I just got a Beretta AL391 from gunbroker. In the case are 4 of the Mobilchoke tubes that screw in flush with the barrel and a Mobilchoke manufacturers card. In the barrel is an extended choke tube that says Optima-choke-plus. The barrel doesn't have any markings that seem to designate it as one or the other. I don't have any experience with these chokes, but always read that the Mobilchoke and Optima chokes were not interchangeable. Am I missing something here? If the choke threads in, is it ok to use it?
beretta choke question: Mobilchoke vs Optima-choke-plus
- Thread starter cpc1027
- Start date
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brucaru
Active Member
- Sep 14, 2011
- 150
Does this help:
http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?t=73495
I have an al391 urika 2, it uses the optim plus.
Look at the chokes and pay particular attention to the threads and their location on the choke tube. check if you can, how far down your barrel the threads are located.
All of the chokes in the article are flush fitting chokes
http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?t=73495
I have an al391 urika 2, it uses the optim plus.
Look at the chokes and pay particular attention to the threads and their location on the choke tube. check if you can, how far down your barrel the threads are located.
All of the chokes in the article are flush fitting chokes
I'm reasonably sure that I have both types of chokes in the case. They both thread into the barrel and the threads look similar. The threads start at the very top of the barrel if that matters. Here's a picture of the optima plus and one of the mobilchokes.
brucaru
Active Member
- Sep 14, 2011
- 150
I see the engraving on the extended tube says plus. The other tube looks like a mobile?
try this link from Beretta: enter serial number to match choke tune tube to gun
http://www.beretta.com/en-us/choke-tube-selector/?_ga=1.120764232.1913353780.1477535147
let me know if it works out
try this link from Beretta: enter serial number to match choke tune tube to gun
http://www.beretta.com/en-us/choke-tube-selector/?_ga=1.120764232.1913353780.1477535147
let me know if it works out
doggyjacket
Ultimate Member
Yup, came here to say look up the serial number on the website and it will tell you.
http://www.berettasupport.com/applications/tech_data/schematics_search_2.htm
There may also be some weird reason for both chokes in the case, you could always send the seller a question or if you ever go up to Prince George's Trap and Skeet, they are an authorized Beretta dealer and may have someone who can help.
Also...
http://www.berettasupport.com/applications/tech_data/schematics_search_2.htm
There may also be some weird reason for both chokes in the case, you could always send the seller a question or if you ever go up to Prince George's Trap and Skeet, they are an authorized Beretta dealer and may have someone who can help.
Also...
fabsroman
Ultimate Member
They are both the same choke tube. Whether they are both Optima or the one engraved Optima Plus is engraved incorrectly is the question. I am attaching a pic of two chokes tubes. One is a Briley Mod Mobilchoke that I use in my 1994 Beretta 682 Super Trap, my 1996 Beretta 686 Onyx, and my 1997 Benelli SBE. The other, which is longer, is an Optima IC extended choke that I use in my 2002 Beretta 391 Teknys, 2002 Beretta 682 Gold, and a couple other newer shotguns.
The Optima measures 2.6" from the bottom of the choke to the top of the threads. Mobilchoke is 2.0" from the bottom of the choke to the top of the threads. If you have calipers with a slide on the end, you can measure how far down the barrel until you hit the lip that the choke tube rests on.
The Optima measures 2.6" from the bottom of the choke to the top of the threads. Mobilchoke is 2.0" from the bottom of the choke to the top of the threads. If you have calipers with a slide on the end, you can measure how far down the barrel until you hit the lip that the choke tube rests on.
Attachments
fabsroman
Ultimate Member
Alright, the difference between the Mobilchoke and the Optima Plus choke is the diameter of the bore. Mobilchokes have the tightest bore size, followed by Optima Plus, followed by Optima. The Optima choke tube is mainly used on competition guns. The Optima Plus is currently used on hunting guns. The Mobilchoke is not used in 12 gauge guns anymore. I find it hard to believe that the Optima Choke Plus will have the same threads and the same length as the Mobilchoke.
You need to do as the others have suggested, and check to see what tubes the gun takes.
http://estore.beretta.com/en-eu/documents/beretta-choke-tubes-identification-suggestions/
You need to do as the others have suggested, and check to see what tubes the gun takes.
http://estore.beretta.com/en-eu/documents/beretta-choke-tubes-identification-suggestions/
fabsroman
Ultimate Member
Look at the photo at the bottom of this page. It also explains the difference between the Mobil and Optima Plus. The answer to your question is that you should not use the wrong tube in the gun, even if it screws in. If the gun was made before 2003, chances are it uses a Mobilchoke. Good luck.
http://www.choketube.com/customer-service-details.php?Choke-Tube-Information-3
http://www.choketube.com/customer-service-details.php?Choke-Tube-Information-3
Thanks for all of the responses.
We've confirmed to definitely not use different chokes in the same barrel. The serial number lookup says that the shotgun has a 2002 date of manufacture and is supposed to be a mobilchoke barrel. That, combined with the 4 mobilchokes and the mobilchoke info card in the case, seems like pretty convincing evidence that it is a mobilchoke system. I can't measure the lip in the barrel until I get home tonight, but I'll check that too.
One more wrinkle: Is the serial number on the barrel supposed to match the one on the receiver? I can't remember what the barrel serial number is, but I know it isn't the same as the one on the receiver. Maybe the previous owner changed barrels?
Assuming it is definitely mobilchoke, that leaves the random optima-plus choke. The choke descriptions sound like a true optima-plus choke should have threads that engage below the top of the barrel, so that makes me think that this was an engraving mistake. However, I'd be really upset if I screw up my new gun, so absent a definitive ID the choke, I'm leaning towards playing it safe and just leaving that choke alone.
We've confirmed to definitely not use different chokes in the same barrel. The serial number lookup says that the shotgun has a 2002 date of manufacture and is supposed to be a mobilchoke barrel. That, combined with the 4 mobilchokes and the mobilchoke info card in the case, seems like pretty convincing evidence that it is a mobilchoke system. I can't measure the lip in the barrel until I get home tonight, but I'll check that too.
One more wrinkle: Is the serial number on the barrel supposed to match the one on the receiver? I can't remember what the barrel serial number is, but I know it isn't the same as the one on the receiver. Maybe the previous owner changed barrels?
Assuming it is definitely mobilchoke, that leaves the random optima-plus choke. The choke descriptions sound like a true optima-plus choke should have threads that engage below the top of the barrel, so that makes me think that this was an engraving mistake. However, I'd be really upset if I screw up my new gun, so absent a definitive ID the choke, I'm leaning towards playing it safe and just leaving that choke alone.
Yup, came here to say look up the serial number on the website and it will tell you.
http://www.berettasupport.com/applications/tech_data/schematics_search_2.htm
There may also be some weird reason for both chokes in the case, you could always send the seller a question or if you ever go up to Prince George's Trap and Skeet, they are an authorized Beretta dealer and may have someone who can help.
Also...
Here are a few:
fabsroman
Ultimate Member
The Optima Plus and Mobilchoke appear to be the same thread and length. Only difference is the wall thickness.
DO NOT use the Optima Plus choke in your firearm if it is made for Mobilchokes. It is not an engraving error.
Tracker
Active Member
Found this tidbit on Berettas site
The Optima barrels can be identified by locating the letters “OB” stamped next to the barrel gauge stamp. Barrels marked with the "OB" stamp will use the Optima-Choke system.
The Optima barrels can be identified by locating the letters “OB” stamped next to the barrel gauge stamp. Barrels marked with the "OB" stamp will use the Optima-Choke system.
RwWilly
Active Member
nice pictures! Beautiful gun and case. Beretta is sweet!
The more I read, I think you're right. One of the pictures looked like the Optima-plus was supposed to engage threads below the crown of the muzzle, but other pictures look like the two choke types have the same thread configuration.
I'm definitely not going to use the Optima-choke, so now the only question is: if the previous owner was using the wrong choke, are there any signs of damage that I should look for? I don't see any obvious distortion, discoloring, or other damage on the barrel, but I'm not sure exactly what I should be looking for.
fabsroman
Ultimate Member
The thing I would be looking for is a bulge in the barrel right where the choke tube meets the inside of the barrel. Using the thicker walled choke tube would add additional pressure/stress to the barrel that could cause a bulge in the barrel. Run your fingers up and down the first 5 or 6 inches of the muzzle end of the barrel and see if you can feel any deviation along the way.
That's what I was thinking. I don't feel any bulges, and I even ran my caliper along the barrel to make sure there weren't any, so I think I'm good to go. Thanks for your help!
