Beretta 1301 v2 vs. Benelli M4

[sirgrumps]

Now that these two shotguns are now essentially the same street price,
which one would you pick?

[Quiet]

Beretta 1301 Mod 2.

Beretta USA does 922r parts compliance for the 1301 Mod 2 before they are sold.
^This is why it can legally have a magazine capacity of greater than 5 rounds.
~The Benelli M4 is imported with a 5 round capacity limit due to Federal importation laws and Fed 922r parts compliance is required in order to legally extend the capacity to be greater than 5 rounds.

The Beretta 1301 Mod 2 is still less expensive the the Benelli M4.
^Beretta 1301 Mod 2 @ $1799 MSRP vs Benelli M4 @ $2399 MSRP.

[Capybara]

The Beretta 1301 Tactical is a GREAT shotgun, one of the best guns I've bought in the past five years. This is my V1 with some customizing, the V2 is even a bit better.

The Benelli is a fine gun but is it worth $600 more? Only you will know.

[Nagrom_]

I have a 1301, my brother has an M4. I am not disappointed with my choice in the slightest.

More 1301 porn:

[L84CABO]

There are no bad choices here. Both guns are excellent.

The point about 922R compliance is valid and you'll want to factor in the cost of swapping out three parts on the m4 (one of them being a 7 round mag tube) if being 922R compliant is important to you.

Consider the aftermarket. I suspect there might be more aftermarket support for the 1301 over the m4. And particularly when it comes to barrels. I believe Beretta makes/made a 21" and a 24" barrel for the 1301. With the m4 you're stuck with the factory 18.5" barrel.

Note that the 1301 is an inertia gun (ignore that...it's a gas gun...I got bad info...sorry about that) and the m4 is a gas piston gun. So the m4 should be a little softer shooting...and perhaps a bit more reliable if you intend to hang a lot of weight off the gun with lights, side saddles, optics, etc. But perhaps someone has a 1301 all decked out and can let you know if it affected the reliability at all.

[Reno-Kid]

New Folding stock for the Beretta 1301 v2, now that's nice.

https://youtu.be/RT8MrWqJKng?feature=shared

[acaligunner]

Benelli is combat proven and just as reliable - with being in service with the US Marine corps.

With the 922 switch -you can add a full length tube, and have as close to the m 1014 as you can get.

Recoil is said to be lighter than the 1301 ( heavier gun ) and resale might also be higher with the M4 / 1014.

I own the benelli and have owned other tactical Benelli models, without issue.

I also believe there is less moving parts on the Benelli, and it is said that the M4 / 1014 can fire over 25,000 shells without any major parts breakage ( can the 1301 do the same ) ?

I don?t doubt that the 1301 isn?t a fine tactical weapon system, ( I don?t own one - held a 1301 ) but I?m gtg with the Benelli, it?s a beast.

[Nagrom_]

There are no bad choices here. Both guns are excellent.


Note that the 1301 is an inertia gun and the m4 is a gas piston gun. So the m4 should be a little softer shooting...and perhaps a bit more reliable if you intend to hang a lot of weight off the gun with lights, side saddles, optics, etc. But perhaps someone has a 1301 all decked out and can let you know if it affected the reliability at all.

The 1301 is gas driven.

[Imageview]

Consider the aftermarket. I suspect there might be more aftermarket support for the 1301 over the m4. And particularly when it comes to barrels. I believe Beretta makes/made a 21" and a 24" barrel for the 1301. With the m4 you're stuck with the factory 18.5" barrel.

The 1301 is essentially the same as a beretta a400 when it comes to barrels. The tactical model is the same as the 3? a400, the competition pro is the 3.5? xtreme plus. Barrels do not swap between tactical and comp pro models. So there are choices, but it?s a little confusing and pretty expensive. Still an option for those that are interested.

[Ihrinwe]

I have both, both great shotguns and wouldn't get rid of either one. My Benelli is built heaver and has a pistol grip. My Beretta 1301 I kept light and has a straight stock.

Benelli is top of the line but its significantly more $ overall after getting in to after market parts and 922r compliance needs.

If I could only choose one I would go Benelli for proven reliability and due to passing military testing. I don't have any genuine concerns about the 1301 though and wouldn't question it if that's all I had.

[xXRifleManXx]

1301 has better controls, runs smoother and will any ammo you throw in it.
Beretta owns Benelli and drew off that knowledge when they built the 1301.
Better gun just not as cool in the U.S. military use. Yet.

Sold my m4 because I got every penny I had in it back. It is still a great gun, but it got knocked off and is no longer king of the mountain. Time will tell.

[LBDamned]

I too have both, wouldn't sell either... endorse both equally.

If forced to choose, I'd still say 'both'

Secretly, I'd favor M4 ... but 1301 is preferred for nimble use.

[Quiet]

Note that the 1301 is an inertia gun and the m4 is a gas piston gun.

The 1301 is gas driven.

The Beretta 1201 series are inertia recoil.

The Beretta 1301 series are gas piston.

[acaligunner]

1301 has better controls, runs smoother and will any ammo you throw in it.
Beretta owns Benelli and drew off that knowledge when they built the 1301.
Better gun just not as cool in the U.S. military use. Yet.

Sold my m4 because I got every penny I had in it back. It is still a great gun, but it got knocked off and is no longer king of the mountain. Time will tell.

It may not be that the 1301 runs faster ( how ? fast ? can someone handle full power 12 loads? ) but how the SG?s run in the long haul of real life Military use and Combat.

The simple fact is that the 1014 ( M4 ) Benelli has already had the history of being a reliable and durable SG, and the beretta is the new kid on the block ( with no military use and / or proven in the war zone ) means that the beretta needs to catch up to the old girl with a history of being able to prove itself.

I see nothing wrong with the beretta - it?s way lighter than the Benelli and has a lot of nice features - beretta did their homework ( bravo ).

Nothing wrong if it works right - but I just feel for what I believe has been a bit more proven and that?s the M4 / 1014 Benelli. I?m kinda dumb that way.

[k1dude]

I'd take the 1301 every time over the M4. The 1301 is fast, light, nimble and tough. The M4 is a tank and weighs just about as much as one.