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The elegant Beretta A303 12-gauge or 20-gauge semi-automatic gas-operated shotgun was an engineering marvel in its day. Now it’s perhaps been surpassed in some ways, but because of its beauty and intrinsic goodness, it remains popular and retains a devoted following.

Among other features, the gun made extensive use stainless steel and alloy. The alloy receiver was decorated simply and elegantly and given a glare-cutting satin finish. Corners were chamfered to permit sliding one’s fingers more easily toward the trigger. The forend and stock were both wood and also given a gloss finish. Both were classically beautiful, with near voluptuous contours and fine hand-cut checkering enclosed by decorative pennant surrounds on both forend and the grip.

The 24” and 32” nickel chrome moly steel barrels were interchangeable and ported; the A303 could use both 2-3/4” or Magnum chamber 3” barrels.

The A303 could handle a variety of loads without needing any adjustment. A recoil spring excelled at damping firing vibration. And the gas system had only one moving part: the piston. The net result? The gun was accurate, stable and exhibited little recoil.

Its three Mobilchoke SP choke tubes were interchangeable and screwed into the barrel maintaining the integrity of the gun’s elegant lines. Screwing them in also assured accurate tube to choke alignment.

The trigger group assembly was beautifully made, black with gold accents for the trigger and safety. It was held in place by just one pin making removing for maintenance very easy.

The gun safety was just above the top of the trigger guard. Some A303s had an optional cut-off permitting one to lock the breech bolt open to change loads (i.e. replace a chambered shell) while cutting off the magazine’s shell feed.

Configuration included spacers for an easily adjustable stock drop. The gun was easy to maintain and clean and the magazine was easy to load or unload.

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