When it comes to modern semi auto shotguns, option overload is a thing. Prices range wildly, from entry level to a mortgage payment. Today we will discuss one option in particular that, while expensive, is stacked in the value department. The Beretta 1301 tactical.
When I was growing up, my grandfather was full of one off advice. One such anecdote went as such, “ if you’re buying a gas saver, always go Japanese. If you’re buying a working truck, buy American. If you’re buying a shotgun, can’t go wrong with Italian.” Many of these sayings I have found to carry merit, the last one especially so.
So what makes the 1301 tactical so much better than its peers? In short it’s an addition equation more than anything. Ergonomics, excellent. Aesthetics, that’s a check. Reliability, phenomenal. The same can be said about other shotguns at a lesser price point, but few have all of them.
My experience with the 1301 has been very good in my sample size of 1. The first thing I noticed upon the first handling of the gun was how light it was. Honestly I was not looking forward to shooting it due to the laws of physics. Light shotguns regularly equate to sore shoulders with a heavy firing schedule. However, I am happy to report that the recoil impulse was very smooth, extremely linear, and surprisingly soft considering weight. Color me surprised.
At this point in time, I have shot somewhere in the neighborhood of 3500 rounds of assorted ammunition through the 1301. I can count on one hand the number of stoppages I have experienced. I’ve run it dirty, in the cold, in the heat, and the 1301 chugs through it all unscathed. Basic cleaning and lubricating was the only maintenance performed.
Aftermarket parts for the 1301 tactical are available and usually in stock. I particularly enjoy the Aridus Industries line of products, and have several parts on my shotgun. Be careful though, modifying this shotgun is addicting.
I have had many people ask me for my thoughts on the 1301 tactical. My opinion can be summed up quite simply, “buy with no reservations.” I have found it to be a lightning fast cycling, ultra reliable, and overall enjoyable shotgun to use. It has quickly become one of the firearms that always seems to find its way in my range bag when I leave the house.
1.
-When the opponent has made a plan of attack against us, we must anticipate him by delivering our own
attack first.”
-Not an attitude of defense, whereby one might be content to foil the enemy’s stratagems one after
another, but an active policy of counter-attack.
-Supreme excellence consists in breaking the opponent’s resistance without fighting.
“He who wishes to fight must first count the cost”.
-Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.
– “While we are taking our ease, wait for the adversary to tire himself out. “Lure him on and tire him out.”
-The good tactician plays with his adversary as a cat plays with a mouse, first feigning weakness and
immobility, and then suddenly pouncing upon him. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest.
-If your opponent is of choleric temper (easily angered), seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he
may grow arrogant.
-If he is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him.
-Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when
we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him
believe we are near. Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder and crush him.
– “Attack is the secret of defense; defense is the planning of an attack.” It would be hard to find a better
epitome of the root-principle of war.
– “Knowing the enemy enables you to take the offensive, knowing yourself enables you to stand on the
defensive.”
-If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.
-If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know
yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat.
-He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the adversary unprepared.
-The secret lies in an eye for opportunity, and in not letting the right moment slip.
-If he can fight, he advances and takes the offensive; if he cannot fight, he retreats and remains on the
defensive. He will invariably conquer who knows whether it is right to take the offensive or the defensive.
-He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.
– “The skillful employer of men will employ the wise man, the brave man, the covetous man, and the
stupid man. For the wise man delights in establishing his merit, the brave man likes to show his courage
in action, the covetous man is quick at seizing advantages, and the stupid man has no fear of death.”
2.
-He who can modify his tactics in relation to his opponent and thereby succeed in winning, may be called
a heaven-born captain.
-Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions.
-So, in war, the way is to avoid what is strong and to strike at what is weak. [Like water, taking the line of
least resistance.]
-Do not repeat the tactics which have gained you one victory, but let your methods be regulated by the
infinite variety of circumstances.
– “Show no sign “of what you mean to do, of the plans that are formed in your brain.
-Force him to reveal himself, so as to find out his vulnerable spots.
-By noting the joy or anger shown by the enemy on being thus disturbed, we shall be able to conclude
whether his policy is to lie low or the reverse.
– “Know beforehand all plans conducive to our success and to the enemy’s failure.” Rouse him and learn
the principle of his activity or inactivity.
-For should the enemy strengthen his van, he will weaken his rear; should he strengthen his rear, he will
weaken his van; should he strengthen his left, he will weaken his right; should he strengthen his right, he
will weaken his left. If he sends reinforcements everywhere, he will everywhere be weak.
-The spot where we intend to fight must not be made known; for then the enemy will have to prepare
against a possible attack at several different points.
3.
-Hasty temper, which can be provoked is one’s doom.
– “He who lets an advantage slip will subsequently bring upon himself real disaster.”
-Nothing is to be achieved in war unless you are willing to take risks.
– “Cowardice” as being of the man “whom timidity prevents from advancing to seize an advantage,”
cowardice, which leads to capture.
-Recklessness, leads to destruction.
-The merely brave man is prone to fight recklessly; and he who fights recklessly, without any perception
of what is expedient, must be condemned.”
– “Get the enemy into a position where he must suffer injury, and he will submit of his own accord.”
– “If I wish to extricate myself from a dangerous position, I must consider not only the enemy’s ability to
injure me, but also my own ability to gain an advantage over the enemy.
– “If we wish to wrest an advantage from the enemy, we must not fix our minds on that alone, but allow for
the possibility of the enemy also doing some harm to us and let this enter as a factor into our
calculations.”
4.
-Exhibit the coyness of a maiden, until the enemy gives you an opening; afterwards emulate the rapidity
of a running hare, and it will be too late for the enemy to oppose you.
– “If the enemy shows an inclination to advance, lure him on to do so; if he is anxious to retreat, delay on
purpose that he may carry out his intention.” The object is to make him remiss and contemptuous before
we deliver our attack.
-The expediency of aggressive or defensive tactics; and the fundamental laws of human nature: these are
things that must most certainly be studied.
– “The axiom, that war is based on deception, does not apply only to deception of the enemy. One must
realize we can be deceived as well.
-By altering his arrangements and changing his plans, [not using the same stratagem twice.] he keeps the
enemy without definite knowledge.
– “To mystify, mislead, and surprise the enemy,” is one of the first principles in war.
-The advantage of position neutralizes the inferiority in stamina and courage.
– “The way to eliminate the differences of strong and weak and to make both serviceable is to utilize
accidental features of the fight”.
-Further you control, the greater will be the confidence.
-Take advantage of the enemy’s unreadiness, make your way by unexpected routes, and attack
unguarded spots.
5.
-Anger may in time change to gladness; vexation may be succeeded by content.
-If it is to your advantage, make a forward move; if not, stay where you are.
-What they must not do, and what will prove fatal, is to sit still and simply hold to the advantages they
have got.”
– “Those who want to make sure of succeeding in their battles and assaults must seize the favorable
moments when they come and not shrink on occasion from heroic measures.
– “In war, there are various indirect methods of attack.
– “If you see a possible way, advance; but if you find the difficulties too great, retire.”
Anacondas are members of the boa constrictor family of snakes. Thus meaning they kill their prey by quickly striking and controlling their victim until it is too exhausted to fight, and their prey begins to suffocate. The will of the sufferer has been broken.
Anacondas rely on stealth and the element of surprise to catch their unsuspecting prey. This jungle predator keeps its victim at bay, by controlling their actions while frustrating and exhausting its adversary. Taking advantage of its opponent’s weary and defeated attitude, the Anaconda methodically goes on the offensive and with precision; it only alerts its victim of their demise at a time when it’s too late.
Like the Anacondas of the jungle, the great BJJ practitioner is a disciplined attacker. He is confident, patient and ready to attack at the most opportune moment. He quickly strikes, controls his opponent, matching move for move looking for the slightest light out of the tiniest window of opportunity given by his challenger or maybe even created by his own masterful mind. The BJJ artist acknowledges his adversary as a competent and dangerous foe. He engages in an active game of combat chess, exploding with bursts of speed and agility, while conserving energy and exalting exceptional deceit and precision.
The fighter is aware that in any given moment the tide can be turned. He realizes he must control the tempo. Too much wasted strength… too tired to continue. Too much hesitation…. he loses the race. The charmed grappler exalts a streaming flow between attacks and control leading to the final objective….submission.
The patient, free flowing contest on the mat is a way of life engrained in the champion fighter beginning at a time when the mat appeared to be nothing less than a jungle crawling with Anacondas and other fearless predators.
Effortless, hands-free carry of weapon lessens fatigue and relieves pressure Twelve safe locking muzzle positions.
Quick-draw long gun in an instant Carries all long guns – shot guns, bolt action, semi automatic, and belt fed Three-piece set adds the Elite Retention System to your existing LBE Ambidextrous Protects gun and optics.
All trigger guards are covered Injection-molded resin designed to be durable and UV resistant.
