New Release Beretta A300 Tactical

[D.B. Cooper]

What are your thoughts on this tactical/3-gun focused Beretta A300 that just released at SHOT Show '23?

I had been pondering buying the 1301 as I have no SD/HD shotgun (and, truth be told, I'd like to get into 3-gun but I don't have the 3rd gun). The price of the 1301 (($1300-1400) was/is holding me back, but I don't really see $1000 as a "budget friendly" gun, either.

I've never owned a Beretta shotgun, so I don't know why I would want one over the other. They seem to be different operating systems, but, smh, I don't know why one would be better or worse than the other.

 

[Milkmaster]

What are your thoughts on this tactical/3-gun focused Beretta A300 that just released at SHOT Show '23?

I had been pondering buying the 1301 as I have no SD/HD shotgun (and, truth be told, I'd like to get into 3-gun but I don't have the 3rd gun). The price of the 1301 (($1300-1400) was/is holding me back, but I don't really see $1000 as a "budget friendly" gun, either.

I've never owned a Beretta shotgun, so I don't know why I would want one over the other. They seem to be different operating systems, but, smh, I don't know why one would be better or worse than the other.

If i remember right the A300 has the same gas system setup as the 391 series. That is one generation behind the A400 system. All that being said I wonder if this new release on the A300 has changed that gas system at all?

Don't worry about owning a Beretta shotgun. They are solid performers. Once I went to the Beretta years ago I never looked back. I own the 6868 O/U series in 12-28 gauge. I also have owned 390, 3901, 391, & A400 series. I still own a few of those gas guns. All fit me well & work reliably.

 

[Spug]

I can't answer your question, and not long ago got myself a 1301 I still need to get more range time with, but I think the tiger stripe version of the A300 really looks sharp, and I like that it comes with a full-length tube. Seem to recall that import restrictions kept them from including that feature on the 1301.

 

[jmr40]

I don't really see $1000 as a "budget friendly" gun, either.

Welcome to 2023.

My brother has that gun in a sporting version and he likes it a lot. In today's world that is a lot of gun for around $1000.

 

[1KPerDay]

They're going to sell a bazillion of these. I wish they'd put the safety behind the trigger but otherwise awesome. I've heard some say they'd prefer it had the "blink" gas system but I also saw one back to back that said the A300 tactical felt softer even than the 1301.

 

[dh1633pm]

I had an A300. I liked it and shot it a bunch. Never a problem. Had a friend over to the house. Showed it to him and it was love at first sight. So I gave it to him. He uses it to hunt up north. Very soft shooting semi.

 

[SwampWolf]

I wish they'd put the safety behind the trigger

Each to their own. I much prefer a cross-bolt safety to be situated ahead of the trigger but a rear location would never be a deal-breaker for me.

 

[JCooperfan1911]

Doesn’t hold a candle to a proper Wingmaster. I’m seeing a lot of tacticool gimmicks and plastic, bolted to an unproven platform.

Semi-autos are fine for the gun games, but defense? Not enough reliability imo. Nothing beats a good PUMP shotgun for bumps in the night duty.

 

[jmr40]

Gonna disagree with that, and I'm a big 870 fanboy. In theory a pump is more reliable, in practice a quality semi-auto is. The problem with a pump is operator error. In a stressful situation you are more likely to short stroke a pump or cause some other type of operator induced error than a quality semi-auto is to jam.

And Beretta has been proven to be among the most reliable shotguns ever made. If I want reliability, I'll choose a Beretta or Benelli semi-auto. Not saying there aren't other equally reliable semi-autos out there, but I trust those 2. I also know there are some semi-auto's I wouldn't touch. Some pumps I wouldn't touch.

Where a quality pump like the 870 shines is being able to handle abuse and still function. A semi-auto needs to be reasonably clean to function. And in a HD environment that isn't a problem. If I were looking for a TEOTWAWKI shotgun or something for extended wilderness survival where proper cleaning might be near impossible an 870 would be my 1st choice.

And I'm not saying an 870 is a bad HD choice. They are certainly a lot cheaper, roughly 1/2 the cost of a decent semi-auto and that is a good enough reason to choose one over a semi-auto. But don't discount a quality semi-auto shotgun. I have a short barreled 870 and a Benelli M1 set up for HD. I'd reach for the Benelli 1st.

 

[JasonD52]

, and I like that it comes with a full-length tube. Seem to recall that import restrictions kept them from including that feature on the 1301.

Beretta has a new "2.1" version of the 1301 that has the full length tube with 7+1 capability. Only the black version is the upgraded model at this point...the green, stainless and tan models still have the shorter tube.Check out their site:https://www.beretta.com/en-us/beretta-1301-tactical/

 

[I6turbo]

Gonna disagree with that, and I'm a big 870 fanboy. In theory a pump is more reliable, in practice a quality semi-auto is. The problem with a pump is operator error. In a stressful situation you are more likely to short stroke a pump or cause some other type of operator induced error than a quality semi-auto is to jam.

And Beretta has been proven to be among the most reliable shotguns ever made. If I want reliability, I'll choose a Beretta or Benelli semi-auto. Not saying there aren't other equally reliable semi-autos out there, but I trust those 2. I also know there are some semi-auto's I wouldn't touch. Some pumps I wouldn't touch.

Where a quality pump like the 870 shines is being able to handle abuse and still function. A semi-auto needs to be reasonably clean to function. And in a HD environment that isn't a problem. If I were looking for a TEOTWAWKI shotgun or something for extended wilderness survival where proper cleaning might be near impossible an 870 would be my 1st choice.

And I'm not saying an 870 is a bad HD choice. They are certainly a lot cheaper, roughly 1/2 the cost of a decent semi-auto and that is a good enough reason to choose one over a semi-auto. But don't discount a quality semi-auto shotgun. I have a short barreled 870 and a Benelli M1 set up for HD. I'd reach for the Benelli 1st.

I agree that in real-world use, a properly functioning semi-automatic shotgun is more reliable than a pump, and especailly in the hands of someone who doesn't have a LOT of familiarity with running a pump gun, and ESPECIALLY in high-adrenaline situations. The pump guns themselves tend to be very reliable, but they are much more prone to operator error for most operators.

In my 50+ years of shooting, I'd say that a good semi-automatic shotgun is more reliable than a semi-automatic handgun, yet many of the same people who don't trust S/A shotguns rely on S/A handguns without concern. I've only ever had three different semi-automatic shotguns, a Model 11, an 1100, and an Auto 5. I don't recall a malfunction from any of them. Semi-automatic handguns? Plenty of malfunctions over the years.

 

[Spug]

Beretta has a new "2.1" version of the 1301 that has the full length tube with 7+1 capability.

Darnit! I might have waited if I'd known that was going to happen. The A300 has a fiber-optic front sight too, and slots for a light. Looks like a great alternative to the pricier 1301, maybe better if cycling speed is not a big issue, which it isn't to me. Without tons of practice I'm sure either action is faster than I am, probably.

 

[JCooperfan1911]

Darnit! I might have waited if I'd known that was going to happen. The A300 has a fiber-optic front sight too, and slots for a light. Looks like a great alternative to the pricier 1301, maybe better if cycling speed is not a big issue, which it isn't to me. Without tons of practice I'm sure either action is faster than I am, probably.

Ive seen more fiber optic sights fail than virtually any other firearm accesory. That tiny exposed bit of plastic is an accident waiting to happen. Very bad cheap out on Berettas part, and another reason to avoid this shotgun entirely until proven otherwise.

 

[D.B. Cooper]

That tiny exposed bit of plastic is an accident waiting to happen.

I kind of agree. The rod flew out of my pistol sight recently. Fortunately, I could still shoot accurately with it without the insert, but yeah, kinda iffy set up. But, even if that had happened at a critical SD moment, I think it would have been ok.

another reason to avoid this shotgun entirely until proven otherwise.

I dunno about all that. Although, I guess I would just prefer a traditional bead, but I don't think the entire gun will be junk just because of an F.O. rod-even if it does fail.

I'm waiting to see what the real world price is going to be. Can't really find a good metric for that on any website. I'm curious how the price will compare to the 1301. I'm in no hurry to buy. (Indeed, I probably should be looking for a hunting shotgun over a SD shotgun right now.)

 

[JCooperfan1911]

I kind of agree. The rod flew out of my pistol sight recently. Fortunately, I could still shoot accurately with it without the insert, but yeah, kinda iffy set up. But, even if that had happened at a critical SD moment, I think it would have been ok.




I dunno about all that. Although, I guess I would just prefer a traditional bead, but I don't think the entire gun will be junk just because of an F.O. rod-even if it does fail.

I'm waiting to see what the real world price is going to be. Can't really find a good metric for that on any website. I'm curious how the price will compare to the 1301. I'm in no hurry to buy. (Indeed, I probably should be looking for a hunting shotgun over a SD shotgun right now.)

IF it were made in Italy (which it will not be) and IF it were on a PROVEN operating platform (it is not) I might be willing to take a chance on it.

For the time being, it is a totally unproven low end budget offering sure to have plenty of QC snaggles as so many of the US made Berettas do.

Time will tell. I’ll let the beta testers figure it out first.

 

[D.B. Cooper]

...Time will tell. I’ll let the beta testers figure it out first.

Usually not a bad strategy. I'm not an early adopter myself. Although, I don't have the negative opinion of US made Berettas-my M9 has been flawlessly awesome. 100+ rounds per week for the past year plus 700-800 rounds at Gunsite last summer. Just keep some break-free on the slide, and it'll go.

 

[SwampWolf]

That tiny exposed bit of plastic is an accident waiting to happen. Very bad cheap out on Berettas part, and another reason to avoid this shotgun entirely until proven otherwise.

The supposed fragility of the exposed "bit of plastic" on a shotgun intended for relatively short-range self-defense duties has, imo, really no adverse consequence whether it breaks or not. That said, like D.B. Cooper opined, a traditional bead suits me fine.

 

[Phaedrus/69]

I haven't handled one yet but I think it will be a winner. Those who've run the T&E guns have had nothing but glowing praise. The A300 doesn't use the Blink gas system and is said to cycle slower but that's not a big criticism as the 1301 Tactical is reputed to be the fastest auto shotgun in the world. I've got a 1301 Tactical and it set me back $1,300 before I bought the Aridus CROM, Aimpoint, Steiner WML and the GG&G adapter & Magpul stock. So there's a bit of heartburn that this new A300 Ultima Patrol is probably better appointed than the 1301 T! I desperately hope there will be a new fore end for the 1301 that's basically just like the new Patrol (with Mlok at 3, 6 & 9). I love my 1301 but had this come out a couple years sooner I'd have probably saved myself a pile of cash.

 

[L-2]

Post 18,
Years is a long time to await for a shotgun, nobody knew was forthcoming, and is still hard to find right now.
A couple of years ago, and even today, the Beretta 1301 was/is one of the best shotguns to buy.
You've already saved some money by buying a couple years ago as I see the 1301 is going up in price.
Another option, either now or at that earlier time was to buy a Benelli M4, which might still need some amount of accessories, whether a couple or a few hundred more dollars, but the base price (w/tax and DRoS) starts at ~$2000.
You've done well buying into the 1301 and already having it set-up the way you like it.
An option is to now plan on buying the A300 Ultima Patrol, once it becomes readily available, and have a spare gun, which is always nice to have, whether one goes down for any reason, or to have in two different locations, or just for a little variety.

 

[Phaedrus/69]

It's maybe kind of weird but I have never owned more than one shotgun at a time! Since I don't really hunt anymore and was never a big bird hunter there are long stretches where I never even had one shotgun. As you say @L-2 now that I've got nearly everything done to my 1301 there's no regrets. I still want to get the Briley handguard but maybe I'll get lucky and Beretta will release a suitable one that will save me a few hundred bucks.

 

[GE-Mini-Gun]

..... The price of the 1301 (($1300-1400) was/is holding me back...

Man they have gone up, but what hasn't? I purchased my 1301 back in August for $1150...I was looking on gundeals for the lowest price...no love unser $1300 anywhere. I will say mine has been flawless since getting my hands on it , eat everything from my 3/4oz skeet loads to 1oz high brass slugs, just shoots.

 

[Spug]

I haven't done anything to my 1301 yet, but want to get at least an extended tube and flashlight mount and some sort of sling arrangement. Still evaluating a fiber-optic sight in light of the comments above. All that ends up being a pretty big chunk of change over the already steep 1301 cost, but in addition to what L-2 notes, the A300 doesn't come with lights and stuff. (Although how many have funds or space for a spare A300 tactical? Not I, alas.)
The mounting and sight options do seem better than the 1301 though. Why couldn't Beretta have included a better co-witnessing sight on the 1301?
My 1301 will be primarily a home/farm defense gun but will probably end up going hunting with me on the rare occasion I hunt for deer or bear. It's much quieter (rattles less) than my longtime go-to, plain-Jane 870, which will always have a place in my heart.
I don't regret what I got. No point in trying to trade it in: dealer's cut and sales tax would largely wipe out the price difference, but for someone considering a tactical-style Beretta semi-auto, the new A300 Tactical does complicate the buying decision!

 

[Buzznrose]

I have two semiautomatic shotguns, a Beretta A300 and a CZ712. Both are excellent guns. The Beretta ran great out of the box but only holds 3+1 and no extended tube available, which was why I bought the CZ. The CZ needed 50 high brass shells through it and then it started running cheap low brass target loads flawlessly. CZ is 4+1 and I can put extended mag tube on it.

I was looking at the A400 but now I will likely look hard at this one for down the road. I’d love to see one of these in 20 gauge!

 

[Phaedrus/69]

I haven't put an extended mag tube on my 1301 Tactical and while I can't say I never will I don't intend to. More ammo is better but the Beretta is so trim & light, I don't want to mess up how quickly it points and the sweet handling. Maybe time will prove me wrong but I think five rounds of Brenneke slugs or Flight Control buckshot will be adequate for my needs.

 

[Elkins45]

My 1301 has not proven to be particularly reliable. Given the cost I have been quite disappointed, but hopefully it will eventually wear in and start working. At this point I have no plans for it to replace my Mossberg 500 as my HD gun.

The cheaper Beretta might be better?