Which a 1301 or M4

[Kirk Freeman]

If you are tall and lanky or Audie Murphy sized, one may have issues with M4 on the deck, where you will likely be in a fight, as it is recoil assisted.

Something to consider.

Personally, happy with either.

 

[bloodandgutsmurphy]

I shot a 1301 with slugs. It has more recoil than a 870 or 590. It wasn't unmanageable, but I'm not sure if I was that much faster than a pump

 

[BoilerWes]

Handled a 1301 tactical at Gun Club today. Nice and light. I thought the LOP was too short for me. Need to handle the m4 side by side.

 

[devildog178]

The 1301 is winning the vote so far for good reason. My 1301 has been flawless

 

[bglaze]

My 1301 is my favorite gun in my safe.

I have zero experience with the M4 (or its brothers), however. So, I can't make a comparison.

I'm taking my time building out the 1301, but I added the Briley handguard for m-lok attachments.

Also, I'll probably choose a red-dot pretty soon as well.

Here's mine, currently.

 

[Andy NWI]

My vote is for the 1301. You can sometimes find police trade ins for a good price

 

[HamYankee]

Which would you get a Beretta 1301 or a Benelli M4. Cost difference does not matter. Will be used for home defense, some 3 gun, and may go in the field for rabbit. I will carry in Southern Ohio, a few miles from the Ohio and Scioto Rivers, when walking mom's farm for black bear. She lost two calves this last spring to bears. Most of the ground is hills, lots of woods with a large creek running through it.

I have never shot the 1301. But, my M4 is the most amazing shotgun I’ve ever shot. Recoil is the best managed I’ve felt. Super smooth action and stays on target.

 

[Dean C.]

I would look REALLY hard at the new Beretta A300 Patrol , I actually like the 300 series gas system myself over the 1301's Blink system (the 300 series operates slower therefore less felt recoil). It's still a Beretta and it's several hundred cheaper than the 1301. The one I handled at the gun club almost went home with me , but I just bought a Browning 725 so my gun budged is in shambles currently.

Yes I have laid hands on that exact shotgun and it is awesome. I will be getting one eventually to have a semi auto shotgun

 

[Colt556]

I wanted a 1301 but when I was looking I couldn’t find one anywhere. I stumbled upon a great deal on a Mossberg 930 Tactical and have been very pleased with it. I put an XS Big Dot sight on it and a larger extended safety and it does pretty much what I want it to do. Shoots great and handles very well. I’d still like a 1301 but for now the 930 does the job.

 

[teddy12b]

I've had the same debate for years, and one of the reasons I like a semi auto over a pump is feeling less recoil. I'm curious which of the two feels like less recoil when shooting. There has been some great reviews coming out about Beretta's new A300, but it's not proven by time yet would be my only hesitation.

As far as bears go, every guide I've ever hunted with or talked to tracks wounded bears with a 12ga pump full of slugs. I'd have zero hesitation about seeking out black bears with a 12ga slug.

 

[ACC]

I have an M4 and love it. Great shooter and I like the military pedigree. But I have been looking at 1301s since Langdon Tactical started working their magic on them. Now, I am also intrigued by Beretta's new A300 Patrol. Looks to have some great upgrades for a decent price point.

 

[two70]

I've had the same debate for years, and one of the reasons I like a semi auto over a pump is feeling less recoil. I'm curious which of the two feels like less recoil when shooting. There has been some great reviews coming out about Beretta's new A300, but it's not proven by time yet would be my only hesitation.

As far as bears go, every guide I've ever hunted with or talked to tracks wounded bears with a 12ga pump full of slugs. I'd have zero hesitation about seeking out black bears with a 12ga slug.

I understand the hesitation but the 300 is not new, the 300 action has been around for a long time. The basic 300 was upgraded to the 300 Ultima a couple years ago and the Ultima was upgraded slightly to the Patrol.

 

[daddyusmaximus]

I'd go with an M4. The AR version of course...

Now if I had to stick with the shotguns as described... the 1301. That, however, is solely based on what I've read, or seen in review videos.
My own is the 930 SPX, and it does well enough for me, though it gets little use. Just not a "shotgun" kinda guy.

 

[kawtech87]

Actually in between the same two shotguns myself.

I have two 870s, one lives in the bedroom safe and one is my hunting shotgun. I'm considering selling the one in the bedroom and replacing it with an auto incase my wife ever had to use it. She physically can't rack the 870 and I'm afraid recoil will be an issue. Leaning 1301 because price, but the M4 supposedly handles recoil better but is quite a bit heavier too and considerably more expensive so tradeoffs. May try a 930 or 940 I'm not sure. Which ever one will have to cycle reduced recoil loads without issue

 

[rb288]

I shot an M4 in the military and loved it.
I own a 1301 and love it more.
I can't necessarily tell you why, it just feels better.

 

[Dean C.]

Actually in between the same two shotguns myself.

I have two 870s, one lives in the bedroom safe and one is my hunting shotgun. I'm considering selling the one in the bedroom and replacing it with an auto incase my wife ever had to use it. She physically can't rack the 870 and I'm afraid recoil will be an issue. Leaning 1301 because price, but the M4 supposedly handles recoil better but is quite a bit heavier too and considerably more expensive so tradeoffs. May try a 930 or 940 I'm not sure. Which ever one will have to cycle reduced recoil loads without issue

A300 has less felt recoil than an 1301 FYI

 

[teddy12b]

Actually in between the same two shotguns myself.

I have two 870s, one lives in the bedroom safe and one is my hunting shotgun. I'm considering selling the one in the bedroom and replacing it with an auto incase my wife ever had to use it. She physically can't rack the 870 and I'm afraid recoil will be an issue. Leaning 1301 because price, but the M4 supposedly handles recoil better but is quite a bit heavier too and considerably more expensive so tradeoffs. May try a 930 or 940 I'm not sure. Which ever one will have to cycle reduced recoil loads without issue

I don't mean this in any kind of a negative way at all, but is she's struggling to rack an 870 isn't the recoil from just about any kind of 12ga shotgun going to put her on her backside? Have you considered any other option for her?

 

[kawtech87]

I don't mean this in any kind of a negative way at all, but is she's struggling to rack an 870 isn't the recoil from just about any kind of 12ga shotgun going to put her on her backside? Have you considered any other option for her?

She struggles with the 870 because of the length of pull. Her arms aren't long enough and she short strokes it (giggidy). But yes I have considered an auto loading 20ga they just don't seem to be as prevalent. And then I'd have to stock another caliber so.... I'm hoping an auto 12 with low recoil loads will work for her, if not I want a good auto loader anyway and I'll look for her a 20ga.

 

[kawtech87]

A300 has less felt recoil than an 1301 FYI

Thanks. I've seen the new A300 Ultima but haven't had the chance to handle one yet. Also supposedly the newish(?) 940 pro tactical is pretty soft shooting. But again I've not handled one

 

[Colt556]

She struggles with the 870 because of the length of pull. Her arms aren't long enough and she short strokes it (giggidy). But yes I have considered an auto loading 20ga they just don't seem to be as prevalent. And then I'd have to stock another caliber so.... I'm hoping an auto 12 with low recoil loads will work for her, if not I want a good auto loader anyway and I'll look for her a 20ga.

If she can handle the recoil on the 870 and it’s just a LOP issue tou could get a youth stock, an AR type collapsible stock or a short tactical stock for it. Might work.