Beretta A400 Extreme Plus VS. Browning Maxus 2 | Shotgun Showdown

shotgun review shotgun showdown Aug 04, 2021

Here it is folks - the first-ever SHOTGUN SHOWDOWN. I’ve gotten a lot of requests to cover these shotguns and today I’m going to be putting them head to head. The A400 Extreme Plus and Maxus 2 are both great guns but there can only be one winner of a Shotgun Showdown. At the end of this video, I will share which shotgun I would choose.

The Browning Maxus 2 has an MSRP of $1899 for the camo versions and $2069 for the Wicked Wing Edition I used in this video. Reeds has the Maxus 2 3.5" camo listed for $1679.99 and the Wicked Wing edition for $1749.99 (shop for the Maxus 2 at Reeds Sports)

The Xtreme Plus has an MSRP $1,849. I got this Extreme Plus from Reeds Sports and they have camo options online for $1749.99 (shop for the A400 Extreme Plus at Reeds Sports).

The Video includes the full head to head Shotgun Showdown of the Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus vs the Browing Maxus 2 but if you prefer to read about it, below is a quick summary.

Quick Specs

Browning Maxus 2

12 gauge
3.5" chamber (also available in 3")
28" Barrell (also available in 26")
7.2lbs (3.5") 7.0lbs (3")
Length of Pull 14 7/16" Out of the Box. The composite stock has a straight heel section that makes it easy for a gunsmith to shorten the length of pull up to 3/4" and refit the Inflex Technology recoil pad.
Drop at Comb 1 3/4" (Adjustable with provided shims)
Drop at Heel 2"

Beretta A400 Extreme Plus

12 gauge
3.5" chamber
26", 28", or this 30" Steelium Barrell (Come with Optima Choke HP System and comes with 5 extended chokes)
8lbs
Length of Pull 14 1/2" Out of the Box, with removable 1/2 inch spacer, and additional 1" spacer to get up to 15" length of pull
Drop at Comb 1 1/2" (Adjustable with provided shims)
Drop at Heel 2 1/2"

Ergonomics/Look & Feel

Browning Maxus 2

The Maxus 2 really shines when it comes to its egonomics.

Feels great in the hands and is well balanced
Rubber over-molding for a great grip
Oversized charging handle and bolt release for easy operating
Quick load feature - I probably wouldn't use this much but it's a neat feature if you use it.
Large tricker guard - If you're going to be shooting with gloves on, the trigger guard had plenty of room.
Loading ramp on the front of the trigger guard
Bored out loading port - This is something I love, there is nothing worse than beating up your fingers loading your gun. Loading the Maxus 2 is a breeze.
Forearm cap - Option to add an extended magazine tube

Beretta A400 Extreme Plus

Very nicely balanced in the hands
Rubber inlays are great (Pistol grip is a bit wider than I prefer)
Oversized charging handle and bolt release are smooth - the bolt release is very soft and easy to utilize
Forearm cap is great - comes off with a single twist
Reversible cross-bolt safety in front of the trigger - I prefer rear mounted safety's
Loading port is milled and very nice - magazine tube has a green cap to ensure that the gun is empty

Trigger

Browning Maxus 2

5 lbs 9 oz Average
Crisp trigger with little travel. Feels great!

Beretta A400 Extreme Plus

5lbs 1.8oz (Average)
Crisp trigger with some travel - Feels decent
Trigger guard is a bit smaller than I prefer - still very solid

Quality of Build

Browning Maxus 2

I always look at the quality of the build relative to the price. Everything on the Maxus 2 comes together nicely and is tight, what you would expect for a gun at this price point.
Nickel Teflon coating on the bolt, bolt slide, shell carrier, bolt release and bolt handle protect, add lubricity, and make it easier to clean.
Burnt Bronze Cerakote camo receiver finish, Burnt Bronze Cerakote barrel finish looks great and will be very durable

Beretta A400 Extreme Plus

I always look at the quality of the build relative to the price. The Xtreme Plus overall lives up to the price point
Steelium barrel is drilled, reamed, and cold hammer forged. The forcing cone is also longer (14") and is more typical in competition guns.
7x7 Stepped rib
Nice steel mid bead
Drilled and tapped to receive picatinny rail
Very nice tolerances - only comment would be on a little bit of squeeze in the forearm, but nothing to serious

Ease of Breakdown

Browning Maxus 2

Relatively simple to break down for a full cleaning.
No shortage of parts.

Beretta A400 Extreme Plus

Very simple to break down for a gas gun.
This forearm cap makes breakdown even faster.
Love the one pin design to take of the trigger group

Recoil

Browning Maxus 2

Very light recoil from target loads to 3.5" loads.

Beretta A400 Extreme Plus

This gun sports the Kick-Off recoil reduction system and claims 70% reduction
The stock has a rubber inlay that actually flexes when you shoot, reducing recoil even further
No problems whatsoever when shooting 3" Target loads.
3 1/2" rounds were (obviously) more noticeable, but I think it handled them well and cycled just fine. The only issue I had was that the felt recoil was much more noticible on my cheek.

Reliability

Browning Maxus 2

After a few hundred rounds, I believe this shotgun is ultra-reliable and will run for a long time without issue (when you shoot with the gun against your shoulder 😉)

Beretta A400 Extreme Plus

From the shoulder, this gun handled pretty much everything I threw at it. It even took 3 1/2" rounds from the hip just fine

Speed Shooting

Browning Maxus 2

I love to shoot fast and this gun does that well. I was able to quickly shoot 3 hand thrown clays in 1.17 seconds although I did have some cycling issues. I would like to get my hands on a 3" model and see if I can run it any faster.

Beretta A400 Extreme Plus

I was able to accomplish shooting 3 hand thrown clays at 1.17 seconds. This gun is fast and it cycled great.

In summary, I definitely enjoyed shooting both the A400 Extreme Plus and the Browning Maxus 2. Both would be great guns to have in the blind, but since this is a Shotgun Showdown I have to choose just one.