I recently purchased my 1301 Tactical at a $1,600 price point back in November with the added extension tube and a Costa Mesa Tactical Urbino Pistol Grip stock installed. While I could have gone without the pistol grip stock, and actually want to try installing the factory stock, I still have been impressed with every penny put into the purchase. That was until I saw the Tiger Striped A300 Patrol. The good news is, I managed to convince a good friend that since he IS currently on the market for a shotgun, and while he was thoroughly in love with my 1301, he could certainly save a few bucks, stay in the Beretta lineup, and have some badass looking Tiger Stripe on it. This was a great review confirming what I suspected, that while I have the hot Italian thoroughbred, My friend will have just as pleasurable a time with her American born Tennessean sister. He has already put down a deposit and both of us are eagerly awaiting our own burn down session. I will admit, never in my years growing up did I think I could find myself in a poly-amorous relationship with two Italian sisters, but as they say, Life is Good.
The 2 3/4 comes from the length of the hull before it is crimped. Most us companies like federal uses a star crimp which gives you a shorter overall length and greater capacity sometimes as compared to the roll crimp which gives you a longer OAL
Not necessarily true, I have a M4LE and I can only get 6 2 3/4”federal buckshots in the 7 shot tube sometimes and for some reason the Hornadys can fit all 7 in the tube ? aswell as Remington 2 3/4 maybe some factories are not cutting correctly that shit gets annoying when you have literally a couple mm just like he showed in the video and you can get that shit to fit in there maybe a little bit of KY would help it ? 😂 but that shit is irritating as hell.
Sounds like a stacking tolerance problem. Any one shell can be manufactured to within tolerances, but when several of them near or at their tolerance limits (in this case, the spec for OAL), they won't fit (into a tube that may be on the short end of its tolerance for shortest OAL). This might explain why shells of differing manufacturing technique can both have the same problem, esp. if it's intermittent, with some manufacturing lots being troublesome, and other not.
@@matthewbeaver5026 maybe but I’ve had the same issue in a couple high end semi autos one was my M4Le it wasn’t able to fit the 7th 2 3/4 we tried and tried and my Benelli has seen 10s of thousands shells from low brass to high brass 3in magus! And it just spits them out like a toddler in a high chair lol 😂
I've owned my a300 ultima patrol for less than a week and am completely awed by they joy of shooting it! I've for several years wanted to purchase a 1301, but just couldn't bring myself to pull the trigger. Once I saw all the rave reviews, I was prepared to go for this wonderful gun. I seriously considered the Mossberg 940 Pro, but being a Beretta fan, the choice was easy. Also, I topped it off with a Holosun HE510c green and highly recommend them. Thanks for the final push, James!
I'd like to see Beretta release the furniture for the 1301 in its colorways. I think I'd prefer the QD point on the stock on the side too, like an AR stock.
Sadly with the Tiger Stripe version, Beretta says that putting the hook n loop patch on the side of the receiver could possibly remove/damage the finish, "use at your own discretion"
I own a 1301 and I love it. Maybe if I had gorilla arms I could maximize the use of the 1301's more rapid fire. But I don't so I can't. I think most people who want a combat shotgun will be plenty happy with the A300. Especially since it comes with a few features you have to ADD to the 1301 on top of its already Gucci price.
One of the reasons I think you're having issues with the European buckshot is that the casing is rolled instead of star crimped like most in the US are. The rolled makes the shell just a bit longer than the average shell size and makes the capacity ultimately 1 shell shorter in most mag tubes due to the last one sticking out just enough to not enter fully. One solution is to be sure to only use star crimped shells, but with prices like they are it may not be good for your wallet. Another way would be to get an extender for the tube, or switch out the spring with a looser one that could allow the shells to smoosh in the tube a little more.
James, I would like to see both shotguns laid side by side. I understand that the receiver is longer on the Patrol, so how does the overall length compare?
For a real evaluation of the two Hop and you take the 1301 and th3 A300 on the course with Clint with both weapons going head to head and you each do each match using each weapon and you both give you honest opinion on both platforms. If you really want to mix it up throw in the Mossberg to really show what is the best of the best.
'The three most fun things to slap next to Mons Venus' The sheer class and alacrity with which this was said just made my morning. You are truly a gentleman and a scholar, Mr. Reeves. Carry on 🖤
I had a nightmare with my 1301. Out of the box, the barrel was not aligned correctly in the barrel extension such that the front sight post was off to the side and the the mag tube and barrel were not parallel. The gas block being twisted was my biggest concern as the piston would not ride properly on the mag tube, causing it to wear faster. Beretta said it had to go back for warranty repair so I ship it off to them. Eight months and lots of phone calls later, they tell me it needs a new barrel…well Duh, I could have told them that. Next problem is that barrels are on back order. Four months later, yeah, that’s right, a year after shipping it back, I get it back, open the box, and the alignment is even worse than with the original barrel (that I had asked to get back since it had the original serial number, but they kept it). Back on the phone and this time they agree to let me keep the gun and just send me a new barrel. A month or so later I get another barrel, slap it in, and the sight post is welded to the end of the barrel off center…at least the gas block is aligned correctly so I don’t feel bad shooting it. Back on the phone with Beretta again and another barrel is on the way. I get the next barrel a month later, throw it in, and finally everything is aligned correctly. Never mind that the end of the sight post looks like it was struck with a chisel several times and some dimpling on the inner surface of the post that looks like someone put a bar in there to twist it. At least everything is straight now. Anyways, four barrels and 14 months later, my 1301 is fixed as much as it’s going to get. So check your 1301 for proper alignment. Take off the fore-end, flip the gun over, and look to make sure the mag tube is parallel with the barrel, and check that your front sight post is vertical. I went to Scheel’s in Sparks, NV where they had at least a dozen 1301s on racks such that anyone could pick them up and inspect. Out of the dozen there, at least half had a front sight post that was not vertical. I couldn’t tell without taking the fore-end off, but I imagine several of those also had the gas block twisted to the side such that the barrel and mag tube were not parallel.
Beretta semi-auto tactical shotguns are definitely the best looking shotguns ever made, and I believe they are by far the best shotguns on market. I have a Mossberg 500 and a Mossberg 590, but Beretta 1301 and A300 are guns without a real competitor. They are simply unmatched. Great review, like always!
@@JonCampo91 I respect only the best. Beretta is 497 years old company, Benelli is 56 year old. Get a calculator to figure out the difference. You have to get a 1301 in your hands to understand the difference in between propaganda and reality.
Do you also have a Mossberg 940? That would be a more accurate comparison with the A300 and I'd be interested to know if your assessment matches James's.
I picked up a LTT 1301 after getting a LTT 92 last year and was blown away! This handgun is nothing like the stock 92FS/M9, in the best ways possible! After being blown away, I figured if they can make the 92 sing like that what could they do with a 1301?! I decided to grab a LTT 1301, and OMG, this shotgun rules!!! It’s my 2nd favorite gun I own. Thank you Ernest Langdon!
The issue with the 7th round not loading: The 2¾" length is the overall length of the hull when fired, not when loaded/crimped. Some ammunition manufacturers load their shotgun to slightly different specs (but the fired hull lengths are always the same), so 8-pellet shell from Federal might be 1⅞" overall when loaded, but a similar load from Winchester might be 2" overall. That's probably why that 7th round won't load in the tube, the manufacturer just loaded their shells a wee bit on the long side.
I think Beretta was listening when you complimented the a300’s furniture. I love everything EXCEPT the cheapo plastic barrel clamp that came on my 1301 mod 2. That thing is gross to look at and I don’t trust it as a mount.
The real comparison we need is the A300 vs the 940. Handled both at NRA, and believe the A300 is what I want, just curious though of any actually performance or handling differences.
I work at a gun shop in SD and we had a honest regular customer buy a pretty nice brand new Berreta shotgun from us. We sold him standard 12 ga winchester 8 shot trap loads to go with it. He took it to the range and within the first few shots the barrel had a bulge that formed a few inches in front of the chamber. This was clearly a factory error with this barrel, we sent the shotgun back to Berreta and they refused to fix it or warranty anything. To say the least we were very disappointed with Berreta and their customer service after this encounter and because of this we no longer recommend them. I was very disappointed myself, as I own many Berreta firearms.
Why would they refuse to fix something so obvious? What was their reason? It just seems ridiculous. They must have given a reason? The obvious and easy fix would be just to replace the barrel or send a new shotgun. Done and done! Customer service is the most important thing when buying an expensive gun. If you can't rely on that then they don't deserve your business. When I hear stories like new defective guns taking months or a year to be warranteed and returned I can't believe that the manufacturers neglect their customers so badly. A good business would make fixing defective guns their highest priority.
They also make them with a black reciever which I was pleased to learn when I saw it in my LGS. I came back a week later and thankfully it was still in stock. (It was very inconspicuously hidden in a side lower rack behind the counter) and I got it. I love this thing so far! Looks great in all black too.
I was all ready to go out and get myself a 1301, but now I think I might hold off. Not to buy this A300 instead, but because this review makes me wonder if Beretta might incorporate some of the better aspects of this A300 into the 1301 in the near future. It seems so bizarre to me that there are multiple aspects of their "cheaper" semi-auto shotgun that are actually BETTER than their flagship 1301. I'm not sure what they were thinking there. Specifically I'm talking about that scalloped-out loading port, polished gate and the better fore end with the built-in M-LOK slots. I just don't understand why their "budget" (if you can call it that) model semi-auto shotgun would have so many improvements over their flagship 1301, and I'm definitely going to be pissed if I go out and buy a 1301 right now and in six months they release a "Mark 2" 1301 with the scalloped loading port (probably the most important of the differences IMO), polished gate and M-LOK fore end. Maybe you could use your "industry insider" sway and relationship with Beretta to find out if they are thinking about adding these features to their 1301 line in the near future? Thanks!
Disappointed by the 1301 tactical. I was standing at the gun store cash in hand ready to buy the 1301 tactical. As soon as I held it I realized it felt cheap and unrefined, honestly it felt like a $500 shotgun. And I walked away from the 1301. I was more impressed by the Remington Versimax.
@247demon cheap? Doubt you were holding a 1301 then. Nothing about the 1301 feels cheap. It's "light" but that's part of the design and what makes it better than say the M4.
I love shotguns, I have the 1301as a number of Mossbergs tacticles and looking to find the Patrol, James can talk all he wants about Turkish shotguns, some of which is true, however after purchasing the M4 clone Panzer, I have to say, one of the best deals on a shotgun I have made. Parts are interchangeable with the M4, gun has shot fantastic right out of the box with every thing I could throw at it. Low brass, high brass, turket shoot, light loads, and a whole lot of buckshot. Fast becoming a common sight at my Gun Club. And all owners speak very highly of them. That said, I do want the Patrol.
It makes me happy to see real competitive options in the sub $1k tactical shotgun market. Might be time to put my trusty 870 LE trade-in out to pasture.
For Me, I like the M-Lok and big flat loading gate on A300 at 6.8 lbs and very balanced with the recoil spring in the stock , the 1301 B-Link system is in the front the faster bolt is so minimal it wasn't worth the extra money to Me. The A300 bolt blow back system is already plenty fast , there are already plenty of after market parts , like the aluminum tube w/knochen in clamp, and a bigger gnarled bolt handle. Mossberg 940 pro was a fat pound heavier
2 quick comments. Btw, love your channel. I’ve learned an incredible amount as a novice shooter. One, I just bought the Patrol, my first shotgun, and went to an all day class yesterday. At first the forend and part by trigger I felt was way too sharp barehanded but seemed to wear down a bit as day went on. I had one esstac 7 cartridge holder but never used it. A simple waist pouch seemed much easier. 2. So glad you said you pinch your thumb. Mine was bleeding from the cuticle after loading a number of times. I have 5.11 gloves but wasn’t using them at first as I thought they’d get in the way. They didn’t and were great. Now if I only knew when we shot slugs from cover to be prepared for a much harder recoil. Lol
Beretta/benelli own stoeger. I wonder how far off the stoeger m3000 tactical is from this. I think it's inertia not gas operated but as a company that makes very high quality "budget" guns it could be an interesting comparison
Your absolutely correct. It's the way they crimp and seal the shell makes it a fraction longer. Whenever I've encountered this in the past I'd just use one less shell as a full load.
@@alfonsomorales5768 Having fired both the Beretta 1301 and Mossberg 940, I say 1301. If I didn't have the 1301, the A300 would be my pick over the Mossberg.
I just picked a Patrol up local and shot her in with the ghost ring sights, dead on out to 50 yards with slugs and wrapped up the bullseye with #1 buck at 15. Ordered and just received a Holosun 507c and sighted in same way with slugs and buckshot, same deal no adjustments dead center at 25 and about 1/2 inch low at 50 with slugs and the buckshot really messed up the center mass on the target at 15. This is an excellent combo for home defense with a light, velcro side saddle and several cards and ready for SHTF if needed.
Say James...since Beretta also owns Stoeger, I'm a damn sight curious to see you burn down an M3K "competition ready" shotgun. It would be interesting to see if Beretta can bring the reliability all the way down to their lower budget guns.
4:51 Ability to change chokes preserves versatile shotgun Multi role function... Allowing the single shotgun to serve you in the field, with birds hot, Or at home, with a defense pattern... Etc etc... Specific chokes, to achieve the desired pattern for the intended purpose.
I've got a black 1301 w/pistol grip sitting in 10-day jail. After seeing this video, I'm thinking of picking an A300 in the tiger stripe, just so I can have a good backup shotgun with a traditional stock.
Red Loctite on grub screws?! Sure if you want to be forced to drill them out, and rethread the sight and receiver if you ever need to take the sight off.
The thing that sucks about the Mossberg 940 tactical that he mentioned is definitely not under $1000 it's well over $1k and they're impossible to find.
While this will inevitably steal some sales from the 1301 its could actually be a good favor for the 1301. They're obviously struggling to keep up with demand on the 1301 which is a good problem to have. However the risk being a drop in quality to try to meet demand. By bringing in another option much cheaper, almost as good, and made in a different plant let alone murica that could help maintain the integrity of the 1301 itself by easing demand and pressure. I still want the 1301 but honestly only because i want the LTT version. If LTT starts playing with the a300 then i could change my mind. Then again the a300 already has some of the features of a tricked 1301 so there may not be much left to gain.
I clicked on this video because I wanted to see your chest rig. I do about the same thing but my mag pouch has velcro to put cards on the front. The three that live there are attached to the bottom of the magazine like SOE or KSG rigs so they can be reloaded without losing them. I run 3, 6 shot cards on front with 3, 9 shot cards in the pouches. I also bought an SOE micro shotgun rig which is "THESHIT" and of course some 25, 18, and 16 shotshell carriers for the belt, chest rig or plate carrier. I also gleaned some good info from your video on that 1301 tactical that I'm creaming over. Thanks for the vid.
I wish the gun had been disassembled and that greater detail was given about the different gas system that is in the patrol model. Otherwise, great video! I really enjoy these “burn down” videos!
In all honesty, I don't think you can get a better bang for your buck than a 940 if you are looking for a semi auto shotgun that will not let you down. Could dress it up M4 style if you want to. It identifies as a Benelli, which is fine now in 2023
I've found that most 3.75 inch shells are just a bit shorter, including federal. The Turkish buck shot seems to be more accurate to the size my 1301 was designed for. I used Federal bird shot during a competition recently and was able to cram an 8th round into the tube. Barely fit but it basically let me ghost load the round on the lifter. So I was able to run 9 rounds in the gun if I did it just right.
Can't go wrong with a Beretta, awesome shotgun great review. I've found a layer of black electrical tape between the hanger and the barrel stops it from moving forward.
James, You Lawyer with a Shotgun! Excellent videos. Nice to see a shotgun running well, not like that Turkish Trash. I will add another gun to my list. Keep up the good work. Ciao!
Hey James, quick heads up,. I am unable to get my Magpul, Daniel Defense and el cheapo Amazon QD sling swivels to lock into the buttstock QD point of my A300 Patrol (Tiger Stripe). I am gonna give the Blue Force Gear QD sling swivels a try. I really don't want to have to trim the plastic from around the mounting points and that will be a last option if at all possible. The Blue Force Gear swivels have a smaller diameter than some of the other brands to Im thinking they will securely mount.
I picked one up for what I thought was a good deal until I got it home and realized that it was the LE model that doesn't come with the cut velcro, nor is the barrel tubed. Not a big deal for what it is, but I would prefer it.
Cool “homemade “ modes. I’ve done things like that on some of my guns. The only problem is if you ever try to sell them you (I) might have problems with people who don’t want those mods.
I was saddened seeing the 1301 has better internals but the 300P has better user interfacing with that HUGE loading well and the dedicated Velcro sticker…. Man beretta Gen3 1301 do the sticker, enlarged mag well.
Take a look at he 1301 carrier and the A300 carrier. The 1301 is much beefier. I also wouldn't be surprised to see the 1301 get the wider loading port in the next stealth upgrade. Berretta is on about the 3rd or 4th version of the 1301.
Just mounted my Holosun on the GG&G mount on my A300 Ultima Patrol, and cards get here tomorrow. Sadly my venerable 11-87 Special Purpose competition gun is gonna retire to the safe now....
Great review, i was wating for this video!!🤩 I istant loved this new Beretta tact-shotgun, and after seeing this review, now i'm sure that i'll buy it as soon as possibile! Thanks TFB-TV, always useful and quality reviews :)🤩 P.s: Italian-made and American-made shotguns are always the best, also some Swiss/German shotguns are cool ,and all of them literaly shits on crappy turkish stuff 🙃🙃
nice ,love that tiger stripe ,,i know it probably sounds not great but id love one with true tiger stripe colours ,i reckon it would look awesome ! great vid again ,i do like watching the burn down on the Turkish shotties ,its alway a good laugh when you get so pissed with it you throw it ,sorry ,but always cracks me up mate ! great vids ,keep up the great content .
The real torture test is James being forced to shoot a sub $1000 gun 😂
Yet he loves Glock and Arex.
@@Osprey1994 Replies to this comment are reserved for hyperbole & hot takes only. No logic allowed 😂
Right!!! It must have been total hell for him!! 😜
@@Osprey1994 Anyone who loves Glock and hates Hi-Point is a hypocrite. Facts sting.
@@dogg92 Shots fired! Pun intended 😂
I recently purchased my 1301 Tactical at a $1,600 price point back in November with the added extension tube and a Costa Mesa Tactical Urbino Pistol Grip stock installed. While I could have gone without the pistol grip stock, and actually want to try installing the factory stock, I still have been impressed with every penny put into the purchase. That was until I saw the Tiger Striped A300 Patrol. The good news is, I managed to convince a good friend that since he IS currently on the market for a shotgun, and while he was thoroughly in love with my 1301, he could certainly save a few bucks, stay in the Beretta lineup, and have some badass looking Tiger Stripe on it. This was a great review confirming what I suspected, that while I have the hot Italian thoroughbred, My friend will have just as pleasurable a time with her American born Tennessean sister. He has already put down a deposit and both of us are eagerly awaiting our own burn down session. I will admit, never in my years growing up did I think I could find myself in a poly-amorous relationship with two Italian sisters, but as they say, Life is Good.
bravo
I have a 1301 stock in black if you want to purchase - brand new - switched mines to the magpul as soon as I took it home
The comparison everyone immediately wanted as soon as the patrol was introduced at shot show and TFBtv delivers!! Thank you James!
The 2 3/4 comes from the length of the hull before it is crimped. Most us companies like federal uses a star crimp which gives you a shorter overall length and greater capacity sometimes as compared to the roll crimp which gives you a longer OAL
Especially if the C-clip that retains the tube spring moves up into the tube cap. Usually let's one extra in, but just barely.
Not necessarily true, I have a M4LE and I can only get 6 2 3/4”federal buckshots in the 7 shot tube sometimes and for some reason the Hornadys can fit all 7 in the tube ? aswell as Remington 2 3/4 maybe some factories are not cutting correctly that shit gets annoying when you have literally a couple mm just like he showed in the video and you can get that shit to fit in there maybe a little bit of KY would help it ? 😂 but that shit is irritating as hell.
Sounds like a stacking tolerance problem. Any one shell can be manufactured to within tolerances, but when several of them near or at their tolerance limits (in this case, the spec for OAL), they won't fit (into a tube that may be on the short end of its tolerance for shortest OAL). This might explain why shells of differing manufacturing technique can both have the same problem, esp. if it's intermittent, with some manufacturing lots being troublesome, and other not.
If it's as close as the example in the video.
Once the spring wears in a little bit it may correct itself.
@@matthewbeaver5026 maybe but I’ve had the same issue in a couple high end semi autos one was my M4Le it wasn’t able to fit the 7th 2 3/4 we tried and tried and my Benelli has seen 10s of thousands shells from low brass to high brass 3in magus! And it just spits them out like a toddler in a high chair lol 😂
Now here is the showdown I want to see. A300 Ultima Patrol vs 940 Pro Tactical. Would love to hear your thoughts on them vs one another.
A300 all day 🔥
This review cost me $1,000!!!!
Thanks James. I've only had a day with the A300 Patrol, but it's exceeded my expectations so far!
Roll crimped shotgun shells tend to be a bit longer than star crimped shells. That might be the difference between getting 6 or 7 in the tube.
Lol I purposely roll crimp my 00 buck a bit shorter so I can fit as many 3"magnums as 2 3/4". They kick a little more with a shorter wad but wtf?
A side by side comparison with the Mberg 940 would be nice!
@@bungalobill7941 really?
I've owned my a300 ultima patrol for less than a week and am completely awed by they joy of shooting it! I've for several years wanted to purchase a 1301, but just couldn't bring myself to pull the trigger. Once I saw all the rave reviews, I was prepared to go for this wonderful gun. I seriously considered the Mossberg 940 Pro, but being a Beretta fan, the choice was easy. Also, I topped it off with a Holosun HE510c green and highly recommend them. Thanks for the final push, James!
I'd like to see Beretta release the furniture for the 1301 in its colorways. I think I'd prefer the QD point on the stock on the side too, like an AR stock.
Sadly with the Tiger Stripe version, Beretta says that putting the hook n loop patch on the side of the receiver could possibly remove/damage the finish, "use at your own discretion"
Don’t scratch or scuff her!
@@swayback7375 Ok, Beretta said that, not me, the glue on the patch seems to mess with the finish over time, and when removed, damages it.
Its a gun
@@betlogenako7193 a shotgun.
I own a 1301 and I love it. Maybe if I had gorilla arms I could maximize the use of the 1301's more rapid fire. But I don't so I can't. I think most people who want a combat shotgun will be plenty happy with the A300. Especially since it comes with a few features you have to ADD to the 1301 on top of its already Gucci price.
While by no means cheap I would not describe the price tag on the 1301 as Gucci
Or just go for 1301 LTT and never look back.
@@recoilrepublic7220 I exaggerate. But I got mine a year ago and it wasn't cheap.
@@EricDaMAJ fair. They are really good guns
One of the reasons I think you're having issues with the European buckshot is that the casing is rolled instead of star crimped like most in the US are.
The rolled makes the shell just a bit longer than the average shell size and makes the capacity ultimately 1 shell shorter in most mag tubes due to the last one sticking out just enough to not enter fully.
One solution is to be sure to only use star crimped shells, but with prices like they are it may not be good for your wallet.
Another way would be to get an extender for the tube, or switch out the spring with a looser one that could allow the shells to smoosh in the tube a little more.
Well said. My auto loaders also don't like the roll crimped shells.
I love smooshing my shell in the tube
James, I would like to see both shotguns laid side by side. I understand that the receiver is longer on the Patrol, so how does the overall length compare?
For a real evaluation of the two Hop and you take the 1301 and th3 A300 on the course with Clint with both weapons going head to head and you each do each match using each weapon and you both give you honest opinion on both platforms. If you really want to mix it up throw in the Mossberg to really show what is the best of the best.
'The three most fun things to slap next to Mons Venus'
The sheer class and alacrity with which this was said just made my morning. You are truly a gentleman and a scholar, Mr. Reeves. Carry on 🖤
Still can't find the G spot though 😂
IYKYK
I had a nightmare with my 1301. Out of the box, the barrel was not aligned correctly in the barrel extension such that the front sight post was off to the side and the the mag tube and barrel were not parallel. The gas block being twisted was my biggest concern as the piston would not ride properly on the mag tube, causing it to wear faster. Beretta said it had to go back for warranty repair so I ship it off to them. Eight months and lots of phone calls later, they tell me it needs a new barrel…well Duh, I could have told them that. Next problem is that barrels are on back order. Four months later, yeah, that’s right, a year after shipping it back, I get it back, open the box, and the alignment is even worse than with the original barrel (that I had asked to get back since it had the original serial number, but they kept it). Back on the phone and this time they agree to let me keep the gun and just send me a new barrel. A month or so later I get another barrel, slap it in, and the sight post is welded to the end of the barrel off center…at least the gas block is aligned correctly so I don’t feel bad shooting it. Back on the phone with Beretta again and another barrel is on the way. I get the next barrel a month later, throw it in, and finally everything is aligned correctly. Never mind that the end of the sight post looks like it was struck with a chisel several times and some dimpling on the inner surface of the post that looks like someone put a bar in there to twist it. At least everything is straight now. Anyways, four barrels and 14 months later, my 1301 is fixed as much as it’s going to get. So check your 1301 for proper alignment. Take off the fore-end, flip the gun over, and look to make sure the mag tube is parallel with the barrel, and check that your front sight post is vertical. I went to Scheel’s in Sparks, NV where they had at least a dozen 1301s on racks such that anyone could pick them up and inspect. Out of the dozen there, at least half had a front sight post that was not vertical. I couldn’t tell without taking the fore-end off, but I imagine several of those also had the gas block twisted to the side such that the barrel and mag tube were not parallel.
Wow
Thanks a lot for the report. In a critical situation the tool has to function properly, otherwise you are cooked.
Beretta semi-auto tactical shotguns are definitely the best looking shotguns ever made, and I believe they are by far the best shotguns on market. I have a Mossberg 500 and a Mossberg 590, but Beretta 1301 and A300 are guns without a real competitor. They are simply unmatched. Great review, like always!
Umm, have you not heard of the Benelli m4? That would be the one the cheap ass berettas don’t hold a candle to.
@@JonCampo91 I respect only the best. Beretta is 497 years old company, Benelli is 56 year old. Get a calculator to figure out the difference. You have to get a 1301 in your hands to understand the difference in between propaganda and reality.
Do you also have a Mossberg 940? That would be a more accurate comparison with the A300 and I'd be interested to know if your assessment matches James's.
@@miroslavm2553 probably the dumbest way to make a comparison about guns developed in the last 30 years.
@@GryphonBrokewing To compare Mossberg 940 with Beretta 1301 would be like compare a Hyndai with Porsche 911.
I picked up a LTT 1301 after getting a LTT 92 last year and was blown away! This handgun is nothing like the stock 92FS/M9, in the best ways possible! After being blown away, I figured if they can make the 92 sing like that what could they do with a 1301?! I decided to grab a LTT 1301, and OMG, this shotgun rules!!! It’s my 2nd favorite gun I own. Thank you Ernest Langdon!
I just turned 18, and the A300 will be the first gun I buy, thanks for the review!
OD Green Tiger Stripes is a MUST.
The issue with the 7th round not loading:
The 2¾" length is the overall length of the hull when fired, not when loaded/crimped. Some ammunition manufacturers load their shotgun to slightly different specs (but the fired hull lengths are always the same), so 8-pellet shell from Federal might be 1⅞" overall when loaded, but a similar load from Winchester might be 2" overall. That's probably why that 7th round won't load in the tube, the manufacturer just loaded their shells a wee bit on the long side.
The A300 is just an evolution of the A390 a great gun, Ive been using Beretta shotguns for 30 years and they have never let me down.
I think Beretta was listening when you complimented the a300’s furniture. I love everything EXCEPT the cheapo plastic barrel clamp that came on my 1301 mod 2. That thing is gross to look at and I don’t trust it as a mount.
The real comparison we need is the A300 vs the 940. Handled both at NRA, and believe the A300 is what I want, just curious though of any actually performance or handling differences.
Any update ?
Love the Mons Venus reference! Very esoteric for the uninitiated 🤙
I got the mossberg 940 pro because of your review and I fell in love with it and it’s really gotten me into all of these 1000 dollar ish shotguns
I work at a gun shop in SD and we had a honest regular customer buy a pretty nice brand new Berreta shotgun from us. We sold him standard 12 ga winchester 8 shot trap loads to go with it. He took it to the range and within the first few shots the barrel had a bulge that formed a few inches in front of the chamber. This was clearly a factory error with this barrel, we sent the shotgun back to Berreta and they refused to fix it or warranty anything. To say the least we were very disappointed with Berreta and their customer service after this encounter and because of this we no longer recommend them. I was very disappointed myself, as I own many Berreta firearms.
Why would they refuse to fix something so obvious?
What was their reason?
It just seems ridiculous.
They must have given a reason?
The obvious and easy fix would be just to replace the barrel or send a new shotgun.
Done and done!
Customer service is the most important thing when buying an expensive gun.
If you can't rely on that then they don't deserve your business.
When I hear stories like new defective guns taking months or a year to be warranteed and returned I can't believe that the manufacturers neglect their customers so badly.
A good business would make fixing defective guns their highest priority.
I’m about to take a dremel to my 930 for that beveled feeding port
Man that is nice. I carried the old 11-87 police magnum on patrol and it was great. The new features on these guns are awesome.
Just saw the burn down - excited for the full review!
They also make them with a black reciever which I was pleased to learn when I saw it in my LGS. I came back a week later and thankfully it was still in stock. (It was very inconspicuously hidden in a side lower rack behind the counter) and I got it.
I love this thing so far! Looks great in all black too.
I was all ready to go out and get myself a 1301, but now I think I might hold off. Not to buy this A300 instead, but because this review makes me wonder if Beretta might incorporate some of the better aspects of this A300 into the 1301 in the near future. It seems so bizarre to me that there are multiple aspects of their "cheaper" semi-auto shotgun that are actually BETTER than their flagship 1301. I'm not sure what they were thinking there. Specifically I'm talking about that scalloped-out loading port, polished gate and the better fore end with the built-in M-LOK slots.
I just don't understand why their "budget" (if you can call it that) model semi-auto shotgun would have so many improvements over their flagship 1301, and I'm definitely going to be pissed if I go out and buy a 1301 right now and in six months they release a "Mark 2" 1301 with the scalloped loading port (probably the most important of the differences IMO), polished gate and M-LOK fore end. Maybe you could use your "industry insider" sway and relationship with Beretta to find out if they are thinking about adding these features to their 1301 line in the near future? Thanks!
Disappointed by the 1301 tactical. I was standing at the gun store cash in hand ready to buy the 1301 tactical. As soon as I held it I realized it felt cheap and unrefined, honestly it felt like a $500 shotgun. And I walked away from the 1301. I was more impressed by the Remington Versimax.
@@247demon sounds like you didn't actually hold one. What seemed cheap?
@247demon cheap? Doubt you were holding a 1301 then. Nothing about the 1301 feels cheap. It's "light" but that's part of the design and what makes it better than say the M4.
@@studdmuphin probably expects his shotgun to be made out of steel and weigh as much as a bag of bricks.
@@pcblah well weight does make something seem more durable.
I love shotguns, I have the 1301as a number of Mossbergs tacticles and looking to find the Patrol, James can talk all he wants about Turkish shotguns, some of which is true, however after purchasing the M4 clone Panzer, I have to say, one of the best deals on a shotgun I have made. Parts are interchangeable with the M4, gun has shot fantastic right out of the box with every thing I could throw at it. Low brass, high brass, turket shoot, light loads, and a whole lot of buckshot. Fast becoming a common sight at my Gun Club. And all owners speak very highly of them. That said, I do want the Patrol.
It makes me happy to see real competitive options in the sub $1k tactical shotgun market. Might be time to put my trusty 870 LE trade-in out to pasture.
After researching the A300 patrol for almost a year, I picked one up today. And I am super excited to see what she can do! Thanks guys!
Ok, I lost it on the Mons Venus comment! 🤣🤣🤣 IYKYK. Lmao Well played sir. Well played indeed.
😁
jut picked up the tiger stripe variant today, so freaking happy.
We want more torture tests
Torture everything.
Yes please!!!!
Stoeger M3000 tactical
For Me, I like the M-Lok and big flat loading gate on A300 at 6.8 lbs and very balanced with the recoil spring in the stock , the 1301 B-Link system is in the front the faster bolt is so minimal it wasn't worth the extra money to Me. The A300 bolt blow back system is
already plenty fast , there are already plenty of after market parts , like the aluminum tube w/knochen in clamp, and a bigger gnarled bolt handle. Mossberg 940 pro was a fat pound heavier
2 quick comments. Btw, love your channel. I’ve learned an incredible amount as a novice shooter. One, I just bought the Patrol, my first shotgun, and went to an all day class yesterday. At first the forend and part by trigger I felt was way too sharp barehanded but seemed to wear down a bit as day went on. I had one esstac 7 cartridge holder but never used it. A simple waist pouch seemed much easier. 2. So glad you said you pinch your thumb. Mine was bleeding from the cuticle after loading a number of times. I have 5.11 gloves but wasn’t using them at first as I thought they’d get in the way. They didn’t and were great. Now if I only knew when we shot slugs from cover to be prepared for a much harder recoil. Lol
Beretta/benelli own stoeger. I wonder how far off the stoeger m3000 tactical is from this. I think it's inertia not gas operated but as a company that makes very high quality "budget" guns it could be an interesting comparison
Your absolutely correct. It's the way they crimp and seal the shell makes it a fraction longer. Whenever I've encountered this in the past I'd just use one less shell as a full load.
Nice mention of the Mossberg 940. I've held that and a Beretta 1301 and the feel is similarly great across both guns.
The real question is mossberg 940 tac or beretta a300 patrol?🤔
Coin toss. Both are excellent.
@@tfbtv if you could only buy one, which would it be?
@@alfonsomorales5768 the man said toss a coin.
@@alfonsomorales5768 Having fired both the Beretta 1301 and Mossberg 940, I say 1301. If I didn't have the 1301, the A300 would be my pick over the Mossberg.
The most important feature is obviously drip so that tiger strip might give the patrol the W 👀
I just picked a Patrol up local and shot her in with the ghost ring sights, dead on out to 50 yards with slugs and wrapped up the bullseye with #1 buck at 15. Ordered and just received a Holosun 507c and sighted in same way with slugs and buckshot, same deal no adjustments dead center at 25 and about 1/2 inch low at 50 with slugs and the buckshot really messed up the center mass on the target at 15. This is an excellent combo for home defense with a light, velcro side saddle and several cards and ready for SHTF if needed.
The Mons Venus reference…you are a truly cultured man.
Dude his channel is exactly what I’m looking for. No bull shit, no nonsense, no wasting time. Straight to the point. Is the gun worth my time…
A300 from Tennessee or a 1301 Mod 2 from Italy? The extra was worth it for the 1301. QC from Tennessee is still wanting in some areas.
Say James...since Beretta also owns Stoeger, I'm a damn sight curious to see you burn down an M3K "competition ready" shotgun. It would be interesting to see if Beretta can bring the reliability all the way down to their lower budget guns.
I’m glad I got the latest gen 1301 for a decent price… I love that gun!
Thanks for doing this eval, guys. Been waiting to hear a detailed review of this thing.
4:51
Ability to change chokes preserves versatile shotgun
Multi role function...
Allowing the single shotgun to serve you in the field, with birds hot,
Or at home, with a defense pattern...
Etc etc...
Specific chokes, to achieve the desired pattern for the intended purpose.
How did you go about putting that sling on the A300 ?
I can't find any videos on You Tube that address that issue well.
Very good, informative video.
I've got a black 1301 w/pistol grip sitting in 10-day jail. After seeing this video, I'm thinking of picking an A300 in the tiger stripe, just so I can have a good backup shotgun with a traditional stock.
I have the Beretta APX A1 it’s been the best gun ever so far
Same. Most comfortable pistol ive ever had, I love it. Its currently got an MPS on it, just like Beretta advertises 😄
I finally gave in and ordered my 1301. Wish they had it available in Green, but for $1350 I can't complain.
Red Loctite on grub screws?! Sure if you want to be forced to drill them out, and rethread the sight and receiver if you ever need to take the sight off.
Took me 3 months to get my 1301 but worth the wait.
The thing that sucks about the Mossberg 940 tactical that he mentioned is definitely not under $1000 it's well over $1k and they're impossible to find.
While this will inevitably steal some sales from the 1301 its could actually be a good favor for the 1301. They're obviously struggling to keep up with demand on the 1301 which is a good problem to have. However the risk being a drop in quality to try to meet demand. By bringing in another option much cheaper, almost as good, and made in a different plant let alone murica that could help maintain the integrity of the 1301 itself by easing demand and pressure. I still want the 1301 but honestly only because i want the LTT version. If LTT starts playing with the a300 then i could change my mind. Then again the a300 already has some of the features of a tricked 1301 so there may not be much left to gain.
Burndowns I'd like to see: KSG, Vepr 12, Saiga 12, FN SLP, Maverick 88, Ithaca model 37, Origin 12, AA 12
I clicked on this video because I wanted to see your chest rig. I do about the same thing but my mag pouch has velcro to put cards on the front. The three that live there are attached to the bottom of the magazine like SOE or KSG rigs so they can be reloaded without losing them. I run 3, 6 shot cards on front with 3, 9 shot cards in the pouches. I also bought an SOE micro shotgun rig which is "THESHIT" and of course some 25, 18, and 16 shotshell carriers for the belt, chest rig or plate carrier. I also gleaned some good info from your video on that 1301 tactical that I'm creaming over. Thanks for the vid.
I wish the gun had been disassembled and that greater detail was given about the different gas system that is in the patrol model. Otherwise, great video! I really enjoy these “burn down” videos!
In all honesty, I don't think you can get a better bang for your buck than a 940 if you are looking for a semi auto shotgun that will not let you down. Could dress it up M4 style if you want to. It identifies as a Benelli, which is fine now in 2023
Maybe, but I wouldn't exactly call it a proven design at this point.
I mean did you see the welded on op rod tube bs? Doesn't inspire confidence
We need the Stoeger M3000 12 gauge burn down considering buying one, but i trust in the shorts more than my drunk uncle who keeps reccomending it
Mine has about 1000 rounds through it in 3 years; runs great; a lot more felt recoil than the Mossberg 930 it replaced
I just picked up an FDE Mod 2 tactical, awesome boom stick
James, you've got a decent relationship with Beretta. Please ask them to make the A300 Patrol in 20 gauge. I'll buy one immediately.
I've found that most 3.75 inch shells are just a bit shorter, including federal. The Turkish buck shot seems to be more accurate to the size my 1301 was designed for. I used Federal bird shot during a competition recently and was able to cram an 8th round into the tube. Barely fit but it basically let me ghost load the round on the lifter. So I was able to run 9 rounds in the gun if I did it just right.
2.75"
Can't go wrong with a Beretta, awesome shotgun great review. I've found a layer of black electrical tape between the hanger and the barrel stops it from moving forward.
A few dabs of high temp gasket maker would be more my style, same result less nasty goo from heated vinyl tape.
GG & G makes an aluminum tube and clamp. That’s more my style…
James, You Lawyer with a Shotgun! Excellent videos. Nice to see a shotgun running well, not like that Turkish Trash. I will add another gun to my list. Keep up the good work. Ciao!
Hey James, quick heads up,. I am unable to get my Magpul, Daniel Defense and el cheapo Amazon QD sling swivels to lock into the buttstock QD point of my A300 Patrol (Tiger Stripe). I am gonna give the Blue Force Gear QD sling swivels a try. I really don't want to have to trim the plastic from around the mounting points and that will be a last option if at all possible. The Blue Force Gear swivels have a smaller diameter than some of the other brands to Im thinking they will securely mount.
Quick heads up, the Blue Force Gear sling swivels fixed my issue!
I would be curious to see how some of the CZ shotguns perform. I don't see many reviews about them. Maybe there is a reason for that.
I'm working on a comparison between the A300 and the 712 G2 Utility
Would love to see Stoeger M3000 as well as the 712 Utility
@@jayrassat3272 might just go ahead and do a 3 way
They are both amazing shotguns.
I bought a black a300 and some tiger striped crocs, that has to count for something.
I picked one up for what I thought was a good deal until I got it home and realized that it was the LE model that doesn't come with the cut velcro, nor is the barrel tubed. Not a big deal for what it is, but I would prefer it.
He is a big kid with all the good toys!!
I just bought one today. I will take it to Tenoroc in Lakeland Florida next week….hurricane permitting. 😮
Lovin' the BFG you're runnin'!
Great job on the video!
As a lefty..loving this... I get to keep in shoulder for speed loading and staying on target!! 😜
But you're still genetically inferior.
Hmmm, wonder if they'll do a 1301 gen3 with the larger loading port from the A300 and maybe do it Made in USA to get around the import bullshit?
The QD mount on the bottom has a sort of lip around it. The Blue Force has a longer stem and will go in all the way. Some others won’t.
Cool “homemade “ modes. I’ve done things like that on some of my guns. The only problem is if you ever try to sell them you (I) might have problems with people who don’t want those mods.
I was saddened seeing the 1301 has better internals but the 300P has better user interfacing with that HUGE loading well and the dedicated Velcro sticker…. Man beretta Gen3 1301 do the sticker, enlarged mag well.
Take a look at he 1301 carrier and the A300 carrier. The 1301 is much beefier. I also wouldn't be surprised to see the 1301 get the wider loading port in the next stealth upgrade. Berretta is on about the 3rd or 4th version of the 1301.
Excellence Award bro -exactly what I need to hear & see !!
Please do a m4 panzer arms and or mac1014
Just mounted my Holosun on the GG&G mount on my A300 Ultima Patrol, and cards get here tomorrow. Sadly my venerable 11-87 Special Purpose competition gun is gonna retire to the safe now....
I’ve noticed the rounds sticking out too on certain loads high brass usually only fit 6 in their federal slugs or buckshot 7 no problem
I just picked up my Tiger Stripe A300 Patrolman! It’s beautiful!!
Great review, i was wating for this video!!🤩 I istant loved this new Beretta tact-shotgun, and after seeing this review, now i'm sure that i'll buy it as soon as possibile! Thanks TFB-TV, always useful and quality reviews :)🤩 P.s: Italian-made and American-made shotguns are always the best, also some Swiss/German shotguns are cool ,and all of them literaly shits on crappy turkish stuff 🙃🙃
I just picked up the A300 in tiger stripe today I found it at a local Cabela's I paid MSRP for it (1099.99) I didn't want to but I did.
Love the Mons Venus Tampa Reference!
Finally bought the A300 patrol. Trying to figure out which side to mount my pressure switch.
Unobtainium will add velcro on the front of pouches for shot cards. Works good.
Beretta 1301 sale in my area for 2600 plus all day long there maybe on the show for two or three days and they're gone that's a popular that thing is
nice ,love that tiger stripe ,,i know it probably sounds not great but id love one with true tiger stripe colours ,i reckon it would look awesome ! great vid again ,i do like watching the burn down on the Turkish shotties ,its alway a good laugh when you get so pissed with it you throw it ,sorry ,but always cracks me up mate ! great vids ,keep up the great content .
That's me, Brazilian Nutwood Fan.🤠
Mons reference? True Florida man!
Fn Mons Venus reference🤣 Touché
Been waiting for this video since the video from shot show. Thanks guys!