Winners at a Glance
The Remington 870 Express Tactical is America’s best selling shotgun of all time for a reason. But there are plenty of options in terms of brand, engineering and philosophy. So we have options for you…
| Image | Product | Detail | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Remington 870 Express Tactical |
| Best Price |
 | Mossberg 590 Tactical |
| Best Price |
 | Kel-Tec KSG |
| Best Price |
 | Standard Mfg DP-12 |
| Best Price |
 | Stevens 320 Security |
| Best Price |
Introduction
Pump action shotguns are part of American folklore and are still a lot of people’s best home defense set up.
With the right slugs or buckshot, a shotgun is still one of the most effective close range weapons and they are surprisingly cheap.
It has, of course, become a smooth-brained cliche that the best defense is the sound of a 12 gauge racking. But the greatest stereotypes carry just a kernel of truth and there is something deeply satisfying about the smooth rack and click of a good old-fashioned 12 Gauge pump action shotgun.
You can also get magazine fed shotguns that we kind of love, but here we’re sticking with the traditional shotguns you know and love.
But what are the best pump action shotguns for sale in 2023?
1. Remington 870 Express Tactical
- Price: $449.99
- Action: Pump Action
- Gauge: 12 Gauge
- Barrel Length: 18.5 inch
- Weight: 7.5lb
- Capacity: 4+1
Winner – America’s Favorite Shotgun
Price: 4/5 Reliability: 5/5 Capacity: 3/5 Prestige: 3/5
The Remington Model 870 Express has been America’s best-selling shotgun for more than 50 years and continues to patrol lots in the hands of world weary security guards to this day.
That 18.5 inch barrel is perfect for swinging round your home, although you can get a longer barrel version if you’re the rural type and range is more important than maneuverability.
But for most of you looking for an all-round starter 12 Gauge pump action shotgun, then it’s pretty hard to beat America’s favorite shotgun in its shorter form.
The Remington 870 Express 12 Gauge pump action shotgun receiver is machined from billet steel and twin action bars ensure a smooth slide. Aside from that these are fuss free Synthetic Tactical shotguns.
So if you’re not intending to put red dot sights, scopes or weapons lights on your shotgun, then you might appreciate this sleek and minimalist form.
Also, you can get a magazine tube extension for an extra two shells and we would thoroughly recommend that version of the Remington 870 Express 12 gauge pump shotgun.
2. Mossberg 590 Tactical
- Price: $465.99
- Gauge: 12 Gauge
- Barrel Length: 18.5 inch
- Weight: 7.25lb
- Capacity: 6+1 Rounds
A Close Second
Price: 4/5 Reliability: 5/5 Capacity: 4/5 Prestige: 3/5
The United States military selected the Mossberg 590 pump shotgun over its 500 stablemate thanks to its more rugged, simple design and slightly heavier barrel. That’s good enough for us…
The Mossberg 590 lacks the 500’s dual extractors, but it is a battle proven shotgun with a dead simple design that shouldn’t let you down when it matters. It also has dual lock-up on the magazine and a skeletonized shell carrier that provides better clearance to prevent short cycling.
A simple rubber recoil pad is invaluable protection for your own shoulder and it’s easy to fit a pistol grip if you want to give up the smooth lines. Lots of people keep their 12 gauge pump action shotgun exactly like this, or with an olde world walnut stock.
Want to Go Military Spec?
You can also opt for the Mossberg 590A1, which upgrades to a heavier walled barrel and a stronger metal trigger group, a bayonet lug and most 12 Gauge pump action shotgun configurations come with ghost ring sights.
The Mossberg 590A1 is even more reliable, by the numbers, and that’s why law enforcement and military teams love this slightly high price, high spec shotgun.
There are some wild and crazy limited edition guns, too, natch, and we’ll get to one or two of those shortly.
But if you’re looking for the closest you can get to the law enforcement and US Marine Corps mil-spec Mossberg shotguns, at a low price point, then the Mossberg 590A1 is a good place to start. Those best sellers have dual action bars and plenty of other premium features.
And the Shockwave…
The short barrel Mossberg 590 Shockwave with a birdshead grip isn’t legal in all states, and technically isn’t a shotgun at all. It’s a Non NFA firearm. But that’s a technicality.
If you can get a Mossberg 590 Shockwave, just do it. It’s an awesome defensive shotgun, truck gun, all those things.
3. Kel-Tec KSG
- Price: $549.99
- Gauge: 12 Gauge
- Barrel length: 18.5 inch
- Weight: 7lb
- Capacity: 12+1 Rounds
Best High Capacity Shotgun
Price: 4/5 Reliability: 3/5 Capacity: 5/5 Prestige: 5/5
The KSG is a monster of a 12 gauge pump action shotgun and a movie star in its own right.
The twin magazine tube layout allows for a massive 12 shell capacity up to 3 inch shells, or more with mini shells. You could have tubes devoted to birdshot, buckshot or slugs.
And the bullpup layout just seems to work with a 12 gauge pump shotgun.
This is a high capacity shotgun that should give a competitive advantage in most cases. Its compact layout, pistol grip stock and chunky synthetic layout all scream ‘battle shotgun’.
You can now get the single tube Kel Tec KS7, too, which is lighter and simpler. But the Kel Tec KS7 12 gauge doesn’t have nearly the same capacity.
Have a look at some of the best bullpup shotgun options here.
4. Benelli Supernova Tactical Shotgun
- Price: $714.99
- Gauge: 12 Gauge
- Barrel length: 18.5 inch
- Weight: 7lb
- Capacity: 7+1 Rounds
Best Budget Benelli
Price: 4/5 Reliability: 4/5 Capacity: 3/5 Prestige: 5/5
There are tamer versions available for small game hunting, turkey hunting, waterfowl shooting and more. But we love the purity of this close quarters combat shotgun with a telescoping stock.
This Benelli Supernova Tactical Shotgun is one of the best shotguns thanks to its lightweight frame, high capacity tube magazine that holds 7 rounds and compact layout. The adjustable length of pull is nice, too, and it does give the Benelli 12 gauge shotgun a tailor-made feel.
Aside from that you get a butter smooth action, and it’s much cheaper than a Benelli semi automatic shotgun.
5. Standard MFG DP-12
- Price: $1,099.99
- Gauge: 12 Gauge
- Barrel: length 18.8 inch
- Weight: 9.75lb
- Capacity: 14 Rounds
Best Double Barrel Shotgun
Price: 3/5 Reliability: 2.5/5 Capacity: 4/5 Prestige: 5/5
You might not have known that you need a high capacity double barrel shotgun. But now you know it exists, and you kind of do need one. Or, at least, you want one very badly indeed.
Essentially this is two guns linked to one central spine and trigger system. Load once, fire twice. Check your state restrictions, obviously, because not all gun laws are cool with this thing.
If you can own one, it’s an awesome 12 Gauge that fires up to 3 inch shells. It also has a rail for a red dot, although that’s more about fast target acquisition than actual precision work.
That could actually prove useful in big bear country. But also you might just want the best bullpup shotgun that is fun to shoot.
It might be overkill, and it’s a lot of complexity for a small advantage. But, well, we still like these bullpup shotguns.
6. Winchester SXP Tactical Shotgun
- Price: $297.99
- Gauge: 12 Gauge
- Barrel length: 18.5 inch
- Weight: 6.5lb
- Capacity: 5+1 Rounds
Best Budget Home Defense Shotgun
Price: 5/5 Reliability: 3/5 Capacity: 2.5/5 Prestige: 3.5/5
This inertia driven shotgun comes with a fixed barrel choke that gun owners pretty much all agree makes life easier.
Features include a simple synthetic stock and brass bead sights. This one has a fiber optic front sight for increased clarity and fast target acquisition. You also get a hard chrome finish barrel.
The open choke helps with slugs to buckshot. and this is an accurate shotgun for hunting to home defense.
You can order a longer barrel version for duck hunting, turkey hunting or target shooting,
They got lots of specialists to be honest. We like the Winchester Model SXP Defender for its sheer utilitarianism, but we also like the Winchester SXP Long Beard for its comedy name and turkey shooting prowess.
Get one in Mossy Oak Obsession if you want the official camo of the National Wild Turkey Federation. Or just Flat Dark Earth…
The WInchester SXP Black Shadow is pretty cool too.
Winchester SXP Field is an All Purpose Field Gun
People use them for small game hunting and pest control. Duck hunting and waterfowl hunters seem to love the Winchester Model SXP as well.
And the fact it’s one of the most popular shotguns in America. Realistically this is a shotgun for self defense, hunting, just about everything really.
But you might want to look at a long barrel, or a stock on your Winchester SXP Long Beard 12 gauge pump shotgun.
7. Black Aces Tactical FD12 Bullpup
- Price: $474.99
- Gauge: 12 Gauge
- Barrel length : 18.5 inch
- Weight: 10lb
- Capacity: 10+1 Rounds
Best Bullpump Budget Gun
Price: 3/5 Reliability: 3/5 Capacity: 4.5/5 Prestige: 2/5
This is a wild looking range of 12 gauge pump action shotgun choices from Black Aces Tactical. You can get a series of colors, it’s a fun gun and the magazine means it’s seriously high capacity.
You can fit any 1919 mags or drums, so the capacity is really down to you. This black synthetic tactical 12 gauge pump action shotgun cycles reliably and the owner reviews are stellar. You also get a full length picatinny rail for your red dot sights. The external box magazines are a technical leap forward, too.
Also, it is really cheap. Like really cheap. So you can buy a Star Wars laser gun tribute act that fires shotgun shells with your credit card.
Black Aces sell a wide range of mag fed shotguns, and tube fed guns in black, Flat Dark Earth and lots more. Check out the full range here.
8. Stevens 320 Security Pump Action
- Price: $208.99
- Gauge: 12 Gauge
- Barrel length: 18.5 inch
- Weight: 6.85lb
- Capacity: 5+1 Rounds
Best Cheap Shotgun
Price: 5/5 Reliability: 3/5 Capacity: 3/5 Prestige: 2/5
This might look like a cheap Benelli clone, and it sort of is, but Savage Arms is behind the Stevens 320 Security 12 gauge Pump Action shotgun and that means it’s better than the price tag suggests.
Savage Arms make some of the best budget rifles on the market and the Savage Axis is one of the best cheap rifles for sale today. So this is basically going to be one of those bargain basement 12 Gauge pump action shotgun deals.
Of course the world needs those.
The Stevens features a proven rotary bolt and dual slide bars together with a simple fixed front sight for aiming in the general vicinity. The grip is solid, although it does look like a cheap shotgun with a 12 gauge cylinder bore. Because, well, it is…
The 12 Gauge Stevens 320 Field Grade shotgun is basically the same recipe with a long barrel and you can get one in matte black or Flat Dark Earth.
9. Benelli Nova Tactical Shotguns
- Price: $453.99
- Gauge: 12 Gauge
- Barrel length: 18.5 inch
- Weight: 7lb
- Capacity: 4+1 Rounds
The Benelli M4 tactical shotguns are way more famous. But if you want the best budget 12 gauge pump action shotgun, then it is here.
The one-piece buttstock and receiver in steel reinforced polymer is the real ‘difference’. But also it’s a Benelli shotgun for less than $400. That is probably the big news here if we’re honest.
The Benelli name has gravitas, distinction and presence. That’s what will attract most buyers. Well that and the butter smooth action, molded grip that somehow feels better than the opposition. And a reputation for reliability, durability and accuracy that is well deserved.
Parts You Need in Your Life
You can add ghost ring sights, red dot sights, a side saddle and all kinds of Benelli parts & accessories. But maybe start with a magazine tube extension for more shells.
We love the ARGO gas operated semi-auto Benelli M4, and the M2, but there is definitely a place in this world for this simpler pump gun.
Naturally there’s a longer barrel Super Nova Field for game hunting and blowing turkeys and duck out the sky. If a bird hunting shotgun is your thing, get the longer barrel here.
10. Mossberg Maverick 88 Security
- Price: $232.99
- Gauge: 12 Gauge
- Barrel length: 18.5 inch
- Weight: 7lb
- Capacity: 5+1 Rounds
The Maverick 88 Security 12 Gauge pump action shotgun is a low budget special that protects Third World Banks and American homes alike.
A lot of private security carry Maverick 12 gauge pump action. Thank the simplicity and reliability of a traditional 12 gauge shotgun.
The stockless Mossberg Maverick 88 Cruiser 12 gauge shotgun is also a great choice for a truck gun.
It is a new approach to the tactical shotgun. With a grip and no stock, the Maverick 88 Cruiser is a best seller.
But there are field & deer pump guns too, and you can get add-ons for these.
11. Mossberg 500 Mini Super Bantam Field/Deer
- Price: $424.99
- Gauge: 20 Gauge
- Barrel length: 22 inch
- Weight: 5.3b
- Capacity: 6+1 Rounds
The Mossberg 500 Mini Super Bantam 12 gauge shotgun combo is a great starter shotgun for teenagers.
It’s versatile, lightweight and the Mossberg Mini Super Bantam shoots 20 gauge ammo, so there is less recoil to deal with.
The Mossberg Super Bantam looks and feels like a grown up shotgun combo, without the top end kick that could be too much for the kids.
We love the grown-up Mossberg 500 Special Purpose Pump Action too, but we can’t fit them all in here and the Special Purpose Pump will have to wait for another list.
Honorable Mentions
Rock Island Armory is a star in our other lists, but the lesser known Rock Island Armory All Gen is also worth considering.
If you’re looking for budget shotguns, the Charles Daly Honcho Tactical, a cheaper version of the Mossberg Shockwave with a short barrel length, is a particular favorite, and they can also sell you a break action double barrel too.
The Savage Arms slug gun is an interesting bolt action shotgun for hunters in particular. Savage Arms can also sell you a semiautomatic turkey gun and others.
Of course there are plenty of other brands that will sell you side by side shotguns, bolt action shotguns, pump action shotgun, pump action air guns, gun cleaning accessories and more.
The Best Shotgun Stores and Gun Stores Online
Palmetto State Armory is our favorite gun store at the moment for many things. We know they got famous with cheap guns and gun deals, but Palmetto State Armory also has the vast majority of big name shotguns for sale.
If you’re looking for the best tactical shotgun that won’t break the bank, a Benelli in Mossy Oak Bottomland camo or a Remington 870 Tactical, start with Palmetto State Armory and then work from there.
If you try and fail to find your shotgun at Palmetto State Armory, then head to Guns.com. This site has a multi vendor approach, a lot like Amazon, so you’ll find guns for sale when everybody else is out of stock. Even Palmetto State Armory.
Guns.com is our fallback when gun stocks get weird, and that has happened more times than we care to mention in the last couple of years. When everybody else has run out of the best tactical shotgun and 12 Gauge shotguns, firearms, shotguns, pump shotguns etc, try Guns.com.
The prices can get high when stocks get low. But that’s supply & demand and we’re not going to cry about it too much. If stocks are low and you can find the shotgun that saves your life, then it’s cheap at any price.
Where to Buy Ammo
We also really like Brownells and Sportsman’s Guide, especially for 12 gauge ammo. Shotgun ammo is getting expensive, but both Sportsman’s Guide and PSA have solid deals.
Both of them are great choices for 9mm ammo/handgun ammo, too, including defensive ammo, rifle ammo and new gun deals.
Look out for free shipping as well. It does make a difference, even with handgun ammo.
Where to Buy Shotgun Parts & Accessories
Red dot sights, ghost ring sights or a fiber optic front sight and a side saddle are popular gun accessories. You might need a new oversize trigger guard or hunting gear.
A grip, choke tube and new trigger guard can change the look and feel of any old-school firearm and turn it into the best tactical shotgun.
Bigger mods and gun accessories include upgrades to the synthetic stock, but if you’re going to go that way just spend more on your shotgun now and save on parts kits later.
The best red dot sight for a shotgun is a big debate, although we like the Venom Vortex, Aimpoint Micro-T and Bushnell Trophy TRS-25. Of course, the Trijicon RMR is pretty sweet, too. So if you’re shopping for a red dot sight, even for air guns, start with these gun accessories. Check here for all of them.
What About a Semi-Automatic Shotgun Instead?
What About a Semi-Automatic Shotgun Instead?
A pump gun is reliable, safe, simple and cheap. But the semi-automatic shotgun has got much better and you might want to consider one before you pull the trigger on a safe, reliable pump gun.
Because why the hell not? Organize the price low to high and you’ll see a massive price difference too.
These posts go in to way more depth..
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