country & shotgun | beretta GOOD TO Racknload checks out the new and very evolved 1301 Comp Pro GO! action-style semi-auto shotgun… The 1301 Comp Pro now incorporates a full- length 9/10-shot mag tube as standard t seems like a the practical circuit, as the insert almost like a spacer. This second two that you are long time since I Comp Pro doesn't need any allows the rear part of the butt holding in your fingers can have tested a tube customisation and is good to to flex/bend in a downward catch the forend’s rubber magazine practical- go straight out of the box. direction, to help take the bump grip and prevent a nice fluid Itype shotgun. It seems that Starting from the butt, it’s out of the recoil. So, there is a movement. Whilst on the this area of the smoothbore fitted with the very effective serious amount of engineering subject, it brings me to the scene has gone a little box Kick Off recoil system, which that has gone into this design, loading port; interestingly, magazine crazy in recent times comprises of four components to improve control and shooter this area has not changed to be honest, but I'm certainly to reduce kick. First, is a soft comfort, which happens in the from the original, in that no not complaining though! rubber pad, not very exciting but blink of an eye, shot after shot. more meat has been cut out However, when a high-end it does do what it says on the The furniture is made from of this area to further aid fast manufacturer brings out a new tin! Second, and this is where it a hard composite polymer with reloading. It's not a big issue gun, I get very excited! I first gets interesting, internally, just over moulded rubberised panels for me, but I wonder if these saw Beretta’s 1301 Comp at forward of the pad are twin recoil located where grip is needed, guns get them opened up by IWA 2019, and they’ve done dampeners with return springs. such as the cheekpiece, pistol serious competition shooters. a pretty damn good job too! They work like shock absorbers grip and the forend. Gone is the The main problem with Compared to the original on a car. With their return springs, razor-sharp chequering that the the 1301, its bolt release, has 1301, the most noticeable they reset in the blink of an eye old 1301 had that you could been sorted, if accidentally addition is an extended too; adding to this is a third, literally grate cheese off! The pressed whilst shooting, the magazine tube and barrel larger one located inside the panels feel good though and are gun would double feed; clamp. At last, Beretta, you pistol grip where the stock bolt almost sticky to the touch on disastrous! The Pro Comp’s have listened, as the 1301 did is. Beretta claims they alone the pistol grip and forend. The is now sleeker, also the shell not come with an extended reduce recoil by up to 40%! latter I particularly find striking, lifter stays in its up position tube, which was a real pain, as it incorporates the Beretta once the gun is cocked, as once had you purchased Steady on logo and looks very nice. which makes reloads faster one you were then having to As if that wasn’t enough, there However, this finish and easier. The trigger unit buy parts to get it competition is also what Beretta calls the B sometimes causes problems and safety catch are the ready. Finally, Beretta have Steady system. At the back of the when quad loading; as you same as the 1301. The listened to shooters on pistol grip there is a soft rubber push the first two shells in, the guard is polymer, with an 80 may 2020 | GUN MART View hundreds more gun reviews online at www.gunmart.net beretta | country & shotgun Beretta’s upgraded 1302, the 1301 Comp Pro is a better design all round The big head safety gives a lot more to work The B Steady system allows the rear of the The Toni Systems extended mag tube and with, now the shell lifter can be set to give butt to flex under recoil load barrel clamp are now included as standard; more access to the loading port about time too oversized cross bolt safety and a small rear bead and a well-balanced though and weighs The action on the Comp Pro is incorporated, which is excellent, front fibre optic sight to make in at 7.1lbs. Accuracy was quite a gas/piston type, so attention and the pull went to 4.5lbs! target acquisition on those impressive as I reached out to needs to be paid to the gas steels fast and positive! The about 80-yards to my 10-inch transfer ports in the barrel lug/ Feeling blue! build shows tri-alloy, hammer- gong that I had set up on the ring and the inside of the piston The receiver is finished in forged construction and a 3-inch range with slug and pretty much and outside of the mag tube it adonised blue, which looks pretty chamber, meaning it can take connected every time using slides on. Plus, debris builds up damn sexy! The top is drilled and nearly all shell lengths. A set of Sellier and Bellot 1oz loads. inside the receiver, so dropping tapped for a scope rail, if you extended chokes are included, Although most, modern semi- the trigger mech housing will wish to fit an optic. The charging which is ideal on a practical auto shotguns seem far more allow access there too. handle is the same oversized shotgun, because you are able tolerant of running dirty (un- design that offers plenty of grip. to change them or make sure cleaned) for longer periods, this Conclusion Beretta still use their Blink system that they are tight in between Beretta seemed no different; I’d Overall, the new Comp Pro is bolt, which is super-fast, just stages without any tools. always recommend a thorough an excellent and well-conceived watch those fingers! Moving onto cleaning regime. I’d guess that competition shotgun that needs the forend, which is a little too Running on most competitive shooters will nothing doing to it and is good to grippy where it doesn't need to So, how did it run? Flawlessly, already have that down pat. go straight out of the box! GM be – near the loading port. Apart I would have to say! I put from that it feels good in the around 150-rounds through it, TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION hand and offers loads of traction. using everything from bird and Name: Beretta Comp Pro The extended magazine buckshot and slug, however with Calibre: 12-bore tube as standard is from Toni the shot loads I did not go lower Barrel: 24-inches System Components and you than 28-grams. I did several mag Chamber: 3-inches can effortlessly load it up as the dumps with 10 + 1 cartridges Length: 47-inches internal spring and follower are loaded and I had no issues as Weight: 7.1lbs slick. Stability is aided by a Toni far as functionality goes. Muzzle Multi-choke Y RRP: £1725 barrel clamp fitted, that looks Rise was a little bit apparent; I Contact: GMK Ltd: gmk.co.uk very cool too. The 24-inch barrel would fit a muzzle brake to tame has a 10 x 8mm ventilated rib that slightly. The gun does feel View hundreds more gun reviews online at www.gunmart.net GUN MART | may 2020 81.