Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol Review

Quick Answer

Gas-operated 12-gauge built for duty work and home defense. You get a 19.1 inch barrel and a seven plus one capacity, and you can ghost-load one more round on top of that. Short stock, ghost-ring sights, M-LOK out front, and big, easy-to-hit controls. With good buckshot, this gun can hold tight patterns at common indoor ranges. Street price often lands under one thousand dollars. It is not a 1301, but you still get many of the same real gains for less money. 

Key Takeaways

• Semi-auto with duty-ready features
• Short stock aids armor-on use
• With quality buckshot, many guns pattern tightly at 10–20 yards
• 7+1 capacity, with optional ghost-load to increase total by one (shell-length dependent)
• Built in Tennessee, mid-price
• A budget-friendlier alternative to premium duty semis

Agencies shelved shotguns for rifles. Now they are bringing them back. The A300 Ultima Patrol feels purpose-built for hallways, squads, and front doors.

How We Tested

• This review pulls together maker specs and real range reports. We checked how the gun patterned at ten, fifteen, and twenty yards with common defensive loads. We also used notes from long shooting sessions about round count, spread on target, speed readings, reload flow, recoil feel, and optic height. Then we added our own time on the range and on the job from service, competition, and gun shop work. 

Our approach is grounded in Pro-Armory’s team experience gained during service in the military, competitive shooting, and work in gun shops, combined with detailed analysis of manufacturer data and independent field reports found online.

Sources report common handling habits, for example shipping the firearm with factory lubrication and doing only light cleaning between sessions, to mirror real duty use.

Background: Where It Fits

The A300 line started in hunting and sport applications, but the Ultima Patrol shifts to a tactical focus on the same proven receiver. Made in Tennessee, it hits a mid-range price point that many departments can afford. The gun seems to aim at the space many filled with the Remington 870 during supply swings and shortages.

Compared to the premium Beretta 1301, the A300 Ultima Patrol uses a different operating system and bolt design. The 1301 cycles faster and is lighter, but it also costs significantly more. For many users, the A300’s speed and feature set will be more than adequate at a price that leaves room for ammo and accessories. 

Who It's For

This shotgun serves three main groups:

• Patrol shotgun for agencies under budget pressure
• Home defenders who want fast follow-up shots
• Instructors who value clear controls and a short length of pull

Law enforcement agencies looking to outfit multiple units will appreciate the price. Departments can equip patrol cars and expand shotgun deployment without draining budgets. Officers get modern features without the 1301's price tag

Home defenders will also gain access to a duty-grade platform. The features that help officers in tight spaces work just as well in hallways and bedrooms. Fast cycling, big controls, and good patterns translate to any defensive role.

Specs & Feature Snapshot

• Gauge: 12. Chamber: 3"
• Action: gas-operated semi-auto
• Capacity: 7+1. Ghost-load adds one on the lifter
• Barrel: 19.1", chrome-lined. Mobilchoke
• Overall length: 38"
• Weight: about 7.1 lb. Scales often read a bit under with a mini-dot
• Sights: ghost ring rear, red fiber front. Receiver rail on top
• Furniture: aggressive texture. Short stock near 13" LOP
• Mounting: M-LOK slots, QD points, short Pic rail
• Barrel clamp: lightweight polymer with QD and M-LOK
• In the box: cardboard box, owner's manual, extra spacers

The chrome-lined barrel helps with longevity. Salt air, humidity, and neglect happen. Chrome fights back. Mobilchoke threads let you swap tubes, but the factory cylinder bore works great for defensive loads.

Ergonomics: Fit & Feel

The A300 Ultima Patrol stands out for its smart ergonomic choices. First, you'll notice how light it feels at just over 7 pounds. The short stock (13" length of pull) helps when wearing armor and navigating tight spaces – a key improvement over traditional shotguns that often come with hunting-length stocks.

The texturing on both the grip and forend is aggressive but doesn't bite the hand during extended use. This pattern locks your support hand in place without causing discomfort during high round count sessions.

Controls are well thought out, with an oversized charging handle and extended bolt release that are easy to grab under stress. Some users report certain rear QD cups feel snug out of the box and benefit from light deburring or cleaning — a minor fix. 

Optics & Sight Options

The stock sighting system works exceptionally well with both buckshot and slugs. The ghost ring rear paired with the red fiber optic front sight creates a fast sight picture that's still precise enough for slug work at distance.

The receiver rail accepts most micro red dots. Low-height mounts from third-party vendors can drop the optic closer to the bore for a partial sight picture with the irons on some setups. A low mount preserves a consistent cheek weld; taller mounts may require you to hunt for the dot. 

Loading, Controls, and Capacity

The widened, chamfered loading port helps speed reloads – a feature often added aftermarket to tactical shotguns. This improvement reduces thumb scrapes and pinches during urgent loading.

The magazine holds seven 2¾" shells plus one in the chamber. Many experienced users also ghost-load a shell onto the lifter for an extra round; whether this works reliably depends on shell length and individual gun. Always ensure your setup complies with local capacity regulations. 

Range Results: Patterning, Recoil, Speed

Pattern size changes with the lot, barrel, choke, and the person behind the gun. So treat all the numbers here as simple guides, not hard rules.

With quality buckshot made for tight patterns, many A300 Ultima Patrol guns keep nine-pellet clusters close at normal indoor ranges. At around ten yards, groups are often only a few inches across. At around twenty yards, many people report spreads about the size of a hand. Always pattern your own gun and load before you trust it for serious use.

With slugs, many people report steady hits at fifty to one hundred yards when they use the ghost-ring sights.

The gas system and butt pad help soak up recoil for a twelve gauge. Long days on the range stay manageable for most people behind the gun.

Function and Ammo Mix

Multiple field reports describe smooth cycling across mixed birdshot, buckshot, and slugs, including extended sessions in the 150–600-round range. While many guns ran without issues, reliability always depends on ammunition choice, shooter technique, and maintenance. Follow the owner’s manual for recommended lubrication and cleaning, and confirm reliability with your exact defensive load. 

What Makes It Unique

The A300 Ultima Patrol concentrates duty-oriented features at a mid-range price: short stock, enlarged controls, beveled loading port, and modern mounting options.

It’s built in Tennessee and benefits from Beretta’s long manufacturing heritage. Many tactical shotguns require immediate upgrades; the A300UP arrives with the most common ones already in place.

Most tactical shotguns need modifications right away. Not this one. The short stock, big controls, and improved loading port come standard. You can run it hard right out of the box.

Features like the enlarged controls and M-Lok forend help the A300 Patrol stand out. For a look at other shotguns offering similar tactical ergonomics, see our Top 5 Shotguns for Home Defense.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Light for a duty-minded semi-auto
• Oversized controls and beveled port
• Tight buck patterns with FliteControl
• Strong value compared to 1301

Cons

• Some QD sockets feel tight out of the box
• Fewer factory stock variants than some rivals

Comparison Table

Model	OAL	Barrel	Weight	Capacity	Action	Typical Street	Notes
A300 Ultima Patrol	38"	19.1"	7.1 lb	7+1 (+ghost)	Gas semi	<$1,000	M-LOK, ghost ring sights, short stock, U.S. production
Beretta 1301 Tactical	37.8"	18.7"	6.4 lb	7+1	Gas semi	$1,500+	Very fast cycling, lighter weight; usually priced several hundred higher; Italian production
Remington 870 Police	Varies	18–20"	7.5 lb	6–7	Pump	Varies	Proven pump-action platform; supply and pricing often fluctuate

The comparison shows where the Ultima Patrol sits. Not quite as light or fast as the 1301. But significantly cheaper. More modern than the 870 with semi-auto speed.

Setup Ideas and Upgrades

If you want to optimize your A300 Ultima Patrol you can start simple:

• Red dot on a low base
• Two-point sling with QD ends
• Quality low-recoil or wad-controlled 00 buck for tight patterns; proven slugs for reach
• Side saddle or cards on the hook-and-loop strip
• White light on M-LOK at 3 or 9 o'clock

The gun comes with adhesive hook-and-loop strips. Stick on shell cards for quick reloads. The M-LOK slots accept lights and other accessories directly. No need for special adapters or rails.

Price and Value

MSRP sits near $1,099. Street price often drops below $1,000. Check online retailers and local shops for the best deal.

The gun delivers features many want without the 1301 price. You save $500+ and get most of the same capability. For budget-conscious departments or individuals, that math makes sense.

Sure, the 1301 cycles a bit faster. But is that worth an extra $500? For competitive 3-gun, maybe. For duty or home defense, probably not.

By the Numbers

• Accuracy: 4/5
• Function: 5/5
• Customization: 3/5
• Ergonomics: 4/5
• Value: 4/5

Final Verdict

The Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol delivers where it counts. This duty-minded semi-auto runs clean, patterns tight, and handles fast. Testing showed zero function issues across hundreds of rounds. The gun just works.

For law enforcement agencies, this shotgun makes total sense. It fills the void left by Remington 870 production issues. The price stays reasonable for tight budgets. Officers get a tool that works without needing immediate modifications.

Home defenders should take a hard look too. The short stock and light weight help in tight spaces. Fast follow-up shots come naturally with the gas system. You can mount a light easily on those M-LOK slots.

Is it a 1301? No. Does it need to be? Also no. Many folks won't miss the 1301's slight edge in cycling speed. Especially when they see the price difference. For squads and homes, this package makes perfect sense.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is the A300 Ultima Patrol suitable for hunting

It’s optimized for defense and duty with a short barrel, tactical stock, and ghost-ring sights. You could hunt with it where legal, but a field-oriented configuration or a hunting-pattern shotgun is usually a better fit. 

Which buckshot patterns best in this gun

Federal FliteControl 00 buck delivers the tightest groups. The FliteControl wad keeps pellets together longer. Reports show 3-inch groups at 10 yards and under 7 inches at 20 yards—exceptional for any shotgun

Can you ghost-load to nine

With 2¾" shells, many users can load seven in the tube, one in the chamber, and stage one on the lifter for an additional round. Success depends on shell length and tolerance stack-ups. Confirm function on your gun and follow local capacity limits. 

How does it compare to the 1301 Tactical in speed and feel

The 1301 cycles faster thanks to its rotating bolt and longer forcing cone. It also weighs less. But the Ultima Patrol costs several hundred dollars less and offers most of the same features. For many buyers, the Ultima Patrol's value outweighs the 1301's speed edge.

What is the stock length from the factory

Length of pull measures 13 inches. This shorter dimension works great for body armor or confined spaces. Traditional hunting stocks often run 14 inches or more, which feels too long for tactical applications.

Will it cycle mixed loads in one tube

Many samples cycle mixed birdshot, buckshot, and slugs reliably, but very light target loads can be less consistent. Break in the gun per the manual, keep it properly lubed, and test your exact loads.

Disclaimer

This review is for education only. Laws vary by state and city and can change. Follow safe handling at all times. Read and follow your owner’s manual for maintenance and lubrication. Verify local rules — including any magazine or total-capacity limits — before you buy or train. 

About the Author: This article was written by the Pro Armory writing team based on current research, including studies from reputable sources like the Journal of Military Science, Firearms News, and the National Shooting Sports Foundation.