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Legendary Beretta’s 1301 series is an impressive lineup of semi-automatic shotguns built for different applications. There are eight current models. All have an aluminum receiver and a 3” chamber but then differ on stock, grip, sights (or lack thereof), vent ribs (or lack thereof), capacity and finish/color scheme.

This lineup sports large textured charging handles, oversize cross-bolt safeties at the front of the trigger guard with a nice red band that’s exposed when the gun is ready for action, attractive and comfortable contours, etc. Then there is the actual performance thanks to their integrated BLINK gas operating system. It astonishes by hammering up to four shots a second thanks to the cross-tube gas piston Beretta says permits the gun to “cycle 36% faster than any other shotgun on the market.”

The eight models are the 1301 Comp, 1301 Comp Pro, 1301 Tactical, 1301 Viper, 1301 Tactical FDE, 1301 Tactical Marine, 1301 Tactical OD Green and 1301 Tactical Pistol Grip LE. Let’s take a quick peek at these models and their differences.

The two 1301 Comp models (standard and Pro) are for competitions. They have a 2+1 capacity, wide 10x8 Step Ribs (that start at 10mm width and taper to 8mm at front), an Optimabore HP (aka OBHP) IC choke, polymer stocks and forends and 21” or 24” barrel length options. The cold hammer forged OptimaBore HP barrel is created out of Beretta’s own ultra-durable tri-alloy Steelium.

Aim is via a front fiberoptic sight that’s complimented by a mid-bead sight further back. Additionally, the receiver is drilled and tapped for rail mounts for other optional optics, etc. The tactile surfaces are covered in wonderful non-slip checkering, granting you the precision control you want when you want it. Beretta receivers are also a bit wider than others permitting additional stability.

The 1301 Comp Pro adds additional recoil absorption and mitigation in the form of a revised Ergal light aluminum alloy stock design that’s optimized for speedy quad-loading. It also has a trio of rubbery elastomer dampers, and revised receiver architecture splashed in a brilliant blue anodized finish.

The other six guns including the 1301 Viper are tactical models built around shorter 18.5” barrels and a 37.8” overall length. They have an OBHP IC removeable choke and a protected ghost-ring rear sight with an interchangeable front blade sight. Beretta thoughtfully tops the receiver with a medium length MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail for additional optics. They have spacers to adjust length of pull, and you can also adjust drop and cast.

The tactical models start with the all black standard 1301 Tactical. The 1301 Viper, 1301 Tactical FDE, 1301 Tactical Marine and 1301 Tactical OD Green are otherwise the same in features and specifications but with different color schemes. Thus the 1301 Viper includes True Timber’s organic Western Viper camo pattern of tans, browns and grays over the entire gun except a few places such as the buttpad, magazine cap, rail, rear sight and trigger guard.

It’s no surprise that the nicely named 1301 Tactical FDE and 1301 Tactical OD Green are field dark earth and olive drab green respectively. But the 1301 Tactical Marine is a bit different. Camouflage being of little importance at sea, the gun is black for the polymer forend and stock and detailed parts such as the sights. But the barrel and receiver are optimized for maritime environments with a high visibility, corrosion resistant finish and Aqua-Tech anti-corrosion coatings for the internal parts.

Last, but not least, is the 1301 Tactical Pistol Grip LE model. This law enforcement style shotgun is about the same as the standard 1301 Tactical gun but has a pistol grip. The stock has a different shape, and the longer magazine gives this model a 6+1 capacity.

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