r/canadaguns • u/Various_Piano_8053 • Apr 15 '26
Shooting Tactical Shotgun Dilema
Hi folks!
I'm trying to decide what shotgun would fit my needs. I'm out on a target shooting trip, and as part of the group fun I'm asleep in my camp and get woken up (during daylight of course) by a clay pigeon breaking into my tent or have a timed competition to see who can get rounds off quickest. I need to access from locked storage, load, and chamber shells ASAP. Which would you choose?
1) Mossberg 590RM
+ quick to load (mag stored loaded, rounds cycled out periodically to prevent deformation)
+ AR-type safety is quick (I'm a lefty)
+ more capacity (10 rather than the 20)
+ If I'm in an awkward position or not fully shouldered I won't "limp-wrist" vs a semi-auto
- Slower to get shells off
- potential short-stroke
- Potentially less reliable
2) Reliable Semi-auto like a Beretta 1301
+ quicker to get rounds off
+ don't have to think about/do anything to chamber next shell
- less capacity (5+1 of longest shell)
- potential "limp-wrist" stoppages
- reloading tube mag is much slower
- usually less recoil
I've ruled out the Turkish mag-fed pumps as I don't want to risk a malfunction, even though they do have some very short barrel options. I know most people aren't fans of mag-fed shotguns, but with the right ammo the 590RM seems to be solid from what I've seen. My big sticking point is getting rounds off. Alternatives for reloading the semi are things like a 4-5 shot syringe which if done well is incredibly fast (but may be challenging under duress), or a side saddle. Still not as fast as an external box mag though. If you guys have any thoughts I'd love to hear.
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u/No_Chipmunk_2656 Apr 15 '26
Mossberg 590a1 specifically the one with the 9+1 capacity, if you are looking for a pump.
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u/Bubbafett33 Apr 15 '26
The mag fed shotguns work good in theory. But in the 3Gun matches I attend, they are working reliably only 3/4 of the time.
So 1301 for sure. I have the comp pro, and it's outstanding. I had the port opened (by the excellent folks at Tacord), and for 3gun use a caddy that allows me to load very quickly (still working on perfecting quad loads, but punching pairs in while running to the next target can literally be done without looking).
What you described is very similar to some 3 gun starts with empty shotguns...and while I'm an "occasionally on or near the podium" shooter, the folks that practice can get wicked fast at reloads.
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u/Spydude84 Apr 15 '26
I'd pretty much always pick the 1301, I personally believe it's the best semi-auto tactical shotgun on the market.
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u/DougMacRay617 Apr 15 '26
There is no denying that it is. It's just people with buyers bias that still praise the bulky outdated M4 .
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u/Spydude84 Apr 15 '26
Yep. Unless I'm doing military procurement for a role where the M4's time-tested durability in all conditions is a critical factor, 1301 every day.
Even then, the 1301 should be great at that too, but it doesn't have as long a pedigree yet.
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u/DougMacRay617 Apr 15 '26
Yeah i mean its proven itself already for many euro leo's and at this point i cant see why it wouldn't stand the test of time.
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u/BigBlackCb Apr 15 '26
I have 2 870s. 1 tactical from the freedom group days that has had 0 issues and is smooth as butter. And a new fieldmaster that is just as smooth out of the box as the old one is after thousands of rounds.
I absolutely love my tactical 870. I've since upgraded to a 1301 and like it a lot more.
The reason I mention the 870 is because I own an 835 and have handled/fired a 500, 535, and a 590 and they all feel clunky compared to the 870. They function just as well, some would even say better (I disagree) but they definitely don't feel as nice.
Either way. Just get a 1301. Its delightful.
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u/Spydude84 Apr 15 '26
I have an 870, and one day I'll get a 1301. How many 2.75" shells can you fit in your 1301? 6+1+1? I can get 7+1+1 in my 870.
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u/BigBlackCb Apr 15 '26
I have an extension on my 1301, so it can hold 6+1 2.75" shells. I admittedly have only had it for a short while and I bought it for turkey hunting so I have it plugged to 3 at the moment. Ive read that you can ghost load it for an additional round. But, I dont see the need.
My tact 870 is the 18.5" with the extension. So I believe it is 7+1 2.75" shells. It was my turkey gun for years. I have hardwood furniture on it at the moment. It looks 👌. It was plugged to 2+1 for most of its life. I also have a 28" that holds the typical 5+1.
Out of the box, the Beretta is actually shorter than the 870. But it comes with a couple spacers to adjust the stock length.
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u/Spydude84 Apr 15 '26
The reason to ghost load is for competition, having that extra round at the start is pretty nice, but certainly not necessary for most normal uses.
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u/Intro-Bert Apr 15 '26
I own both. I’ve upfitted my 1301 with an aftermarket fore end, stock, mag tube extension, and a light. It’s become my favourite rig in my collection.
I’ve done nothing with my 590.
I’ll go as far as saying that comparing it against another monolith in terms of shotguns -The coveted M4 - I’ll still pick the 1301 any day.
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u/DougMacRay617 Apr 15 '26
590rm is gimmicky get the 590s or the 1301. Which would you rather? A pump or a semi. Personally i have both and neither are a bad choice
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u/Hell-Let-Loose00 Apr 15 '26
Hard disagree. I have the 590RM, I’ve never felt so comfortable using a shotgun. This is compared to 1301 and M4.
Zero issues loading the mag, zero feeding issues. 590RM is overlooked because people just assume mag = problems.
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u/DougMacRay617 Apr 15 '26
I understand that its a reliable mag fed, no denying that. Its just my opinion (and pretty much the majority of anyone who shoots shotgun competitively outside of clays) that the traditional design & forum factor of pump guns and semi's alike is pretty much peak. Again its all about what ur doing with it. Personally the mag not only looks ridiculous but its too bulky and all for what? So it can hold 2 more rounds then a regular 590? It doesn't entice me in the slightest. Not to mention the AR style controls lend themselves well to a PG but as i just stated shotguns for most of their use cases are best utilized without a pg in my experience
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u/Various_Piano_8053 Apr 15 '26
I guess I should specify it's more for how quick can I get out of bed and get full magazine and rounds chambered rather than competition. We just obviously have to be careful wording what our use case is in Canada.Â
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u/DougMacRay617 Apr 15 '26
Yeah if im sleeping in the back country and have a shotgun for pred defense then its in condition 3 until im back to a determined "safe zone"
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u/Few_Lynx2224 Apr 15 '26
I don't want to read between two many lines but I'm very concerned about the possibility of a clay pigion breaking into my tent as well
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u/Huddy_Bolley Apr 15 '26
Mag fed shotguns sound like a great idea but in reality they are less reliable than tube feds. Another thing to consider is with a mag fed you cant top up with a shell and keep going, you have to dedicate to the reload. Also the mags are absolutely huge and hard to carry in a chest rig without severely limiting mobility. In regards to the AR style safety, the standard 500 series are all tang safeties and easily manipulated from either side.
The 1301 is an awesome semi auto choice. Although the limit to 5 shells is pretty bummy. Also can't run mini shells but not much use to minis anyways. Just gotta keep in mind the shell release is another step after a reload before being able to get a round off. Not a huge issue as long as you train enough.
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u/romayama Apr 15 '26
Rem V3 is a king for half the price of 1301. Same performance with shorter action
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u/EntropyRX maplegun.ca Apr 16 '26
The Beretta 1301 is the best deal, in my opinion. You can't go wrong with it.
If budget isn't an issue at all, I'd take a Benelli M4.
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u/Brymes13 Apr 17 '26
590rm chisel class 3 under the bed, combo lock set to one number off, level 3+ vest nearby with 3 10 rd mags
Those clays don’t stand a chance.
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u/Various_Piano_8053 Apr 19 '26
Yeah I think I beat around the bush a bit too much and some people didn't get where I was going haha
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u/Fett750 Apr 15 '26
Be a Chad and get a DP-12, or even better see if you can get an SSR imported lol
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u/Darkleaf71717 Apr 15 '26
590A1 for pump, 1301 for mag dump.