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SHOP NOWClassic Firearms hosts a head-to-head speed test to see which shotgun cycles the fastest. Competitive shooter Kenzie and Jason compare split times across pump and semi-auto platforms.
The host sets up a friendly competition to determine which shotgun on the table is the fastest shooting platform. Kenzie, a three-gun competitor with a decade in shooting sports, explains her background in Steel Challenge, USPSA, and three-gun, emphasizing how much she prefers stages that include shotguns. Jason is introduced as having an extremely fast trigger finger, jokingly described as something that should be on an NFA list. The host chooses to moderate rather than compete, focusing on timing and split measurements. The group agrees to remove as much of the human element as possible by comparing total times and shot-to-shot splits to see which shotgun cycles and runs the quickest.
The team walks through the lineup of shotguns they will test. They start with a Mossberg Retro pump-action, acknowledging it will not truly compete for fastest title but is included for fun. Kenzie’s personal Taran Tactical Innovations Benelli M2 is highlighted as a race-ready competition gun with an extended tube and added capacity. A Benelli M4 is also on the table, along with a Mossberg 940 Pro equipped with a Holosun red dot. They mention a Beretta 1301 Tactical Mod 2 with a pistol grip, which Kenzie has not yet shot in that configuration. A Salient Arms GLD Beretta-based shotgun, Panzer Arms Mag 12, Fostech Origin 12, and a Genesis Arms race shotgun are also present, with particular curiosity about the Origin 12’s reputation as an extremely fast platform.
They begin with the Mossberg Retro pump-action as a warm-up and baseline. Kenzie runs five shots and records a total time of 11.65 seconds, with slow, inconsistent splits in the 1.4 to 3.7 second range. She calls it one of the least fun strings she has shot, clearly struggling with the pump speed compared to her usual semi-auto competition guns. Jason then runs the same drill and posts a much faster total time of about 4 seconds, with splits around 0.65 to 0.67 seconds. The host briefly tries the pump as well and notes how awkward it feels to operate quickly. They agree the real competition will start once they move to semi-automatic shotguns, where cycling speed and shooter cadence can be better evaluated.
The focus shifts to Kenzie’s Taran Tactical Innovations Benelli M2, her personal three-gun shotgun. She runs five rounds, aiming to redeem her pump performance. Her total time is 1.31 seconds, with very consistent splits in the low 0.2-second range, except for a slower final shot caused by trigger freeze. Jason then attempts the same drill and outruns the inertia-driven action, resulting in a 3.79-second total time. His splits, however, match Kenzie’s in the 0.2–0.3 second range, showing his finger speed exceeds what the gun and ammunition combination can reliably cycle. They note that his extremely fast trigger work becomes a handicap with this inertia system, hinting that gas-operated shotguns may better keep up with his cadence.
Next, they test the Benelli M4, emphasizing its reputation for reliability and consistent cycling. Kenzie again shoots five rounds but experiences a minor trigger freeze, finishing with a 1.43-second total time. Her splits remain mostly in the 0.2-second range, with one slower split around 0.45 seconds tied to the hiccup. Jason then runs the M4 and posts a strong 1.10-second total time. His splits show a pattern of accelerating speed, starting around 0.39 seconds and dropping into the low 0.2s and 0.16 seconds. Based on these runs, Jason clearly wins this head-to-head, and the M4 posts a faster overall time than the M2 in their testing so far, putting it in the lead among the semi-autos they have timed.
They move on to the Mossberg 940 Pro, which is described as an inertia-driven shotgun in this segment. Kenzie runs five shots and immediately feels that the string is rougher and slower. Her total time is 2.27 seconds, with splits degrading into the 0.27 to 0.72 second range, clearly slower and less consistent than with the Benelli platforms. Jason then shoots the same drill. He also encounters a trigger freeze but still records a much faster 1.20-second total time. His splits start around 0.42 seconds and then tighten into the low 0.2s and 0.16–0.20 second range. The comparison suggests that the slower performance Kenzie experienced is more shooter-specific than a limitation of the 940 Pro itself, given Jason’s significantly better times with the same shotgun.
Attention turns to the Beretta 1301 Tactical Mod 2, which the group notes is widely regarded as a very fast shotgun. Earlier, they discussed how the 1301 is gas-operated, while several other guns on the table are inertia-driven. Kenzie explains that inertia systems depend more on proper shouldering and recoil management, whereas gas guns can cycle faster and more independently of shooter input. With that context, she loads five rounds into the 1301 and focuses on staying patient and consistent. Her run feels smoother, and the timer shows a 1.13-second total time. The splits are described as consistent rather than accelerating, indicating a steady cadence that the gas system handles well. This performance supports their expectation that the Beretta 1301 Tactical is among the quickest cycling shotguns in the lineup.
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