The video opens at Beretta’s SHOT Show 2023 range day, hosted in partnership with Classic Firearms. Viewers are introduced to the event as a dedicated opportunity to run Beretta’s latest pistols, tactical shotguns, and competition handguns in a live-fire environment. The hosts set expectations that this is not just a booth walk-through but a full range experience, with factory reps and professional shooters on hand. The atmosphere is energetic and informal, emphasizing hands-on testing over technical lectures. Early on, the presenters frame the day around evaluating new features, optics setups, and how each firearm actually feels under recoil. This introduction positions the video as a comprehensive look at Beretta’s current defensive, tactical, and competition offerings, culminating later in a friendly cowboy-style shooting challenge to cap off the range session.
The first firearms highlighted are Beretta’s APX A1 pistols. The hosts walk through the core APX A1 design, noting its modern striker-fired system, ergonomic grip shaping, and aggressive slide serrations that aid in manipulation. They point out the optics-ready slide cuts that allow mounting popular red dots, making the platform suitable for both defensive carry and range use. Attention is given to the improved trigger characteristics compared to earlier APX iterations, with a cleaner break and more positive reset. The segment emphasizes that the APX A1 line is Beretta’s push into the contemporary duty and defensive pistol space, offering modularity and compatibility with common accessories. This overview sets the stage for later discussion of specialized APX A1 tactical variants with threaded barrels, extended magazines, and suppressor-height sights.
The focus shifts to new tactical variants of the APX A1, built around threaded barrels and enhanced capacity. These models feature extended magazines that increase round count for defensive or duty roles, and suppressor-height sights designed to co-witness with mounted optics or clear a suppressor. The hosts highlight specific optics mounted on these pistols, including the Steiner MPS and Holosun red dots, explaining how the low-profile footprints and robust housings complement the APX A1 slide. They comment on how the taller sights and red dots make target acquisition faster, especially when shooting at speed. The tactical configuration is presented as ideal for users who want a suppressor-ready handgun or a more competition-oriented setup straight from the factory, without needing extensive aftermarket upgrades.
After spending time on the APX A1 pistols, the hosts transition to Beretta’s tactical shotgun lineup. They explain that the range day is structured to move from handguns into long guns, giving shooters a chance to experience how Beretta’s semi-auto shotguns handle in rapid strings of fire. The presenters introduce the A300 Ultima Patrol and the Beretta USA 1301 as the primary models on the line, both configured for defensive and law enforcement-style roles. This segment sets up a comparison between the two platforms, emphasizing differences in features, ergonomics, and recoil characteristics. The hosts note that both shotguns are equipped with extended magazine tubes for increased capacity and are set up to be run hard on steel targets, making this portion of the event a practical test of reliability and controllability.
Attention turns to the A300 Ultima Patrol, Beretta’s tactical take on the A300 series. The hosts describe its extended magazine tube, giving a 7+1 capacity that suits home defense or patrol use. They point out the shotgun’s accessory-ready design, including mounting points for lights and optics, and controls optimized for quick manipulation. A special Tiger Stripe launch edition is showcased, with its distinctive finish highlighted as both eye-catching and limited. The presenters discuss how the A300 Ultima Patrol balances weight and recoil, noting that it remains controllable even during rapid follow-up shots. This segment underscores the shotgun’s role as a more budget-conscious tactical option in Beretta’s lineup, while still offering the reliability and performance expected from the brand.
The video then focuses on the Beretta USA 1301, configured as a tactical shotgun with a pistol grip stock. The hosts emphasize the 1301’s reputation for extremely fast cycling and soft recoil, making it a favorite among defensive and competition shooters. They highlight the extended tube providing 7+1 capacity, mirroring the A300 Ultima Patrol’s loadout. One of the 1301s on the line is equipped with a Steiner MPS optic, and the presenters discuss how the red dot enhances target transitions and precision at typical defensive distances. They comment on the ergonomics of the pistol grip, the intuitive placement of controls, and how the gas system contributes to the shotgun’s smooth shooting characteristics. This segment positions the 1301 as a premium tactical semi-auto with proven performance.
With both the A300 Ultima Patrol and 1301 introduced, the hosts share live-fire impressions. They describe the recoil impulse of each shotgun as very smooth, noting how the gas systems and stock designs help keep the muzzle flat during rapid strings. The extended magazine tubes allow for longer drills without reloading, letting shooters focus on transitions and shot-to-shot control. The Steiner MPS-equipped 1301 draws particular praise for how quickly the dot appears on target, making it easy to track hits on steel. The presenters compare the feel of the A300 Ultima Patrol and 1301, acknowledging that both deliver reliable cycling and confidence-inspiring performance. This portion reinforces that Beretta’s tactical shotguns are not just feature-rich on paper but genuinely comfortable and effective under recoil.
The spotlight shifts to Beretta’s 92X line, starting with the 92X Defensive model tailored for IDPA competition. Professional shooter JJ Racaza presents the pistol, explaining how it has been optimized and lightened to meet IDPA rules while enhancing handling. The hosts note weight reduction measures and contouring that make the gun quicker out of the holster and more agile in transitions. Trigger work and reset improvements are highlighted, giving the 92X Defensive a cleaner break and faster follow-up capability. The pistol retains the classic Beretta 92 lineage while incorporating modern competition-focused refinements. This segment emphasizes that the 92X Defensive is purpose-built for practical shooting sports, offering a ready-to-run package for competitors who want a factory-tuned platform.
Next, JJ Racaza introduces the 92X Carry Optics division gun, a heavier variant designed to excel with slide-mounted red dots. The hosts point out the full-length rail, which adds weight and stability, helping to tame recoil and keep the dot tracking smoothly. They discuss the lightened trigger and shortened reset, engineered for rapid, precise shooting in carry optics competition. The pistol’s soft recoil is repeatedly emphasized, with JJ’s championship pedigree used to underscore the platform’s competitive credibility. Viewers are shown how the additional mass and tuned trigger translate into flatter shooting and faster splits. This chapter frames the 92X Carry Optics as a top-tier choice for shooters entering or advancing in the carry optics division, combining Beretta’s classic design with modern race-ready enhancements.
Beyond the headline pistols and tactical shotguns, the video briefly explores other long guns available at the Beretta range day. The hosts mention bolt-action rifles from Sako, highlighting their precision-oriented design and suitability for hunting or long-range shooting. Various tactical and hunting shotguns from Beretta are also referenced, showing the breadth of the company’s catalog on the firing line. While not every model is covered in depth, the segment conveys that attendees could move between defensive shotguns, competition pistols, and more traditional hunting or precision platforms. This broader overview reinforces that the event was designed as a comprehensive showcase of Beretta Group brands, allowing shooters to sample everything from modern semi-auto tacticals to refined bolt-action rifles in a single range session.
As the range day winds down, the hosts recap the experience, touching on the standout firearms they shot, including the APX A1 pistols, A300 Ultima Patrol, 1301 tactical shotgun, and 92X competition pistols. They highlight how the event blended serious product testing with a fun, relaxed atmosphere. To close out the day, they set up a friendly cowboy drill, a lighthearted shooting challenge meant to cap the session with some competition. The drill is framed as a way to put skills to the test after spending time with various Beretta platforms. The hosts explain that this final stage is less about formal scoring and more about enjoying the shooting, showcasing how the firearms perform in a playful, game-like scenario while involving different members of the team, including Katie.
The cowboy drill becomes the centerpiece of the closing portion, turning the range day into a friendly competition. Katie steps up as one of the primary shooters, running the drill under time and adding a personal, relatable element to the video. The hosts describe the challenge as a cowboy-style stage, likely involving quick target engagements and transitions. While specific firearm models used in the drill are not detailed, the focus is on the fun, competitive spirit and how the day’s shooting culminates in this event. The segment captures reactions, light banter, and the excitement of seeing how everyone performs after a full day on the range. Katie’s participation sets up the later discussion about her performance, which becomes a recurring point of praise in the final moments.
In the closing segment, the speakers repeatedly discuss the first shot on the cowboy drill, clarifying that one of them had not shot that particular gun, or any handgun, all day. They explain that the opportunity to run the handguns during the session was largely given to Katie, who was invited to shoot all of them. This context is offered to account for any roughness in the other shooter’s performance on the drill. However, the emphasis quickly shifts to sincere praise for Katie. The hosts stress multiple times that she shot phenomenally well, especially considering she had not been shooting much recently and is not a regular handgun shooter. The repetition underscores genuine admiration for how confidently and accurately she handled the cowboy drill despite limited recent practice.
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