Shotguns

Pump-Action Shotguns: The Reliable Standard

Pump-action shotguns are the most proven and reliable shotgun format available—a manually cycled action that functions regardless of ammunition type, load, or condition. The Mossberg 500 and Remington 870 are the two most widely sold pump shotguns in history, and both remain strong choices for home defense, hunting, and general-purpose use. The Mossberg 590 and 590A1 add enhanced features for tactical and duty use. For any application where absolute reliability and simplicity are the priority, a quality pump-action is the starting point. See: Pump-Action Shotguns, Mossberg 500, and Remington 870.

Semi-Automatic Shotguns: Speed and Reduced Recoil

Semi-automatic shotguns cycle automatically with each shot, allowing faster follow-up shots and distributing recoil across the cycling mechanism rather than entirely to the shooter. For high-volume clay target shooting, waterfowl hunting, and competitive 3-Gun, semi-automatics are the practical standard. Benelli’s inertia-driven system (M2, SBE3) and Beretta’s gas-operated system (A400) represent the two dominant semi-auto technologies at the quality tier. Mossberg (930, 940) and Remington (1100, V3) provide strong value alternatives. See: Semi-Auto Shotguns, Benelli, and Beretta.

Tactical Shotguns: Home Defense and Duty Use

Tactical shotguns are configured for home defense, law enforcement, and military use—shorter barrels (18″), extended magazine tubes, improved sights, and accessory rails distinguish them from hunting configurations. The Mossberg 590 Tactical, Remington 870 Tactical, Benelli M4, and Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical are among the most specified duty and defensive shotguns. For home defense, a 12-gauge loaded with 00 buckshot remains one of the most effective close-range defensive tools available. See: Tactical Shotguns and Home Defense Guns.

Over/Under and Side-by-Side Shotguns: Sporting and Hunting

Break-action shotguns—over/under and side-by-side configurations—are the standard for clay target sports (trap, skeet, sporting clays) and upland bird hunting. Over/under shotguns stack barrels vertically, providing a consistent sight picture for both shots. Side-by-side shotguns place barrels horizontally in the traditional upland hunting configuration. Browning (Citori), Beretta (A400), and Benelli (828U) represent premium sporting shotguns; CZ and Turkish manufacturers offer quality options at more accessible prices. See: Over/Under Shotguns and Side-by-Side Shotguns.

Choosing the Right Gauge

12 gauge is the most versatile and widely used shotgun gauge with the broadest selection of loads and the most available platforms. 20 gauge offers meaningful recoil reduction for youth shooters, smaller-framed adults, and upland hunting where carrying a lighter gun matters. .410 bore is appropriate for introducing very young shooters or small game at close range, but is limited in pattern density for most hunting applications. For most buyers, 12 gauge is the practical choice that covers all applications. See: 12 Gauge, 20 Gauge, and .410 Bore.

Top Shotgun Brands at Impact Guns

Impact Guns carries shotguns from Mossberg, Remington, Benelli, Beretta, Winchester, Browning, Franchi, Savage, Stoeger, and other leading manufacturers. See our brand pages for the complete lineup: Mossberg, Remington, Benelli, Beretta, Browning, and Winchester.