Shotguns are among the most versatile firearms on the market. They’re the firearm of choice for bird hunters, boast several of their own competitive disciplines, and are one of the most recommended choices for home defense. They’re even a staple of police inventories and have been fielded by the military on more than one occasion.
While some may ask what is the point of a semi-auto shotgun, it’s hard to refute their sheer firepower. Break-actions are elegant, pump-actions are practical, but a shotgun capable of sending full ounces of lead downrange as fast as you can pull the trigger just can’t be rivaled.
With a glut of options on the market, though, it can be hard to figure out which semi-auto shotgun is best for you. Do you really need to go all out on a Benelli or Beretta, or would a simpler, more cost-effective model meet your needs?
It all comes down to how you’ll use it, what features you prioritize, and of course, your budget.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Semi-Auto Shotgun
Choosing a semi-automatic shotgun is not dissimilar to picking out any other type of firearm. You’ll want to weigh quality, brand, price, and performance. With other firearms, though, attributes like reliability are often an afterthought–after all, reliable handguns or AR-15s are available from dozens of different manufacturers in a myriad of different models.
Shotguns, though, have a few peculiarities that are not often found in other types of firearms.
Reliability
Reliability has long been a hot-button issue with semi-auto shotguns. While several models boast reliability on par with even the most rugged of rifles or handguns, many other models offer highly variable levels of consistency. The root of the issue is nearly always feeding; the soft, untapered walls of a plastic shotgun shell are more easily deformed than those of metallic cartridges, and the overall size of the shell presents other challenges.
Cheap semi-automatic shotguns have long been degraded as unreliable and fit only for use at the range, rather than any serious application. This reputation is not without basis, but it’s one largely based on the budget guns of yesteryear rather than modern, affordable-but-high-quality options.
Of course, it is still generally true that you get what you pay for. A premium shotgun like a Benelli M4 or Beretta 1301 is likely to handle more abuse, longer firing schedules, and sporadic cleanings with greater reliability than something at the budget end of the scale.
But, there are still plenty of shotguns at all price points that perform admirably, so you don’t need to break the bank unless utter reliability is of the highest importance to you.
Manual of Arms/Ergonomics
A rifle like an AR-15 has a standardized manual of arms. You can pick up nearly any AR-15 from nearly any manufacturer and immediately know how to actuate the safety, lock back the bolt, or drop the magazine. Shotguns do not share this same level of standardization.
Each semi-automatic shotgun has a slightly different manual of arms. The procedure for locking and releasing the bolt, unloading the tube magazine, ejecting a chambered shell, and more can all vary between models. As such, it’s often worth trying a few different shotguns to see which one has a manual of arms that works best for you.
Mossberg shotguns, for instance, are well known for their tang-mounted safeties. This innovation, found on the semi-automatic Mossberg 940 series, situates the safety directly under the user’s thumb when gripping the shotgun to aim or fire. This makes it utterly seamless to actuate during operation, but only when using a traditional stock.
With a pistol grip stock, the user would have to remove their hand almost entirely from the grip in order to reach up and actuate the safety. As such, Mossberg semi-auto shotgun tends to be much loved by those who prefer standard field stocks but eschewed by those who use pistol grip stocks.
Many other minor variances can have a similar effect. Users may find that they prefer Beretta’s style of loading gate over Mossberg’s, or discover a fondness for safeties located behind the trigger guard rather than in front.
Brand Reputation
While brand can be an important indicator of reliability, brand reputation goes quite a bit further than that. A manufacturer’s legacy and past performance are often indicative of what kind of build quality can be expected and what amount of support will be offered if something goes wrong.
First and foremost, it’s always worth checking into a brand’s warranty and quality guarantees. These statements lay out the specifics of what support and coverage will be offered in the event of a parts breakage or weapon malfunction, and not all brands are equal in these areas.
Beyond the text of the warranty, though, it’s important to consider a brand’s reputation for service and support. Some brands have built their name by offering impeccable service, going above and beyond to ensure their customers are well taken care of even when the worst should happen. Others can be difficult to contact or may suffer from long wait times for parts or service.
While buying a quality shotgun can generally tilt the odds in favor of never having a significant malfunction and never needing warranty service, it’s always worth considering what that service may look like in the event that it is needed.
Price
No one’s budget is unlimited, and so we would be remiss not to mention price in this analysis. While we’d all love to buy the best of the best all the time, few have the finances to support such a habit. For the rest of us, purchasing a new firearm, whether a shotgun or otherwise, is a balancing act between features, quality, and price.
While the old adage that you get what you pay for generally holds true, it’s also true that not every use case or application requires that best in the field. For a home defense firearm, you may feel the need to spend a little more to get something you can trust with your life; for hunting, though, an occasional malfunction is only an inconvenience, and dealing with an infrequent inconvenience may well be worth saving a few hundred dollars.
For range or recreational use, of course, it all comes down to what you are willing to tolerate. There are no real consequences for a jammed shotgun when blasting clays for fun, so as long as your shotgun can operate safely, there’s no need to buy top-of-the-line–unless you simply want to.
Use Case/Application
How you intend to use your shotgun will always be the single biggest determinant of the best make and model for you to buy. A premium over/under will no doubt be an excellent shotgun, but it’s still a poor choice for home defense. Likewise, an 18″ shotgun with a cylinder choke is going to be a significant handicap for a hunting or sporting shotgun but is perfect for buckshot at close quarters.
For hunting shotguns, you’ll want to bias towards models with longer barrels, easily removable chokes, and good balance–it’s important to be able to swing the shotgun comfortably to reliably hit birds in flight.
Defensive shotguns, on the other hand, should prioritize shorter barrel lengths, ideally at or near the minimum 18.5″ barrel length. Larger capacity magazines are always a plus, as are oversized or easily manipulated controls.
While removable chokes aren’t necessarily a negative, there is a reason why many police and military shotguns come with fixed cylinder chokes. Fixing the choke in place removes a potential point of failure, and since the short ranges at which defensive shotguns are used seldom necessitate any other type of choke, there’s little functionality lost and a bit of reliability gained by opting for a fixed choke.
Best Affordable Semi-Auto Shotguns
Most of us aren’t looking to drop multiple thousands of dollars on a shotgun. For the more budget-minded sportsman, these picks represent excellent performance for the money and are backed by major manufacturers with robust warranty protection.
Charles Daly 601 DPS Tactical
The 601 is a Charles Daly 12 gauge semi-auto shotgun with classic lines and impressive function. It draws heavy inspiration from some of the most iconic semi-auto shotguns of all time, and while few would say that it mimics their performance, for the money, it doesn’t lag far behind.
The 601 Tactical utilizes a gas piston operating system for reliable feeding and packs 5+1 capacity with an 18.5″ barrel, cementing it is a tactically oriented shotgun. However, it features removeable chokes (compatible with Benelli and Beretta Mobil style chokes) so it can still pull double-duty when necessary.
The adjustable stock and pistol grip allow it to be fitted to a wide range of body types and proportions, and the receiver comes with a section of Picatinny rail preinstalled, so it’s ready for the optic of your choice.
Citadel Boss 25
The Boss 25 represents a more modern approach to tactical shotguns. it abandons all pretense of tradition, opting instead for modern AR-15 style controls, making it a perfect option for users who train primarily on tactical rifles.
Unlike most of the other shotguns on our list, the Boss 25 is magazine-fed. It comes with a 5-round magazine from the factory, but larger capacity magazines are available for those who need just a little bit more firepower.
A short, handy 18.75″ barrel makes it a strong contender for short-range use, and the full circumference handguard allows for a thumb-over grip to help control recoil during rapid fire.
The receiver is fitted with a large section of Picatinny rail for iron sights or optics, and the handguard even has a small section of Picatinny at the muzzle end for a front iron sight, allowing it to use AR-style flip-up iron sights–a rarity amongst semi-auto shotguns. M-LOK slots cover the remainder of the handguard for mounting flashlights or other accessories.
Tokarev TBP
Another thoroughly modern option, the Tokarev TBP is a bullpup-configuration shotgun that puts full-size firepower in the most compact package possible.
Similar to the Citadel Boss 25, the TBP is magazine-fed with a standard 5-round capacity from the factory and larger mags available. The short 18.5″ barrel keeps the overall length of the firearm at a mere 28.5 inches but offers the same ballistics as its full-sized brethren.
With ambidextrous controls, removable chokes, and an adjustable length of pull and cheek weld, this Tokarev shotgun is the perfect starting point for a wide range of shotgun builds.
Best Hunting/General Purpose Shotguns
While hunting, clay busting, and general plinking all have slightly different demands, the use cases are similar enough that one shotgun is generally sufficient for all of them. Elite competitors or dedicated hunters may need more specialized gear, but for most users, the shotguns in this category are capable of all these pursuits and more.
Winchester SX4
Winchester is one of the best-known names in firearms, manufacturing some of the most iconic rifles of all time. Their shotguns, while slightly less well known, are no less capable.
The Winchester SX4 is available in a huge variety of gauges, barrel lengths, and finishes, all backed by Winchester’s legacy of quality and excellent warranty.
At the heart of the SX4 is Winchester’s Active Valve operating system. This gas-piston-driven system cycles a wide range of loads reliably and is well-regarding for being soft-recoiling and exceptionally clean.
The large controls on the SX4 make it easy to operate, even with gloved hands, making it a perfect choice for cold-weather hunters.
Browning A5
Browning’s A5 is a stalwart design that has stood the test of time. The original A5 Browning semi-auto shotgun debuted over a hundred years ago in 1905 and although it has received some updates in that time, the quality and craftsmanship of the series remain unchanged.
Available in a variety of configurations, including an uncommon 16-gauge Sweet Sixteen model, the A5 is a very capable sporting shotgun. The controls are intuitive and well-placed, and the action has a strong reputation for both reliability and smoothness.
While we’re partial to the classic black-and-wood aesthetic of the original, the A5 is also available in several camo patterns for your hunting needs. Browning’s semi-auto shotgun may have a long history, but is tastefully updated with modern technology and fully ready for hunting or competition.
Mossberg 940
Mossberg’s 940 series of shotguns runs the gamut from tactical and home defense options to hunting and all-purpose.
They’re best known for their exceptional ergonomics, including the aforementioned tang-mounted safety. They also offer many options for modern features, including corrosion-resistant internal components, fiber optic sights, and beveled loading ports.
Utterly reliable and factory-ready for the hunt, you can’t go wrong with a Mossberg shotgun, whether semi-auto, break-action, or pump.
Best Home Defense Shotguns
Shopping for a new home defense firearm and wondering who makes the most reliable semi-auto shotgun? As with most things, it will depend on who you ask, but you’ll find more often than not the answer begins with a “B”. Benelli and Beretta both offer top-of-the-line shotguns that you can stake your life on when it counts.
Beretta 1301
A Beretta semi-auto shotgun is a fast-firing, feature-rich scattergun that commands a high price point but is worth every penny.
The heart of the 1301 is Beretta’s Blink system, a unique version of gas-piston operation that provides a significantly higher cyclical rate than its competitors. Faster cycling, combined with the 1301’s relatively soft recoil impulse, lets you get back on target and deliver follow-up shots even quicker, maximizing your ability to put lead downrange.
A cold-hammer-forged barrel, ghost ring sights, and a top Picatinny rail all come standard on the tactical edition of the 1301. It also features oversized controls for easier operation with wet or gloved hands and a whopping 7+1 standard capacity.
Available with either a traditional or pistol grip stock, the 1301 is a sterling example of everything that makes tactical shotguns great.
Benelli M2
While the M4 may be the better-known of the Benelli tactical shotguns, the M2 is a strong contender in its own right and comes in at a lower price point despite still delivering the same legendary Benelli reliability.
Unique amongst the semi-auto shotguns on our list, the Benelli M2 is not operated by a gas piston. Instead, it utilizes Benelli’s Inertia Driven operating system. This pistonless design significantly reduces weight compared, resulting in a lighter, more maneuverable shotgun.
The M2 Tactical features ghost-ring sights and 5+1 capacity from the factory, although aftermarket extensions are available to increase that.
Conclusion
Shotguns have been a staple of American gun collections for centuries, and for good reason. Whether protecting the home, putting food on the table, or just passing time at the range, there are few firearms more capable and versatile than a good shotgun.
When choosing your next semi-auto, carefully consider reliability, ergonomics, brand, and price, as well as how you intend to use the firearm.
