Whether you’re after a Mossberg 500 for home defense, a Benelli Super Black Eagle for waterfowl, or a Beretta 1301 for competition, the best shotgun deals are almost always found online. Local gun stores typically carry a limited selection at full markup. Online retailers compete nationally, driving prices down and selection up.
We tracked shotgun prices across every major online retailer using our price comparison tool to find which websites consistently offer the best deals. Here’s where to buy shotguns online in 2026.
Best Websites to Buy Shotguns: Quick Picks
- Best Overall: KyGunCo — competitive pricing, free shipping, huge shotgun selection
- Cheapest Prices: Palmetto State Armory — lowest prices on Mossberg, Maverick, and budget shotguns
- Best for Hunting Shotguns: Sportsman’s Warehouse — in-store pickup, strong selection of field guns
- Best for Tactical/HD Shotguns: GrabAGun — deep inventory of tactical configurations
- Best for Premium Shotguns: Brownells — excellent selection of Benelli, Beretta, and Franchi
- Best Used Selection: Guns.com — consignment and used shotguns at 30-40% off new
Why Buy Shotguns Online?
Shotguns are one of the best categories to buy online because the price differences between local and online are massive. A Mossberg 590A1 that retails for $650 at a local shop is routinely $499-$549 online. A Benelli M4 with a $2,099 MSRP can be found for $1,699-$1,799 online. That’s $200-$300 in savings — more than enough to cover shipping and FFL transfer fees with money left over.
The process is simple: buy online, the retailer ships to a licensed FFL near you, you complete the background check and take it home. Our FFL transfer guide walks through every step.
Best Online Shotgun Retailers — Detailed Reviews
1. KyGunCo — Best Overall
KyGunCo’s combination of competitive pricing, free shipping on orders over $25, and a massive shotgun inventory makes them the best all-around choice. They stock everything from $200 Maverick 88s to $2,000+ Benelli semi-autos. No credit card surcharges, fast processing, and reliable customer service round out the package.
Their shotgun selection is particularly strong in the tactical/home defense category, with multiple configurations of Mossberg 500, 590, and Shockwave models usually in stock.
2. Palmetto State Armory — Cheapest Pump Shotguns
PSA consistently offers the lowest prices on budget shotguns, particularly Mossberg and Maverick models. Their daily deals frequently feature shotguns at $50-$100 below MSRP. The Maverick 88 — the best budget home defense shotgun on the market — regularly shows up at PSA for $199-$219, which is $30-$50 cheaper than most competitors.
PSA also sells their own-brand shotgun accessories and runs bundle deals (shotgun + ammo + accessories) that offer strong value.
3. Sportsman’s Warehouse — Best for Hunting Shotguns
If you’re shopping for a hunting shotgun — whether waterfowl, turkey, upland, or trap/skeet — Sportsman’s Warehouse has the deepest selection of field configurations. They carry camo finishes, longer barrels, choke tube sets, and specialty hunting models that online-only tactical retailers don’t bother stocking.
The buy-online-pickup-in-store option saves you shipping and FFL fees, and their 130+ locations mean most hunters have one within driving distance. You can also handle the shotgun in person to check fit and balance before committing — critical for a gun you’ll be shouldering all day.
4. GrabAGun — Best for Tactical Shotguns
GrabAGun stocks an impressive range of tactical and home defense shotgun configurations. Mossberg 590A1, Beretta 1301 Tactical, Benelli M4, KelTec KSG, IWI Tavor TS12 — they typically have multiple variants of each in stock. Their price-match policy means you’ll never overpay, and their clearance section regularly features tactical shotguns at significant discounts.
5. Brownells — Best for Premium Shotguns
Brownells has been a trusted name since 1939, and their selection of premium Italian shotguns is second to none. Benelli, Beretta, Franchi — if you’re spending $1,000+, Brownells’ competitive pricing and excellent customer service make them a top choice. They also carry a wide range of shotgun parts and accessories for those who want to customize.
Best Shotguns to Buy Online in 2026
Here are the most popular shotguns with live pricing from across the web. See who has the cheapest price right now:
Best Budget Home Defense: Maverick 88
The Maverick 88 is a Mossberg 500 built in Mexico to a lower price point. Same action, same reliability, same 12-gauge stopping power — just with a crossbolt safety instead of a tang safety and simpler furniture. At $200-$250, it’s the most shotgun you can buy for the least money. For home defense on a budget, nothing competes.
Maverick 88 — Compare Prices
Best All-Around Pump: Mossberg 590A1
The 590A1 is the mil-spec version of Mossberg’s legendary pump action. Heavy-walled barrel, metal trigger guard, metal safety button, and bayonet lug. It’s the only pump shotgun that meets Military Specification 3443 for durability. If you want a pump shotgun that will outlast you, this is it.
Mossberg 590A1 — Compare Prices
Best Semi-Auto: Beretta 1301 Tactical
The fastest-cycling semi-auto shotgun on the market. The Beretta 1301 Tactical’s gas-operated BLINK system cycles 36% faster than competitors, and the reduced felt recoil makes 12-gauge manageable for all shooters. An excellent home defense choice for those who want semi-auto reliability with soft recoil.
Beretta 1301 Tactical — Compare Prices
Best Premium: Benelli M4
The Benelli M4 is the gold standard of combat shotguns — used by the US Marine Corps and militaries worldwide. Its unique ARGO gas system is legendarily reliable and operates with everything from light target loads to heavy slugs. Premium price, but nothing else matches its track record.
Benelli M4 — Compare Prices
Best High-Capacity: KelTec KSG
The KSG’s bullpup design packs a 14+1 capacity (dual tube magazines) into an overall length of just 26.1 inches. It’s shorter than most 18″ barrel shotguns while holding nearly three times the ammo. Unique, compact, and devastatingly effective for home defense if you put in the practice time to master its manual of arms.
KelTec KSG — Compare Prices
Best Hunting Semi-Auto: Beretta A300 Ultima
The A300 Ultima is Beretta’s entry-level semi-auto hunting shotgun — but “entry-level” for Beretta still means excellent quality. Gas-operated for soft recoil, reliable with light field loads, and available in multiple configurations for waterfowl, turkey, and upland. At $650-$750, it’s hundreds less than its competition from Browning and Benelli.
Beretta A300 Ultima — Compare Prices
Shotgun Ammo: Where to Find the Best Deals
Shotgun ammo is heavy and expensive to ship. Buying bulk online still saves money, but watch those shipping costs carefully. Here are live prices on the most popular shotgun loads:
12 Gauge Buckshot — Cheapest Prices
12 Gauge Target Loads — Cheapest Prices
Choosing the Right Shotgun: Quick Guide
Not sure what type of shotgun you need? Here’s a quick decision matrix:
- Home defense on a budget: Maverick 88 or Mossberg 500 ($200-$400)
- Home defense, premium: Beretta 1301 Tactical or Benelli M4 ($1,200-$2,000)
- Waterfowl/turkey hunting: Beretta A300 Ultima, Mossberg 935, or Benelli SBE3 ($650-$1,800)
- Upland/quail hunting: Beretta A300, Franchi Affinity 3, or a quality over/under ($700-$2,500)
- Trap/skeet/sporting clays: Beretta A400 Xcel, Browning Citori, or Beretta 694 ($1,500-$4,000)
- First shotgun / all-around: Mossberg 500 Combo with field and home defense barrels ($350-$450)
For more on shotguns for home defense specifically, see our home defense firearms guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest website to buy a shotgun?
Palmetto State Armory consistently has the lowest prices on budget pump shotguns (Mossberg, Maverick). For premium shotguns, KyGunCo and GrabAGun compete closely for the best price. Sportsman’s Warehouse can beat everyone if you factor in free in-store pickup (no shipping or FFL fee). Use our cheapest gun stores guide and price comparison tool to verify current pricing.
Do I need an FFL transfer for a shotgun?
Yes. All firearms purchased online — including shotguns — must ship to a licensed FFL dealer for the background check and transfer. The process is identical to buying a handgun online. Most FFL dealers charge $20-$50 for the transfer. See our FFL transfer guide for the full walkthrough.
What gauge shotgun should I buy?
12-gauge is the most versatile and has the widest ammo selection. It’s the standard for home defense, hunting, and competition. 20-gauge is an excellent choice for smaller-framed shooters, youth, and recoil-sensitive buyers — still very capable for home defense and most hunting. .410 bore is best for youth shooters and training. For most adults buying their first shotgun, go with 12-gauge.
Pump action or semi-auto?
Pump actions are cheaper, mechanically simpler, and utterly reliable with any ammo type. Semi-autos have less felt recoil and faster follow-up shots, but cost more and can be ammo-sensitive (some light loads won’t cycle the action). For home defense on a budget, pump. For competition, hunting, or if recoil management matters, semi-auto.
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