Beretta 1301 Comp input

[Spark352]

Walking around a local gun store this morning and bumped into a Beretta 1301 comp and was wondering if anyone on here had one or has an opinion on them. The shorter length of pull, 21"-24" barrel, and already drilled and tapped seem like it would be a good option for a dedicated turkey gun. Looks like they are only in a 12 gauge 3" and weigh in at just under 7lbs. Get it dipped and install a red dot and I would think it would be great. Thoughts?

Thanks

[CrustyRusty]

I think it would make a great turkey gun.  It has all the features you would want and I'm surprised more guys don't use one. 

[Spark352]

I couldn't agree more. All of the features look great and price is right in there with a franchi turkey gun. I was surprised it took so long for someone to have an opinion on it. The only thing that has me a little on the fence is, would a "competition" gun stand up to the abuse of 3" 2.25oz loads long term.

[fmf]

I can't speak to the comp, but I picked up a 1301 tactical.  I was looking to see if there were any of the new 940 turkey pros on shelves and came across a deal that I didn't want to pass up.  I love the gun so far, I've got about 40 rounds through it only 8 of which were light loads, 6 Apex loads, a Nitro TSS, and the rest 1.75-2oz lead turkey loads.  Absolutely love the gun so far.  It is light and nimble, shoulders well, the safety is oversize and a perfect reach for my trigger finger and also very silent if you manipulate it the right way, easy on the shoulder, throws a great pattern, and I left the rear peep sight on and sighted it in as well in as a backup to my red dot, the checkering is aggressive and should work great with gloves.  It is only about 9 oz heavier than my 20ga which also has an 18.5 inch barrel, but the magazine tube is much longer on the 1301 so the sling point to end of barrel length is so much better than the 20 for cross body slinging which is how my gun is 99% of the time that I'm moving.  That is more important to me than the weight and I doubt I will hunt my 20 much.  I really can't think of one thing I'd change about it other than making it bottomland or greenleaf (it is the flat dark earth color).  Before running turkey loads through it I assumed that I would want to replace that dinky little thin recoil pad, but for me there is no need.
There don't seem to be as many turkey choke options for the Optima HP threads, but I picked up an Indian Creek 670 and it patterns great.

 

[Spark352]

The barrel length on the 1301 tactical is really what turned me off to that model for turkey hunting. Wouldnt mind having one for the house though.

FMF- what type of patterns are you getting out of Apex/Nitro loads with the IC in the 1301 Tactical? I recently shot some Apex through an IC .670 in my nova and the patterns were pretty crazy.

[the Ward]

I saw one in a shop and thought the same thing, that it would make a great turkey gun! From what i understand their are two versions, the original and an updated version. Don't know the specifics of each one, but they made some with screw in chokes, and some with fixed cylinder bore i think.

[fmf]

The barrel length on the 1301 tactical is really what turned me off to that model for turkey hunting. Wouldnt mind having one for the house though.

FMF- what type of patterns are you getting out of Apex/Nitro loads with the IC in the 1301 Tactical? I recently shot some Apex through an IC .670 in my nova and the patterns were pretty crazy.

That is understandable, I'm a fan of the shorter barrels myself.  It shoots in the mid 400's with a fresh clean barrel, and upper 300's with just a bore snaked barrel.  These are Apex, ranged 40 yards, barrel behind the line.  I didn't like the Nitro pattern

[Spark352]

Solid patterns. I like that setup a lot. Definitely some food for thought the next time I'm gun shopping. Not sure if you've seen the aridus mount or not but they allow you to directly attach the red dot to the mount instead of having to use a spacer. Get the optic lower for a better cheek weld. Also allows the use of the iron sights should the optic go down.

https://www.aridusindustries.com/products/beretta-1301-tactical-trijicon-rmr-crom/

[fmf]

thanks, I wasn't aware of those, definitely interesting!

[Deast1988]

I got a 1301 pro comp, haven't done a lot with it. But it's sweet, I did the 21in short barrel. Added a .660 Jebs and used some clearance bass pro fed #9 3in. Don't know the counts but it'll smash, I shot 1 bird with it last spring and it did just fine. I got a PatternMaster anaconda mid range, duck and dove hunted with it. Let my dad Pheasent hunt with it. Hand rolled 3in 2.25oz TSS hangs up the loader left it a touch long for the berettas liking. I wanted a short 12ga and it's within .25in of my youth 870 20ga. But the 12ga with tss is amazing to see it in action on a turkey, I got a pile of the tss from bass pro when it was closed out, the 3in fed shoots with no hiccups. Just my .02¢