Please be gentle lol. New to shot guns. I have tried searching around on the threads and can't find much in the way of info on this for multi use. I am the type of guy that has no problem spending money on something that will last, hopefully a lifetime and give me little issues. I would rather get one rifle that will do it all vs getting a 12 guage and then a 4 10 or 20 guage. I more or less have my heart set on a beretta 1301 comp pro, likely the 21 inch. Out of the box it seems to have everything I could possibly want in a shot gun.... 5 + 1, large loading port, few issues with different loads, rapid fire, etc etc. I just want to ensure it will be the best tool for the job. My primary use would be for partridge with a good turkey choke for a nice tight pattern and of course plugged for 2 + 1 <which is why I like what they have done for fast loading>. I would also want it for black bears <if required>, as they have gotten increasingly bold when it comes to humans at my camp, I would likely do a fair amount of target shooting and a little bit of clay pigeon. I would love to hear people's thoughts and insights, especially those that actually have the 1301 comp pro and what they are using it for if anything besides target. Thoughts on the 21 vs 24 inch barrel and different chokes would also be appreciated. Thanks in advance for sharing your knowledge with me.
Beretta 1301 comp pro - do it all work horse? Yay or nay?
- Thread starter metcalfr
- Start date
chocol8thunda
Regular
I have the 1301 comp 21". It's great. The only difference with the pro, as far as I know is the receiver is anodized blue and the stock have some recoil #### in it. That's it. Worth the extra cost? I don't think so. I've put a Mesa Tactical Truckee forend on mine. Looking at Mesa Tactical LEO Gen 2 stock adapter or the Urbino stock. As for an optic, not sure yet. Might install an Acro S on the rib or get the Vortex shotgun sight red dot. As for chokes, I've only bought a Full extended choke. Don't need a key to remove it. Stoeger Canada has the best deals I be found for chokes for the 1301. I'd go with a 21" barrel. Not to long, but long enough for hunting. Put an extended choke and you can gain an inch.
They are great shotguns. There are a few differences between the Pro and regular. The Kickoff stock which adds a little weight but makes shooting even softer, improved shell release, improved shell lifter that stays up allowing faster reloads, nicer foregrip, and it comes with 3 extended chokes. The negative is the blue receiver. You can buy all these upgraded parts and add them to a regular Comp and make it a Pro, in black, but that's more expensive that just buying a blue Pro. 24" might swing a little nicer, but I still prefer the 21".
You are thinking like most people new to shotguns, they are attracted to the tactical models, because of looks or image. The truth is, that most people that purchase tactical shotguns, start out shooting stationary targets, then the novelty wears off, because it gets boring fast. Then at some point, they purchase a longer barreled ahotgun to hunt birds, or to shoot clays, and the tactical model spends most of the time sitting in a safe unused.
commissar_lubi
CGN Regular
I use my 1301 pretty much the way you envision it. In fact, I mainly use it for clay shooting and grouse hunting. Blasting buckshot and slugs at the range gets repetitive fast imo; though it's bound to be way more fun on crown land!
I run the shorter 1301 Tactical with a red dot and I'm able to do pretty well in general. Provided you pattern/zero your shotgun with its red dot, the system works well for sniping bird heads.
I run the shorter 1301 Tactical with a red dot and I'm able to do pretty well in general. Provided you pattern/zero your shotgun with its red dot, the system works well for sniping bird heads.
I have the "tactical" (stupidly overused word) model and it has cycled everything I fed it. The 1301 in general is an excellent shotgun, and for your stated uses the pro may be the way to go. Im sure you can google some results showing shot patterns between barrel lengths. 24 may be better for skeet shooting though.
I have the 1301 Comp pro with 21” barrel. I have shot clays with it but find it too short. Much prefer my A400 xcel with 32” barrel for clays. If you’re going to do some clays shooting and are set on the 1301, get the 24” barrel version.
When I hunt partridge I prefer a more open choke, regardless of barrel length. I don’t see it as a good clays or hunting shotgun. More of an action shooting shotgun I’d say. It is a very soft shooter though.
- Location
- ON, North of GTA
I have had both a 1301 Tac and a 21" Comp and find myself grabbing the Comp more often.
Shoot steel, clays range trash with it and it never disappoints.
I put the Pro lifter in it, other than that the pro doesn't seem worth the extra spend. You do get 3 chokes with the pro but Casey at Tacord has us covered for those with truLock chokes.
Shoot steel, clays range trash with it and it never disappoints.
I put the Pro lifter in it, other than that the pro doesn't seem worth the extra spend. You do get 3 chokes with the pro but Casey at Tacord has us covered for those with truLock chokes.
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They are ideal for self defence, from humans or dangerous game , or for military/tactical applications. They can also be well suited for hunting big game with slugs. Most provinces don't allow unplugged shotguns for any bird hunting, and you can't load more than two rounds for skeet, trap, or sporting clays. And the short barrels are actually banned on many trap, skeet, or sporting clays fields.
21” would be a little easier to transport and carry, 24” might be marginally better for shooting flying targets. Don’t listen to folks who say you have no chance of hitting a bird or a clay with a short barrel. It’ll be harder but not impossible.
Worth noting that while you can do all those things with a 1301, you’ll never quite have the right tool for the job. It’s a bit short for upland bird and clay pigeons, it’s a bit too long for a camp gun, and it lacks the reliability of a manual action shotgun if you have to use it against bears.
FWIW, a multi-barrel pump shotgun combo may be a better fit here. Something like a Benelli Nova or a Mossberg 500 where you can quickly swap barrels based on your application. Roll with an 18.5” barrel around camp and in the woods, throw on the 26” barrel when it’s time to hunt or shoot clays.
Worth noting that while you can do all those things with a 1301, you’ll never quite have the right tool for the job. It’s a bit short for upland bird and clay pigeons, it’s a bit too long for a camp gun, and it lacks the reliability of a manual action shotgun if you have to use it against bears.
FWIW, a multi-barrel pump shotgun combo may be a better fit here. Something like a Benelli Nova or a Mossberg 500 where you can quickly swap barrels based on your application. Roll with an 18.5” barrel around camp and in the woods, throw on the 26” barrel when it’s time to hunt or shoot clays.
As a do all starter shotgun, I’d honestly say get a mossberg 590 or a Remington 870P, 870 field or 87” wingmaster. Cheap to accessorize with barrels, stocks, etc.
Later if you get into serious goose hunting or 3 gun you can look at performance semi autos, in my opinion.
Later if you get into serious goose hunting or 3 gun you can look at performance semi autos, in my opinion.
I just wanted to say thanks for all of the info thus far. It is much appreciated. I know several ppl mentioned the 1301 as being a tactical, but that isn't the one I am looking at. I am only looking at the 1301 comp pro. I'm not looking for a home defense rifle. I Live in Canada. By the time I got the rifle out of my safe, trigger lock off and something in the chamber I would likely be dead lol. I figured the slightly longer barrel either 21 or 24 would be better for the bird hunting and not get tangled up in the bush with a 28 inch or longer.
Not a super helpful comment considering the content of the thread but just to clarify...
If you have a safe (not cabinet) your gun doesn't have to be trigger locked and the ammunition can be stored together in that same safe.
Carry on
