590A1 or A300 Ultima Patrol?

[D.B. Cooper]

So. I'm ready to buy a HD shotgun. Actually, I signed up for Gunsite Academy's Shotgun 260, and I need a shotgun. After the course, it will either become a safe queen, become a HD gun, or, most likely, be used in three-gun competition. (Which, for me, means a safe queen that gets used about 5-6 ties per year.) Both guns are close in price, and both max out my budget.

I've been wanting an A300 for a while, but I'm concerned about maintenance. It seems like a somewhat complex system to disassemble, clean, etc. The 590A1 seems like a more durable design (and has a stellar track record).

Anyway, for the uses stated above, which of those two would you choose, and why?

 

[troy fairweather]

I'd get the 590ai tho if I had the money I'd get both and see what you like.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I went through the same dilemma but it was before the A300 came out and the debate was between the 590A1 and the Beretta 1301 Comp with 21” barrel.

3 gun was not in my future rather this was going to be used as a general purpose shotgun. Mostly hunting, clays, and I suppose SD/HD.

I liked that the 1301 had chokes but cost twice as much (I would be purchasing either of these pre-owned rather than new)

In the end I got the 590 which had the 18.5” barrel and was 6 rnd capacitt and got a 20” 835 Turkey barrel so I could have chokes.

However, life plays funny tricks on us and I ran into a Mossberg 500 lookalike. That would be a New Haven 600 for $75 with a poly choke barrel. Sent the barrel to Mike Orlen for cutting and chokes for around $90. Put a few Vang Comp parts in it as well.

Sold the 590A1.

So that was a lot of words that didn’t tell you much of anything.

My recommendation though from going through a similar process is to get the A300. I would have back then if it had been available and probably would not have gotten rid of it if I had later ran into the $75 New Haven.

 

[jmr40]

Pump guns are more rugged and will continue to work after abuse that will stop most semi-autos. They function with any ammo. I'd choose a pump for an apocalyptic event. But that's not the same as reliability. A pump requires user input, and most malfunctions are caused by operator error.

A well-made semi-auto needs to be reasonably clean and may not function with some loads. But if kept reasonably clean and if you avoid very light loads a semi will almost always prove more reliable.

I have both, one is an 870 with a 21" turkey barrel on it. I like that barrel because it will take interchangeable tubes for versatility. It can be a formidable SD gun with an open choke. Even with just the bead sight is accurate enough out to 50 yards with slugs. And with different chokes is still a viable hunting gun.

But my go-to home defense gun is a Benelli M1 with a 24" barrel and an extended mag tube.

My brother has an A300 hunting shotgun and it has proven to be a good one. I ASSUME their tactical shotgun is as good but have no personal experience. It hasn't been out long enough for a lot of reviews, but it looks good. My 1st inclination is to go with it if price isn't a factor. A decent pump is at least 1/2 the cost of a semi and that is certainly a consideration.

 

[1KPerDay]

Both good guns. If you have a lot of experience running a pump gun the 590A1 is a very good one. I run mine in 3-gun and do okay with it. However, for novices and pretty much everyone else, semis are a lot easier to use and keep fed and make safe. Everyone recommends a pump shotgun for a basic shotgun but the manual of arms is a lot more complicated to understand. You can also induce more malfunctions by short stroking or not being aggressive enough or dropping a round in the loading port backward (which you could also do with an auto) or not inserting a shell past the stops (ditto).

If you have time and inclination to drill the proper operation of a pump gun as a fighting shotgun (or if you already have) go for it. If you want to keep it simpler (and reduce recoil) and be able to shoot faster, go with the A300 IMO.

Mossberg 590 pretty good run pump shotgun

I can't load worth a damn but I can shoot it okay. LOLYoutube has de-funded most gun content. Please consider supporting me on Patreon!https://www.patreon.co...

youtu.be

 

[d2wing]

A300. The A 300 has a reputation for reliability and easy maintenance. It's a better gun as well. I have both Mossbergs and Berettas, not those exact models. Nothing wrong with the Mossberg and cheaper and easier to change barrels. I'd rather have a quality SA than a pump. But if you prefer pumps the Mossberg is a good gun. I think the Mossberg is lighter. Neither is a bad choice.

 

[rabid wombat]

All of the above - great comments! That said, I have a Vang tricked 590A1 (so does the wife). I have been running 500’s since starting duck hunting in the 80’s, so the pump action is ‘natural’. That said, still easy to short stroke it - or foul up some other way.

Massad Ayoob is big on a semi for home defense. Keep up with basic maintenance - go with the semi if you have not been running a pump already.

 

[bubbatime]

The Beretta is the better gun. Better for home defense, likely more reliable in most peoples hands. Just overall better.

 

[D.B. Cooper]

A decent pump is at least 1/2 the cost of a semi and that is certainly a consideration.

In general, that is true. In the case of the 590A1, not so much; it's about $300 less than the A300. In any event, not enough to be a factor for me.

Both good guns. If you have a lot of experience running a pump gun...

I don't. I'm not really a shotgunner to speak of.

A300. The A 300 has a reputation for reliability and easy maintenance. It's a better gun as well.

The Beretta is the better gun. Better for home defense, likely more reliable in most peoples hands. Just overall better.

I'm not quite a Beretta fanboy, but I'm definitely an M9/92FS fan boy.

 

[Simple Shooter]

I struggled with a similar dilemma for a while and went with the A300. Very happy I did.

One serving will meet the USDA recommended daily allowance of 00 buck in most situations. However, if you need more than one shot in really tight quarters, running a semi is much easier than running a pump.

 

[rhino465]

So. I'm ready to buy a HD shotgun. Actually, I signed up for Gunsite Academy's Shotgun 260, and I need a shotgun. After the course, it will either become a safe queen, become a HD gun, or, most likely, be used in three-gun competition. (Which, for me, means a safe queen that gets used about 5-6 ties per year.) Both guns are close in price, and both max out my budget.

I've been wanting an A300 for a while, but I'm concerned about maintenance. It seems like a somewhat complex system to disassemble, clean, etc. The 590A1 seems like a more durable design (and has a stellar track record).

Anyway, for the uses stated above, which of those two would you choose, and why?

Between those two, run - don't walk - to your local dealer and get the Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol. If you borrow one to shoot first, you'll understand why.

Whatever additional maintenance necessary is more than worth it.

I shot a friend's A300 last year and was impressed by everything about it. It's light, it cycles fast, it functions with wimpy birdshot loads as well as stout 9-pellet 00 buckshot loads, felt recoil is surprisingly minimal for a 12ga, the loading port is relieved/contoured to minimize thumb pinchage, and the sights are excellent. The only thing standing between rhino and an A300 is his current need of a new water softener. Well, that and a bad knife habit (but I can quit anytime I want).

 

[.38 Special]

I have a 590 A1 and am completely satisfied with it. It certainly serves as a defensive gun, and it worked well during my training class. I have no experience at all with the A300.

Having said that, in my limited experience an auto is generally superior for the purpose, and were I to do it over again, I would strongly consider one. Certainly, were I considering three-gun, I would go with the auto. If folks convince you of the A300's reliability, and you are willing to put in the extra effort of learning and maintaining an auto, it sounds like it may be your best bet.

 

[D.B. Cooper]

Between those two, run - don't walk - to your local dealer and get the Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol.

"Run" is right. Availability may be a problem. My local Cabela's had one two days ago. I procrastinated. It was gone the next day. It was the last one in the entire Cabela's/BPS system. (I have a bunch of Cabela's gift cards.)

 

[Simple Shooter]

"Run" is right. Availability may be a problem. My local Cabela's had one two days ago. I procrastinated. It was gone the next day. It was the last one in the entire Cabela's/BPS system. (I have a bunch of Cabela's gift cards.)

I was after an A300 for months. One day, I stopped at the LSG and asked if they had one yet. The guy said his next task was going to be to get the A300 they just received unpacked and out for display. I saved him the work. Sometimes timing and blind luck play in our favor.

 

[D.B. Cooper]

LOL. So. I was looking at the Gunsite page for the 260 Shotgun class. There's a photo of David Hartman, one of the instructors...he's running a semi-auto shotgun in the picture. That's a pretty strong endorsement, if not for the A300, at least for semis over pumps.

 

[DustyGmt]

I like the 590 and have never really shot many semi auto shotguns. I would say this from my limited experience which isn't limited in terms of shooting shotguns (99% pumps) but limited trying to operate a pump shotgun under extreme stress. I would choose the 590 if you think you'll stay up with it, like training for 3G and stuff. If you shoot it enough fairly regular and take a class perhaps, you should be able to operate it under stress just fine. Some people turn to jelly in extreme stress, even with the adrenaline going yout fine motor can get really wonky and could cause a stoppage whereas a semi auto is taking a step out of the equation.

I've never been in a shooting but I've been in a few unexpected altercations where i was forced to defend myself and you wouldn't believe what combat does to your body if you arent training or expecting it. A 30 second fight feels like 10 hours of exertion, just physically draining. You don't want to be in a situation where you have to work that pump multiple times absent considerable time and some sort of stress factor like 3G and other competition. You definitely want to build that muscle memory with a pump gun if it's to be a HD gun.

 

[D.B. Cooper]

Between those two, run - don't walk - to your local dealer and get the Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol.

As I said earlier, RUN is right.

The gun came back into sock in the Cabela's system today. Not at my local store, but it was available for ship to store. I bought it online and did the online checkout. In the time in took me to enter a gift card and a credit card number, they went out of stock again. Mere minutes.

I've got a couple of months before my Gunsite course, but I can see having to cancel that course due to not being able to buy the gun.

Edit: I just went back to the site and it's available to order again. Stupid.

 

[DustyGmt]

The A300 is a really attractive option. If I was looking for my first and only defense shotgun I could easily wind up on the A300. I would put some 3M velcro on the reciever and buy myself a few esstac cards and be ready to drill. I like the old school'ness of a pump and I have a few that I've shot alot, not looking to switch things up to a SA at this time but James Reeve at TFB youtube channel showcases a few SA's and their strength and reliability with alot of enthusiasm, as well as the 1301 and others......

I'm just stuck on the 590 pump, I've shot my 870's and 500/590's enough to know I prefer the Mossberg in a defensive role, but if an A300 appeared on my doorstep the pumps very well could end up collecting dust in a corner.

 

[Nuke8401]

If you haven't seen his videos on the A300, I would give them a watch.
If I didn't already have a 1301 I would be getting an A300.

TFB TV