Guys I know next to nothing about semi-auto shotguns, having used pumps my whole life (yeah my bro inherited a Remington mod 11 (browning A5 copy) in 16 but sold it).

I recently shot a neighbors semi-auto and the recoil was night vs day.

I want to buy a gun that’s reliable and something that if I chop it to the end of the mag tube will still work (legally of course). I’m thinking it’ll be easier for Mrs. Mike and make her mobile if something happens, vs her standing against a corner w/the gun under her arm and the wall taking the recoil.

I’ve shot the Remington 11-the copy of the browning A5, when I was in the service. & my neighbors turkey made el cheapo…

What should I stay away from and what would be a good candidate? Pleas list pros and cons.

for home defense. there are a couple options for a minimum length/max capacity 12 guage in semi auto.

the most complete option, imho.
Beretta 1301 tactical

having one and a Benelli M4. i think the 1301 is more ready to go out of the box vs the m4.

recoil is really good on both. cant go wrong with either. i don't have any direct experience with other options on the market

The 1301 is very short compared to a lot of other semi-autos and would be an obvious easy choice. There is, however, no way to shorten the barrel and keep it reliable at this point.

I think the Remington Tac 13 (based on the Versamax) might be a decent route. It is already a 13" barreled "firearm" and would be readily convertible via the addition of a stock.

If you can't afford a Beretta 1301, a good alternative is the Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol. There are several Youtube videos comparing and contrasting them.

I don't have either, but am also thinking about one or the other. I do have a Beretta A400 Upland that I use for sporting clays and it is sweet!

If you want a Short Barrel Semi-Auto Shotgun, I'd go with a Factory SBS, especially since it sounds like your purpose includes it potentially being wielded by Mrs. Mike in home/self defense situation. As far a current offerings, I believe the Benelli M4 'may' be the only option. Gas operated Semi-Auto Shotguns 'can' be finicky, especially the inertia operated piston driven designs like Auto-Regulating Gas-Operated (A.R.G.O.) system in the Benelli M4, so a factory SBS version would ensure reliability. I LOVE my Benelli M4, and wouldn't hesitate to pick up the SBS version if I though I 'needed' one! Just my two-cents...

Edited to expand on/finish my thought(s), and add toss in a few more cents!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: nhracecraft,

When I wanted SBS, I went with the Mossberg Shockwave.

Budget ?
Benelli M4 factory Entry model 14”

Lower budget, 11-87 with 14” factory SBS


Does Beretta make a 1301 SBS model ? If not the tactical is not terrible.

A cut down A5 with a quality recoil pad and friction ring set on heavy is not terrible.

If you can deal with recoil 870 with 12-14 inch barrel is reliable.

OK I bought a Mossberg Shockwave.

What do I need to do to add a stock?
Fill out an ATF form 1,
Engrave my name and address on the receiver,
Get some fingerprints
Get a photo
Send them a check or credit card on the form and
They will send me a tax stamp or will they just email me an approved form?

quote:

Originally posted by YooperSigs:
When I wanted SBS, I went with the Mossberg Shockwave.

Yooper,
Have you done this, and is it like I described above?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: MikeinNC,

quote:

Originally posted by ElToro:
Lower budget, 11-87 with 14” factory SBS

I'd be dubious of this without significant testing with your defensive load, since even the 18" 11-87 is finnicky with many loads.

The better lower budget semiauto option would be to go with a Tac-13 and add a stock. Those are reliable with most loads. (But so are pumps... )

quote:

Originally posted by DaBigBR:
I think the Remington Tac 13 (based on the Versamax) might be a decent route.

Minor correction, but the Tac-13 is based on the newer V3, not the older Versamax.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: RogueJSK,

I have left mine OEM. There are stock adapters that allow you to set up the gun with an AR collapsible stock. Which requires you to do the Fed approval process. The only mods I made to mine was to install a side saddle and Streamlight forend light.
I bought the Shockwave solely so I would not have to jump through the Form 1 hoops.
A good source for Shockwave stuff is Mounting Solutions Plus.

A “flush with the mag tube” gun is going to be an absolute bear to shoot. I attended Symtac Consulting’s 2-Day Shotgun class last year and put 600ish rounds through my 1301. The class included instruction on short-stocking the gun (“CQB Ready” as they call it) where you maneuver with the gun turned 90° inward and the stock rested over the top of your shoulder. They teach you how to present and fire the gun accurately from this position, and then get into the shoulder for follow up shots when/if able. It was pretty mind blowing to see in action. Completely changed my view of an 18.5” gun as a CQB tool.

FWIW, I have a 12” 870, too, and it’s neat.

^^^ I was issued a 14” rem 870 while I was in the CG. I’ll be ok.

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:

quote:

Originally posted by ElToro:
Lower budget, 11-87 with 14” factory SBS

I'd be dubious of this without significant testing with your defensive load, since even the 18" 11-87 is finnicky with many loads.

The better lower budget semiauto option would be to go with a Tac-13 and add a stock. Those are reliable with most loads. (But so are pumps... )

quote:

Originally posted by DaBigBR:
I think the Remington Tac 13 (based on the Versamax) might be a decent route.

Minor correction, but the Tac-13 is based on the newer V3, not the older Versamax.

^^^
My Versa Max Tactical has been 100% reliable shooting any load. The V3 is an updated version. The only drawback would be the longterm viability of Remington (since their BK). That being said, a Tac13 should only require a stock and be an excellent choice.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: BB61,

I second the Benelli M4. I am pretty sure it will eat any ammo. If you can find a collapsible stock, it could be adjusted for best fitting Mrs. Mike. Be careful to stay in compliance with 922(r). Load with low-recoil law enforcement buckshot rounds (fewer pellets). Get an oversized bolt handle for it. A SBS is going to have less magazine capacity. Reloading may break her fingernails. Why not stick with the 18-inch barrel and avoid the NFA paperwork?

Benelli's can be ghost loaded to get an extra round of capacity. And you can use the open-bolt reload technique for a fast extra shot after running dry.

BTW, the Benelli M4 is also configured as the M1014 used by the USMC. How much more do you need to know?

Highly reccomend creating an account and doing efile with silencershop. Efiles stamps are getting approved in days. Paper still taking much longer. If any of your friendly dealers have a silencer company kiosk and you can do electronic prints and upload a digital face pic, pay the $200 on your credit card online. The $5 charge silencerco collects for the service is worth it. If time Waiting Is an issue. If not an issue waiting for months do it via paper and USPostal service.