Tactical Shotgun Dilema

[u/Various_Piano_8053]

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.

[u/Bubbafett33]

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.