NRA Gun of the Week: Beretta 1301 Comp Shotgun

by
posted on October 22, 2016
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

From the world’s oldest gun maker, Beretta, comes a shotgun that’s purpose-built for serious competition use. At the heart of the 1301 Comp is the company’s Blink gas-operating system that quickly cycles 12-ga. loads up to 3”. A stepped, wide sporting ventilated rib runs the full length of the Steelium barrel, and the gun uses the company’s Optimabore HP choke system. Tailoring the shotgun to the competitive market, Beretta added out-of-the-box features that shooters have asked for, such as an over-sized charging handle that is large enough to grasp when the pressure is on, and an enlarged bolt release paddle for quick engagement. The 1301 also features an enlarged cross-bolt safety selector, ejection and loading ports, and aggressive texturing was added to forearm and styled pistol grip to improve purchase. Those looking for a shotgun to fill competition or home-defense needs should watch this week’s NRA Gun of the Week video hosted by American Rifleman's Brian Sheetz.

Specifications
Manufacturer: Fabbrica d'Armi Pietro Beretta S.p.A
Importer: Beretta USA
Action type: gas-operated, semi-automatic shotgun
Gauge: 12, 3”
Barrel: 21”; Optima Bore HP with screw-in chokes
Sights: stepped ventilated rib with steel center bead and red fiber optic front bead.
Stock: injection molded synthetic; 13” length of pull (adjustable to 14.5”)
Magazine: tubular; five-round-capacity
Trigger: 4-lb., 6-oz. pull
Overall Length: 44 1/2"
Weight:  6 lbs., 11 ozs.
Metal Finish: receiver, matte black anodized; barrel, blued
Accessories: owner’s manual, hard plastic case
MSRP: $1,275

Additional Reading:
Beretta 1301 Competition

Latest

Proof Research
Proof Research

The PROOF Research PXT: A New Approach to Barrel Rifling

PROOF Research has introduced PROOF eXponential Twist (PXT)—an advancement in rifling that improves durability, accuracy and shootability—to the commercial market.

Review: Springfield Armory Model 2020 Heatseeker

Back when American Rifleman reviewed Springfield's Model 2020 Waypoint, we noted that we ...couldn’t help but wonder if a tactical-version Model 2020 rifle might be a logical future offshoot of the Waypoint hunting rifle." With the Model 2020 Heatseeker, that version is finally here.

Marlin Goes Mad: The Marlin Mad Pig Customs Model 1894

Marlin’s latest Model 1894 lever-action rifle, a collaboration with Mad Pig Customs that is a far cry from traditional, delivers “modern, factory‑installed features previously found only on custom builds.”

The Jewish Community Is Embracing Our 2A Freedom

In this episode of the NRA’s The Armed Citizen Podcast, we interview Gayle Pearlstein, COO and co-founder of Lox & Loaded, a Jewish-owned and -operated gun club that now—after being launched only a year ago—has 50 chapters around the United States.

I Have This Old Gun: The Southerner Derringer

People carrying small firearms for personal protection is not a new concept, and in the middle of the 19th century, many pocket pistols were designed with self-defense in mind. One such gun, the Brown Manufacturing Southerner Derringer, was among the earliest cartridge-firing self-defense guns.

Affordable & Feature-Rich: The Springfield Armory Echelon Alpha 4.0C

Springfield Armory entered the world of modular, striker-fired handguns in 2023 with its Echelon line of pistols, and for 2026, Springfield is introducing an entry-level Echelon model with the Alpha 4.0C.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.