Beretta Shotguns
Beretta is the benchmark name in Italian shotgun manufacture—a company that has defined what a sporting or hunting shotgun should be for generations of wing shooters and competition athletes worldwide. The A400 series sits at the top of the semi-automatic lineup with the Blink gas system and KICK-OFF recoil reduction. The 686 Silver Pigeon and DT11 represent Beretta’s over-under tradition, from field-grade classics to world championship competition guns. The A300 series delivers accessible gas-operated reliability for hunters on a budget. The 1301 Tactical brings Beretta’s ARGO gas system to the defensive and 3-Gun shotgun market. From opening day in the uplands to the Olympic stage, Beretta shotguns have set the standard longer than any other brand in the category.
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Beretta A400 Series: The Benchmark Semi-Auto
The A400 is Beretta’s flagship semi-automatic shotgun, built around the Blink gas system that cycles in 3 milliseconds—significantly faster than competing gas designs—and available with the KICK-OFF hydraulic recoil reduction system that cuts felt recoil by up to 70%. The A400 Xtreme Plus extends the system to 3½-inch magnum shells for waterfowl, while the A400 Xcel is optimized for sporting clays with a ported barrel, lengthened forcing cone, and adjustable comb. The A400 Action is the entry-level variant that brings the Blink system to a more accessible price point. For competitive clay shooters and serious waterfowl hunters who shoot high round counts, the A400’s combination of speed, reliability, and recoil management justifies its premium position in the market.
Beretta A300: Value-Priced Gas-Operated Reliability
The A300 Outlander and A300 Ultima deliver Beretta’s gas-operated reliability at a substantially lower price than the A400 series. The A300 uses a self-cleaning gas system designed to cycle reliably across a wide range of loads without cleaning between sessions. The A300 Ultima—introduced as a tactical/field crossover—adds a pistol grip stock, extended magazine tube, and a ghost ring sight system for home defense and 3-Gun use. The standard A300 Outlander is the practical recommendation for hunters and new shotgun shooters who want Beretta quality without A400 pricing. It handles 2¾-inch and 3-inch shells reliably and is one of the most trouble-free entry points into semi-auto shotgun ownership.
Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon & DT11: Over-Under Excellence
The 686 Silver Pigeon is the reference standard for field-grade Italian over-under shotguns—a boxlock action with automatic ejectors, Optima-HP chokes, and progressively refined wood from the Silver Pigeon I through V grades. It is available in 12, 20, and 28 gauge and .410, covering every upland hunting and clay shooting application. The DT11 moves to the competition tier: a dedicated sporting clays and Olympic Trap/Skeet gun with a steel receiver, a high-rib configuration, adjustable stock, and the refinements demanded by world-class competitive shooters. The DT11 has been carried by multiple World and Olympic champions. For most sporting shooters, the Silver Pigeon I or II delivers everything that matters functionally; the DT11 is for those competing at the highest levels.
Beretta 1301 Tactical: The Defensive and 3-Gun Standard
The 1301 Tactical uses Beretta’s ARGO (Auto-Regulating Gas-Operated) system—the same principle that drives the Benelli M4—in a platform optimized for 3-Gun competition and home defense. The 1301 cycles faster than any comparable gas-operated shotgun, feeding from a 5+1 or 7+1 extended magazine tube, with a ghost ring rear sight, fiber optic front, and an extended bolt release and loading port for competition-speed reloads. The Beretta 1301 Competition is the dedicated 3-Gun race gun with a larger loading port, extended magazine, and tuned action. For home defense shooters who want the most reliable, fastest-cycling semi-automatic defensive shotgun available, the 1301 Tactical is the standard by which other platforms are measured.
Choosing Between Beretta Shotgun Series
The choice between Beretta’s shotgun lines comes down to application and budget. For upland hunting and casual clays: A300 Outlander. For serious clay shooting or waterfowl with high round counts: A400 series. For a classic over-under field gun that will last a lifetime: Silver Pigeon I or II. For competition over-under shooting: DT11. For home defense or 3-Gun: 1301 Tactical. Every Beretta shotgun shares the brand’s commitment to manufacturing quality and is backed by Beretta’s service network. For hunters and competitive shooters who want a single brand that covers every shotgun application, Beretta is the most complete lineup available from any manufacturer.
Related Pages
See the full Beretta brand hub. Browse Beretta handguns and Beretta rifles. Shop specific models: A400, A300, 686 Silver Pigeon. Compare at semi-auto shotguns and over-under shotguns.