It's legit interesting to me how different people perceive recoil. Both James and Ernest are experienced, competent shotgunners who agree that the 1301 kicks less than the a300. For me, it's more of the difference in 'jumpiness', for lack of a better term. The increased bolt velocity of the 1301 makes it jump around more for me, which is probably exacerbated by how much I shoot pump guns that have a single-phase recoil impulse. All of the semis jump around more for me, just because you have the initial recoil, then the bolt slamming back and forth in the action. So for me, I perceive the a300 as being less jumpy than the 1301, but it's a small difference. They're both great guns serving different market niches extremely well.
@@andrewberman8743 local shops are over flowing with used shotguns, Mossberg 500's, Rem 870's, and all the clones of Winchester's, prices are cheap. Buying new and wanting tactical advantages (increased capacity), then 590-A1 is a very good choice, or the Maverick 88 tactical.
@Matt Haught, did you notice if either the 1301 or A300 was easier to keep topped off and running past the initial 7 rounds in the tube? The A300's loading port and fore end look like they're better once keeping the gun topped off becomes a factor.
@@GS-jk4cs The a300's deeper scalloped loading port does seem to help a bit, but the 1301 isn't exactly onerous to load either. I'm definitely partial to the a300's forend, but I had a lot of input in the design so I might be a bit biased.
When you did your Mossberg Maverick 88 500 rd burn, Mossberg accepted the challenge and said "Bring it on" and they have sponsored this channel in the past. I'd be interested in seeing a side-by-side of the Mossberg 940 Tactical vs. Beretta A300 Patrol. A battle of the $900 semi-auto boomsticks.
I have a mossberg 930 SPX and the A300 Patrol. No comparison. A300 is way better. The mossberg 930 SPX had problems right from the start and is still finicky.
@Lawraven Kid had'a SPX for awhile. Kicked līka mule, and was pretty finicky. He soldit n got'a M4. Too cheap for that, but tha choice betwixt tha 940T, and A300, is tha choice most'a tha "well to do" Poors, are savin-up to make...
My A300 doesn't care what you load into it. I have shot some super soft bird shot that the double barrel guys like, and the A300 blazes through it. I might get an 1301 some day, but right now the A300 is more than enough.
I have both and you are so right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My 1301 Langdon is excellent but aspires to be what the m4 has been and will continue to be for so long!
Beretta has done a great job of marketing their price increase on the 1301. You could get one for 950-1k just a year ago. The problem for them was people found out it's a better gun than the Benelli M4 (Beretta owns Benelli) and were just buying 1301's for half the price. So they needed to find a way to increase the pricepoint. Enter the A300, a tactical version of the hunting rifle they've sold for years, marketed as a budget 1301, and increased the 1301 by $400. They make videos explaining the cost "oh it's chrome, that's why". Well the 1301 comp is still around $1100, with the same guts. They're just capitalizing on the 1301 tactical being popular. I don't blame them wanting to make more money, but it's comical how quickly everyone seems to bought their story and just accepted the price increase.
In terms of reliability, it is not a better gun than the M4. Reason why? The M4 is so robust. All it needs is a good cleaning and every 10,000 rounds you need to take out the two pistons and give them a good scrubbing. The 1301 on the other hand while being a great shotgun, has a little gas ring on the inside that I didn’t even know about. When I went to do a general cleaning after 500 rounds, I noticed that there was an O-ring that was torn in half that fell out when I took the gun apart. No matter how good the gun shoots, if it has gas rings for the operation that rip on the inside that you don’t know about until you open it up, that’s a reliability concern. The M4 still superior in terms of reliability.
Better than the Benelli M4 / 1014 ? The Benelli was made from the beginning as a combat shotgun, used for decades by the Marines and used in Combat around the world. That’s decades of good reliable service - the 1301 is the new kid on the block - might be great but it doesn’t have the history that the M4 / 1014 has.
Great video. Can't wait to see if Langton Tactical does something for the A300. I get the whole "if you're going to spend more just buy a 1301" argument, but a A300 tactical with $500 in accessories is still $95 cheaper than a 1301 with no accessories at all. More importantly, it's a lot more available at the moment.
Ernest is one of the greatest gun guys in The Country. Who else would put 50,000 rounds through a Beretta Px4 in one year to prove what a great pistol it is?
Who else would sell a $600 slide with a front sight that cant be centered? Then when you send it in to get fixed not change anything then have your front sight disappear during a match
@@burtbiggum499 worst customer service I ever had was LTT. I've had customer service experiences with Geissele, Gray Guns, Cajun Gun Works, etc. All of them seemed to care more about my experience as a customer than LTT.
@@Murphy82nd My experience has been different. They've even taken the time to answer general mechanical questions for me on the operation of the 92, reviewing videos I sent in to illustrate my questions.
This is a great video James. I just bought an A300 Patrol and I love it. However…, I never shot the 1301 Tac and the $500 difference was a factor for me. I think the good news is; both are a great choice for what I’d be using it for which is Home defense & training needs. Thanks for doing this comparison!!
😂 That scene in the intro where the woman in foreground hears James and Ernest behind her talking about how good it feels with James’s low moaning and she makes a quick exit “l’ll just get out of the way” like she’s giving you guys some privacy to have your moment! Hysterical!
As a gun novice, this is the type of video that is well done for anyone wanting to buy a shotgun. Extremely informative and educational. Thank you for posting this.
James Reeves: doing God's work. I bet it is a huge relief to finally get this out there. Thank you. I try not to be a fan boy, but it's hard with my PX4 and A300
James def has a thing for shotguns. I feel the love from here😂 I was the only shotgun instructor at my agency, the other instructors wanted to get rid of them but unless you ran one in a defensive/instructor course you’ll never appreciate there use. The agency ended up selling them 😞
I don't understand. What are you saying is happening during defensive/instructor courses that make people appreciate shotguns ( over other weapons for example)?
I like the side by side comparison with subject matter experts. I wouldnt mind seeing this with some pistols and other rifles. Maybe just comparing different models based on there price points.
I love the competition from mossberg and beretta. I hope to see more. I own a 1301 and looking to take a tactical shotgun course in the near future. Shotguns are so good on a defensive level. 💪
I have the 1301C and love this shotgun. Advertised to shoot 36% faster than other shotguns. That is so much fun with a low brass bird shot. 3” mags in 000 buck and it will walk up and make it challenging to hold target. I wanted a shotgun I could use for brush gun hunting and self defense. I also purchased the mag extension and spring for self defense.
Picked up a A300 Patrol in gray finish for $950 before taxes at a big box outdoor retailer. Out the box, comparing apples to apples, A300 is a much better package than 1301, I remember when 1301 were affordable, and mag extension would come in around 1300-1400 mark. 1301's are awesome, but I CANNOT justify with the additional $720 for the 1301 w/ pistol grip and mag tube extension, nor the additional $850+ for any LTT variants. I will delegate the funds to buy ammo to practice, as I doubt an amateur shooter like myself can truly tell the difference!
I recently picked up an all black A300 Patrol and I love it. It was in stock and affordable compared to an M4 or 1301. Couldnt find a 1301 anywhere in stock to check out. The A300 is significantly lighter than the M4 and I like the ergonomics better personally. The A300 was a great choice for me. I love this thing.
This video is awesome. I got the 1301 LE Gen 2 after James took his Gen 1 to thunder ranch Great shotgun 700 shells of everything from light trap to heavy nuclear 1600fps slugs no issues and I believe the blink is self cleaning as it’s barely more than a few patches and cleaned up
@@markn4526 my 940 is hunting, clays and has run everything I put through it. Even some super light recoil reloads that my buddies autoloader jammed on every shot. The cutout for the red dot is great.
@@johnnycincoguitar The 940 looks like a quality shotgun and I like the cutout. I'm interested in the Pro Tactical version with the 407K and the 940 Ultima Patrol model. Both seem to have their pluses and minuses.
@@johnnycincoguitar Does your 940PT have the Holosun sight? I'm finding that shopping for shotguns is like shopping for guitars. There are a lot of opinions out there!
I so wanted a Beretta 1301 but no one around me had one in stock. I could order one but the wait was a bit. Happened on a Mossberg 590 Tactical (I know, it's a pump), and bought that. Still wanted an auto loader though. My old Remington 1100's are not tactical at all and are ungodly to wield except for hunting. The shotgun God's smiled on me and I found an older, barely used FN SLP mk1. Awesome shotgun with 8+1 stock capacity. Seller even had the tri rail with it. I love it. Still want a 1301 though. 😂
Buy once cry once. Get the 1301. I shoot a lot of Beretta shotguns in very adverse conditions. The 1301 is much more reliable. Especially when it gets cold.
Earnest Langdon is like a Beretta wizard, he makes magic happen with those weapon systems and make them much much better. I love my beretta m9a3 slide from Langdon Tactical. Now I'm running a Leopuld Deltapoint Pro on it which has been really fun.
Frankly this is one of the best videos I’ve seen in a long time. Obviously the 1301 is amazing, but the A300 represents good value. I’m a huge 1301 fan and I personally think it’s the best in the business .. currently. JMO
Excellent video, and both excellent shotguns! Although I've got a gripe: on my Patrol, the plastic rear sight's left ear broke when it rolled onto its left side from 1 inch off the ground. I was pretty disappointed in the cheap quality of the plastic, but it gave me an excuse to upgrade to a fully adjustable steel rear sight from LPA. Still love the Patrol though, and even more now with a few upgrades.
@@WildManActual Didn’t know they weren’t being made anymore. Quite bizarre considering the A300 is getting a bunch of color and camo options. Maybe because the 1301 is made in Italy and the A300 is USA manufactured?
The question of reliability with weak loads is probably overblown. Everyone said the same thing about the Benelli inertia system but i can personally confirm ive never had a failure with my Montefeltro after thousands of rounds of cheap target loads.
The more broken in the better with inertia driven. Had a Turkish clone of the M2 that clearly stated to run 40 rounds of 1290fps minimum. It was a fast shooter, but I could tell the metals it was made from wouldn't last long and it still didn't like to run fiocci game/target loads.
@@alexmaurice4274It was literally built to cycle birdshot... Its been a staple bird gun for decades. Definitely marketing that it can't cycle standard birdshot.
James, thanks for the excellent comparison of these two awesome guns! Including LTT and even Beretta's personnel made this the perfect video to explain the differences as well as the pros and cons of both. It does confirm, IMO, my own purchase of the A300 Ultima Patrol and my reasons for having done so. The 1301 Tactical still reigns as top dog, but for my needs and desires, the A300 works. Those who wish to go for the 1301 won't be sorry, just will need to pay more for that privilege.
I have an A300 Outlander shotgun that I use for clay shooting. Several thousand rounds over the years, all Federal value packs from Walmart and Remington gun club target loads. I’ve kept it clean and lubed and I’ve never had a malfunction. The internals of mine look the same as the A300 in the video but I don’t know for sure
My father has the same with no issues at all....I really wonder how much more relaible/durable the blink system is vs the original? Seems like hype to me to be honest
Wow I tried to sort all this out in my head last night. I decided to get the 1301 and send it to Langdon Tactical. So imagine my surprise when I came across this video. Excellent job making this happen James. I’m even more impressed of Langdon now if that’s possible. Best gun video I have ever watched. Keep up the great content.
I have the 1301 Competition... longer barrel, adds a ridge. I could take or leave the ridge, but the added barrel allows for a longer under-barrel magazine, without being goofy. Mine holds 10 Hornady Critical-Defense, and 9 of other brands. I checked into why that is, and the reason is that a 2-and-3/4 shell is that long *before the crimpe.* Different manufacturers use different crimps, and Hornady's overall _unfired_ shell is just short enough that my 1301 holds 9+1. If you're going to get a 1301, go ahead and pony up the money for a Kick-off system. You won't get much use out of it for very soft-shooting bird-shot, but in the beefier shots, you'll be able to make a relatively soft-shooting gun even softer. Oh, one thing I _don't_ like about the 1301 is that it doesn't have a good system for mounting a forward sling or light. By far, the most common system is that combination barrel-magazine clamp.. and that does work. BUT, if you want to disassemble the shotgun for cleaning, then you have to remove that barrel-clamp. It's a work-around, not a solution. One other option that I've seen is a large metal O-ring with a picatinny attached to it that fits between the tubular-magazine cap and the gas-system.... though I haven't gotten one of those yet, so I can't give an opinion. I do have the barrel-clamp, and it does work, but it is scratching both the barrel and the magazine to have it attached-and-removed every cleaning.
I can get the A300 for $900 with free shipping, but 900 is still a lot of money for a shotgun. I have a Russian Molot Vepr 12 I paid 700 for when you could get one, but no tube-fed tactical shotgun. The Beretta A300 fits the bill perfectly, but I will have to think long & hard about spending that kind of money on another gun. I am very impressed with your reviews of this shotgun, and it's reliability. I personally think it's a better choice for the money than the Benelli M2, or Beretta 1301.
This honestly reminds me of the whole Kahr PM9 vs CM9 debate. The CM9 was questionable for some but I never heard anything bad about the full priced premium PM9. Just my thought.
Don't know if I'm alone on this, but I can't imagine any scenario for me where that ever-so-slight cycling/ROF difference will matter. If that's the biggest difference between the two and you plan on running your shotgun that fast and hard often, then sure, pay the extra and ride off into the sunset happy. I'd say for 99.9% of applications you're better served just saving the few hundred bucks and putting it toward ammo or accessories for feel/preference.
@@stevem4783 tbh the M4 is a crapy competition gun 😆to heavy and not enough of an aftermarket support.... now look at the top competitors that can actualy reap the benefit of a faster cycling gun..... they use the best guns they can get to try and squeese any and all advantage they can out of it..... if those people didnt exist you wouldnt see purpous built 3gun shotguns from all the major brands on the market... no point in looking at Joe Bob that just takes his HD shotgun out of the closet and signs up for a match every other year
@@Tolandur Yeah, but again going back to my main point, for example the Stoeger M3000 is a really popular 3-gun shotty and only costs $500ish...so even if your goal is competition you can get and customize what you want for a lot less money which is basically what I was getting at...99.9% of people won't want and will never need the extra c-hair of capability a (for example) 1301 may get you for all that extra $$$.
This past Wednesday I had the chance to shoot the 1301 and the A300 side by side and for me the felt recoil from the A300 was less than the 1301. It’s not much but I noticed it. Both excellent shotguns but for me the A300 fits me best.
Essentially speaking, the 1301 will suit a professional better - someone who intends to run their shotgun hard, get really good with it, and can squeeze a benefit out of the faster cycle, like a competitor. The A300 is better suited to a beginner, enthusiast, someone who wants a good shotgun, but won't necessarily see a benefit by paying twice as much for their shotgun. Diminishing returns kicking in fast.
My personal anecdote, having shot both; the 1301 is better. Equivalent quality at a more affordable price. The 1301 also patterned Buckshot better, and didn't have any hang-ups/jams with low brass ammo. The Beneli was a tad bit softer shooting and it's weight felt only a tad better balanced than the 1301. Still; slight edge to the 1301.
Not really a showdown because they are both excellent shell launchers and in the real world of armed conflict that is all that counts. You would do well with either. Having both I would feel comforted picking up either. For some reason, I tend to like the m4 just a bit more, but I can easily see it the other way. Do like me and just buy both and know, I mean know, you are well and heavily armed!
See: diminishing returns No firearm above 500 dollars is going to have performance to price increase parity. That's only something you'd see on the low end of the market like a Glock being 4 times the gun a hipoint is.
@@heydeereman1040 I doubt any LEO unit could justify spending $600 more on a semi-auto shotguns that do literally the exact same things. More than likely you're not going to see "operators" running 1301 shotguns, this is meant to replace the old police car 870s, not replace the Benelli M4.
@@andyleotell my research indicates Stoeger is owned by Benelli which is owned by Beretta. Stoeger apparently makes parts for Benelli so if they're good enough to make Benelli parts they gotta have their stuff together to some significant level.
@@XxxAtlantaxxX Well, for $500-600 it better not outperform a 1301 or M4. Not that it's really comparable since those are gas shotties. The real question is if it'll run with an M2, and I think it would.
Nope! It may equal it (though I doubt it) but it will take a lot more time to get a comparable hard-use track record. I keep a pretty close eye on real world use and so far I haven't heard of any? Maybe you have and can share? I have both and truly love both but I had a considerable preference for my m4. I don't see that changing any time soon. Maybe you can change my mind on that?
@d7dun1010 Perhaps not street use, but competition use... I should think there's been significantly more rounds down the bore of 1301 pattern guns than you might believe - maybe even more than I might believe. I can tell you that I've had more failures from my Benelli than from my Beretta, though I adore them both. I hope you have a marvelous day!
That's encouraging info on the 1301. I have no use for shotgun games although others might? My interests lie only in the fighting shotgun. Enjoy your 1301 and I will mine also. Still enjoy and rely on my m4 for serious social situations until further notice. It is so cool to have both the m4 and 1301 Langdon. Thank you, you have a cool night also! Nice thinking with you.
I currently run a Benelli m1014; will pickup an a300 because of this vid; seems like there are a lot of improvements built into it; cannot wait to compare it with benelli
It's legit interesting to me how different people perceive recoil. Both James and Ernest are experienced, competent shotgunners who agree that the 1301 kicks less than the a300. For me, it's more of the difference in 'jumpiness', for lack of a better term. The increased bolt velocity of the 1301 makes it jump around more for me, which is probably exacerbated by how much I shoot pump guns that have a single-phase recoil impulse. All of the semis jump around more for me, just because you have the initial recoil, then the bolt slamming back and forth in the action. So for me, I perceive the a300 as being less jumpy than the 1301, but it's a small difference. They're both great guns serving different market niches extremely well.
Any recommendations for a quality pump gun that does it all? Thank you.
Mossberg Maverick, 500 series, 870 series, super x series.
It's hard to go wrong with a pump gun.
@@andrewberman8743 local shops are over flowing with used shotguns, Mossberg 500's, Rem 870's, and all the clones of Winchester's, prices are cheap. Buying new and wanting tactical advantages (increased capacity), then 590-A1 is a very good choice, or the Maverick 88 tactical.
@Matt Haught, did you notice if either the 1301 or A300 was easier to keep topped off and running past the initial 7 rounds in the tube? The A300's loading port and fore end look like they're better once keeping the gun topped off becomes a factor.
@@GS-jk4cs The a300's deeper scalloped loading port does seem to help a bit, but the 1301 isn't exactly onerous to load either. I'm definitely partial to the a300's forend, but I had a lot of input in the design so I might be a bit biased.
When you did your Mossberg Maverick 88 500 rd burn, Mossberg accepted the challenge and said "Bring it on" and they have sponsored this channel in the past. I'd be interested in seeing a side-by-side of the Mossberg 940 Tactical vs. Beretta A300 Patrol. A battle of the $900 semi-auto boomsticks.
I think that sponsorship is exactly whats preventing that actually.
Agreed. I want to see a Mossberg comparison. I'm a brand loyal bitch on shotguns; but if someone can sway me in another direction, I'm all ears.
THIS! A Burndown showdown, for Tha Poors!
I have a mossberg 930 SPX and the A300 Patrol. No comparison. A300 is way better. The mossberg 930 SPX had problems right from the start and is still finicky.
@Lawraven Kid had'a SPX for awhile. Kicked līka mule, and was pretty finicky. He soldit n got'a M4. Too cheap for that, but tha choice betwixt tha 940T, and A300, is tha choice most'a tha "well to do" Poors, are savin-up to make...
My A300 doesn't care what you load into it. I have shot some super soft bird shot that the double barrel guys like, and the A300 blazes through it.
I might get an 1301 some day, but right now the A300 is more than enough.
Whipping sideways into the disabled parking like a true gentleman
“Like a glove!”
Tossing the keys that now cost like 250 bucks to replace if they break. The man is a menace
Maybe it's a mental dosability
@@briansw70 that fact that it says dosability makes it sound that much better. 😆
@@johnrodgers5471 it’s a rental lol. I am pretty sure those are Ohio plates
I’m so happy we’re living through this tactical shotgun renaissance. I REALLY hope we see Benelli make a new offering to the market.
Benelli lives in Beretta's cuckshed though. Same with Franchi.
@@eisenkrieg553 I know man, but it would be cool to see something new
They don’t need to they have the m4
@@kirk0respite wouldn’t you like to see an updated M4 with Mlok, QD cups, enlarged controls, etc?
I have both and you are so right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My 1301 Langdon is excellent but aspires to be what the m4 has been and will continue to be for so long!
Love how the dude totally drops a part on the concrete at the 7:38 mark and tries to pretend nothing happened. 😂
Beretta has done a great job of marketing their price increase on the 1301. You could get one for 950-1k just a year ago. The problem for them was people found out it's a better gun than the Benelli M4 (Beretta owns Benelli) and were just buying 1301's for half the price. So they needed to find a way to increase the pricepoint. Enter the A300, a tactical version of the hunting rifle they've sold for years, marketed as a budget 1301, and increased the 1301 by $400. They make videos explaining the cost "oh it's chrome, that's why". Well the 1301 comp is still around $1100, with the same guts. They're just capitalizing on the 1301 tactical being popular. I don't blame them wanting to make more money, but it's comical how quickly everyone seems to bought their story and just accepted the price increase.
In terms of reliability, it is not a better gun than the M4. Reason why? The M4 is so robust. All it needs is a good cleaning and every 10,000 rounds you need to take out the two pistons and give them a good scrubbing. The 1301 on the other hand while being a great shotgun, has a little gas ring on the inside that I didn’t even know about. When I went to do a general cleaning after 500 rounds, I noticed that there was an O-ring that was torn in half that fell out when I took the gun apart. No matter how good the gun shoots, if it has gas rings for the operation that rip on the inside that you don’t know about until you open it up, that’s a reliability concern. The M4 still superior in terms of reliability.
Better than the Benelli M4 / 1014 ? The Benelli was made from the beginning as a combat shotgun, used for decades by the Marines and used in Combat around the world. That’s decades of good reliable service - the 1301 is the new kid on the block - might be great but it doesn’t have the history that the M4 / 1014 has.
Beretta should merge the two companies and call it "Berben."
Good gravy, thank God you didn’t spend your formative years at an institution of higher learning studying the discipline of marketing.
@@warbuzzard7167 Engineering
7:37. Was that my order you just dropped on the floor??😂😂😂
good catch
Great video. Can't wait to see if Langton Tactical does something for the A300. I get the whole "if you're going to spend more just buy a 1301" argument, but a A300 tactical with $500 in accessories is still $95 cheaper than a 1301 with no accessories at all. More importantly, it's a lot more available at the moment.
Not to mention it will outlive any of us, it’s a badass shotgun that has been made with extreme quality parts and will never let you down.
Ernest is one of the greatest gun guys in The Country. Who else would put 50,000 rounds through a Beretta Px4 in one year to prove what a great pistol it is?
Who else would sell a $600 slide with a front sight that cant be centered? Then when you send it in to get fixed not change anything then have your front sight disappear during a match
@@burtbiggum499 worst customer service I ever had was LTT. I've had customer service experiences with Geissele, Gray Guns, Cajun Gun Works, etc. All of them seemed to care more about my experience as a customer than LTT.
@Burt Biggum
Sounds like a you problem
@@burtbiggum499Kimber
@@Murphy82nd My experience has been different. They've even taken the time to answer general mechanical questions for me on the operation of the 92, reviewing videos I sent in to illustrate my questions.
This is a great video James. I just bought an A300 Patrol and I love it. However…, I never shot the 1301 Tac and the $500 difference was a factor for me. I think the good news is; both are a great choice for what I’d be using it for which is Home defense & training needs. Thanks for doing this comparison!!
😂 That scene in the intro where the woman in foreground hears James and Ernest behind her talking about how good it feels with James’s low moaning and she makes a quick exit “l’ll just get out of the way” like she’s giving you guys some privacy to have your moment! Hysterical!
That’s Mrs. Langdon.
Totally missed that… James’s moan drove her right outta sight…. Probably to the bathroom to puke
Far more research, content and information than any TV show has ever done on a shotgun or other firearm. Thank you.
As a gun novice, this is the type of video that is well done for anyone wanting to buy a shotgun. Extremely informative and educational. Thank you for posting this.
James Reeves: doing God's work. I bet it is a huge relief to finally get this out there. Thank you. I try not to be a fan boy, but it's hard with my PX4 and A300
Haha, yea, it is a huge relief. Get asked every day.
I purchased the beretta 1301 tactical with pistol grip new gen I love it
A simple question was asked, and the man's response was a beautiful documentary.👏👏👏
“Beretta is great at marketing.” Me thinking about American Gladiator Nitro being in the PX4 ad, wipes a tear from his eye. “Yes. Yes, they are!”
Very well done james. I'd like to see a a300 Ultima versus a mossberg 940 pro. I feel as though these are very much direct competition
Their bolt lock, rear recoil spring and gas piston actuating are very similar.
Just ordered my A300 after watching this video. Great content. Please keep it coming.
James def has a thing for shotguns. I feel the love from here😂 I was the only shotgun instructor at my agency, the other instructors wanted to get rid of them but unless you ran one in a defensive/instructor course you’ll never appreciate there use. The agency ended up selling them 😞
I don't understand. What are you saying is happening during defensive/instructor courses that make people appreciate shotguns ( over other weapons for example)?
I like the side by side comparison with subject matter experts. I wouldnt mind seeing this with some pistols and other rifles. Maybe just comparing different models based on there price points.
I love the competition from mossberg and beretta. I hope to see more. I own a 1301 and looking to take a tactical shotgun course in the near future. Shotguns are so good on a defensive level. 💪
I was going to buy an A300 but bought a 1301. I am very happy with the purchase.
At 7:38, the guy in the background on the right side of the frame dropped whatever he was working on, to the floor. It made me chuckle.
I have the 1301C and love this shotgun. Advertised to shoot 36% faster than other shotguns. That is so much fun with a low brass bird shot. 3” mags in 000 buck and it will walk up and make it challenging to hold target.
I wanted a shotgun I could use for brush gun hunting and self defense.
I also purchased the mag extension and spring for self defense.
Picked up a A300 Patrol in gray finish for $950 before taxes at a big box outdoor retailer. Out the box, comparing apples to apples, A300 is a much better package than 1301, I remember when 1301 were affordable, and mag extension would come in around 1300-1400 mark.
1301's are awesome, but I CANNOT justify with the additional $720 for the 1301 w/ pistol grip and mag tube extension, nor the additional $850+ for any LTT variants.
I will delegate the funds to buy ammo to practice, as I doubt an amateur shooter like myself can truly tell the difference!
Will they charge less for the fire control mechanism dropped at 7:39?
I recently picked up an all black A300 Patrol and I love it. It was in stock and affordable compared to an M4 or 1301. Couldnt find a 1301 anywhere in stock to check out. The A300 is significantly lighter than the M4 and I like the ergonomics better personally.
The A300 was a great choice for me. I love this thing.
1301 is lighter..less recoil..fyi..
@@dougcobb8114not $5-600 lighter ! 😂
This video is awesome. I got the 1301 LE Gen 2 after James took his Gen 1 to thunder ranch
Great shotgun
700 shells of everything from light trap to heavy nuclear 1600fps slugs no issues and I believe the blink is self cleaning as it’s barely more than a few patches and cleaned up
Great job James,
I appreciate the time you put into making these videos.
Great video. It's definitely the best comparison video. I appreciate the time you put into this. Thank you.
Very much so!!!!
I love that. "Were those all on target?"
What about a Mossberg 940 vs Beretta comparison. Now they have similar price points and they both seem excellent.
Yup...trying to decide between the A300 and the 940.
@@markn4526 my 940 is hunting, clays and has run everything I put through it. Even some super light recoil reloads that my buddies autoloader jammed on every shot. The cutout for the red dot is great.
@@johnnycincoguitar The 940 looks like a quality shotgun and I like the cutout. I'm interested in the Pro Tactical version with the 407K and the 940 Ultima Patrol model. Both seem to have their pluses and minuses.
@@markn4526 i have the pro tac. Runs really good, but I don't another for comparison.
@@johnnycincoguitar Does your 940PT have the Holosun sight? I'm finding that shopping for shotguns is like shopping for guitars. There are a lot of opinions out there!
This was a very interesting and informative review. Thank you for this.
I so wanted a Beretta 1301 but no one around me had one in stock. I could order one but the wait was a bit.
Happened on a Mossberg 590 Tactical (I know, it's a pump), and bought that.
Still wanted an auto loader though. My old Remington 1100's are not tactical at all and are ungodly to wield except for hunting.
The shotgun God's smiled on me and I found an older, barely used FN SLP mk1. Awesome shotgun with 8+1 stock capacity. Seller even had the tri rail with it. I love it.
Still want a 1301 though. 😂
Great information!.....I've got to know what the Dawn on the table is for.
Best video opening ever.
Buy once cry once. Get the 1301. I shoot a lot of Beretta shotguns in very adverse conditions. The 1301 is much more reliable. Especially when it gets cold.
Good ole bubba Ben!!! Lol the size of a house but gentle like a baby cactus 🌵😎
Anything shotgun…we love it!
Fighting shotguns are highly underrated!!!!!!!
James , Thank you for this thorough comparison.
You guys are turning me into a Beretta fanboy. Damn I’m going to need one of these.
I'm on the waiting list for a 1301 LTT...can't wait to get my hands on it!
I was just looking at these two yesterday and now this video comes out to help me make my choice lmao
Earnest Langdon is like a Beretta wizard, he makes magic happen with those weapon systems and make them much much better. I love my beretta m9a3 slide from Langdon Tactical. Now I'm running a Leopuld Deltapoint Pro on it which has been really fun.
Makes me want a 1301 even more.
Love mine! Well worth the 🪙
It's worth the money, I have the ltt 1301 and the comp pro. Both are top tier scattergats!
I wanna get one too, but I think i can wait until they upgrade the loading port on the 1301.
@@Lexman00 that's what I was thinking as well.
@@Lexman00 I’ll buy another one when that mod come out 😳
I got the 1301 awhile back and I am do glad that I did. I love it. But I will eventually get the A300 to have both
My takeaway from this is that my best option is to just buy both🤔
Ernest did a great job showing the difference between the two, I’ve been wanting to know for a while and this helped a lot!
Just what I needed to start my morning ☕️
Thanks for the video. I don't think I'll have any semi-automatic shotgun in purchase plans, but I enjoy learning about them.
Frankly this is one of the best videos I’ve seen in a long time. Obviously the 1301 is amazing, but the A300 represents good value. I’m a huge 1301 fan and I personally think it’s the best in the business .. currently. JMO
Excellent video, and both excellent shotguns! Although I've got a gripe: on my Patrol, the plastic rear sight's left ear broke when it rolled onto its left side from 1 inch off the ground. I was pretty disappointed in the cheap quality of the plastic, but it gave me an excuse to upgrade to a fully adjustable steel rear sight from LPA. Still love the Patrol though, and even more now with a few upgrades.
My wife bought me an OD green 1301 a while back and I love it. Nordic +2 tubular magazine extension is a great upgrade.
Would be cool if Beretta brought back the FDE and OD versions.
@@WildManActual Didn’t know they weren’t being made anymore. Quite bizarre considering the A300 is getting a bunch of color and camo options. Maybe because the 1301 is made in Italy and the A300 is USA manufactured?
Got me A300 UP. Love it
Big boy was out of breath just talking.. what a shame .
Love the video
I was looking for this. Thank you 😂
Lol
Great video as always James. Keep up the strong work!
The question of reliability with weak loads is probably overblown. Everyone said the same thing about the Benelli inertia system but i can personally confirm ive never had a failure with my Montefeltro after thousands of rounds of cheap target loads.
The more broken in the better with inertia driven. Had a Turkish clone of the M2 that clearly stated to run 40 rounds of 1290fps minimum. It was a fast shooter, but I could tell the metals it was made from wouldn't last long and it still didn't like to run fiocci game/target loads.
Great video and very informative!!
I think if you compare a bone stock 1301 to the a300 the value of the a300 looks even better.
Very true, if you have no plans to modify or change parts, A300 is perfect.
Excellent point. The A300 comes out as the value leader by a clear margin when costs are compared.
Was wondering-how bad is the a300 with birdshot for fuckin around shooting cheap ammo at the range? (Obvs buck for serious cases and serious training)
@@alexmaurice4274mine eats the cheap value pack bird shot all day long
@@alexmaurice4274It was literally built to cycle birdshot... Its been a staple bird gun for decades. Definitely marketing that it can't cycle standard birdshot.
Ernest and the people at LTT are awesome. Love everything they do. If you need another video - P30L with the lightest LEM trigger buddy!
James, thanks for the excellent comparison of these two awesome guns! Including LTT and even Beretta's personnel made this the perfect video to explain the differences as well as the pros and cons of both. It does confirm, IMO, my own purchase of the A300 Ultima Patrol and my reasons for having done so. The 1301 Tactical still reigns as top dog, but for my needs and desires, the A300 works. Those who wish to go for the 1301 won't be sorry, just will need to pay more for that privilege.
Fantastic. 2 full college credits I push pull. I just bought a new Beretta a300 ultima patrol. I'm stocked.
James, i must say this is the best comparison video between the Baretta 1301 & The A300 that i have ever watched.
Keep up the excellent work.
I have an A300 Outlander shotgun that I use for clay shooting. Several thousand rounds over the years, all Federal value packs from Walmart and Remington gun club target loads. I’ve kept it clean and lubed and I’ve never had a malfunction. The internals of mine look the same as the A300 in the video but I don’t know for sure
My father has the same with no issues at all....I really wonder how much more relaible/durable the blink system is vs the original? Seems like hype to me to be honest
Wow I tried to sort all this out in my head last night. I decided to get the 1301 and send it to Langdon Tactical. So imagine my surprise when I came across this video. Excellent job making this happen James. I’m even more impressed of Langdon now if that’s possible. Best gun video I have ever watched. Keep up the great content.
I have the 1301 Competition... longer barrel, adds a ridge. I could take or leave the ridge, but the added barrel allows for a longer under-barrel magazine, without being goofy. Mine holds 10 Hornady Critical-Defense, and 9 of other brands. I checked into why that is, and the reason is that a 2-and-3/4 shell is that long *before the crimpe.* Different manufacturers use different crimps, and Hornady's overall _unfired_ shell is just short enough that my 1301 holds 9+1.
If you're going to get a 1301, go ahead and pony up the money for a Kick-off system. You won't get much use out of it for very soft-shooting bird-shot, but in the beefier shots, you'll be able to make a relatively soft-shooting gun even softer.
Oh, one thing I _don't_ like about the 1301 is that it doesn't have a good system for mounting a forward sling or light. By far, the most common system is that combination barrel-magazine clamp.. and that does work. BUT, if you want to disassemble the shotgun for cleaning, then you have to remove that barrel-clamp. It's a work-around, not a solution. One other option that I've seen is a large metal O-ring with a picatinny attached to it that fits between the tubular-magazine cap and the gas-system.... though I haven't gotten one of those yet, so I can't give an opinion. I do have the barrel-clamp, and it does work, but it is scratching both the barrel and the magazine to have it attached-and-removed every cleaning.
GG&G has a few different options for 1301 sling/light attachment, and it's fairly inexpensive. Might even find on sale at Primary Arms.
7:38 That’s a pay cut. 😱🤣
I can get the A300 for $900 with free shipping, but 900 is still a lot of money for a shotgun. I have a Russian Molot Vepr 12 I paid 700 for when you could get one, but no tube-fed tactical shotgun. The Beretta A300 fits the bill perfectly, but I will have to think long & hard about spending that kind of money on another gun. I am very impressed with your reviews of this shotgun, and it's reliability. I personally think it's a better choice for the money than the Benelli M2, or Beretta 1301.
Love my LTT 1301!
Where did you find it?
@@pcpolice7937 directly from LTT…took a while though
Ernest is the man!
This honestly reminds me of the whole Kahr PM9 vs CM9 debate. The CM9 was questionable for some but I never heard anything bad about the full priced premium PM9. Just my thought.
Still happy with my 940 pro. Only problem I’ve had is a flechette round that didn’t extract so far. Had to mortar it
Don't know if I'm alone on this, but I can't imagine any scenario for me where that ever-so-slight cycling/ROF difference will matter. If that's the biggest difference between the two and you plan on running your shotgun that fast and hard often, then sure, pay the extra and ride off into the sunset happy.
I'd say for 99.9% of applications you're better served just saving the few hundred bucks and putting it toward ammo or accessories for feel/preference.
show up at a tactical shotgun competition and you will understand.....
@@Tolandur I have. I see a lot more budget shotguns than M4s and 1301s.
@@stevem4783 tbh the M4 is a crapy competition gun 😆to heavy and not enough of an aftermarket support.... now look at the top competitors that can actualy reap the benefit of a faster cycling gun..... they use the best guns they can get to try and squeese any and all advantage they can out of it..... if those people didnt exist you wouldnt see purpous built 3gun shotguns from all the major brands on the market... no point in looking at Joe Bob that just takes his HD shotgun out of the closet and signs up for a match every other year
@@Tolandur Yeah, but again going back to my main point, for example the Stoeger M3000 is a really popular 3-gun shotty and only costs $500ish...so even if your goal is competition you can get and customize what you want for a lot less money which is basically what I was getting at...99.9% of people won't want and will never need the extra c-hair of capability a (for example) 1301 may get you for all that extra $$$.
Great video! Technical stuff meets practical usage.
I'm going with the A 300.
I lost it at the parking job 🤣😂 Absolute mint
This past Wednesday I had the chance to shoot the 1301 and the A300 side by side and for me the felt recoil from the A300 was less than the 1301. It’s not much but I noticed it. Both excellent shotguns but for me the A300 fits me best.
At 7:39 in the video, guy in the background. Dont know what he dropped, but it was funny to watch. We've all been there
I could live with the A300 .
I really needed this video. Thank you James and LT!
Essentially speaking, the 1301 will suit a professional better - someone who intends to run their shotgun hard, get really good with it, and can squeeze a benefit out of the faster cycle, like a competitor.
The A300 is better suited to a beginner, enthusiast, someone who wants a good shotgun, but won't necessarily see a benefit by paying twice as much for their shotgun. Diminishing returns kicking in fast.
Looking forward to more videos of the Langdon interview. It's looking like the Cheetah and the 1301 have turned James into a Beretta guy.
Basically
The time has come for a showdown between the 1301 and the M4. I can already feel a level of controversy second only to the 2016 election.
My personal anecdote, having shot both; the 1301 is better. Equivalent quality at a more affordable price. The 1301 also patterned Buckshot better, and didn't have any hang-ups/jams with low brass ammo. The Beneli was a tad bit softer shooting and it's weight felt only a tad better balanced than the 1301. Still; slight edge to the 1301.
Doesn’t beretta own benelli?
@@andyleotell Yep, both owned by the same company.
Not really a showdown because they are both excellent shell launchers and in the real world of armed conflict that is all that counts. You would do well with either. Having both I would feel comforted picking up either. For some reason, I tend to like the m4 just a bit more, but I can easily see it the other way. Do like me and just buy both and know, I mean know, you are well and heavily armed!
@d7dun1010 My younger Brother is opposite of my take.....He recommends the Beneli. His preference......To each their own. 🤘🤘👍👍
I like that Remington versa Max receiver it's pretty good I got a vtac 13 but I wish I could find the 18 inch barrel version of it
I think the real question is the 1301 45% better, since it costs that much more
See: diminishing returns
No firearm above 500 dollars is going to have performance to price increase parity. That's only something you'd see on the low end of the market like a Glock being 4 times the gun a hipoint is.
If it's a closet gun or a safe queen, then no. If you are going to use it to the potential, then 1301 is the choice
The 1301 is an objective better gun for competition rapid fire shooting
but as a defensive gun the A300 is 99% the same as the 1301
@@SerenGetter somehow I doubt that any operators are going to be taking any A300 patrol into combat, but 1301s will definitely see that kind of action
@@heydeereman1040 I doubt any LEO unit could justify spending $600 more on a semi-auto shotguns that do literally the exact same things.
More than likely you're not going to see "operators" running 1301 shotguns, this is meant to replace the old police car 870s, not replace the Benelli M4.
So 1301 it is, thanks for a no BS comparison of the two from a leading Subject Matter Expert on Beretta street sweepers. 👍🏻
Getting your hands on a LTT 1301 is like getting a Wily Wonka golden ticket. Every time I see a restock they are gone just as quick.
I’ve been in the late stages of “should I buy this gun” and James uploads this video with the ultima patrol. I’m getting it tmrw
The battle is here ... 🍿🥃
Still looking for a Stoeger M3K/M3000 burn down.
Beretta owns stoeger and benelli I believe….
Same. Half because I want to see how it does, half because I want to subject James' shoulder to 500 rounds of an inertia-driven action.
@@andyleotell my research indicates Stoeger is owned by Benelli which is owned by Beretta. Stoeger apparently makes parts for Benelli so if they're good enough to make Benelli parts they gotta have their stuff together to some significant level.
@@stevem4783 I don't expect it to outperform a Beretta 1301 or M4 but I think it might be the Maverick 88 of semi shotguns. It will just run.
@@XxxAtlantaxxX Well, for $500-600 it better not outperform a 1301 or M4.
Not that it's really comparable since those are gas shotties. The real question is if it'll run with an M2, and I think it would.
Great comparison and review! I’m sold on both!
M4 All Day
Yes, sir.
Super informative! Thanks James and Big Ern! 👍🏻🙏
good morning james
👏👏 finally.... THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE!
The thing with beretta is that you better hope it works. If you need warranty repair, it will be gone 3+ months
the a300 is made in the US so repairs should be quicker
@@spookyindeed Doesnt everything go through the Maryland service center? And the customer service # that no one ever answers?
@@corporalpunish6089 oh Crap!
Fascinating video man thank you
Can’t go wrong with either. Safe to say the m4 has serious competition as king of the hill.
Nope! It may equal it (though I doubt it) but it will take a lot more time to get a comparable hard-use track record. I keep a pretty close eye on real world use and so far I haven't heard of any? Maybe you have and can share? I have both and truly love both but I had a considerable preference for my m4. I don't see that changing any time soon. Maybe you can change my mind on that?
@d7dun1010
Perhaps not street use, but competition use...
I should think there's been significantly more rounds down the bore of 1301 pattern guns than you might believe - maybe even more than I might believe.
I can tell you that I've had more failures from my Benelli than from my Beretta, though I adore them both.
I hope you have a marvelous day!
That's encouraging info on the 1301.
I have no use for shotgun games although others might? My interests lie only in the fighting shotgun.
Enjoy your 1301 and I will mine also.
Still enjoy and rely on my m4 for serious social situations until further notice. It is so cool to have both the m4 and 1301 Langdon.
Thank you, you have a cool night also! Nice thinking with you.
I currently run a Benelli m1014; will pickup an a300 because of this vid; seems like there are a lot of improvements built into it; cannot wait to compare it with benelli