8 Best Short Barrel Shotguns – 2026

Last Updated: Copy updated February 6th 2026, Prices are Live.

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The best short barrel shotguns are awesome. They’re not the most versatile, or even the most practical firearms. But they can be a great shotgun for home defense, and good old fashioned fun.

They are little weapons of war that are built to outsmart and teeter on the edge of the National Firearms Act NFA regulations and give you one of the best home defense guns and truck guns on the market.

Size really does matter when it gets to short barrel shotguns.

But what is the best short barrel shotgun on the market? We think it’s the Mossberg 590M Shockwave, but there are lots of options here and a few different approaches.

Read the scientific process of how we review and compare guns here.

The Legal Warning: Read This First

Disclaimer: We are gun experts, not lawyers. This is not legal advice, and you should check your local laws before buying.

Before you add to cart, you need to understand the three categories of “Short” scatterguns:

1. Short Barreled Shotguns (SBS): A shoulder-fired shotgun with a barrel length under 18 inches. Requires a tax stamp and NFA paperwork.
2. “Firearms” (Non-NFA): Guns like the Mossberg 590 Shockwave. They have a 14 inch barrel but are over 26 inches in overall length and have no stock (only a pistol grip or “bird’s head” grip). These are legal in most states without a stamp.
3. Bullpups: These move the action behind the trigger. You get a full 18.5-inch barrel length (legal) in a package that is shorter than a Shockwave.

1. Mossberg 590 Shockwave

• Action: Pump Action
• Barrel Length: 14.375 inches
• Overall Length: 26.37 inches
• Capacity: 5+1 (2.75″) or 8+1 (Mini)
• Weight: 5.3 lbs

Best Overall

Price	Capacity	Length	Reliability	Prestige
4/5	3.5/5	5/5	5/5	3.5/5

The best-selling Mossberg 590 Shockwave is the gold standard compact 12 gauge pump action shotgun.

With a bird’s head grip and shorter barrel length, this 12 gauge pump action tactical shotgun is an absolute weapon of war that fits comfortably under a car seat. I mean it’s almost a concealed carry shotgun. Almost… And it’s great for narrow hallways when it comes to a shotgun for home defense.

The Mossberg 590 Shockwave changed the game. By installing a Raptor bird’s head grip, Mossberg created a gun that defies the NFA. It is not a pistol, it is not a long gun. It is simply a “Firearm.”

The new “S” model (590S) is the one you want. It features a redesigned elevator that allows it to cycle 1.75-inch Minishells, 2.75-inch standard shells, and 3-inch magnums interchangeably without an adapter. Using Minishells boosts the capacity of this tiny package to 8+1.

Why We Picked It: It is the ultimate home defense tool for tight spaces. It fits in a nightstand, packs a massive punch, and requires no federal registration. The heavy-walled barrel and dual extractors make it bomb-proof. Just remember: keep two hands on it because this is not the most rock-solid platform.

We love the Mossberg 590M, too, with a box magazine. But we’re playing it safe with the reliability factor. The new Mossberg 990 Aftershock SPX semi auto is awesome, too, and you can go for the Mossberg 590A1 if you like steel construction. Basically, there’s a lot of choice at Mossberg.

2. Remington TAC-14

• Gauge: 12 Gauge
• Barrel length: 14
• Overall Length: 26.3 inches
• Capacity: 4+1
• Weight: 5.6lb

The Old School Brawler

Price	Capacity	Length	Reliability	Prestige
4/5	2/5	5/5	4/5	3/5

The Remington TAC-14 is one of the best pump action shotguns that can take up to 3 inch shells, so magnum loads, if you can take the recoil.

If you prefer steel over aluminum, the Remington Tac-14 is your Shockwave alternative. Built on the legendary 870 receiver, it features a solid steel frame that feels invincible.

Like the Shockwave, this is a Non-NFA “Firearm” with a 14 inch barrel. The Magpul M-LOK forend comes standard, allowing you to easily mount a light for home defense scenarios.

You get a ton of different finished to choose from with thes epump action shotguns. The Remington 870 Tac-14 Hardwood contrasts with synthetic finishes and there’s even the Marine version that is a little more luxurious. Of course there are the Remington 870 Tac-13 semi automatic shotguns, but they’re twice the price and rare as hen’s teeth.

Why We Picked It: The action feels smoother than the Mossberg out of the box. If you grew up shooting an 870 Wingmaster, this will feel like an old friend—just a much shorter, angrier friend.

3. Rock Island Armory VRF14

• Gauge: 12 Gauge
• Barrel length: 14
• Overall Length: 26 inches
• Capacity: 19+1
• Weight: 6.6lb

Best AR Style Shotgun

Price	Capacity	Length	Reliability	Prestige
4/5	5/5	5/5	4/5	2/5

The Rock Island Armory are modeled on an AR pistol, and that makes a lot of sense.

Now the pistol grip is a rare treat in this world of birdshead grips, and the picatinny rail up top for red dot sights is a nice touch on a short barreled shotgun.

The supplied mag is a 5 round magazine, but this 12 gauge shotgun is compatible with VR Series mags that offer 9 or 19 rounds. Now that is high capacity and makes this one of the best short barreled shotguns here….

That turns these cheap matte black polymer semi-automatic shotguns into a very serious home defense shotgun with best-selling potential. Check out the best AR12 Shotguns here if you want the full length versions and think about ghost ring sights up there or more conventional rifle sights.

4. Genesis Arms Gen-12 SBM

• Gauge: 12 Gauge
• Barrel length: 7
• Overall Length: 23 inches
• Capacity: 10+1
• Weight: 6.6lb

Best Custom Shortie

Price	Capacity	Length	Reliability	Prestige
1/5	5/5	5/5	4/5	5/5

Most mag fed shotguns are cheap Turkish junk that jam if you look at them wrong. The Genesis Gen-12 is different. It uses a short-recoil system based on the AR-10 platform.

Available as an “Other” (Non-NFA) or a Short Barrel Shotgun, the Gen-12 brings AR-15 ergonomics to the 12-gauge world.

This is the semi-automatic shotgun that John Wick loaded up with Dragon’s Breath shells to breathe fire in John Wick 4. They’re the fastest cycling semi-automatic shotguns in the world, according to Genesis, and they need to be at this price.

You can save a little money by using a standard DPMS Gen 1 AR-10 lower and buy the upper from Brownells for around $1,500, although it does work better with the Genesis Beef Up kit. You should also put red dot sights up top.

You can get a 10.5 inch upper, too, which provides a little less fiery and more controllable fun. And if they’re good enough for John Wick, these gas operated semi auto shotguns will work for home defense. These are the next generation and best short barreled shotguns, and anybody that owns one on the forums seen to love theirs.

5. Kalashnikov Khaos

• Gauge: 12 Gauge
• Barrel Length: 12.68
• Overall Length:
• Capacity: 5+1/10+1
• Weight: 5.94lb

Best AK-47 Pistol Shotgun

Kaslashnikov USA makes a great AK-47 based magazine fed shotgun, and this is the cut down version of that best-selling superstar.

It is semi automatic, rapid firing and chopped down with a makeshift overmolded birdshead grip. It isn’t as pretty as the Remington, or perhaps even the Mossberg, but this short barreled shotgun is functional as all Hell.

The M-LOK handguard is ready for lights, lasers and just about anything else you care to hang off it.

You get a bead front sight, V notch rear sights and you can switch those out for ghost ring sights & optics that are more advanced.

Also, you can load a new magazine with the bolt closed. Technically that allows for one handed operation.

But honestly we’d want a steadying hand on the handguard, or even a vertical grip if possible with this short barrel shotgun and we’d love a pistol grip that you can buy in the parts & accessories store.

Kalshnikov USA produces great AR12, full length AK-47 rifles and semi automatic short barrel rifles if you like home defense options.

6. Black Aces Tactical Pro Series S

• Barrel Length: 14
• Overall Length: 26.5
• Capacity: 4+1
• Weight:6.45lb

If you are on a tight budget, Black Aces offers short barrel shotguns and Non-NFA firearms for half the price of a Mossberg.

The Pro Series S Mini is a semi-auto “Shockwave” style gun with a 10 inch barrel (using the brace/stock loophole where applicable) or standard 14 inch configuration.

It’s compact, it’s loud, and it punches well above its price point. Not bad for a company that loves giving the middle finger to industry norms.

Why We Picked It: It allows you to get into the short barreled game without breaking the bank. However, be aware that quality control is not on the same level as Benelli or Beretta.

7. Henry Axe

• Price: $952.99
• Barrel: 15.14
• Overall Length: 26.1
• Capacity: 5+1
• Weight: 5.75lb

The Lever Action Loophole

The Henry Axe lever action shotgun is a world of fun, even though it is just a 410 gauge.

Live out your cowboy fantasy or pretend you’re Woody Harrelson in Zombieland. Nobody is watching, it’s all fine, and these small shotguns are actually ideal as snake guns, or as pest control in your yard.

The Henry Axe is a “Firearm” similar to the Shockwave, but it uses a lever action mechanism. Chambered in .410 bore, it is a fantastic option for shooters who are recoil-sensitive.

It features a side loading gate, a beautiful walnut “axe handle” grip, and a threaded barrel for choke tubes.

Some people do worry about 12 gauge overpenetration, without thinking of this obvious answer. If you’re one of those people with kids sleeping next door and internal walls that make you worry, then this is really something to consider for home defense.

These look like cut down lever action rifles, but the versatility of the shotgun shells mean it’s a great addition to any gun safe and a quirky alternative to the best pump action shotguns.

Why We Picked It: It’s incredibly fun. While .410 isn’t a 12 gauge, modern defensive loads make it viable. Plus, you get to feel like the Terminator flipping it (don’t actually flip it).

8. Serbu Super Shorty

• Overall Length: 16.5 inches
• Barrel Length: 6.5 inches
• Weight: 4.5 lbs (unloaded)
• Action: Pump-action
• Capacity: 2+1 rounds (12-gauge, 2¾″ or 3″ shells)

The Serbu Super Shorty is out of production now, but we just couldn’t do this piece without including it somewhere. This thing is a palm-sized boomstick built on a Remington 870 (or Mossberg 500/Maverick 88), sawed down to just over 16 inches.

It holds two shells in the tube and one in the chamber, and that’s about all the mercy you’re going to get from the best pump action shotgun that you can fit in your pocket. At 4.5 lbs, it’s light enough to carry under a jacket as a concealed carry shotgun, heavy enough to kick like a mule, and short enough to breach doors or clear corners in a hallway without slicing the drywall.

Ridiculous? Yes. But it’s also the original shorty shotgun and one of the most entertaining pump action shotguns you can buy.

Compact Shotguns With a Full Length Barrel

The best short barreled shotguns are great, but you might just want a compact shotgun for home defense, without giving up the full length barrel.

These are safe from the NFA rules and tax stamps, too, and always should be. It’s important.

And there are plenty of options there, too, from bullpup shotguns through to conventiona pump shotguns andl tactical shotguns with a collapsible stock that will save valuable inches.

These guns can be awesome for home defense and here are our top picks for you.

1. Kel-Tec KSG

• Barrel: 18.5
• Gauge: 12 Gauge
• Overall Length: 26.1
• Capacity: 12+1
• Weight: 6.9lb

Best Compact Shotgun

The Kel-Tec KSG 12 gauge shotgun is a perennial star in our lists of pump shotguns, defensive shotguns and more. Put simply, we love it.

And despite having a full length 18.5 inch barrel, the KSG is super compact and is actually shorter than a lot of these short barrel shotgun offerings.

So consider getting the Kel-Tec KSG if you want a short shotgun. There’s a lot to love about the compact bullpup pump shotguns with twin tubular magazines and the black synthetic stock. There’s a rail up top that is great for red dot sights too.

You can go for the single tube Kel Tec KS7 pump action shotguns, which are lighter, but it would feel like a missed opportunity. We do like the Kel Tec KS7, just not as much.

2. Benelli M4 Entry/Tactical (M1014)

• Price: $1,999.99
• Barrel: 18.5
• Gauge: 12 Gauge
• Overall Length: 35 with stock retracted
• Capacity: 5+1
• Weight: 8lb

The USMC Door Kicker

This is the real deal. The Benelli M4 Entry is the short barreled shotgun used by special forces worldwide. It features a 14 inch barrel and the patented A.R.G.O. gas system.

Warning: This is an NFA item. You must buy it, pay for the gun, submit your Form 4 and $200 for the tax stamp, and then wait for approval before you can take it home.

Why We Picked It: If you have the patience for the paperwork, this is the holy grail. It is arguably the most reliable semi automatic combat shotgun ever made.

Of course the Auto Regulating Gas Operated Benelli M4 Entry CQB isn’t conventional thinking in this context. But these are some of the top semi-auto shotguns on the market….

3. Beretta 1301 Tactical C Mod 2

• Barrel Length: 18.5
• Gauge: 12 Gauge
• Overall Length: 35 with stock retracted
• Capacity: 7+1
• Weight: 6.4lb

The Best Semi Auto

Price	Capacity	Length	Reliability	Prestige
2/5	3.5/5	3/5	5/5	4/5

If you don’t want to deal with the NFA but still want a compact fighting gun, the Beretta 1301 Tactical is the answer. With an 18.5-inch barrel, it is technically a standard shotgun, but its compact receiver and length of pull make it feel like a short barrel gun.

The new “Mod 2” features a semi-flat trigger, an enhanced forend with M-LOK slots, and the legendary BLINK gas system which cycles 36% faster than any other semi auto shotgun on the market.

Why We Picked It: Reliability. You can run this gun dirty, dry, or full of cheap birdshot, and it will eat it all. It is the gold standard for semi automatic shotguns in 2026.

What are the NFA Rules on the Best Short Barrel Shotgun Options?

The NFA rules say a shotgun is a firearm subject to the National Firearms Act if the shotgun has a barrel, or barrels, which are less than 18 inches in length.

Now the NFA rules also say that a weapon made from a shotgun is also a firearm subject to the same registration and tax stamp requirements if the total length is less than 26 inches.

Now plenty of these firearms like the Shockwave get round these rules, because they have a smooth bore barrel and don’t quite fit into the definition of a firearm and the total length is more than 26 inches.

But State regulations and local laws vary. So make sure your gun is legal in your State before you place your order. The Shockwave Raptor, for instance, is not legal in Iowa, North Carolina, New York, New Jersey and more.

Simply being classified by the rules as Any Other Weapon (AOW) is enough for some States and the net is closing in on loopholes. So while the likes of North Carolina, New York and Iowa are already there, others may follow in good time. get legal advice if you’re unsure. An ounce of preparation is worth a pound of cure, after all…