Sporting shotgun BERETTA 1301 COMPETITION SYNTHETIC

Semi-automatic shotgun

Beretta 1301

is a popular gas-powered semi-automatic shotgun manufactured by Beretta Italy. and imported into the United States by Beretta USA. [1] The firearm has two separate designs. One is intended for tactical, self-defense and law enforcement applications, and the other is intended for competitive disciplines. Despite its intended use, it is often used by a minority of hunters and clay sport shooters.

The 1301 is the successor to the 1201 Tactical and shares many similarities with the Beretta A400 line of shotguns, which are successors to the A391 series. [1]

All modern 1301 shotguns, like their A400 counterparts, use Beretta's patented choke constriction system known as "Optima-HP..". The only exception is the early tactical model, which used a tapered barrel with a fixed cylinder. These barrels have bottom borings to reduce muzzle rise and improve pattern. [2]

Models[edit]

1301 Tactical[edit]

The Beretta 1301 Tactical is the successor to the 1201 and production began in Italy in 2014. As the name suggests, it is intended exclusively for tactical purposes, including law enforcement and civil defense. It is often seen as a competitor to the M4 Super 90 produced by Benelli, a subsidiary of Beretta. In recent years, minor modifications have been made to it, and new variants are entering the market. As of November 18, 2022, there are four options. [3] 1301 Tactical Black, 1301 Tactical FDE, 1301 Tactical OD Green, 1301 Tactical Marine. The 1301 Tactical Marine version is the only option that has a removable choke. [4]

1301 Tactical Pistol Grip LE [edit]

The 1301 LE Tactical Pistol Grip [5] is Beretta's new gas-powered semi-automatic shotgun designed for law enforcement and home defense applications. Straight out of the box, the 1301 Tactical Pistol Grip LE features an oversized charging handle, a large textured bolt release, and a large reverse safety button. The integrated BLINK gas operating system with cross-tube gas piston allows the 1301 Tactical to operate 36% faster than any other shotgun on the market. Available in an 18.5-inch barrel configuration, the 1301 Tactical features a rugged, rugged sighting system that utilizes a ghost ring for the rear sight and an interchangeable front sight. The receiver is equipped with a MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail. The pistol grip stock features an adjustable cheekpiece, a LimbSaver® recoil pad and offers multiple sling attachment points.

1301 Competition[edit]

The Beretta 1301 Competition, as its name suggests, is designed for competitive shooting disciplines, most commonly three-gun competition shooting. The shotgun uses a traditional sight system and has a longer barrel, allowing it to shoot targets at greater distances.

1301 Comp Pro[edit]

1301 Comp Pro [6] includes new polymer stock with Kick-Off Plus

, consisting of two elastomeric dampers complete with return springs located next to a rubber insert, which effectively soften the first peak of recoil, reducing perceived recoil by up to 40%. A third elastomeric damper located in the action of the stock absorbs shock from the action to the stock, thereby reducing second peak recoil, muzzle jump, and any vibration caused by action of the action.

B-Steady system

divides the stock into two parts: butt and fore-end. The recoil absorption point is in an extended position, moving in unison with the forearm, which is free to move rearward, keeping the butt stable and avoiding any annoying comb-to-cheek friction. The cheek remains motionless and lies perfectly without losing the line of fire.

Langdon Tactical LTT 1301[edit]

Langdon Tactical Technologies Gilbert, Arizona makes the LTT 1301 Tactical Shotgun, a Title 18 USC 922r-compatible variant using a Gen 2 Beretta 1301 barrel action, equipped with a modified Magpul "Zhukov" aftermarket handguard that offers an M-LOK rail mounting options, and Magpul SGA stock for Mossberg 500/590 with Aridus ASA-1301 adapter, PPES sling mounting point options and 7-round tubular magazine. You can also add an Aridus Universal Q-DC side saddle mount [8] as well as an Aridus CROM (Co-witness Ready Optic Mount) for Trijicon RMR or Aimpoint Micro red dot sights. [9]

Shotgun Beretta 1301

Beretta 1301 Tactical
In 2009, the Italian company released the A400 Xplor Unico semi-automatic hunting shotgun. The many innovative developments applied to this model quickly led to its popularity, so the decision was made to adapt this weapon for use other than hunting, which led to the creation of a defensive-tactical shotgun.

The first shotgun developed under the new program was introduced in 2010. It was called "Tx4 Storm" and was designed to use 12/70 mm caliber cartridges. The new weapon from Beretta has received a number of significant advantages over the previous generation of guns.

Continuing work to improve this weapon, Beretta developed a new model, which was first presented to a wide audience in early 2014. This shotgun was called the "1301 Tactical" and was designed to use 12/76 mm caliber ammunition.

The Beretta 1301 Tactical self-loading shotgun was originally intended as a tactical weapon for use by law enforcement agencies and the military. In the civilian market, it was introduced as a weapon with a high reload speed, intended for use by security organizations, for self-defense and the protection of private property, as well as for the dynamic disciplines of sports shooting and hunting.

Structurally, the 1301 Tactical is a self-loading smoothbore shotgun using the gas-operated self-regulating automatic system of the “B-link” system. The system uses a piston with an elastic belt, which serves to ensure tightness in the barrel bore during a shot (obturation). This version of the mechanism made it possible to reduce losses in speed and pressure, and reduce the level of contamination of the barrel. In addition, the system provided a significant increase in the speed of the gun's reload cycle.

Beretta 1301 Tactical with magazine extension

The return spring, as well as the annular gas piston, is located under the barrel, around the magazine tube. The barrel bore is locked by a rotating bolt with two lugs.

The trigger mechanism allows only single shots. The ambidextrous push-button safety is located on the front of the safety clip.

Beretta 1301 Tactical Controls

The weapon is fed with ammunition from an under-barrel tubular magazine with a capacity of 4 rounds of 12/76 mm caliber. The magazine is a steel tube mounted in the receiver. To increase the magazine capacity, it is possible to use branded magazine extensions.

The removable barrel with a blued exterior is made from cold forged steel with chromium, nickel and molybdenum additives. The barrel is equipped with extended nickel-plated high-strength steel chokes that have an internal profile designed specifically to reduce friction, distribute pellets evenly over the dispersion area, and provide corrosion protection and durability when using steel or other non-lead shot.

The receiver is made of aluminum alloy with a special anodized coating, which provides additional structural strength. The upper part of the receiver has factory tapers and holes for installing various sighting devices and a universal Picatinny rail.

Standard sights consist of a front sight and a removable aperture rear sight. Additional ones (for example, a red dot sight) are mounted on a Picatinny rail on the upper surface of the receiver.

The forend and stock are made of impact-resistant polymer and have an ergonomic shape with a fish scale checkering. The butt can be adjusted vertically by installing spacers to change the stock, and its length can be “increased” using special inserts for the butt plate.

The 1301 Tactical shotgun is equipped with swivels located on the front magazine cover and on the bottom of the stock.

All the main weapon controls (the safety button in the front of the trigger guard, the shutter stop button and the cocking handle) are enlarged for more comfortable use.

Beretta 1301 Comp

Beretta 1301 Comp with 530 mm (top) and 610 mm (bottom) barrel lengths, equipped with magazine extensions

In addition to the 1301 Tactical tactical shotgun, Beretta has supplemented the 1301 series line with a special sports model called the “1301 Comp” (Comp - from the English “Competition” - competition).

The Beretta 1301 Comp model differs from the 1301 Tactical in its extended barrel, which now features a high ventilated rib with a fiber optic front sight and a standard front sight in the center of the rib. The capacity of the under-barrel magazine in the basic configuration was increased to 5 rounds, which can be expanded using a magazine extension to 8-9 rounds. There are no swivels.

In general, the smoothbore shotguns of the Beretta 1301 family are fairly light and compact weapons, easy to operate and maintain, as well as easy to use and comfortable to shoot. It is characterized by high reliability and recharging speed.

Basic elements of the Beretta 1301 Comp

Characteristics[edit]

All Beretta 1301 shotguns feature cold hammer-forged barrels with a chrome liner and parker finish. The frames or “receivers” are made of aluminum with an anodized finish. The stock and forend are made of polymer; a rubberized recoil pad is attached to the rear of the butt.

Although barrel lengths vary, each barrel chamber can hold up to 3-inch shotgun shells. Despite this, the Competition receiver is configured with a 3.5-inch barrel, while the Tactical is designed with a 3-inch barrel. Barrels vary by model, but none will shoot longer than 3 inches.

With a stopper installed in the shotgun's magazine, the user can load one or two rounds into the tube, or a total of four with the stopper removed. This may be due to a fifth round being loaded into the chamber, up to a total of five rounds. [10]

Models sold in other countries may include a 6+1 capacity magazine extension. However, models manufactured with these tubes are not authorized for sale in many countries, including the United States, due to international restrictions governing the export of firearms-related components weapons. [11] [12] If a buyer wishes to expand the magazine to models with limited capacity, they can rely on aftermarket tube manufacturers. [13]

Pro version of the 1301 Comp shotgun

The original Beretta 1301 Competition model appeared on the market in 2014. It was originally created as a sports version of the semi-automatic smoothbore shotgun 1301. And now, 5 years later, the Italians are releasing an updated modification of their shotgun for practical shooting, modified taking into account the wishes of the athletes themselves.

The Beretta shotgun has even changed in appearance. First of all, the new shape of the stock attracts attention. The shotgun is available with a synthetic Kick-Off Plus stock with a unique B-Steady system, which, due to built-in springs and elastomer inserts, reduces recoil by 40%. At least that's what the manufacturers say.

The butt comb and handle are equipped with soft rubber pads that improve grip and make handling the weapon more comfortable for the shooter. The receiver is made of light aluminum alloy and painted blue by anodizing. The bright blue insert on a black background combined with the aggressive lines of the shotgun looks very impressive. However, the Italians have always been able to make beautiful weapons.

But in this model, Beretta gunsmiths did not limit themselves to updating the design and ergonomics - serious emphasis was placed on the rate of fire. The new B-Link bolt and gas-operated semi-automatic system provide a rate of fire 36% higher than any analogue. The developers claim that the gun is capable of firing 4 shots per second. Other changes include an expanded charging window and a larger shutter release button, all aimed at making reloading easier and faster.

YouTube comments[edit]

Many YouTube experts and reviewers have erroneously characterized the 1301 feature as a "fatal flaw" in firearm design. They refer to the bolt release lever, a button next to the shotgun frame that is designed to load and eject shells. A vocal minority believes that firearms are prone to chambering prematurely and malfunctioning; however, such a malfunction requires intentional user input and manipulation. Additionally, reviewers do not disclose that all Beretta semi-automatics have the same loading and unloading characteristics and are not prone to malfunction. However, Beretta Italy has responded to this by introducing an updated model for 2022 that requires a button to be pressed rather than pressed. To satisfy those consumers who purchased early models, a shroud was introduced to make the button more difficult to press.[14]

Main technical characteristics and design features

The Beretta 1301 Comp Pro shotgun is available in the traditional 12 gauge. Cartridges are fed from an under-barrel tubular magazine designed to hold 10 rounds. The Tony System magazine is made from lightweight aluminum and designed specifically for this model to ensure maximum compatibility and feeding reliability. There is a special red indicator inside the magazine that allows you to make sure that the magazine is empty.

The Pro version of the shotgun is equipped with a Steelium barrel 535/610 mm long. The barrels are manufactured using rotary forging technology from Beretta's proprietary trilegato steel. The high quality of the barrels allows you to achieve excellent accuracy with any cartridge. The gun comes with two detachable OCHP chokes. The gun is equipped with a 10x8 mm ventilated sighting rib. A fiber optic green front sight is installed as standard. Also on the receiver there are mounts for installing a Picatinny rail.

The Beretta 1301 Comp Pro is a weapon designed for precision shooting at high speeds. Everything about it is designed to give the maximum rate of fire without sacrificing accuracy. This model was a logical evolutionary development of its predecessor, the 1301 Comp. And if the Italian gunsmiths managed to solve some of the durability problems that the Competition model had, then we have a very good weapon for practical shooting.

You can choose a smooth-bore hunting weapon for yourself in our catalog of manufacturers of hunting goods and gun stores.

Material prepared by Arkady Bobrovsky, photo by the author