Beretta 1301

1301 Tactical vs. 1301 Competition: Which Should You Buy?

The 1301 Tactical is configured for defensive and law enforcement use: ghost ring rear sight, protected blade front, Picatinny top rail for optics, 18.5” barrel, and extended magazine tube for 5+1 capacity with 2.75” shells. The stock is fixed with a rubber recoil pad. The 1301 Competition adds features for competitive shooting: an oversized bolt handle and loading port for faster reloading, an adjustable stock, and a ported barrel for reduced muzzle rise. For home defense and tactical use, the Tactical is the clear choice. For 3-Gun competition or clay sports, the Competition model’s ergonomic improvements are worth the premium.

The BLINK Gas System: Why Speed Matters

Beretta’s BLINK (Beretta Lightning INertia Kinetics) system uses a short-stroke gas piston to cycle the action in approximately 36 milliseconds — considerably faster than Benelli’s inertia system (approximately 57 ms) and other gas-operated designs. In practical terms, this faster cycling means the gun is back on target sooner after each shot, enabling faster accurate follow-up fire. For 3-Gun competitors where split times between shots matter enormously, the 1301’s cycling speed is a genuine competitive advantage. For defensive use, it means reliable cycling even with reduced-recoil loads that might short-cycle slower gas systems.

1301 vs. Benelli M4: The Premium Tactical Shotgun Comparison

The Benelli M4 is the other premium tactical semi-auto shotgun and the benchmark the 1301 Tactical is most often compared to. The M4 uses a dual-piston ARGO gas system and has a longer track record in military and law enforcement service; the 1301 Tactical cycles faster and typically comes in at a lower price point. Both are excellent, reliable shotguns. The M4 has a larger aftermarket and more proven field history under harsh conditions. The 1301 wins on cycling speed and value. For most buyers, the 1301 Tactical is the better value proposition; for those who want the M4’s specific track record, the premium is justified.

1301 Tactical for Home Defense: What to Know

The 1301 Tactical’s 18.5” barrel, ghost ring sights, and rail system make it an exceptionally capable home defense platform. The Picatinny rail accommodates a weapon-mounted light, which is strongly recommended for any home defense firearm. The 5+1 capacity with 00 buckshot provides ample ammunition for virtually any realistic defensive scenario. The gas-operated system reliably cycles reduced-recoil loads — a meaningful advantage for shooters who want to minimize felt recoil in a defensive context. The 1301’s reliability with a wide range of ammunition types is well-documented, making it a dependable choice for a firearm that may sit in storage for extended periods.

1301 Ammunition Compatibility: What Loads Cycle Reliably

The 1301 is designed to cycle standard 2.75” and 3” 12-gauge loads. The BLINK gas system is specifically engineered to cycle low-recoil and reduced-recoil loads that can cause issues in inertia-operated shotguns — a significant advantage for home defense users who prefer lower-recoil buckshot loads. Steel shot waterfowl loads cycle reliably. Very light target loads below 1,100 fps may require an adjustment or may short-cycle — check Beretta’s minimum load specifications for your specific model. For most standard defensive and sporting loads, the 1301 cycles without issue.

Shop Beretta 1301 and Tactical Shotguns at Impact Guns

Browse the full Beretta lineup at Impact Guns. For other premium tactical shotguns, compare the Mossberg 590 and Remington 870. For semi-auto shotguns, see our semi-auto shotguns page.