye. Doesn't take much pratice to get it down. Don't be surprised after you close one eye you unconsciously end up with both eyes opened and a dead target.

Magic Dot was designed to correct cross dominance, double vision, ghost imaging, and hand/eye coordination problems for shooters

This video "Sporting Clays 101: Gun Fit, Mount, Stance, Eye Dominance" some may find beneficial.

Clay Target Shooting and Diabetes

I'm thinking Trap is the hardest of the clay target sports to shoot with falling sugar levels.  After the first shot is fired no letup for fifteen minutes. In sporting and skeet you have time to make things right.

If my sugar level is not at 100 or above when I take the field I take a sugar tablet. Two if my sensor shows a dropping level. Checking it after every 25. 

The proper edicate is to set your reader or phone on vibrate when you're using a sensor.

If your not using a sensor you need your testing equipment with your gear and ready to go, not in the vehicle.

* Sugar tablets have 3 carbs.

2009 - Marcel Vallencourt - 1st 100 Straight - 20 Gauge

2009 NSSA Skeet - Palatka Skeet -  Palatka, Florida - February 8, 2009

Flashback 2013 Olympic Trap @ Club l'Acadie

Olympic Bunker Trap - Club de tir l'Acadie (Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Québec)

YouTube Short

Cross dominance, double vision, ghost imaging

Cross-eye dominance.

A discussion about eye dominance issues got me thinking about the years I shot registered skeet, not uncommon to see right hand shooters with a small patch on the left lens. The provided link will explain it better then I can, but some had to move the patch to different locations until they felt they had it located correctly. Used in all shooting sports but for me most noticeable used by NSSA skeet shooters.

Also, for those who just can't shoot with both eyes open (even after a couple of years). Start with both eyes open and when you acquire the target, close one eye. Doesn't take much pratice to get it down. Don't be surprised after you close one eye you unconsciously end up with both eyes opened and a dead target.

Magic Dot

La Roue du Roy 2027 NSCA Shoot Dates

La Roue du Roy (Hemmingford, Quebec).  Non-NSCA members welcomed! 

YouTube Short - Rabbits - Dead the Pair

YouTube Short - Rabbits - Dead the Pair

Skeet - 25 Straight - Simon Galarneau

Skeet - 25 Straight - Simon Galarneau

YouTube Short - Vermont Championship Trap Doubles

YouTube Short - Vermont Championship Trap Doubles 

YouTube Short - Green Mountain Open 5-Stand 2026

YouTube Short - Green Mountain Open 5-Stand 2026