Shotguns

The Beretta 1301 Tactical has become the darling of the defensive-shotgun world, and for good reason: its BLINK gas system cycles about 36% faster than the competition, making it one of the softest-shooting, fastest-running semi-auto shotguns you can buy. The newest version already ships with an oversized charging handle, an enlarged bolt release, a big … Read more

The Benelli M4 is the gold standard of semi-automatic combat shotguns — the same gun the U.S. Marine Corps adopted as the M1014, prized for its self-regulating gas system and legendary reliability. It comes well-equipped from the factory with ghost-ring sights and a Picatinny rail, so an M4 build is less about fixing weaknesses and … Read more

The Mossberg 500 is the Remington 870’s great rival for the title of America’s shotgun, and it earns its huge aftermarket the same way: it is cheap, tough, and endlessly adaptable. The tang safety, dual action bars, and easy takedown make the 500 a favorite for home defense, and a handful of bolt-on parts turn … Read more

The Remington 870 has been America’s pump shotgun for more than sixty years, and nothing on the market is easier to build into exactly what you need. The same gun that fills a duck blind on Saturday becomes a home-defense shotgun on Sunday with a handful of bolt-on parts. Because the 870 platform is so … Read more

The Browning A5 wears the iconic humpback profile of the original Auto-5 but runs a modern Kinematic Drive inertia action, with a 100,000-round guarantee. Our full review, variants, and how it compares to the Beretta A400 and Benelli SBE3.

The Winchester SX4 delivers a fast, soft-shooting Active Valve gas system and light aluminum receiver for hundreds less than the European names. Our full review, variants, and how it compares to the Beretta A300 and Browning Maxus.

The Remington 1100 is one of the best-selling and softest-shooting shotguns ever made, a gas-operated classic that ruled the skeet field for decades. Our full review, variants, and how it compares to the Beretta A300 and Remington 870.

The Benelli Ethos is the company’s upscale field and sporting semi-auto, pairing legendary inertia reliability with a Progressive Comfort stock, carbon rib and elegant engraved receiver. Our full review, variants, and how it compares to the Beretta A400 and Benelli M2.

The Benelli Nova is Benelli’s budget pump, built around a clever weatherproof one-piece design. Our full review of the do-everything shotgun, its variants, and how it beats the Mossberg 500 and Remington 870.