First Shotgun Recommendation - Beretta 1301 VS. ???

DerScharfSchutze

DerScharfSchutze

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Hi All,

I wanted to get some knowledge and experience from the CGN community.

I am going to buy my first shotgun, and I did my research and watched/read dozens of reviews from different people, US and Canadian, and I was set on the Beretta 1301 Tac. But now I am not so sure (also they seem to be sold out everywhere!).

I am looking at something mostly for the range, perhaps some small game hunting (If I can convince my wife to cook what I catch!), I prefer semi-auto, but am not against pump action, and also like a shorter barrel (18.5" - 23"), and I would like to stay under $2k.

I was initially looking at the Turknelli's, but have decided against it, because it seems to lose performance in long term testing as well as some tests show 10% FTE, or at least that is what I have seen/read. But I am open to owners comments.

Let me know your recommendations, and if you think the 1301 is a solid choice. Also, where is a good store to buy from (I live in SE Ontario)?
 
I was also hung up between the 1301 and the M4, I ended up splurging and getting an m4 no regrets here.
 
Beretta 1301 comp. i love mine. No break in required. Never misses a beat. I thought about the tactical, but I hate ghost ring sights. The comps are readily available. Mine has the 21” barrel
 
If you can go 2k, get a quality gun to start and dont compromise. The 1301 tactical $2k Prophet River has one left or an M2 Field 21" $1785. M2 tacticals are around. Add a nordic components extension and other parts later if you want.

If you can go $2250, the 1301 Competition Pro 21" is worth considering if you value things like Kick Off and optimized loading gate etc
 
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1301 is very light great shotgun,benelli m2 is also very light,i like light shotguns as i used them for hunting also and have to carry them for long periods,both in your price range.
 
I have a 1301 comp 21" barrel and love it. Very light very fast extremely reliable. I shoot mostly 7/8oz or 1oz skeet loads. It shoots slugs very well too. All in all a great gun. Being a gasser means it can be shot even if not on your shoulder where as some inertia guns have issues. The comp has risen in price to $1850 plus tax and I've read another price increase is soon to hit all beretta holdings so it'll likely go up again
 
If your going benelli go M4, one just popped up on GP for 2k. Our local LGS has a 1301 however the stoeger price hike is in effect as of Feb. 2k minimum for the 1301 now.

For what it is worth the 1301 is lighter, side by side the 1301 takes my vote. If you were to go with the M4 it gives you the ARGO system vs the inertia setup found in the mentioned above M2.
 
When the 1301 came out, it completely won me over. I've had plenty of time on the m4, but loved the balance and speed of the 1301. That said, it is hard to beat a pump gun, especially if looking for versatility as mentioned.

If looking for a first to be used as the range or hunting, I'd get a solid 870 and a couple barrels to match. People seem to all want a 14 inch gun eventually, so I'd grab a Remington Tac 14, a 26 inch barrel for hunting, whatever buttstock you want, and then spend the rest on ammo. Nothing beats time behind a shotgun.

I should also mention that I never bought a 1301, and price was never the issue. I just had everything I needed with my Lego guns ;)
 
John Farnam posted this back in January:

Some years ago, Beretta’s 1201 tactical shotgun was superseded by the 1301. The 1301 has now been superseded by the “A300/Patrol.” This new shotgun is the one you want!

<https://defense-training.com/2023-shot-show-third-day/>
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OP, I strongly recommend a Beretta 1301 with removable chokes for what you're talking about. For a new shotgunner (and since you have the budget for it), a high quality gas operated semiauto is superior. And for field use, the 1301 is clearly superior to the Benelli M4.

You could also consider a Remington Versamax or V3 in tactical formats, but those are probably harder to find than the 1301 right now.

Whatever you buy, make sure you budget plenty for ammunition and any accessories you'll need/want.
 
The one thing I didn’t like about the benelli is the break in. Some people say they didn’t need it, others have said they needed to put 100-150 hot loads through it. At my age weight is also an issue. For a range toy, I couldn’t justify to myself the extra $1k at that time. At that time that was equal to 10 full flats of shells
 
rajczak_kashka said:
Benelli M4 is the standard for semi auto tac shotguns. Spend the few hun extra and get Benelli as opposed to Beretta.
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It's typically an extra $1000, and the Benelli isn't really better other than maybe in high round count longevity.
 
DerScharfSchutze said:
I am going to buy my first shotgun, and I did my research and watched/read dozens of reviews from different people, US and Canadian, and I was set on the Beretta 1301 Tac. But now I am not so sure (also they seem to be sold out everywhere!).

I am looking at something mostly for the range, perhaps some small game hunting (If I can convince my wife to cook what I catch!), I prefer semi-auto, but am not against pump action, and also like a shorter barrel (18.5" - 23"), and I would like to stay under $2k.
Click to expand...

1) You might want to spend some time at the range... if you're nice to people, they'll let you play with their shotgun (and tell you what they like/don't like about it)
2) Learn to cook
 
dogzilla said:
Beretta 1301 comp. i love mine. No break in required. Never misses a beat. I thought about the tactical, but I hate ghost ring sights. The comps are readily available. Mine has the 21” barrel
Click to expand...

Thanks everyone for your input, it has been very helpful.

@dogzilla - Any benefits to the 21" barrel rather than 18.5"? I know that shorter tactical barrels are for ease of movement in tight quarters, but anything else?
 
Just dropped the hammer on a 21" 1301 comp yesterday. Can't comment beyond that because I don't have it yet, but it seemed to check all the boxes on my list. Hopefully it will be suitable for various uses, but primarily on my backyard range.
 
vancouverbc said:
If you can go 2k, get a quality gun to start and dont compromise. The 1301 tactical $2k Prophet River has one left or an M2 Field 21" $1785. M2 tacticals are around. Add a nordic components extension and other parts later if you want.

If you can go $2250, the 1301 Competition Pro 21" is worth considering if you value things like Kick Off and optimized loading gate etc
Click to expand...

I have also looked at the M2's, though comparable, I find many reviewers prefer the 1301. However, alot can be said for your own feel, and liking what you like. I will take a cool at the 1301 Pro 21" as well. Thanks.
 
brybenn said:
I have a 1301 comp 21" barrel and love it. Very light very fast extremely reliable. I shoot mostly 7/8oz or 1oz skeet loads. It shoots slugs very well too. All in all a great gun. Being a gasser means it can be shot even if not on your shoulder where as some inertia guns have issues. The comp has risen in price to $1850 plus tax and I've read another price increase is soon to hit all beretta holdings so it'll likely go up again
Click to expand...

Thanks for our input, much appreciated.

Ugh! Price increases, drive me crazy. I was in the US a few months back, and stopped in to Cabela's. Not only did they have a huge selection of things IN-STOCK, but everything was 1/2 the price in USD. When I told the guy at the counter these things are typically double the price in Canada, he responded, "How do you afford to shoot?" Good question my man!
 
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