Shotguns are an incredible firearm. They are perfect for just about anything, from hunting any game, to military or home defense. There are hundreds of makes and models to choose from, so finding the best shotgun for your needs can be difficult. In this article we looked at the top 20 shotguns that are ideal for any situation.
Best Shotgun for Home Defense & Best Tactical Shotgun
Tactical shotguns are the ideal firearm for home defense as they are best at close range, and come in an array of styles and options. The best tactical shotguns will be simple to use, utilize the most practical defensive abilities, and be versatile enough to adapt to an array of situations.
Typically they use shorter barrel lengths, and are made from lightweight composite material. They will also have an intimidation factor beyond just making a deafening bang. Most have an aggressive look to them, can be equipped with aggressive parts, or they are pump action which deliver the unforgettable and ever heart stopping sound of racking a 12 gauge shell into the chamber.
Here's a look at the top 5 tactical shotguns overall and for home defense.
1. Remington 870 Express Tactical
The Remington 870 Express Tactical is a fantastic home defense shotgun. Of course the Remington 870 is a fantastic all around shotgun to begin with, but this specific model is simplistic, reliable, and can be easily customized. This makes a great home defense choice because you can easily add accessories such as lights or red dot sights, and it's easy to clean and operate. This pump action shotgun is smooth and comfortable with an adjustable stock, ghost ring sights, and a magazine extension.
That's of course not to mention that the Remington 870 is one of the most produced and popular shotguns on the market with over ten million having been built. Whether it's the aggressive looks, its powerfully solid design, the fact that it is essentially a combat gun, or for whatever other reason you choose the Express Tactical, you will not be disappointed. The 870 is also well suited for a pistol grip add on, versus its counterpart, Mossberg 590.
2. Mossberg 590 SP
The Mossberg 590 SP is the tactical version of the second most popular shotgun in America, the Mossberg 500 which is undoubtedly one of the most dependable firearms to date. This is a very well built and rugged shotgun that was even adopted in 1987 by the Marines. It is super versatile, being excellent for home defense, combat, or even hunting. There are several versions and options to choose from with numerous after market accessories that you can add making it appealing to any kind of shooter.
This pump shotgun is slightly more durable than the Remington 870 and will last you a lifetime. It aught too, especially since the Marine Corps still use it.
3. Catamount Fury II
If you are looking for the most aggressively devastating and effective tactical shotgun at close range, then look no further than the Catamount Fury II. This is one heck of a tactical shotgun. Yes, it is a Chinese firearm, but trust me when I say this shotgun delivers. You may have to try out some different shells to find the one that works best with this firearm but it's worth it.
This is an intimidating magazine fed, semi-auto shotgun that is easily customized and comes ready to be equipped with a battle ax. If that is not home-defense I don't know what is. This is quick to shoot and great to handle, with a lightweight cut-out stock and an AK-47 like grip. It's comfortable, intimidating, and just plain scary in up-close encounters as it can reload almost as fast as it can dispense ammunition into a target.
Not too mention this is going to be one of the best budget tactical shotguns while taking into consideration all it offers.
4. Winchester SXP Marine Defender
Although not quite as popular as the Remington 870, the Winchester SXP is designed after the Model 12 and 1200 which has been a staple shotgun for decades. It has been the go to choice for police, home defense, and even was used in the jungles during the Vietnam war. It is rugged, reliable, and best of all it is very affordable. At around $300.00 this is the best shotgun for the money.
The SXP also now comes with an array of upgraded features such as rail attaching accessories, and a variety of chokes. It also utilizes upgraded recoil reducing properties. Combine that with the shorter barrel length, the lightweight composite build, and the smooth pump action, this gun can be fired rapidly and accurately by just about anyone. It is a great choice for all types of shooters, and is absolutely fantastic for home defense.
5. Saiga-12
Image via Dan Hatton
The Russian born and bred Saiga-12 is the most powerful and effective home defense weapon around. It is also one of the best for competition shooting. It is highly accurate and highly deadly. This is a box magazine fed, gas operated shotgun that has the rotating bolt design just like other Kalashnikov rifles such as the AK-47. It is traditionally fully automatic, but of course can be found in the legal semi-auto form as well. It is fairly easily operated and maintained, while being easily customized with an array of parts to choose from. This makes each Saiga-12 unique.
Overall this is a very well built, very durable, and very rewarding shotgun. it has been designed by a very reliable Russian company that has consistently created great products.
Although you can still find them, they are becoming more of a commodity among avid shooters. This is due to some bureaucratic nonsense and president initiating an executive order which has banned all importation of Russian Izhmash products, including the Saiga-12.
*My personal opinion... Although the Saiga-12 is a great choice, due to the legalities around it I would suggest checking out the deadly AA-12 shotgun which is very similar, and even outranks the Saiga-12 in various aspects.
Overall Hunting
Most shotguns are designed for a specific use, or their versatility comes in so many forms, choosing a universal shotgun for hunting an array of game can actually be difficult. Of course this directly depends on how many different types of game your trying to hunt with one multipurpose shotgun.
Some things to look for are long term reliability, quality and typical lifetime (wood lasting longer with excessive wear and use), and how simplistic the overall mechanical design is. For those of you who like the idea of being able to hunt almost any game with one weapon, here are the top three universal hunting shotguns.
6. Remington 870
After being introduced in the early 1950's the remington 870 has become the most popular shotgun in the United States. It is extremely well built and utilized by professional shooters, police, military personnel, and hunters. With a multitude of gauge, barrel, stock and other options, this is a fantastic all around hunting shotgun. With the right barrel you can shoot bigger game with slugs or any kind of bird with a tight or wide pattern choke. This shotgun was designed to hunt a variety of game and be very accurate when shooting targets.
This is a relatively inexpensive shotgun that will last you a lifetime if taken care of. It is built with grade A material whether you choose synthetic or wood. Purchase a Remington 870 and you will be one happy hunter.
7. Winchester 1300
The 1300 by Winchester is another great all around hunting shotgun. It is very similar to other great standard pump action shotguns like the 870 or the Mossberg 500. It is by no means "showy", but it definitely delivers when it comes to performance.
The Win 1300 has the nickname of "speed-pump" because of how fast and smooth the action is, and it has the magazine extension tube which is great for bird or predator hunting. This is a very simple and very reliable shotgun that will bag you all kinds of game.
The Winchester 1300 has short barrel options as well, to make this great for tactical use, and the wood stock option gives a great finish.
8. Benelli Nova
The Benelli Nova pump shotgun is a great all around hunting firearm that delivers superb result with superb technology. It has a solid one piece stock from the butt to the barrel, and is made with a steel skeleton covered in high grade polymer. This allows for a stronger more durable gun that can be disassembled quickly. It also features an innovative button on the underbelly of the slide that allows you to rack out a shell without putting a new round into the chamber.
The Benelli Nova is a superior all around hunting shotgun designed for shooting an array of game or supreme target shooting. It also comes with Benelli's 10 year warranty which is pretty sweet.
Bird Hunting
Bird hunting has been a pastime for hundreds of years, and whether your going for turkey, waterfowl, or upland bird, you will want a great firearm for the task. Unlike hunting other game with shotguns, birds require a bit more of a specialized shotgun. Either containing a specific choke, a longer barrel, quick action, or other bird specific variant. Here are the top shotguns for bird hunting as a whole category.
9. Mossberg 835
The 835 from Mossberg is a fantastic all around pump shotgun that was specifically designed for waterfowl, but can be used for just about any kind of bird hunting. It is also very accurate at clay shooting as well.
This is by no means a show gun and is designed with practicality in mind. Its meant for work and not to hang on a mantle. That said I love mine, and I love the fact that with its clunky design and simplistic nature, I have never had jamming or racking problems. Sometimes I feel I could throw it in a mud pit, pick it up, and use it without issue. Although I would never do that, it is just a testimony to the feel of the gun and how well it performs for what could be considered midgrade. It's also fairly lightweight from being a synthetic stock, and breaks down easily for maintenance.
I love mine, and I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a reliable, affordable, workhorse type of shotgun.
10. Benelli Super Black Eagle II
Benelli's Super Black Eagle II is one heck of a shotgun. Although it's more on the expensive side, it is packed with a variety of great technologies and simplistic features that make this a great firearm.
The Super Black eagle II was originally designed for waterfowl, but this shotgun can do much more. It is an amazing clay pigeon shooter and will also take out any bird that finds its way in the sights. The Benelli Super Black Eagle II has all kinds of upgraded features, from barrel material to how the receiver is built. You can never go wrong with a Benelli.
11. Browning A5 Sweet 16
Image via Browning.com
The A5 Sweet 16 is a wonderful light and little shotgun that packs a big punch in about a five and a half pound package. This is a semi-automatic 16 gauge shotgun with a great build, a great feel, and an accurate shot. It's an ideal upland bird shotgun but is great for target, skeet, and basically any other bird you really want to hunt.
It utilizes an inertia action autoloader which is a simplistic, minimalistic, and ultra reliable bolt system typically found in Benelli's.
The Browning A5 Sweet 16 has very little recoil which is great for a larger array of shooters, and it has a slimmer feel which is great for smaller hands or those more accustomed to 20 gauge shot. It is also a very reliable shotgun that will give you a lifetime worth of trophy birds.
Best Pump Action Shotgun
Pump action shotguns are notorious for reliability, intimidation, and simplicity. They are widely used for anything and everything, from hunting to military use and anywhere in-between. All major gun companies have a pump action somewhere in their repertoire, and people across the globe swear by them. Here are three top pump action shotguns that you should consider.
12. Mossberg 500
The Mossberg 500 is a staple pump action shotgun in the United States, and is arguably the second most popular among shooters of all kinds. This is a relatively inexpensive, reliable, and simple shotgun that will deliver time and time again. There are a few different versions that include tactical, militarized, and hunting, all with great performance.
This shotgun has proven reliable with any shell on the market, and the top thumb safety attributes to its overall popularity. It is extremely adaptable and has been used military personnel across the world for years.
13. Weatherby PA-08
Although not as popular as some other similar models the Weatherby PA-08 is a great 12 gauge pump action shotgun. It has been tested extensively for reliability, warranty, and lifetime with average use. With a super smooth action and good looking wood grain finish, this firearm is very appealing.
The PA-08 has a chrome lined barrell for added durability and black anodized aircraft grade alloy for the receiver for additional protection against wear and tear in the field.
This is a great shotgun that can be found at a great price.
14. Browning BPS
Forged from a solid block of steel, the Browning BPS is a reliable, durable, and long lasting shotgun that will outperform many others like it. This firearm has a thumb safety switch on top for convenience, and the added feature of bottom loading AND bottom ejection. This makes this firearm great for left or right handed shooters. It also has an additional button that allows you to unload shells without having to rack each one through the chamber.
The Browning BPS features a back-bored barrell for increased accuracy and three choke tubes (Full, Modified, and Improved CYL).
Semi-Auto Shotguns
A semi-auto shotgun is a great weapon to add to your collection, especially if you are an avid bird hunter or target shooter. They allow for the fastest cycling of shells which creates more opportunity to take down more prey/targets at one time. Traditionally these have been deemed less reliable than typical pump shotguns. However, with today's technology, semi-auto shotguns are top of the line in terms of lifespan and overall reliability.
15. Benelli Ethos
Designed to shoot just about any type of round on the market, the Benelli Ethos is a top shelf firearm. It has a reduced recoil and has very practical features when hunting, such as easy grooved loading design with smooth edges. That means faster loading and no more finger snags.
It is also very customizable, whether its barrel or stock adjustments, you can achieve the perfect fit. The Benelli Ethos is a lightweight, comfortable, easily handled, and easily maintained shotgun with pragmatic features and technology.
Again, I don't know anyone who has ever hated their Benelli purchase.
16. Weatherby SA-08
This gas piston auto loading system, 20 gauge shotgun, is semi-automatic and built like a champ. It has a chrome lined barrell that comes with three chokes, and is just as good looking as it is lightweight. It also has under a 5 pound trigger pull which is great for nice, easy, consistent trigger pulls.
For around 600 dollars the Weatherby SA-08 is great to look at, great to shoot, and doesn't put too much strain on the pocket book. This is highly recommended for small game, upland bird, and range shooting.
17. Beretta A400 Xcel
This is an awesome semi-auto shotgun, designed for the serious competitive shooter. Of course they have two field models that are great for an array of animals, but the target model is definitely unique. Whether it's upgraded materials, or the blue colored receiver, the Beretta A400 Xcel is sure to turn heads.
It has a little more weight to it, being just over 7 pounds, which is great for target shooters. It has reduced recoil technologies, and it has a "gun pod" on the underbelly of the stock. This is an electronic device, built right into the stock, that keeps track of lifetime shots, shots fired that outing, internal temperature and more. It adds a unique and fun feature to an already awesome firearm.
Double Barrel
Double barrel shotguns are an upland bird hunters classic option. They come in the over-under style and the side-by-side style. Both are great and both serve practical purposes while fulfilling other desires such as look, feel, and simplicity.
18. Mossberg Silver Reserve II Super Sport
Image via Mossberg
This is a great shotgun from a company known for producing great shotguns. It is available in side by side, over under field, and over under super sport. The Super Sport features a large vented rail with a bead dot and fiber optic front sight. It has a beautifully engraved receiver with smooth action. It also has dual extractors that eject the shell, but it will only eject the shell after its been shot. This is great if only one shot is fired but you still want to reload.
Overall this is a fantastic over under that will last you a lifetime.
19. Browning Citori 725 Sporting
Considering that Browning created the original over under style, this shotgun is no exception to a long line of wonderfully made shotguns that Browning has produced through the years.
It features a solid steel receiver, and a mechanical trigger which allows for a more consistent and reliable trigger pull. The trigger also allows for a simple double pull in order to fire the second round. It is a beautiful shotgun to look at, on top of being incredible in the field, with its checkered walnut finish.
Overall the Citori 725 Sport from Browning is a top of the line performance shotgun that will give you accurate shots no matter what your target is.
20. Dickinson Estate HRO Side-by-Side
This is a classic Turkish designed side by side shotgun that has been made for the modern shooter. Not only is it absolutely beautiful to look at, with its checkered walnut fore grip and English stock, but it performs like a dream.
It has a classic double trigger and smooth action with an engraved receiver. It also features upgraded ejectors and an upgraded chrome lined bore.
The Dickson Estate HRO from Cabela's is a fantastic side by side 20 gauge shotgun that shoots like a dream and looks like one too. This is the shotgun you place above your fireplace next to some trophy upland birds.
Conclusion
We've considered some of the best shotgun manufacturers, and a vast array of models for all kinds of scenarios. We hope you enjoyed reading our top 20 shotguns list, and hope it helps choosing the best shotgun for you. Thanks for reading!
