Last updated and checked October 29, 2026 · By Nick Hall, who has tested the Beretta 1301 Comp across 500+ rounds for this review. Prices are the lowest new listings in our feed of 200+ retailers on October 29, 2026.
Affiliate disclosure: This Beretta 1301 Comp review contains affiliate links. If you buy through our links then we can receive a small commission that helps keep the lights on. You don’t pay anything more.
- Treat every gun as loaded
- Point the muzzle in a safe direction
- Keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to shoot
- Know your target and what’s beyond
Quick Answer: The Beretta 1301 Comp is a gas-operated 12-gauge built for 3-Gun and practical shotgun, and its Blink gas system is the fastest-cycling action we have run. Beretta says it fires 4 shots in less than 1 second, 36% faster than any other brand. On October 29, 2026 both the 21-inch and 24-inch Comp were $1,475, against a $1,749 starting MSRP.
Standard configuration: 21-inch or 24-inch Steelium barrel, 3-inch chamber, 5+1 capacity, about 7.1 lbs, a fiber-optic front sight and a receiver drilled and tapped for an optic rail. The 1301 Comp Pro adds Beretta’s Kick-Off Plus recoil reduction, a split B-Steady stock and a reworked loading system for about $325 more.
The biggest mistake new 1301 Comp owners make is buying it as a home-defense shotgun. It will do the job, but the long barrel, bead-and-fiber sights and 5+1 tube are set up for a match stage. For home defense, the 1301 Tactical or a Mossberg 590A1 covers the role better. The 1301 Comp earns its premium at the competition range.
Table of Contents
How we tested: Every pick here is ranked against our testing methodology. Minimum round counts, accuracy and reliability protocols, the failures that disqualify a gun.
Beretta 1301 Comp: The 3-Gun Shotgun That Does Everything
Our Rating: 8.5/10
- MSRP: from $1,749 (Beretta)
- Lowest price: $1,475 for the 21″ at EuroOptic and the 24″ at MidwayUSA (October 29, 2026)
- Caliber: 12 Gauge
- Action: Gas-operated semi-automatic
- Barrel Length: 21″ or 24″
- Overall Length: 40.5″ (21″ barrel)
- Weight: about 7.1 lbs (retailer spec sheets)
- Capacity: 5+1 (extended tubes available)
- Stock: Synthetic with adjustable shims
- Chokes: Optimachoke HP interchangeable (ships with IC)
- Made in: Italy
Pros
- Incredibly fast cycling speed (BLINK gas system)
- Oversized cocking handle, bolt release and loading port for fast reloads
- Soft recoil for rapid follow-up shots
Cons
- Limited aftermarket compared to Benelli M2/M4
- Costs more than a Benelli M2 Tactical, which was $1,250.99 on October 29, 2026
- No ghost ring sights on competition model
Quick Take
The Beretta 1301 Comp is one of the fastest-cycling semi-automatic shotguns on the market. Beretta says its Blink gas system fires 4 shots in less than 1 second, 36% faster than any other brand, and you can feel it. Follow-up shots come so fast that it almost feels like cheating. At about 7.1 pounds it is easy to carry through a long 3-Gun match or a day in the field.
The 1301 Comp was designed for competition first, and it doubles well for hunting and clays. The oversized bolt release and loading port make fast reloads easier, the synthetic stock is durable and weather-resistant, and the Optimachoke HP system lets you swap chokes for different jobs. It can serve for home defense, but the 1301 Tactical is the better tool there.
It’s not perfect. The aftermarket is thinner than what’s available for the Benelli M2, the 5-round tube needs an extension for most 3-Gun divisions, and there are no ghost-ring sights, only a mid-bead and a fiber-optic front. But for the money, the 1301 Comp is hard to beat as a fast, light semi-auto.
Best For: 3-Gun competition, sporting clays, bird hunting, and home defense. Anyone who wants a fast, light, reliable semi-auto 12 gauge without paying Benelli M4 prices.
Why Beretta Built the 1301 Comp
Beretta designed the 1301 Comp to take on the 3-Gun market, where the Benelli M2 had been dominant for years. The Blink gas system, which Beretta also uses in the A400 family, was the differentiator. It cycles faster than anything else we have shot, which matters a lot in timed stages.
The “Comp” name stands for Competition, and the design reflects it: a 21-inch or 24-inch barrel, an oversized cocking handle and bolt release, enlarged loading and ejection ports for fast loading, and a receiver drilled and tapped for a red dot rail with no gunsmithing. Beretta also sells the 1301 Tactical for home defense, with ghost-ring sights and an 18.5-inch barrel, and the 1301 Comp Pro covered below.
Competitor Comparison
The M2 is the 1301’s primary competitor. It uses Benelli’s inertia-driven action, which some shooters prefer because it stays cleaner, and it has a much larger aftermarket for competition modifications. The M2 Tactical was the cheaper gun on October 29, 2026, from $1,250.99 at Guns.com. If aftermarket support and price matter most, the M2 wins. If cycling speed and out-of-the-box competition readiness matter more, the 1301 has the edge. See our Benelli M2 review.
The budget 3-Gun option. It uses an inertia action like the Benelli M2, and Stoeger sits in the same Beretta Holding group as Benelli and Beretta. At about a third of the price, from $432.99 for the M3000 Defense on October 29, 2026, it is a popular entry-level 3-Gun shotgun. It is rougher and has a stiffer action out of the box, but it works. The 1301 Comp is a big upgrade in cycling speed, fit and finish, and controls. See our Stoeger M3000 review.
The M4 is the military’s combat shotgun and a legendary platform, but it is heavier at 7.8 lbs, more expensive at $1,799 and up for the standard 11703, and designed for tactical duty rather than competition speed. If your priority is home defense or tactical use, the M4 is hard to beat. For competition, the 1301 Comp is lighter and faster. See our Benelli M4 review and Benelli M4 vs Beretta 1301.
1301 Comp vs 1301 Comp Pro
The Comp Pro is the same Blink-action gun with Beretta’s match-shooter changes. Beretta lists a polymer receiver insert with its Kick-Off Plus system, two elastomer dampers that it says cut perceived recoil by up to 40%, and a third damper in the stock bolt to tame the second recoil peak. The B-Steady stock splits into butt and forearm so the forearm moves with recoil while the butt stays planted. It also gets a reworked loading system, an oversized cocking handle and bolt release, and a MicroCore recoil pad.
On October 29, 2026 the Comp Pro started at $1,799.99 for the 24-inch at EuroOptic, about $325 more than the standard Comp. If you shoot long match days and feel recoil, the Pro is the better buy. If you mainly want the speed, the standard Comp gets you all of it.
Is the 1301 Comp Good for Home Defense?
It works, but it is not the best Beretta for the job. The 1301 Comp has a 21-inch or 24-inch barrel, a fiber-optic front bead and a 5+1 tube, all chosen for match stages. The 1301 Tactical uses the same Blink action with an 18.5-inch barrel, ghost-ring sights and a 7+1 tube, which suits a hallway better. If you want one gun for both matches and the house, the Comp with a short barrel and a red dot on the drilled and tapped receiver is a reasonable compromise.
The Verdict
The Beretta 1301 Comp is one of the best competition semi-autos you can buy, from $1,475 on October 29, 2026. The Blink gas system makes it the fastest-cycling shotgun we have run, the controls are built for speed, the Italian build quality shows, and it runs reliably across a wide range of loads. It’s a legitimate tool for 3-Gun, sporting clays and bird hunting.
If you’re getting into competition shotgun sports or you want a premium semi-auto that does everything well, the 1301 Comp earns a strong recommendation. Add an extended magazine tube, a quality choke, and maybe a Nordic Components bolt release, and you’ve got a match-ready shotgun that will run with guns costing twice as much.
Final Score: 8.5/10
Best For: 3-Gun competitors, bird hunters, sporting clays shooters, and anyone who wants the fastest-cycling semi-auto shotgun for match use. Buyers who mainly want a house gun should look at the 1301 Tactical.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Beretta 1301 Comp good for 3-Gun?
Yes. It is one of the most popular 3-Gun shotguns because of its speed. Beretta says the Blink gas system fires 4 shots in less than 1 second, 36% faster than any other brand, and the oversized controls and loading port are built for fast reloads. Most divisions need an extended magazine tube added.
How much does a Beretta 1301 Comp cost?
Beretta lists the 1301 Comp from $1,749. On October 29, 2026 the lowest price in our feed was $1,475 for both the 21-inch (EuroOptic) and the 24-inch (MidwayUSA). The Comp Pro started at $1,799.99.
Beretta 1301 Comp vs Benelli M2: which is better?
The 1301 Comp cycles faster and comes ready for competition. The Benelli M2 uses an inertia action, has a bigger aftermarket and was cheaper on October 29, 2026, from $1,250.99 for the M2 Tactical. Pick the Beretta for speed, the Benelli for upgrades and price.
What is the Beretta Blink system?
Blink is Beretta's gas operating system, used in the 1301 and A400 families. Beretta says it cycles 36% faster than any other brand and fires 4 shots in less than 1 second. In practice it means faster follow-up shots and softer felt recoil than an inertia gun.
How much does the Beretta 1301 Comp weigh?
About 7.1 pounds with the 21-inch barrel, according to retailer spec sheets. Overall length is about 40.5 inches with the 21-inch barrel.
What is the capacity of the Beretta 1301 Comp?
5+1 with 2 3/4-inch shells in the factory tube. Competitors add an extended magazine tube for 3-Gun, and some markets get a plugged Comp Pro, so check the model you are buying.
What is the difference between the 1301 Comp and the 1301 Comp Pro?
The Comp Pro adds Beretta's Kick-Off Plus dampers, which Beretta says cut perceived recoil by up to 40%, a split B-Steady stock, a reworked loading system, an oversized cocking handle and bolt release, and a MicroCore recoil pad. It started about $325 above the standard Comp on October 29, 2026.
Is the Beretta 1301 Comp good for home defense?
It works, but the 1301 Tactical is the better Beretta for the job. The Tactical has an 18.5-inch barrel, ghost-ring sights and a 7+1 tube, while the Comp's longer barrel, fiber-optic bead and 5+1 tube are set up for matches.
Can you mount a red dot on the Beretta 1301 Comp?
Yes. Beretta drills and taps the receiver for rail mounts, so you can fit a red dot or other optic without gunsmithing. Beretta sells an aluminum Picatinny rail for the 1301 Competition.
Is the Beretta 1301 Comp reliable?
Yes. The Blink gas system runs reliably across a wide range of loads. Like any gas gun, it needs the gas system cleaned more often than an inertia gun such as the Benelli M2.
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