The United States Marine Corps is celebrating 250 years of existence, and several firearms companies are offering special edition models that commemorate that birthday. Beretta’s history with the Marines goes back at least four decades, with the U.S. military’s version of the Beretta 92F, the M9, serving the Corps until 2020. To mark the occasion, Beretta is releasing the A300 Ultima Patrol Raider.
The Raider is based on Beretta’s A300 Ultima Patrol, a gas-operated, semi-automatic, 12 ga. shotgun. It has an aluminum alloy receiver with the bolt locking into the barrel extension, with the barrel’s muzzle threaded for Mobil-pattern choke tubes. Enlarged controls include an enlarged loading port, an extended bolt release and bolt handle, and an oversized and reversible safety button. Capacity of the underbarrel tubular magazine is seven rounds. The “ghost ring” sights have protective “wings,” and a Picatinny rail is mounted to the top of receiver for attaching optics. There are three M-Lok slots on the the handguard.
Where the Patrol Raider stands out is that its metal components and synthetic furniture are given a Frogskin camouflage finish that pays homage to the clothing worn by the original Marine Raiders in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Like the “trench guns” of both world wars, the Patrol Raider has a bayonet mount that accommodates M16-pattern bayonets. With a 19.1” barrel, the Patrol Raider is 38” overall and weighs 7.9 lbs.
In addition to the standard Ultima Patrol Raider, the shotgun is being offered in a limited-edition commemorative edition, of which 250 will be produced. These shotguns are supplied in custom, velvet-lined, wooden “ammo crate” display cases, and each is supplied with an M9 bayonet made by Ontario Knife Company. Earlier this year, Beretta donated one of the commemorative edition Raiders to the Marine Raider Foundation’s benefit auction.
The Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol Raider has an MSRP of $1,399, while the limited edition commemorative edition costs $2,499. For more information, see the company’s website.
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