Best Beretta Shotguns (2026): 1301, A300, A400 & More

The best Beretta shotguns come from the oldest gunmaker in the world, and the company still builds some of the softest shooting, most reliable semi-autos you can buy. The hard part is picking one. Beretta sells tactical guns, waterfowl guns and competition guns, and model names like 1301, A300, A350 and A400 do not tell you much on their own.

Our reviewers at GunsAmerica Digest have shot these guns in the field and on the range. One ran about 1,000 rounds through a 1301 Tactical Mod 2, suppressed and unsuppressed, with zero malfunctions. Another stalked wild pigs with an A300 Ultima Patrol and was honest about the one stoppage he had. Others took Beretta’s waterfowl guns to the marsh and a 692 to the clays course.

This guide picks the Beretta shotgun that fits each job. For brand-versus-brand comparisons, see our best semi-auto tactical shotguns, best waterfowl shotguns and best over-under shotguns.

Start with the buyer’s guide, then jump to the picks. Prices are what our reviewers reported at the time of testing, and several of these reviews are years old, so check current models and prices before you buy.

Buyer’s Guide: How To Choose The Best Beretta Shotguns In 2026

Most Beretta shotguns share a gas operated design and Italian roots, so the choice comes down to the job, the chamber length and how much capacity you need.

Tactical, Field Or Competition

Beretta builds shotguns for very different jobs. The 1301 Tactical and A300 Ultima Patrol are short barreled defensive guns with rails and ghost ring sights. The A400 Xtreme Plus and A350 Xtrema are waterfowl guns with long barrels, camo and chokes. The 692 is an over-under for clays. Buy the gun built for your main use instead of trying to make one do everything.

Gas Systems: B-Link Versus The A300

The 1301 and A400 use Beretta’s B-Link gas system. Our 1301 Tactical Mod 2 reviewer reported that it cycles 36 percent faster than the competition, and our 1301 Redux writer, a self-described Benelli guy, said you cannot outrun the hammer on a 1301. The A300 uses a simpler and older gas system with fewer refinements, and it costs less. Our A300 reviewer had one feeding issue around 300 rounds when the action got dirty, so keep it clean.

Capacity And The 1301 Tactical Changes

Capacity on the 1301 Tactical has changed over the years. Beretta halted production of the 7+1 version in November 2024 while it worked with ATF on a compliance issue, as we reported in ATF Banning Beretta 1301 Tactical Shotguns. At SHOT Show 2025, Beretta showed the 1301 Tactical C, which ships with reduced capacity. Our 1301 Tactical C report explains the marking difference, so check the model and capacity before you buy a new or used gun.

Chamber Length And Recoil

A 3.5 inch chamber, like the one on the A350 Xtrema, lets waterfowlers shoot the heaviest steel loads, but those shells hit hard. If recoil is a problem, our A400 Xtreme Plus reviewer moved to a 20 gauge for medical reasons and found it noticeably softer with only about 10 percent fewer pellets in a comparable 3 inch #4 load. For home defense, see our best home defense shotguns for more options.

Fit Matters More Than Features

Beretta includes stock spacers and shims on most of these guns so you can adjust length of pull, drop and cast. Our 1301 Tactical reviewer found the factory length of pull of about 13 inches very compact and used the included spacers. Take the time to fit the gun, and you will shoot it better.

Other Beretta Shotguns We Have Covered

We have also covered the Beretta 694 competition over-under, updated Silver Pigeon barrels, the DT11 and a dealer exclusive called the Cole Pro Grand Luxe Beretta A400. Those were news stories, not hands-on reviews, so they are not ranked here. The Cole Pro Grand Luxe is a dressed up A400 with laser engraving, a walnut stock and three extended chokes.

Best Beretta Shotguns Ranked: 2026 Product Roundup

Beretta 1301 Tactical Mod 2: Best Overall Beretta Shotgun (2026)

The Beretta 1301 Tactical Mod 2 is the best overall Beretta shotgun because it pairs the fast B-Link gas system with a 6.7 pound, 18.5 inch package that works for home defense, 3-Gun and hunting. Our reviewer ran it in skeet, 3-Gun stages and suppressed wild pig hunts with a JK Armament suppressor and a DBAL-D2 for night vision.

Read our full Beretta 1301 Tactical Mod 2 review here.

Across about 1,000 rounds of birdshot, slugs and magnum loads, it had zero malfunctions, even suppressed. He measured the trigger at about 4 pounds, and with a Vortex Defender ST on top he hit steel at 100 yards with Hornady 1 ounce slugs. The tested model had an MSRP of $1,899, with a range of $1,799 to $2,279 by stock and color at the time of review in 2025. An editor’s note on the review says newer guns ship with 5+1 capacity instead of the 7+1 he tested.

Key Specs

• Gauge: 12, 3 in chamber
• Barrel: 18.5 in
• Overall length: 37.8 in
• Weight: 6.7 lb
• Capacity: 7+1 as tested (newer guns 5+1)
• Action: B-Link gas system, rotating bolt
• Sights: ghost ring rear, blade front
• Price: $1,899 MSRP as tested, $1,799 to $2,279 by configuration at the time of review (2025)

Pros

• About 1,000 rounds with zero malfunctions
• Fast B-Link gas system
• Ran suppressed
• Light at 6.7 lb

Cons

• Expensive
• Capacity reduced on newer guns

🛒 Check Current Price for Beretta 1301 Tactical Mod 2 on GunsAmerica

Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol: Best Value Beretta Tactical Shotgun (2026)

The Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol is the best value Beretta tactical shotgun because it gives you an optics rail, 7+1 capacity and an enlarged loading port for about $1,000 street at the time of review in 2023, against a $1,099 MSRP. Our reviewer carried it for miles through the woods stalking wild pigs and called it feature packed for the price.

Read our full Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol review here.

He fired 200 rounds of Federal 00 buckshot plus slugs and birdshot, and patterned buckshot at about 3 inches at 10 yards, 5 inches at 15 and 10 inches at 20. He was honest about the problems. Around 300 rounds, with the action gummed up, he had a failure to feed and a light primer strike, and the rear QD socket sat too low to lock a sling swivel until he trimmed the stock. It is not a 1301, but it is a lot of shotgun for the money.

Key Specs

• Gauge: 12, 3 in chamber
• Barrel: 19.1 in
• Overall length: 38 in
• Weight: 7.1 lb
• Capacity: 7+1
• Choke: Mobilchoke
• Optics: top Picatinny rail
• Price: $1,099 MSRP, about $1,000 street at the time of review (2023)

Pros

• Lower price than the 1301
• Optic ready rail
• Enlarged loading port
• 7+1 capacity

Cons

• One feed failure and light strike when dirty
• Rear QD socket needed trimming

🛒 Check Current Price for Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol on GunsAmerica

Beretta 1301 Tactical: Best Compact Beretta Shotgun (2026)

The original Beretta 1301 Tactical is the best compact Beretta shotgun because it is just under 38 inches long, with a length of pull of about 13 inches, which our 2014 reviewer compared to a carbine. He used it for 3-Gun and home defense testing and said the self-cleaning gas system kept running without a cleaning kit.

Read our full Beretta 1301 Tactical review here.

With 1 ounce Winchester slugs at 25 yards he made one ragged hole, except for one shot he pulled, and he had no trouble being precise with slugs at 25 and 50 yards on the ghost ring sights. MSRP was $1,059 at the time of review in 2014. Our 2018 1301 Tactical review called it a winner at 6.35 pounds with high reliability, and our 1301 Redux story covers the capacity extension kits. Used guns are common, so check the capacity and the model marking.

Key Specs

• Gauge: 12, 3 in chamber
• Barrel: 18.5 in
• Overall length: just under 38 in
• Length of pull: about 13 in, with spacers
• Sights: ghost ring rear, post front, short Picatinny rail
• Price: $1,059 MSRP at the time of review (2014)

Pros

• Very compact
• Self-cleaning gas system
• Precise with slugs
• Common on the used market

Cons

• Older design and review
• Low factory capacity on early guns

🛒 Check Current Price for Beretta 1301 Tactical on GunsAmerica

Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus 20 Gauge: Best Beretta Shotgun For Lighter Recoil Waterfowl (2026)

The Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus in 20 gauge is the best Beretta shotgun for waterfowlers who want less recoil. Our reviewer has shot 12 gauge for most of his life, and moved to the 20 for medical reasons. He found the 20 gauge noticeably softer, at just over 30 foot pounds with heavy loads, and lighter, at 6.8 pounds against 7.5 for his 12 gauge Browning.

Read our full Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus 20 gauge review here.

It uses the B-Link gas system with Kick-off Plus recoil reduction, adjustable drop and cast, an enlarged loading port and five Optima HP chokes. He compared 3 inch #4 loads and found the 20 gauge carries about 10 percent fewer pellets at nearly the same velocity, and concluded that skill matters more than gauge. MSRP was $2,049 at the time of review in 2023.

Key Specs

• Gauge: 20
• Barrel: 28 in (26 and 30 in offered)
• Overall length: 48.5 in
• Weight: 6.8 lb
• Action: B-Link gas, Kick-off Plus
• Chokes: five Optima HP
• Price: $2,049 MSRP at the time of review (2023)

Pros

• Noticeably softer recoil
• Lighter than a 12 gauge
• Adjustable fit
• Enlarged loading port

Cons

• Fewer pellets than a 12 gauge
• Expensive

🛒 Check Current Price for Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus on GunsAmerica

Beretta A350 Xtrema Max5: Best Budget Beretta Waterfowl Shotgun (2026)

The Beretta A350 Xtrema Max5 is the best budget Beretta waterfowl shotgun because it gives you a 3.5 inch chamber, a self-venting gas system and a full Realtree Max5 finish for an MSRP of $1,150 at the time of review in 2017. Our reviewer said it is built to be tossed in a john boat in January.

Read our full Beretta A350 Xtrema Max5 review here.

He shot everything from #8 target loads to 1,600 fps slugs and had no function issues, even though the manual warned light loads might need a break in period. He measured the trigger at 4 1/4 pounds with about 1/8 inch of take up, called it a gentle shooter for a 12 gauge and said the 28 inch barrel swings well. This is an older review, so check current Beretta waterfowl models before you buy.

Key Specs

• Gauge: 12, 3.5 in chamber
• Barrel: 28 in
• Overall length: 48 in
• Weight: 7.25 lb
• Capacity: 5+1 with 2.75 in shells
• Finish: Realtree Max5
• Price: $1,150 MSRP at the time of review (2017)

Pros

• 3.5 inch chamber
• No malfunctions with light or heavy loads
• Gentle recoil for a 12 gauge
• Durable finish

Cons

• Older review
• Check current availability

🛒 Check Current Price for Beretta A350 Xtrema on GunsAmerica

Beretta 692 Sporting B-Fast: Best Beretta Over-Under For Clays (2026)

The Beretta 692 Sporting B-Fast is the best Beretta over-under for clays because it brings competition features to shooters who do not want to pay DT11 money. Our reviewer tested the version with 32 inch barrels and the B-Fast adjustable comb, which lets you set comb height and tune balance with 20 gram weights in the stock.

Read our full Beretta 692 Sporting review here.

He highlighted the long Steelium Pro forcing cone, about 360 millimeters against roughly 65 for a standard cone, for gentler recoil and better patterns, plus a wider receiver that puts weight between the hands. His gun weighed a shade over 8 1/4 pounds with extra stock weights. MSRP ranged from $4,755 to $5,225 by model at the time of review in 2014, so check current pricing.

Key Specs

• Type: over-under, 12 gauge
• Barrels: 32 in as tested (30 in offered)
• Weight: about 7.8 lb standard, a shade over 8.25 lb as tested
• Comb: B-Fast adjustable
• Forcing cone: Steelium Pro, about 360 mm
• Price: $4,755 to $5,225 MSRP at the time of review (2014)

Pros

• Adjustable comb and balance
• Long forcing cone
• Competition fit and finish
• Left-hand models offered

Cons

• Expensive
• Older review

🛒 Check Current Price for Beretta 692 on GunsAmerica

Final Thoughts On The Best Beretta Shotguns Of 2026

The best Beretta shotgun for most shooters is the 1301 Tactical Mod 2, which ran about 1,000 rounds without a malfunction. The A300 Ultima Patrol saves you money if you keep it clean, and a used original 1301 Tactical is the compact choice. Waterfowlers should look at the A400 Xtreme Plus 20 gauge for softer recoil or the A350 Xtrema for a budget 3.5 inch gun, and clays shooters should look at the 692 Sporting.

Related reading: see our guide to the best Benelli guns.

Check the capacity and model marking on any 1301 Tactical, fit the gun to your body, and pattern your loads before you trust them. Every pick here comes from a GunsAmerica Digest review, problems included. Shop Beretta shotguns on GunsAmerica.com.