9 Best High Capacity Shotguns – 2026 – Tested

Last updated March 4th 2026

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Best High Capacity Shotguns at a Glance

The Mossberg 590M is the best high capacity shotgun, but there are plenty of challengers to the throne.

Great Shotguns or a Gimmick?

I am telling you up front. These are NOT traditional shotguns. What you see here is the new breed, the best high capacity shotguns with a trick or two up their sleeve.

They are modern solutions to the age-old tactical shotgun problems:

• Capacity – They normally don’t hold many rounds.

• Reloading – It’s too slow.

What is a High Capacity Shotgun?

For our purposes here, it is a weapon that beats these problems, either with a massive capacity or a quick reload system.

That’s a tactical shotgun in our eyes, because five or six rounds might not be enough. It’s just cutting it too tight and that means that most people now pick up an AR-15 in some form or another as their first firearm.

So if it can beat the capacity problem, it’s a winner. It’s really that simple. The rails for lamps and lasers, they’re less important today.

Mag Fed Shotguns Set to Take Over

2026 is definitely the year of mag-fed shotguns for sale, but we wanted to show you different solutions to a common problem.

So, what are the best shell-packed shotguns for home defense? We think it’s the mag fed Mossberg 590M, but we have some very cool options for you.

1. Mossberg 590M

• Barrel length: 18.5″
• Total: 39.5″
• Weight: 7.75lb
• Capacity: 10+1 rounds / 20+1 Optional

Overall Winner

Price	Capacity	Reliability	Weight	Prestige
4/5	5/5	4/5	4/5	3/5

The Mossberg 590M tactical pump action shotgun comes with optional 20-round magazines.

Really, 20 rounds of 12 gauge venom and then engage the mag release in front of the trigger, pop in another mag and start firing your pump shotgun again.

That puts this 12 gauge pump action right up there as the best home defense shotguns by default. It is peace, through superior firepower and theoretically one of the best tactical shotguns out there. If you trust the mag system’s reliability.

It also means you can load up an ammo belt with magazines filled with buckshot and slugs, so your tactical shotgun suddenly becomes a versatile gun as well. Fit red dot sights or stick to ghost ring sights, either way you might have ultimate self-defence weapon.

Get up close, load up with buckshot and these pump shotguns are an excellent choice for a shotgun for home defense. It’s the classic home defense and law enforcement shotgun, with a magazine.

The 20 round mag makes it a serious effort to rack the slide and the resistance means a lot of people go for the 10 round mag that is relatively butter smooth. Mags are expensive too.

The 590M Shockwave has the birds head grip and shorter barrel, which makes for an awesome defensive shotgun for home defense. It also makes it an NFA firearm, which is more complex when it comes to the paperwork.

We’d like to give a special mention to the Mossberg 590S Magpul, too, which is designed to cycle mini-shells, as well as 3-inch Magnum loads. So if you load that gun up with mini-shells, you get 13+1 capacity without going the box magazine route. The Mossberg 590S Magpul is food for thought, at least.

Compare both those to the likes of the Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical Thunder Ranch, which basically sets the benchmark. You can only put 7+1 shells through the Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical Thunder Ranch, and it is a great gun, but it’s totally left for dead when it comes to capacity.

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2. Kel-Tec KSG

• Gauge: 12 Gauge
• Barrel length: 18.5 inch
• Total: 26.1 inch
• Capacity: 12 + 1

Top Tube Mag Shotgun

Price	Capacity	Reliability	Weight	Prestige
4/5	4/5	3/5	3/5	3/5

The Kalashnikov USA KS-12T is just an assault weapon. There’s no other way to put it.

Now the Kalashnikov USA KS-12T semi-auto shotgun is a thorough rework of the age-old AK-47 layout. You also get an AR-style collapsible buttstock and a quad rail free float handguard with a big Picatinny rail up top.

Any Saiga drum mag or mag will fit these semi autosmatic shotguns. So you could have a 50-round drum hanging off the bottom of an AK-47 platform. That is proper capacity and possibly the best shotgun system out there.

It’s versatile, it’s brilliant and it’s an absolute beast of a home defense shotgun.

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4. Black Aces Tactical Pro Series M

• Barrel length: 18.5 inch
• Weight: 10lb
• Capacity: 10+1

Best Low Budget Shotgun

Price	Capacity	Reliability	Weight	Prestige
5/5	3.5/5	3/5	2/5	2/5

Black Aces Tactical used to customize Mossbergs and Remingtons. Now it makes its own line of cut-price 12 gauges built to accept the ubiquitous Saiga magazines.

If you want the Mossberg and can’t quite justify the money, then this is the answer right here. And check the drum mag if you want more shells…

5. IWI Tavor TS12

• Barrel length: 18.5 inch
• Total: 28.4 inch
• Capacity: 15 + 1

Best Next Gen Bullpup Shotguns

Price	Capacity	Reliability	Weight	Prestige
2/5	4.5/5	2.5/5	2/5	4/5

Rock Island Armory won’t win any design awards with the RIA VR60 shotgun, but that doesn’t really bother this company.

It has a devoted following for its cheap 1911 handguns that might just love these magazine fed shotguns.

There really isn’t much trick tech here. Really the Rock Island VR60 is just a low budget shotgun with a little personality and an old school carry handle, pistol grip and fixed front sights.

And sometimes that’s all gun owners need. Come on, admit it, you love the carry handle too.

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7. Standard Manufacturing DP-12

• Capacity: 14 Rounds
• Barrel length: 18.8 inch
• Total: 29.5 inch
• Weight: 9.75lb

Next Level Double Barrel Shotgun

Price	Capacity	Reliability	Weight	Prestige
2/5	4.5/5	3.5/5	2/5	3/5

Sometimes you just need power and what could be better than a double-barrel shotgun for sale at a time like this?

Just to to be clear, both barrels don’t fire at once. You rack once, fire twice. So in all honesty this is a lot of additional engineering, weight and complication for a minor advantage.

Even the pistol grip and trigger guard is unnecessarily beefy, and there’s a sturdy Picatinny rail for your red dot sights on this double barreled shotgun.

But it looks like a rock star, so there’s that…

The Standard Manufacturing DP-12 is just a badass gun and lots of fun to shoot. And not everything in this world has to make sense.

8. Panzer Arms BP-12

• Gauge: 12 Gauge
• Barrel length: 18.5″
• Weight: 7.2lb
• Capacity: 5+1

Price	Capacity	Reliability	Weight	Prestige
2/5	3.5/5	3/5	2/5	2/5

The Panzer Arms is one of many bullpup shotguns with a magazine that all more or less look the same, but it was one of the first and it’s one of the better known examples. It also has a decent reputation for reliability, and not all of them do.

The Panzer Arms is cheap, easy to shoot, and fun. If you’re looking at this layout, this is probably the one to go for.

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9. Tokarev TAR-12

• Gauge: 12 Gauge ammo
• Barrel: length 18.5 inch
• Total: 39.5 inch
• Magazine capacity: 5+1

Price	Capacity	Reliability	Weight	Prestige
5/5	4.5/5	2/5	3/5	1/5

Again, there are a ton of cheap AR-style shotguns out there, but the Tokarev has established itself as one of the picks of the bunch with cheap guns that go bang when you want them to.

You’ll see Garaysar, Panzer Arms, EAA Akdal MKA and Hyperion Munitions guns out there, too, which look remarkably similar. But we just chose this one.

The Best Tactical Shotguns

Now don’t be under any illusion, these high-capacity shotguns are fun, and some of them are reliable, but not many would be your first choice for home defense or tactical applications. Or they shouldn’t be.

1. Benelli M4 Tactical (M1014)

• Capacity: 5 + 1

The Benelli M4 Tactical is the combat shotgun the Marines take into action and it’s the preferred choice of crack military units everywhere.

So of course these semi-auto shotguns work for personal defense.

It never fails, it’s dependable as, well, a high quality Benelli shotgun and it does everything right. from the pistol grip to the proprietary cylinder choke and stainless steel receiver.

That’s why the Special Forces, Law Enforcement Agencies and just about anybody that loves the stopping power of a shotgun and can afford one likes to keep a Benelli M4 Tactical to hand.

Even with an 18.5″ barrel, these semi-auto shotguns are a joy to operate. Especially with the tactical stock that goes beyond an adjustable length of pull..

We have to face the fact, though, that a 5+1 capacity, or 8+1 with a mag extension, is the very definition of a tactical disadvantage in the company of magazine fed shotguns.

Most gun reviews give this semi automatic shotgun for home defense like 7 out of 5 stars. We still think they’re the best home defense shotguns, when reliability trumps everything.

2. Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical Thunder Ranch

• Capacity: 7+1

The Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical Thunder Ranch isn’t really a huge advance on the Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical.

It comes with an optics ready receiver, an adjustable length of pull, oversized bolt, multiple sling mounting points and a fixed cylinder bore choke. But the biggest difference is the Patriot Brown Cerakote finish. Still, we don’t get to talk about it much, so this seemed like a great chance to introduce the Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical Thunder Ranch. .

But you see the problem here, this is a post on the highest capacity shotguns and the 590M packs 20+1 and this arguably superior gun carries just 7+1. It’s still awesome, but we have a test criteria and while it might be the best tactical shotgun Mossberg makes, it isn’t a big capacity monster.

3. Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol

• Capacity: 7+1

The Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol is a great shotgun, one of the best tactical shotguns on the planet, especially for this money. We love it, and yet that 7+1 is right on the cusp of unacceptable when you really think about it.

4. Benelli Nova Tactical

• Capacity: 4+1

We included the Benelli Nova pump shotgun because we like it, but also to show you how many rounds a standard gun holds. Put next to some of these monsters, the Nova pump gun seems underpowered. And it kind of is…

And yet it’s also a valid choice if you want reasonably priced home firearms.

The Benelli Nova Tactical is the much cheaper brother of the all conquering Benelli M4. So what’s the difference? Apart from about $1,400?

It’s all in the drive. The M4 uses the legendary ARGO Auto Regulating Gas Operated gas system tech perfected by Benelli for the flagship guns.

The Nova pump action uses your arm, rather than the gas operated set-up. But ditching that gas system, and some other niceties, means these are Benelli shotguns for the masses.

Now the Benelli Nova Tactical as a one piece receiver and buttstock, which is where some of the savings were made. It’s less modular but, again, it’s cheap.

Get ghost ring sights up there, or red dot sights, and this is an awesome 12ga shotgun. If you don’t tend to modify much, the Benelli Nova pump action shotguns should do most people just fine.

The Supernova Tactical is a slightly more complex 12ga shotgun that generally costs a bit more, buit comes with a separate receiver and synthetic stock. So the Supernova Tactical is a more complete shotgun, but it does cost more money.

Don’t forget the Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 is you want a field shotgun, too, but the capacity sucks.

5. Winchester SX4 Defender

• Capacity: 5 + 1

The Winchester SX4 Defender is a good gun, but it also proves the whole point of this post. Is 4+1 rounds enough in a modern home invasion situation? Yes, probably, but not definitely, not definitely at all.

And that is why the new breed of shotguns have an advantage over the Winchester SX4 and the other traditional shotguns.

Are High Capacity Shotguns Legal to Own?

This is where things get complicated. High capacity shotguns are legal in most states, but the rules shift as soon as you cross a border. Some states cap magazine size. Others only restrict detachable magazines. A few target specific platforms like the KSG or magazine-fed 12 gauges. You can still own a high capacity shotgun almost everywhere, you just need to match the setup to the local laws. I always check state rules before I buy anything, because one wrong configuration can turn a simple purchase into a problem. The good news is simple. Tube-fed shotguns with 7+ rounds are legal in nearly every state, while detachable mags create most of the friction.

Maintenance: Tube Fed vs Magazine Fed

The maintenance needs are different once you jump from a classic tube to a modern mag-fed design. Tube-fed shotguns are simple. Clean the tube, scrub the follower, wipe the spring, and the gun runs. Magazine-fed guns ask for more attention. You are cleaning the shotgun, the mags, and the feed lips, and you need to stay on top of carbon buildup around the ramp. I check every mag before I load it, because a single bad magazine can ruin an otherwise flawless gun. Tube guns are slower to load but they stay consistent. Mag-fed guns give you speed, but they need that extra five minutes on the bench to keep the whole platform smooth.

Best Ammo for High Capacity Shotguns

Ammo choice matters when you work with higher capacities. Standard 2¾ inch loads keep feeding predictable and reliable. Three-inch shells hit harder, but they cut your total capacity and add recoil that slows your follow-up shots. Mini shells sound like a free upgrade, but they rarely run well in semi autos and they need adapters in many pumps. I keep things simple. Use quality buckshot or birdshot in the standard length, match the load to the gun, and expect the shotgun to cycle the way it was designed to. Capacity is great, but reliability is what wins every time.

Where to Buy Shotgun Spares

If you want a new pistol grip for your shotgun, detachable box magazine, extended magazine release, ghost ring sights or red dot sights, we can do that.

• Shotgun parts & accessories at PSA.

Where to Buy 12 Gauge Shotgun Shells

The best high capacity shotgun will burn through shotgun ammo, both 2.5 inch and 3 inch shells, and that gets expensive. So look at the likes of Palmetto State Armory, Firearms Depot and Lucky Gunner.

If you want buckshot or slugs for deer hunting, big game hunting & home defense, shotguns check here for the best deals.

Related: Read our best shotguns for home defense.

• Palmetto State Armory – 12 Gauge/20 Gauge shotgun shells for the best high capacity shotgun.
• Firearms Depot – 2.5 inch and 3 inch shells, 12 Gauge & 20 Gauge and rifle ammo too.

FAQ

1. What is a cylinder bore?

A shotgun bore is basically another way of saying the shotgun caliber. The bore of a 12 gauge shotgun is 0.730 inches. The 20 gauge is 0.615 inches. A 410 shotgun has a bore of 0.410 inches.

2. What does a shotgun choke do?

Cylinder bore choke tubes offer the magical art of constriction to keep your shot together for longer distances and prevent excess spread.

A shotgun with a cylinder bore choke, then, is generally more effective at longer distances. For clay pigeons, turkey and waterfowl, you need choke tubes.

3. What about local gun laws and large capacity magazines?

Yeah you are going to struggle in California, New York and New Jersey. We try not to get involved in the legalities of transfer and possession. That’s because your local regs vary wildly, especially in New York, California, New Jersey and a few other restrictive states.

So good luck with the transfer and possession at your local FFL dealer. Just remember that all your local laws apply when you buy guns online. You have to fill out the paperwork at your local gun store, pawn shop or otherwise accredited FFL dealer.

4. Is a shotgun the best firearm for home defense?

Yes, a lot of professionals think a shotgun is the right weapon to greet a home invasion. Most home invasions mean that you’ll be at close range. Witth adrenaline pumping and your life in danger, you want a simple weapon you can stabilize and fire. With buckshot, it’s hard to miss completely, and a good hit incapacitates almost anybody, immediately.

Separate pellets mean there’s less chance of a stray bullet sailing through your wall, too, which is something you should really consider if you have family in the house or thin walls and neighbors. And you have so many ioptions for shell size and power that you can tailor your wepon to your home and lifestyle.

5. Does Benelli make a bolt action rifle?

Yes it does. The Benelli Lupo bolt action rifle has joined the Benelli R1 in the Italian manufacturer’s bolt action rifle line up. It has won the respect and admiration of the hunting community, although it hasn’t achieved anywhere near the same level of success as the shotguns.

But you can get a Benelli bolt action rifle here.

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