The Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol and Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical share a lot in widespread. These semi-auto tactical shotguns have comparable working methods, journal capacities, characteristic units, and value practically the identical. As well as, they’re two of the best-selling shotguns of their sort at their value. 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 need a high quality shotgun for self-defense however don’t need to spend $2,000 or extra on a premium mannequin. They value round $1,000 and when you can go cheaper with a high quality pump-action for dwelling safety, these semis have many benefits that make the bump in value price contemplating.
However is one higher than the opposite? Primarily based on what you worth you would possibly lean in some way – for me I ended up favoring the American-made Beretta in favor of the Mossberg, however each have their enchantment.
The video above exhibits the take a look at in actual time, however in case you’re the type of one that appreciates the written phrase you may learn the main points under.
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 rapid impressions. I broke the analysis into 5 main elements:
- Ergonomics
- Function Set
- Accuracy
- Dealing with and Recoil Administration
- Worth and Workmanship
Mossberg 940 Professional Tactical SPX
Professionals
- Rugged and dependable
- Good characteristic set
- Lefty-friendly
Specs
-
Gauge
12 -
Chamber
3 inches -
Motion
Semi-auto, gasoline operated -
Weight
7.72 kilos -
Set off weight
4 kilos, 7 ounces -
Barrel
18.5 inches -
Total size
39 inches -
LOP
12.5 to 14.25 inches -
Worth
$1,190
Key Options
-
Included chokes
Cylinder -
Barrel end
Matte black -
Inventory
Artificial -
Optics minimize
RMSC footprint -
Sights
Ghost ring -
Shell service
Vang Comp Programs, 6 rounds -
Capability
7+1 -
Origin
USA
Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol
Professionals
- Mushy recoiling
- Nimble dealing with
- High quality workmanship
Cons
- No important shortcomings
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 -
Worth
$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
Consists of 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 essential operation of the firearm and the way effectively 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 security and the bolt launch, and whether or not loading the shotgun is intuitive and straightforward to execute fall underneath ergonomics. The texture of the gun whereas capturing — its steadiness, velocity 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 forwards and backwards. It’s straightforward to achieve and as it’s centered up alongside the tang it’s ambidextrous as effectively. 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 security on this Beretta is among the smoothest of its variety, sliding forwards and backwards with out hesitation.
Each weapons rating excessive marks for his or her safeties – the principle variations being that the Mossberg’s is ambidextrous whereas the Beretta’s is smoother. Notice, which you can change the security on the Beretta to the opposite aspect, however it’s an concerned course of that some customers may not be snug performing.
The bolt releases and charging handles on each shotguns are outsized and straightforward to govern. The Beretta’s controls are a bit smoother to make use of, however the Mossberg’s work simply high-quality.
With regards to 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 stated, 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.
Function Units on the Beretta and Mossberg
Being a big step above entry-level weapons, you’d count on the Beretta and Mossberg to return 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 get together. 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 minimize for RMSc-pattern crimson dots. Adapter plates can be found for all different main reflex-sight footprints as effectively.
The fore-end has M-Lok slots for mounting {hardware} and wraps across the barrel considerably, forming a warmth protect, 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 aspect with hook-and-loop cloth.
On this class, the Mossberg has the benefit, particularly in mild of its inexpensive (by about $80) value.
Accuracy with Slugs and Buckshot
For the accuracy analysis I used two forms of buckshot and two forms of slugs. I shot the weapons off an Armageddon Gear Game 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 forms 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 couple of.426 inches with Horandy’s. The Beretta printed teams measuring 2.479 inches with the Federal Truball and a couple of.733 inches with the American Gunner. For all sensible functions, these outcomes have been an identical.
The 2 forms of buckshot I examined have been Federal Flitecontrol and Remington Express. 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 the right track and at 15 and 25 yards, two photographs.
I counted the variety of pellets at every distance that scored A-Zone hits. You possibly can see the outcomes under.
| Shotgun | Ammo | 7 Yards, A-Zone Hits | 15 Yards, A-Zone Hits | 25 Yards, A-Zone Hits |
| Mossberg 940 Professional Tactical | Federal Truball | 9/9 | 17/18 | 15/18 |
| Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol | Federal Truball | 9/9 | 17/18 | 7/18 |
| Mossberg 940 Professional Tactical | Remington Categorical | 8/9 | 10/18 | 3/18 |
| Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol | Remington Categorical | 9/9 | 12/18 | 8/18 |
The outcomes at 25 yards have been actually attention-grabbing. The Mossberg had the perfect outcomes — going 15/18 with the Federal load — and the worst outcome — 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, that means it’ll clump the pellets tight sufficient so that every one will affect the goal.
At 25 yards, you want to 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 course). The Beretta was extra constant but when I have been restricted to at least one gun/load combo, it could be the Mossberg with the Flightcontrol shell.
Dealing with and Recoil Administration
The gas-operated actions on each weapons do a great 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 because the Beretta weighs practically 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 fingers and gun, and when working the shotgun it feels each nimble and straightforward to regulate.
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 might be shot through the drills. It often outpaced the Mossberg on the clock.
Worth and Workmanship
We place quite a lot of emphasis on worth at Out of doors Life — our objective is at all times to seek out (and rejoice) these weapons that give quite a lot of bang for the buck. Whereas there are goal methods to evaluate this high quality — characteristic set and measurable efficiency (like accuracy) weighed in opposition to the standard of the supplies used, workmanship and value — a shooter’s subjective tackle the gun performs a component too.
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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 when it comes to shootability, the Beretta takes this class. It’s extra refined and might be operated at a better degree than the Mossberg. The Beretta’s motion is fast and easy, and outpaces the Mossberg.
Last 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 on the lookout for a personal-protection smoothbore for round $1,000 — and I’ll proceed to take action.
For the shooter who is a bit more value delicate and locations extra weight on the “extras,” the Mossberg might be the extra interesting choice.
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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 value.
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