Shotguns

Impact Guns carries the widest selection of shotguns available from any online dealer — pump action, semi-automatic, over/under, side-by-side, single shot, and tactical configurations in 12 gauge, 20 gauge, 16 gauge, and .410 bore from every major manufacturer. Whether you want a Mossberg 500 for home defense, a Remington 870 for hunting, a Benelli M4 for tactical use, or a break-action single shot for a first-time buyer, Impact Guns has the shotgun for every application and every budget.

Read our full Shotgun Buying Guide ↓

Pump Action Shotguns: The Reliable Standard

Pump action shotguns are the most proven, most reliable shotgun format available — a manually operated action that cycles regardless of ammunition pressure, temperature, or fouling. The Mossberg 500 and Remington 870 are the two most widely owned pump shotguns in American history, with combined sales exceeding 20 million units and decades of documented reliability in law enforcement, military, and civilian use. For home defense buyers who want an action that will function in a stress scenario regardless of maintenance state, the pump action’s manual operation provides absolute cycling reliability. For hunters, the pump’s versatility across load types — from light target loads to heavy magnum hunting rounds — makes it the most adaptable shotgun format. Browse our 12 gauge, 20 gauge, and tactical shotguns pages for pump action configurations.

Semi-Automatic Shotguns: Speed and Reduced Felt Recoil

Semi-automatic shotguns cycle automatically after each shot — no manual pump stroke required between shots. The faster follow-up shot capability benefits wing shooters pursuing fast-moving birds, competitive shooters, and home defense buyers who want maximum speed without the pump stroke. Gas-operated semi-autos like the Mossberg 940 Pro spread recoil over a longer cycle, reducing felt recoil compared to both pump actions and inertia-operated alternatives. Inertia-operated semi-autos like the Benelli M4 are mechanically simpler but cycle harder. For hunters who shoot high volumes of shells per season: gas semi-auto. For reliability-first defensive buyers: inertia semi-auto or pump. Browse our full tactical shotguns page for semi-auto defensive options.

12 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge vs. .410: Choosing Your Caliber

12 gauge is the American standard — the widest ammunition selection, the most defensive and hunting load options, and the most product variety of any shotgun gauge. For most buyers, 12 gauge is the correct answer. 20 gauge produces meaningfully less recoil than 12 gauge while retaining effective hunting and defensive performance — the correct choice for recoil-sensitive shooters, youth hunters, and anyone who finds 12 gauge uncomfortable during extended range sessions. .410 bore is the smallest practical gauge, primarily used for small game hunting and introducing new shooters to shotguns due to its minimal recoil. Browse our 12 gauge, 20 gauge, 16 gauge, and .410 gauge category pages.

Home Defense Shotguns: The Defensive Standard

The 12-gauge shotgun loaded with 00 buckshot remains the most immediately effective defensive firearm available to civilian buyers at close range. A single round of Federal or Winchester 00 buckshot delivers 8–9 .33-caliber pellets simultaneously — a terminal performance package that no handgun round matches at defensive distances. The Mossberg 590A1 passed U.S. military MIL-SPEC 3443E testing; the Remington 870 has served law enforcement for 60+ years. For home defense buyers who want the most proven platform: the pump action 12-gauge with 00 buckshot is the industry consensus defensive shotgun. See our full tactical shotguns page and home defense guns page for configuration guidance.

Top Shotgun Brands at Impact Guns

Mossberg produces the 500 and 590A1 — the most affordable mil-spec-tested pump actions available. Remington’s 870 is the best-selling shotgun in American history. Benelli makes the M4 and M2 — the premium inertia-operated semi-autos trusted by the USMC and serious hunters worldwide. Winchester covers the hunting shotgun market with the SXP and SX4. Browning leads the over/under market with the Citori series. Franchi and Stoeger provide Italian-heritage semi-autos at accessible pricing. For youth and first-time buyers, Stevens single shots offer the simplest and most affordable entry point.