IPSC / Dynamic Shotgun Pump and Semi-Auto, What Length is Recommended?

[u/Hot_Cheesecake_905]

Hi all,

Looking to get a new shotgun for IPSC or Practical Shotgun. My Mossberg is not up to the task as it does not have chokes, is heavy, and only has a 6+1 shot capacity.

What's the go-to pump shotgun for IPSC-type shooting? Is it the Benelli Supernova? What barrel length is best - 26" or 28"?

Similarly, for semi-auto choices, it seems the Beretta 1301 Comp Pro is pretty much out-of-the-box ready, but do people prefer the 21" or 24" model? Are there any other choices I should consider, like the Benelli M2 SP in 26" or 28"?

I likely won't use it for clays, so it's solely for practical shotgun use, should I get a shorter one for easier maneuverability?

Thanks!

[u/Specialist_Chard5231]

Just for general knowledge. 

The reason you want a M2 over something like a 1301, M3k/M3000/M3500.

Build quality is better. 

Upgrade paths are better.  The M2 has been the dominant tube gun in 3 gun/IPSC shotgun for 15+ years. There are tons of parts the are easy to find that don't exist for the other platforms.

Reliability is higher because every part in a M2 exists on a 1301 plus more so your failures points are lower for a properly maintained gun. No gas system issues that are common on other models.

Quad loading is a bit easier as the handguard on a 1301 needs to be cut to get a proper port cut. The shells need to go a touch deeper into the receiver on a 1301.

Inertia based so you don't have to worry about having a perfect grip/structure.

[u/Hot_Cheesecake_905 → u/Specialist_Chard5231]

If comparing the M2 Speed vs. 1301 Comp Pro, it really comes down to Inertia system vs. Gas System, barrel length, plus brand preference since the 1301 Comp Pro has the cutouts and various competition enhancements?

[u/Specialist_Chard5231 → u/Hot_Cheesecake_905]

Inertia is a better system. There are no gas ports to block or rings/seals to fail.

Barrel length is a common distraction as well. My US tube sticks 6" past the 2" extended choke on a 24" barrel 32" total. What use is a short barrel? People say they weigh less. 2 inches of barrel length is .25 oz. People claim they transition faster but they don't. There are tons of videos of older then dirt trap shooters transitioning a 32 inch barrel at blasting fast speeds.

Brand preference means nothing because they are both Berettas. Beretta owns Benelli. Support is through Stoeger Canada.

Both the M2 speed and 1301 comp pro have cuts out for quad loading but both still need to be opened up more. The receiver on the M2 speed is thicker for more support. The receiver on the 1301 is taller which is a big negative when doing the port cut.

As for big upgrades both have trigger, lifter and handguards. M2 has some nicer aftermarket stocks. You can put Ethos bolts in the M2 which help prevent bolt bounce and keeps in in battery during rough movements. No option exists for the 1301.

M2 and 1301 can be modded for ghost loading. The M2 bolt can be modded for a out of battery load mod.

The upgrade path for a M2 has more options then you can imagine. You can get the tricker walled slug barrels drilled out and compensators installed

If you want another test the shotgun world shoot is coming up. How much of the US world shoot team shoots a M2?

Or look at the warranty. 1301 is one year. M2 is 10 with their bolt finish being 25 years.

[u/Hot_Cheesecake_905 → u/Specialist_Chard5231]

Thanks for this message - it’s very helpful as to why the M2 is better, I wonder why it’s not as much recommended on other boards and people just default to the 1301 Comp Pro.

I ended up with the Comp Pro, it’s arriving on Monday, perhaps I’ll now need to save up for a M2 as well if I get serious with dynamic shotgun.

Thanks.

[u/Specialist_Chard5231 → u/Hot_Cheesecake_905]

What forums are you following? There are not many places to talk action shotgun in North America. Who defaults to to 1301? One big lesson in shooting is there is a lot of people

I get a lot of info from in person conversations at major matches. Both from pro shooters and custom shops. Briley gives M2s to their sponsored shooters. Hayes shoots a M2. Roth shoots a M2. PK1 custom shoots his custom upper on a Gen12 but shot a M2 as his tube gun

Do the people posting know anything? There was a thread on the M2 a few month back on r/canadaguns and people were talking about "soft shouldering" a M2 causing issues. Which is impossible because the inertia design required the gun to move rearward. You can actually make a M2 malfunction by locking the reciever in place mechanically.

https://youtu.be/4IOvu_eq6uY?si=Axfl4FRJkh6pIkqX

It weird I know but good info is hard to find.

What caddies are you planning to get?