$1,000 Tactical Shotgun Shootout: Beretta vs Mossberg

The Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol and Mossberg 940 Professional Tactical share a lot in frequent. These semi-auto tactical shotguns have related working techniques, journal capacities, function units, and price almost the identical. As well as, they’re two of the best-selling shotguns of their kind at their worth. I’ve shot each extensively on a person foundation however had by no means in contrast them head-to-head.

I’ve usually really useful them to individuals who desire a high quality shotgun for self-defense however don’t wish to spend $2,000 or extra on a premium mannequin. They price round $1,000 and whilst you can go cheaper with a high quality pump-action for house safety, these semis have many benefits that make the bump in worth value contemplating.

However is one higher than the opposite? Based mostly on what you worth you would possibly lean someway – for me I ended up favoring the American-made Beretta in favor of the Mossberg, however each have their attraction.

The video above reveals the check in actual time, however when you’re the sort of one that appreciates the written phrase you possibly can learn the main points beneath.

How I Examined the Beretta and Mossberg

I took the shotguns to a sq. vary on the Minnesota Horse and Hunt Membership and put them by means of a sequence of drills. With every evolution (to make use of the flamboyant phrase for “drill” that high-speed low-drag instructors favor) I alternated from one shotgun to the subsequent and made notes of my quick impressions.  I broke the analysis into 5 main elements:

• Ergonomics
• Characteristic Set
• Accuracy
• Dealing with and Recoil Administration
• Worth and Workmanship

Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol

See It

Professionals

• Tender recoiling
• Nimble dealing with
• High quality workmanship

Cons

• No vital shortcomings

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Specs

• 
  Gauge

  
  12

• 
  Chamber

  
  3 inches

• 
  Motion

  
  Semi-auto, gasoline operated

• 
  Weight

  
  6.8 kilos

• 
  Set off weight

  
  3 kilos, 9 ounces

• 
  Barrel

  
  19.1 inches

• 
  Total size

  
  38 inches

• 
  LOP

  
  13 inches

• 
  Value

  
  $1,149

Key Options

• 
  Included chokes

  
  IC (Mobil system)

• 
  Barrel end

  
  Matte black

• 
  Inventory

  
  Artificial

• 
  Optics mount

  
  7-slot Pic rail

• 
  Sights

  
  Ghost ring

• 
  LOP Changes

  
  Contains spacer equipment

• 
  Capability

  
  7+1

• 
  Origin

  
  USA

Shotgun Ergonomics and Dealing with

There’s a grey line between “ergonomics” and “dealing with” however at Out of doors Life we make the excellence thus: Ergonomics is worried with the fundamental operation of the firearm and the way nicely the controls work together with the person whereas dealing with represents the dynamic habits of the gun in motion. So the standard of the set off pull, the smoothness of the protection and the bolt launch, and whether or not loading the shotgun is intuitive and simple to execute fall underneath ergonomics. The texture of the gun whereas capturing — its stability, pace to shoulder, and biking (if operated by hand) — is the provenance of dealing with.

Mossberg and Beretta Ergonomics

The Mossberg has a big security on the again of the receiver that toggles backwards and forwards. It’s straightforward to achieve and as it’s centered up alongside the tang it’s ambidextrous as nicely. It’s an excellent system.

The crossbolt security on the Beretta is positioned on the entrance of the set off guard the place the set off finger naturally sits when listed. Its floor is properly textured making it straightforward to find even when carrying gloves. The protection on this Beretta is likely one of the smoothest of its variety, sliding backwards and forwards with out hesitation.

Each weapons rating excessive marks for his or her safeties – the primary variations being that the Mossberg’s is ambidextrous whereas the Beretta’s is smoother. Observe, which you could change the protection on the Beretta to the opposite facet, however it’s an concerned course of that some customers may not be comfy performing.

The bolt releases and charging handles on each shotguns are outsized and simple to govern. The Beretta’s controls are a bit smoother to make use of, however the Mossberg’s work simply nice.

In terms of loading the weapons, the Beretta edges out the Mossberg. Once more, its refinement and ease of use win the day.

With respect to the triggers, nevertheless, the Mossberg’s is noticeably crisper. The Beretta’s set off has a little bit of mush. That mentioned, the Beretta’s set off pull is about 8 ounces lighter than the Mossberg’s.

I don’t have an issue with both set off, however I just like the crispness of the Mossberg and gave it the sting.

Characteristic Units on the Beretta and Mossberg

Being a major step above entry-level weapons, you’d anticipate the Beretta and Mossberg to come back with helpful extras.

The Beretta has enlarged controls, aggressive texturing on the grip and fore-end, a bunch of mounting factors — together with a 7-slot Picatinny rail on the receiver, M-Lok slots on the fore-end, and M-Lok slots on the barrel clamp — and an prolonged journal with 7+1 capability. It additionally has efficient ghost-ring sights with stout sidewalls that provide safety in opposition to drops and bumps.

The Mossberg brings much more to the celebration. Just like the Beretta, the Mossberg has ghost-ring sights with protecting wings — however when the rear sight is eliminated it reveals an optics-ready reduce for RMSc-pattern crimson dots. Adapter plates can be found for all different main reflex-sight footprints as nicely.

The fore-end has M-Lok slots for mounting {hardware} and wraps across the barrel considerably, forming a warmth defend, which is a pleasant design component.

A spacer equipment permits you to customise the size of pull from 12.5 to 14.25 inches to tune the gun’s match. The 940 Professional Tactical additionally comes with a shell service that holds half a dozen rounds that attaches to the receiver’s left-hand facet with hook-and-loop material.

On this class, the Mossberg has the benefit, particularly in gentle of its cheaper (by about $80) worth.

Accuracy with Slugs and Buckshot

For the accuracy analysis I used two sorts of buckshot and two sorts of slugs. I shot the weapons off an Armageddon Gear Recreation Changer positioned on a tripod. Each shotguns had crimson dot sights mounted.

I performed the slug accuracy testing at 25 yards, capturing 10-shot teams by means of every gun with each sorts of ammo — Federal Truball and Hornady American Gunner. The outcomes have been remarkably uniform.

The Mossberg’s teams measured 2.454 inches with the Federal load and a pair of.426 inches with Horandy’s. The Beretta printed teams measuring 2.479 inches with the Federal Truball and a pair of.733 inches with the American Gunner. For all sensible functions, these outcomes have been equivalent.

The 2 sorts of buckshot I examined have been Federal Flitecontrol and Remington Categorical. Every shell comprises 9 pellets of 00 buck and I shot them at 7, 15, and 25 yards on cardboard IPSC targets. At 7 yards I put one shot on course and at 15 and 25 yards, two pictures.

I counted the variety of pellets at every distance that scored A-Zone hits. You’ll be able to see the outcomes beneath.

The outcomes at 25 yards have been actually attention-grabbing. The Mossberg had the very best outcomes — going 15/18 with the Federal load — and the worst consequence — 3/18 with the Remington buckshot. The Beretta shot each about the identical: 7/18 with Federal and eight/18 with the Remington Categorical.

In my expertise, just about any mixture of shotgun and buckshot is efficient to fifteen yards, which means it would clump the pellets tight sufficient so that every one will impression the goal.

At 25 yards, that you must experiment to see how a given mixture of shotgun and shell will carry out. The Mossberg is a hammer with the Federal load (15/18) however not very efficient with the Remington (3/18, with many pellets fully off beam). The Beretta was extra constant but when I have been restricted to at least one gun/load combo, it will be the Mossberg with the Flightcontrol shell.

Dealing with and Recoil Administration

The gas-operated actions on each weapons do an excellent job dampening recoil and enhancing dealing with when in comparison with a pump-action. However that is one space the place the Beretta actually shines.

The A300 Ultima Patrol is noticeably softer capturing than the Mossberg, which is all of the extra spectacular for the reason that Beretta weighs almost a pound lower than the 940 Professional Tactical.

The A300 Ultima Patrol additionally balances and strikes higher than the Mossberg. The tremendous aggressive texturing that Beretta employs creates a strong bond between the arms and gun, and when operating the shotgun it feels each nimble and simple to manage.

The Mossberg doesn’t lack on this division — it’s simply that the Beretta actually excels.

One manifestation of the A300’s excellence on this space was how briskly it may very well be shot through the drills. It often outpaced the Mossberg on the clock.

Worth and Workmanship

We place loads of emphasis on worth at Out of doors Life — our aim is at all times to seek out (and have fun) these weapons that give loads of bang for the buck. Whereas there are goal methods to evaluate this high quality — function set and measurable efficiency (like accuracy) weighed in opposition to the standard of the supplies used, workmanship and price — a shooter’s subjective tackle the gun performs a component too.

Learn Subsequent: Finest Dwelling-Protection Shotguns

Objectively, the Mossberg is an excellent worth. It prices lower than the Beretta however has extras — just like the optics-cut and shell service — that the A300 Ultima Patrol lacks.

However by way of shootability, the Beretta takes this class. It’s extra refined and may be operated at a better degree than the Mossberg. The Beretta’s motion is fast and easy, and outpaces the Mossberg.

Closing Ideas on the Mossberg 940 Professional Tactical versus the Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol

As I discussed on the outset, I’ve really useful each these shotguns to folks searching for a personal-protection smoothbore for round $1,000 — and I’ll proceed to take action.

For the shooter who is a bit more worth delicate and locations extra weight on the “extras,” the Mossberg might be the extra interesting choice.

Learn Subsequent: The Finest Dwelling Protection Shotguns of 2025, Vary Examined and Reviewed

For my cash, I choose the Beretta. It’s superior dealing with, lighter weight, and extra refined design and workmanship make up the hole — underneath $100 ­— in worth.