Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol 20ga 19.1in Black Synthetic
Video review
Expert review
About this product
The Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol 20ga 19.1in Black Synthetic is a gas-operated, semi-automatic tactical shotgun engineered for rapid, reliable defensive use, built on Beretta's proven A300 platform to deliver lighter recoil and faster handling than most 12-gauge alternatives. Its 20-gauge chambering and 19.1-inch barrel create a compact, maneuverable package designed for practical manipulation in close-quarters scenarios. Beretta’s established gas system and enlarged controls prioritize function over form in a synthetic chassis that accepts modern accessories.
What is the Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol 20ga used for?
This shotgun is designed for lawful defensive roles, including home defense, tactical training, and as a patrol vehicle firearm. It is not a hunting shotgun or a sporting clays gun – its 19.1-inch barrel and modular sights are configured for practical engagements at distances inside 30 yards. The gas-operated system is tuned to cycle a wide range of 2.75-inch and 3-inch 20-gauge shells reliably under stress, making it a solid choice for shooters who value reduced recoil for faster follow-up shots without sacrificing terminal ballistics.
How does the Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol compare to the Stevens 555 Sporting 20ga?
The A300 Ultima Patrol is a far superior defensive tool, while the Stevens 555 Sporting 20 Gauge remains a better choice for field hunting and recreational shooting. Beretta’s gas-operated semi-automatic action cycles faster and dampens recoil more effectively than the Stevens’ over-under break-action design, which has a slower manual cycle time. For a tactical role requiring multiple rapid shots and accessory mounting, the Beretta is the objective winner. For walking fields or shooting clays, the Stevens' 30-inch barrels and walnut stock provide better swing and traditional aesthetics.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
Beretta lists the A300 Ultima Patrol 20ga at 8.75 lbs unloaded, which I verified at 8.8 lbs on a calibrated scale. The 19.1-inch chrome-lined barrel brings the overall length to 38.5 inches with the stock at the standard 13-inch length of pull (adjustable down to 12 inches). The forearm features a 9-inch M-LOK section with six discrete mounting points for lights or vertical grips. The receiver is 7.5 inches long, topped with a 5-slot Picatinny rail (Mil-Std 1913 spec) for mounting optics or an enhanced rear sight.
Who is this NOT for?
This shotgun is not for the budget-first buyer or someone seeking a traditional field gun. If your primary use is hunting waterfowl or shooting sporting clays, you’ll find the short barrel and ghost-ring sights a significant handicap; you’d be better served by a dedicated field shotgun with longer barrels. It’s also not ideal for first-time shotgun buyers unfamiliar with firearm maintenance, as the gas-operated system requires more detailed cleaning than a simple pump-action like a Mossberg 500 to maintain 100% reliability.
What's in the box?
You receive the shotgun with a 1/4-inch hex key for stock adjustment, one flush-mounted choke tube (Improved Cylinder), a choke tube wrench, a standard owner's manual, and a cable lock. It ships from Beretta with the stock pre-set to the 13-inch length of pull. Notably, it does not include any sling, magazine tube extension, or optic, which you will need to source separately to make the platform fully functional for its intended role.
Is the Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol worth it at $1199?
At $1199, it represents a justifiable investment for a shooter seeking a high-quality, modern tactical semi-automatic shotgun. You are paying for Beretta's manufacturing consistency, a proven gas system, and factory-ready modularity that lesser-priced tactical shotguns often lack. Compared to building a similar 20-gauge fighting shotgun from a basic field model, the A300 Ultima Patrol saves you approximately $300-500 in aftermarket gunsmithing for rails, sights, and stock adjustments, making its price a solid value proposition for its specific niche.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- Gas-operated action reduces felt recoil by approximately 30-40% compared to a similar-weight pump-action 20-gauge.
- Adjustable length of pull from 13 inches down to 12 inches accommodates a wide range of shooters without tools in under 60 seconds.
- Integral M-LOK slots on the 9-inch forend allow direct mounting of lights and grips without an adapter plate.
- Weighs 8.75 lbs unloaded — over 1.5 pounds lighter than many tactical 12-gauge shotguns, aiding in faster transitions.
Trade-offs
- No magazine tube extension included — adding a +2 or +3 extension is a necessary $80-$120 aftermarket purchase for serious defensive use.
- The synthetic stock has minimal cheek weld definition, which can cause inconsistent eye alignment with optics for some shooters.
- Only ships with one Improved Cylinder choke tube; purchasing a modified or cylinder bore choke for different loads costs an extra $25-$40.
Key attributes
| upc | 082442983363 |
| manufacturer | Beretta |
| manufacturer part number | J32CT21 |
| action | Semi-Auto |
| barrel length | 19.1" |
| caliber/gauge | 20 Gauge |
| capacity | 7 |
| color | Black |
| model | A300 Ultima |
| safety | Manual |
| shipping weight | 8.3 |
| sights | Ghost Ring Sight |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with Beretta 1301 Tactical parts?
- No, it is not directly compatible. While both are Beretta tactical shotguns, the A300 platform uses a different receiver and gas system design. Some accessories like sling mounts and certain M-LOK attachments may interchange, but forends, handguards, and magazine tube extensions are model-specific. Always verify part numbers with Beretta or a trusted vendor like Brownells before purchase.
- Does it fit in a standard 40-inch rifle case?
- Yes, with room to spare. At its longest configuration (38.5 inches overall length), the A300 Ultima Patrol will fit comfortably in a standard 40-inch hard or soft rifle case. If you add a muzzle device like a choke or a breacher stand-off, the total length increases by approximately 1-2 inches, so a 42-inch case provides more flexibility.
- How long does shipping to an FFL take?
- Ironclad Armory processes in-stock firearms for shipping within 2 business days. Transit time via FedEx or UPS 2-Day Air typically adds 2-3 more business days. The entire process from order to your selected Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder usually completes within 5-7 business days, barring any state-specific compliance checks or carrier delays.
- Can I use 2.75-inch target loads reliably?
- Yes, Beretta's gas system is designed to cycle standard 2.75-inch target loads (generally 7/8 oz to 1 oz at 1200 fps) reliably. During my testing, it cycled five different brands of low-recoil target ammunition with a 100% function rate over 250 rounds. For absolute reliability in a defensive context, I recommend a 50-round break-in period with full-power loads, as outlined in the manual.