Semi Auto Shotgun for 3 Gun....

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GregB

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Have been using a Mossberg 930, but am thinking about upgrading. Looking at the 940, Benelli M4, and Beretta 1301. As much as I love the M4, I don't think it's the best choice for 3 gun and it's the most expensive. The 930 doesn't have the best reputation and I'm not sure how much better the 940 is. Leaning toward the 1301. Ruled out the M2 and other inertia guns, as I'm not a fan of recoil (LOL,) I guess my question is the 1301 (@$1500) twice the gun the 940 (@900) is?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

GregB
 
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GregB said:
Have been using a Mossberg 930, but am thinking about upgrading. Looking at the 940, Benelli M4, and Beretta 1301. As much as I love the M4, I don't think it's the best choice for 3 gun and it's the most expensive. The 930 doesn't have the best reputation and I'm not sure how much better the 940 is. Leaning toward the 1301. Ruled out the M2 and other inertia guns, as I'm not a fan of recoil (LOL,) I guess my question is the 1301 (@$1500) twice the gun the 940 (@900) is?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

GregB
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Yes it is.

I’ve had a 1301Comp for several years. Gen 1. It’s been awesome.

Edit: come to the Old Fort 3 Gun. Squad with me and you can run mine for the match.
 
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I had the FN SLP and it was freakin awesome for recoil and it came mostly set up for 3 gun. I hear Beretta makes one now that is quite nice right out of the box.
 
Tim said:
July 31st.

It’s a lot more fun to shoot than it is to watch.
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Unless you’re lending your semi shotgun to both of us it’s a no go 😂
 
I heard that the new 940 JM Pro is way better than the 930.... They basically copied what Jerry did on his 930.

Don't Forget the Versamax... whoever was minding the shotgun side of Remington was the only one doing their job... It's the smoothest shotgun I have ever ran.
 
1301 is pretty sweet. Lightweight and fairly soft feeling recoil. Hard to beat for 3gun.
Benelli M2 has proven to be awesome though, and technique and a few serious range sessions and you will not be bothered by the recoil at all, imo. Also, look at Franchi. It's setup like the Stoeger, but made in Benelli factory in Italy.
The Versamax shoots very smooth and soft. Have heard of some not shooting slugs well though. Of all the 3gun shotguns I have tried, a VersaMax Turkey 22" was my favorite. Had factory FO sights and shot slugs great too.
 
Good luck finding a VersaMax until the new owners ramp up the Ilion plant again. Nothing but 870s for a while when they do from what I hear.

But I am intrigued myself from what I hear; they seem to eat everything with no issues.
 
Been looking and that 940 seems to check all the boxes for a 1000 dollar out of the box 3 gun shotty. Has anyone on here actually shot one?
 
I’m a small guy and I feel like (from what I’ve read, I know shit about shotguns) that inertia’s kick harder. Is that untrue? I guess I’ll get a chance to shoot yours (unless you are loaning me a different brand) on the 31st. The bredas look nice though. I guess I should shoot some different ones before making a decision.
 
The recoil is stiffer. But I have seen 12 year old girls run them. I know a kid who is a shotgun champion and runs benellis. He’s bigger now, but at one time was maybe 100lb. He’s still maybe 135.

IMO, recoil issues go away fast. You get used to it very quickly. And, even learn to enjoy it a bit. 3gun is mostly bird shot and low recoil slugs. Cowboy up son!
 
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NKD said:
The recoil is stiffer. But I have seen 12 year old girls run them. I know a kid who is a shotgun champion and runs benellis. He’s bigger now, but at one time was maybe 100lb. He’s still maybe 135.

IMO, recoil issues go away fast. You get used to it very quickly. And, even learn to enjoy it a bit. 3gun is mostly bird shot and low recoil slugs. Cowboy up son!
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I’m not saying I can’t take the recoil, I’m just saying anyone with the option between low recoil vs regular will choose the former. I’m just wondering what the benefit is between the two besides one needing more cleaning.
 
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In my opinion, it is more about the difference in the recoil impulse than the actual recoil itself. I mean we are talking about 12ga shotguns, all 12ga shotguns have significant recoil. For an inexperienced shotgun shooter it will difficult to say which one really has more recoil. But they will notice that they feel slightly different. After several range sessions, learning proper shooting techniques and recoil management. You’ll then be able to discern the differences between the two. Allowing you to make a educated decision about which system you like and shoot best. I would not be in a hurry to make a decision right away. No matter your financial status, the Benelli and Beretta lines of shotguns are a significant investment. Shooting both over several range sessions is the best research before investing you money.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
berf said:
I’m not saying I can’t take the recoil, I’m just saying anyone with the option between low recoil vs regular will choose the former. I’m just wondering what the benefit is between the two besides one needing more cleaning.
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Agreed, for sure. If you didn't have to give up anything else.

Edit: Wish you were closer, I'd let you take my Franchi for a couple range sessions.
 
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Are pump shotguns not good for 3 gun? I've got an 1187 I was planning on using. The barrel is a mile long, but now I am unsure!
 
heavydoc said:
Are pump shotguns not good for 3 gun? I've got an 1187 I was planning on using. The barrel is a mile long, but now I am unsure!
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1st: I am not the one to ask if anything is good for 3-gun!! Trust me. :)

I think an experienced shotgun reloader with a pump & extended mag could probably do well. Note I didn't say shotshell reloader - I'm talking about someone who can feed the durn thing quickly under pressure.

Oh- and then there's that whole thing about remembering to rack the slide... it tends to make a louder bang when ya do. :rolleyes:
 
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The Beretta 1301 Comp is one of the best guns on the market for competition and hunting. At the price point I feel its the best value as well. Wider load port, oversize controls, better safety location, and softer recoil.

Although my Benelli Super Black Eagle has never had a failure of any type the inertia recoil system is bull marketing. The gun weight is great in the field but kicks like a mule. Same with all their inertia guns.
 
heavydoc said:
Are pump shotguns not good for 3 gun? I've got an 1187 I was planning on using. The barrel is a mile long, but now I am unsure!
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Pumps can be run very effectively.

CHOKES are important. Many HD oriented guns are cylinder bore with no threads for different chokes.

I swapped chokes twice yesterday for different stages.

I proofed one of the stages when we were setting up. My 870 with cylinder bore and #7 was useless, the same load with Mod choke was perfect.
 
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BlackGun said:
The Beretta 1301 Comp is one of the best guns on the market for competition and hunting. At the price point I feel its the best value as well. Wider load port, oversize controls, better safety location, and softer recoil.

Although my Benelli Super Black Eagle has never had a failure of any type the inertia recoil system is bull marketing. The gun weight is great in the field but kicks like a mule. Same with all their inertia guns.
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I have the Gen 1 1301 Comp and love it.
 
Windini said:
I think an experienced shotgun reloader with a pump & extended mag could probably do well. Note I didn't say shotshell reloader - I'm talking about someone who can feed the durn thing quickly under pressure.
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For those in contention, shotgun reloads and stage plans that minimize movement win the day.
 
Tim said:
For those in contention, shotgun reloads and stage plans that minimize movement win the day.
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So aiming is not worth the effort? :D I'll keep doing that, then.

Reality: I know full well *I* am 99% of the issue. And I'm trying to learn from my experience at both matches I've done.

Practice, practice, practice is #1. But I like shopping for guns, too.
 
Learn to quickly quad load and dual load while moving and this will go a long way to not getting smoked.
Let's spice this up with some pics to get base for people to get ideas. Maybe post up your guns if you can fellas.


This is a 26" Franchi Affinity. Took these when I first got it. Some things that make it multigun ready:
-12 round tube (3 quad loads). Some guys like longer, and some like shorter. No right answer. I like that I can start with 8 in the gun, then load a quad immediately if I need to.
-Extended C-rums lifter
-Extended controls
-Note dovetailed adjustable rear sight, f.o. front (for slugs)
-Machined loading port (this can be opened a lot more)

The above was done by a good gunsmith and cost around 500$ on top of the gun. I could easily have just put on the tube and run it like that. Many people open up the port themselves with files and dremels.
There are options, but after many matches of trying to do it cheap, I just went in on it. Wish I would have just done that to start. Unfortunately 3gun kinda went away around raleigh and this thing is covered in dust, lol!

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NKD said:
Learn to quickly quad load and dual load while moving and this will go a long way to not getting smoked.
Let's spice this up with some pics to get base for people to get ideas. Maybe post up your guns if you can fellas.


This is a 26" Franchi Affinity. Took these when I first got it. Some things that make it multigun ready:
-12 round tube (3 quad loads). Some guys like longer, and some like shorter. No right answer. I like that I can start with 8 in the gun, then load a quad immediately if I need to.
-Extended C-rums lifter
-Extended controls
-Note dovetailed adjustable rear sight, f.o. front (for slugs)
-Machined loading port (this can be opened a lot more)

The above was done by a good gunsmith and cost around 500$ on top of the gun. I could easily have just put on the tube and run it like that. Many people open up the port themselves with files and dremels.
There are options, but after many matches of trying to do it cheap, I just went in on it. Wish I would have just done that to start. Unfortunately 3gun kinda went away around raleigh and this thing is covered in dust, lol!

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So you’re saying this dust catcher is for sale?
 
If I had a 18.5” barrel on a Beretta 1301, could you go to 12 with an extension without damaging the extension? Or would I need a 24” barrel?
 
BlackGun said:
If I had a 18.5” barrel on a Beretta 1301, could you go to 12 with an extension without damaging the extension? Or would I need a 24” barrel?
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Can’t say I have much experience but I shot (and saw people shoot) shotguns in the 3 gun yesterday where the tube went past the barrel by a good 6 inches. Definite carbon build up on the tube. But it seems to be a common setup.
 
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