r/canadaguns • u/GlizzyDog222 • Mar 16 '26
Buy recommendations If you could buy one which one would you buy?
I haven’t purchased a firearm in over a year and the Benelli M4 has always been my dream shotgun but the Beretta 1301 has been catching my attention a lately. I always want to get one before our lame ass government bans them.
Would love to hear everyone’s honest opinions!
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u/swift_gilford Mar 16 '26
You cannot go wrong with either. If you have the money for the M4, go for it. Alternatively you could get the 1301 and use the extra money on ammo and accessories.
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u/ExplorerEnjoyer Mar 17 '26
If you’re looking for the pinnacle of perfection then the M4 is the only choice. The 1301 is a perfectly capable next best.
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u/Hell-Let-Loose00 Mar 16 '26
If you can, hold them both before you buy. There is a big difference between these two, and this should factor into your decision.
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u/PrestigiousStatus711 Mar 16 '26
You can't go wrong with either. Both are fantastic shotguns but I went with the 1301. No regrets for me.
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u/LongRoadNorth Mar 16 '26
Beretta for me. Only because I've shot both (own the comp pro)
I get the Hollywood/USMC shotgun idea. But m4 is old design and Benelli being owned by Beretta, they included much of the greatness of it in the 1301. And I just prefer the ergonomics of the Beretta.
Also, not a fan of pistol grips on shotguns.
Both have great reliability.
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u/daggers1k Mar 17 '26
I’m selling a 1301 if you are interested. It’s brand new 75 shells through it
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u/LostTheRemote Mar 16 '26
I use the A400 XP for my hunting gun so it only makes sense that I would pick the 1301 mod 2 since it has the same controls that I am familiar with.
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u/3e_Design Mar 16 '26
I made this exact choice 2 months ago. I picked the M4.
I am used to clearing my mossberg; rack the action until all the rounds come out. I did not like that the 1301, when manually charged, would kick out the chambered round but NOT chamber the next. made unloads a hassle.
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u/escv_69420 Mar 16 '26
For the 1301 that's a feature, not a bug. It allows you to do slug change overs easier.
Unloading a 1301 is actually the easiest of any shotgun. If you lift up on the bolt release, it dumps the whole tube back out of the loading port in like half a second.
I've owned both. 1301 all the way. Cheaper, better gas system, less ammo sensitive. Mine's only malfunctioned once and it was entirely user error
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u/number75 Mar 16 '26
I've handled both and I'd lean to the 1301. It's lighter, easier to handle in the controls, and the gas system handles different shells better. You can also more easily install a magazine extension on the 1301 since you just unscrew the cap and screw on the extension of your choice. You will not be able to do the same on the M4.
Personal take, but the M4 isn't actually that much better than a lot of modern top-end semiauto shotguns. It is an iconic firearm and it undeniably has a cool factor that few other shotguns have, but its performance and design is dated. Like seriously, the bolt release is a tiny button on the side still. Most people buy an extension to make it easier to hit the bolt release, which is a feature that the 1301 just already has.
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Mar 16 '26
1301 MOD2 is SO GOOD! Can't say it enough. It is so fun to shoot. I hate pistol grips on shotguns, so this is the perfect shotgun for me. It is a tonne of fun in 2-gun.
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u/1955FL Mar 16 '26
Just bought a 1301 mod 2 and it’s great. The pro lifter is an awesome feature.
Both are basically bulletproof. BLINK and ARGO gas systems are both amazing. Both have rotating bolts. Both have cold hammer forged and chrome lined barrels. 1301 is lighter. M4 a little softer shooting. M4 is battle tested, but the 1301 is a competition and hunting powerhouse for a reason. It really comes down to personal preference and cost. You’ll probably have FOMO regardless of which you choose, but you won’t regret the decision either way.
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u/leyland1989 Mar 17 '26
Have the M4, no regrets but I still want the 1301.
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u/GlizzyDog222 Mar 17 '26
I feel like no matter which one I choose I’ll be extremely happy with but also regret not going with the other. Win win lose lose situation it seems.
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u/leyland1989 Mar 17 '26
As many have suggested, M4 is a dated design but battle proven with a strong reputation.
1301 is objectively a more modern and optimised design (faster cycling, lighter weight, better ergonomics).The other way to see it is that the Benelli M4 is a well-known, almost a "classic". + Marine and John wick stuff attached to its name. I bought it as a collection and it appears to retain its value pretty well. I bought one less than half a year ago for $2.5k (they were less than 2k pre-covid) , now they are going for over 3k at some places.
Can't go wrong with either of them.
If you're not a collector, M4's patent has long expired, M4 clones are just going getting better every year. Just go get a couple Turknelli ? You'd get 90% of the fun for 1/3 the price.
But at the same time, you can't put a price on your "dream shotgun" ;)
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u/rastamasta45 Mar 16 '26
I’m going to say something very controversial, but you could get a beretta 1301 and a Turknelli for the same price as an M4.
While the Turknelli will never compare, I’m gonna be honest, mine has held up very well. About 300 00 bucks shells ( I can only shoot so often) and not a single stoppage. Is this a glowing endorsement of it being the same as an M4, no, not even close. However it gives me enough that I haven’t felt the need to buy and M4.
My two cents
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u/Penguinbotxv Mar 16 '26
Turkish shotguns are usually decent like stoeger and Canuck. But a lot of people don't understand they need to be ran, oiled, and have minor gunsmithing done to them. As someone who owns both a 1301, M4 and an M2 and various clones. Best bang for the buck is just but an M2 clone, an M4 clone, a 590a1 or a 940 JM
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u/Tiny-Ear9080 Mar 16 '26
Buy one asap. Buy both if you can. Looking back I wish I bought so much more when I could. The stupid fuckin libs will ban it all eventually