The Smart Way to Buy Guns Online
Shotgun reviews, comparisons and buying guides, newest first. For most people buying a first shotgun, the job is home defense, and the best shotguns for home defense guide is where I’d start.
If you want one gun that does a bit of everything, look at the best 12 gauge shotguns and the best pump action shotguns. Clay shooters should check the best over/under shotguns, and spring hunters can jump to the best turkey shotguns or the best duck hunting shotguns. Every shotgun roundup is listed in our buying guides hub.
The Stoeger M3500 is an Inertia Driven 12 gauge semi-auto chambered for 3-1/2 inch magnums, with four choke tubes, a shim kit and a recoil reducer. We shot 600 shells from target loads to magnum steel, patterned waterfowl loads at 40 yards and priced it against the other 3-1/2 inch semi-autos.
The Browning Cynergy CX is a crossover over and under for trap, skeet, sporting clays and upland birds. We shot 800 shells through a walnut 30 in. CX and a 28 in. CX Composite, patterned both, measured the triggers and found the composite costs $110 less while adding an adjustable comb.
The Mossberg 990 is a gas-operated 12 gauge built around the stockless AfterShock layout. We shot 600 shells through a 14.75 in. AfterShock and an 18.5 in. AfterShock SPX, logged every stoppage, patterned buckshot, shot slugs and sorted out all nine SKUs, including the 18.5 in. SPX that holds two more shells for $18 more.
The Mossberg 590M is a 12 gauge 590 pump that feeds from a 10-round box magazine. We shot 600 shells through a 590M Mag-Fed 50205, logged two early feeding stoppages, grouped slugs at 50 yards and sorted out the 590M, 590M Pro and Stand-Off models on price.
The Browning Cynergy Wicked Wing is a 3.5 inch 12 gauge over and under with Burnt Bronze Cerakote and a camo composite stock. We shot 750 shells through two of them, patterned the chokes, weighed one against Browning’s conflicting figures and priced it against the Maxus II Wicked Wing, the A400 Xtreme Plus and the cheaper Cynergy Camo.
The Mossberg 835 Ulti-Mag is a 3.5 inch 12 gauge pump with a barrel overbored to 10 gauge size. We shot 500 shells through a Waterfowl and a Turkey model, counted patterns at 40 yards, checked what the tube really holds, read the manual’s slug and choke rules and priced it against the Winchester SXP, Stoeger P3500 and Benelli SuperNova.
Derya EX1500 lever-action .410, shipping now at USD 799 to 999 MSRP, 18, 20 and 24 inch barrels, 5-round tube, Mobilchoke threads, walnut or Ironwolf stock.
Winchester Model 1897 buyer’s guide for 2026: real sold prices by grade, the 1898 antique line, short 16 gauge chambers, and how to spot a fake trench gun.
Winchester Model 12 buyer’s guide for 2026: real sold prices by gauge and era, short chambers, slam-fire, steel shot, trench gun fakes, and how it shoots.
