re: Benelli M2 or Beretta A400

Feel like I'm fully qualified to address the OP's request:

Have always been beretta fan boy, bought my first 390 in '96 and still shoot it for clays and doves. Have owned the Xtrema2 then eventually sold for the A400 Xtreme. Realized I'm just not shooting 3.5" shells much any more and went ahead and dipped my toe in the inertia realm, bought an M2 three seasons ago, but kept the A400 on standby in event the new gig went south.

Poor A400 never left the closet and finally brought myself to sell it to someone who will use it last fall.

I make usually 30 regular season hunts a season and 8 teal season hunts. To me the M2 is more like a tool than a fancy gun, even though it's by no means cost friendly. It just works and love the simpler action, crisper feel on firing and less parts to maintain/lubricate.

It's an absolute waterfowler's workhorse, so long as you're not full-on ruhtard and think you've got to be shooting 3.5's. Good luck this season, you can't go wrong either way, the above is just my experience with them.