Colds Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 I've read a ton of threads, but I've got a pretty specific question. I've competed in Pistol and Rifle for a couple years or so and have only done one Shotgun comp. For my 3gun shotgun, I have narrowed down my choices to the Beretta 1301 or the Versa Max Competition Tactical. Here's the wrench. I've got a match the first week of October and a training class the day before it with Daniel Horner (couldn't resist the chance to shoot with him). I will not have time to send it off to a gunsmith and I want to get the most possible out of the class. I've heard that the loading port on the VM comp is better, but there are issues that need a dremel and it's heavier. The Beretta apparently needs a bunch of work on the loading port and the serial number keeps you from widening it a bunch in the future. Again, goal is to get the most out of the class. Added bonus would be a good shotgun I can grow with in 3gun. Also, does the length matter (I'd imagine the need for an extended tube makes the longer shotgun make sense). I appreciate your help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike cyrwus Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 get a used M2. if you dont have time to "proof" the shotgun and make sure theres no issues with it, thats my choice. If you had time, and had a little time to shoot the VM, thats a good option, but if I had to take my pick between the beretta and the versamax, out of the box, and off to the class; in that case, Id have to say go with the M2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPeel Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 (edited) get a used M2. if you dont have time to "proof" the shotgun and make sure theres no issues with it, thats my choice. If you had time, and had a little time to shoot the VM, thats a good option, but if I had to take my pick between the beretta and the versamax, out of the box, and off to the class; in that case, Id have to say go with the M2. sounds like a goood plan to me. I like the versamax platform but mine has been worked over, tweaked, and refined to where it's perfect for me. I don't think I'd want to take either one out of the box and get as much out of the shotgun part of the class as you'd like to. Edited September 8, 2014 by JPeel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IntenseImage Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 (edited) Out of the box the VMC will be difficult to load - some have said damn near impossible without some work on at least the shell stop. The 1301 out of the box would only need an extension tube ... That the VM would already have. You can load the 1301 as is without much fuss but yes, sending it out later for more work to the port is preferred Have you considered the JM Pro ... The latest ones seem to have the issues sorted out and would probably be more out of the box ready of them all. FWIW, my JM has never had issues nor the other 2 my buddies run ... and my wife's loves her 1301 Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk Edited September 8, 2014 by IntenseImage Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iowashooter Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 (edited) I have the vm comp and it was reafy to go with about 45 minutes of at home work it really is simple to get it to the next level. It gets my vote. The tools I used were a set of needle files dremel with buffing wheel and flitz and some wet or dry sand paper taped to a 12 ga shell. I also run a +4 nordic extension for 12 round tube. Edited September 8, 2014 by Iowashooter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xtremekramer Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 (edited) I added a +5 tube to my 1301 and ran my first comp with zero issues. The guys on my squad were quite impressed with my stock gun. I may eventually play with the loading port, but right now it's not holding me back. For any one with larger hands, the stock lifter isn't an issue. For my small fingers, I opted to get the lifter welded. Quite jealous by the way! Would live to take a class from Horner! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Edited September 9, 2014 by xtremekramer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meatsauce Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 My vote is for the VM. Definitely beats the Beretta out of the box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrankC3803 Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 I agree with xtremekramer. I too added a +5 (NC MXT) to my 1301. Between a ton of practice and 2 competitions, the only thing I did was a little lube and Loctite for the little screw holding the bolt release. ZERO issues! I love the light weight and now look forward to the shotgun stages! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogtired Posted September 11, 2014 Share Posted September 11, 2014 I think for load four the Beretta needs work, load two is pretty good. I just took the sharp edges off mine and will probably have the lifter welded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Marques Posted September 11, 2014 Share Posted September 11, 2014 The Beretta is reliable out of the box...cant say anthing bad about it. Dont know the VM so I really cant comment. It does need some work to get quad loading down right.....so it depends on what the expextations are for the class....if u wanna learn quad loading at the classnthen an M2 is ur best bet......that being said.....most everyone is modding their loading ports period...I think the M2 is the best one stock ........what about borrowing a gun for the class? Then u can see what others are using a pick a gun from there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iowashooter Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 I believe horner runs a vm. I think his is worked over by triangle. I coukd be wrong though but if he does you could get some good pointers on mods first hand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonytheTiger Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 It's the Indian not the arrow. If the OP is relatively new to the shotgun side of the sport any of the above guns will do just fine and not hold him back. Any of them can be modified down the road to suit his tastes just as soon as some experience is gained and he knows what direction he wants to go. I would hold off buying a gun till you get good enough with what you have to pinpoint exactly what on that gun is holding you back so you have an idea what you would like to see/not see on a new unit. Oh yeah, I love my 1301 but I'm one of 29 or so people still weak hand loading so my opinion might not be relevant to your reloading and shooting style. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmt Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 It's the Indian not the arrow. If the OP is relatively new to the shotgun side of the sport any of the above guns will do just fine and not hold him back. Any of them can be modified down the road to suit his tastes just as soon as some experience is gained and he knows what direction he wants to go. I would hold off buying a gun till you get good enough with what you have to pinpoint exactly what on that gun is holding you back so you have an idea what you would like to see/not see on a new unit. Oh yeah, I love my 1301 but I'm one of 29 or so people still weak hand loading so my opinion might not be relevant to your reloading and shooting style. There are 30 of us. I weak hand load my 1301. 2 at a time. If I try quad loading, 3 land on the floor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thegrassfarmer Posted September 13, 2014 Share Posted September 13, 2014 I recently picked up a 24" 1301. I love it. At this time I have only added the Nordic plus 5. I have done quite a bit of practice with load 2 and it is pretty smooth. Eventually I will get the loading gate welded up since it has lightly bitten me a couple times. Other than that, I don't really see me doing alot of grinding on it other than knocking the sharper edges off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkCO Posted September 13, 2014 Share Posted September 13, 2014 If you can get a CRums lifter for the VM, that would be your best bet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveG Posted September 13, 2014 Share Posted September 13, 2014 I received my VM and haven't had time to get it out. I dry loaded about 500 rounds to loosen everything up. I then took it to a indoor range and shot about 20 rounds of 00/slugs and today I shot a 3 gun match with never shooing any bird shot out of it. Shot 2 shotgun stages (about 40 rounds) with Remington 1290 FPS birdshot. Everything ran perfect, the only chance I made to the gun was a bigger charging handle. I think this qualifies for Out-of-the Box. Buy one it ran perfect! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Marques Posted September 15, 2014 Share Posted September 15, 2014 Count me as 31...weak hand deuces and quads! Also......I agree with TonyT....definitely wanna see what is out there before u buy...but if the class is supposed to tech u techniques...u gotta have something....I still say borrow someones worked shotgun...doesnt have to be an M2.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Marques Posted September 15, 2014 Share Posted September 15, 2014 I recently picked up a 24" 1301. I love it. At this time I have only added the Nordic plus 5. I have done quite a bit of practice with load 2 and it is pretty smooth. Eventually I will get the loading gate welded up since it has lightly bitten me a couple times. Other than that, I don't really see me doing alot of grinding on it other than knocking the sharper edges off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Marques Posted September 15, 2014 Share Posted September 15, 2014 With only 4 matches under my 1301 belt......... (add grain of salt here)....for weak hand quad loading...IMHO....the mods that u must have : Cut lifter spring...3.5 coils for me..... Cut loading port to the serial number and another .100" on the other side...smooth all edges Radius lifter button...it is sharp Chamfer lower portion of reciever that meets mag tube Adjust/raise lifter to allow shells to feed smoother into mag tube All of the above took a bit to do.....mostly because I had to do it in steps and figure it out as I went....so the above is a good starting point...along with the 40 plus pages on the 1301 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ethanolguy Posted September 15, 2014 Share Posted September 15, 2014 I vote for the 1301. I also did all the loading Port work and welded the lifter. It shoots slugs very well. I have shot the VM comp and prefer my 1301. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveG Posted September 16, 2014 Share Posted September 16, 2014 I shot three large 3 gun matchs and numerous club matchs so far this year all shooting my 930JM pro, just switched to a VM competition for the rest if the year. I'll keep my JM for my backup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
potentpoefie Posted September 17, 2014 Share Posted September 17, 2014 (edited) I run a Versa Max Tactical. The fork needs welding etc. etc. If my options are between those two guns (Beretta 1301 and the VM Competition Tactical) I would so go for the VM Competition Tactical. No work needed. Well if you want to open the loading port more by all means go for it. Other than that it beats the Beretta with capacity. No need to weld the lifter since it is the competition lifter that isn't forked. Yes, it is heavier than a M2 but that bit of weight fights recoil. My VM Tactical handles recoil so much better than the M2. Runs reliably with 24gr loads without me having to do a thing. Have you had some shotgun experience yet? Like in are you use to a certain manual of arms? If so the Beretta 1301 might throw you since the safety isn't were other shotguns' safety sits. Not a big deal but until you are use to it, it will cost you. Don't get me wrong. Next semi auto on the to buy list is a Beretta 1301 but if these two are my option I would definitely go with the Versa Max. Edited September 17, 2014 by potentpoefie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xtremekramer Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 (edited) Out of curiosity, what did you end up buying? And most importantly...how was the class? Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Edited September 22, 2014 by xtremekramer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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