Shotgun Reviews: Everything Scattergun

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Shotgun Reviews: Everything Scattergun

BY Eric Hung, Published Dec 18December 18, 2019

Ah…the ole scattergun! From roundups of our favorites to putting individual shotguns to the test, you can find it all here.

Best Semi-Automatic Shotguns of 2023

BY Matthew Collins, Updated May 7,May 7, 2023 98 Comments

Want to pick the best semi-auto shotgun for yourself? Learn how they work, various recoil systems, and pros/cons of the most popular ones out there.

5 Best Home-Defense Shotguns of 2023: Tactical, Pump & Semi-Auto

BY Sean Curtis AND Travis Pike, Updated Jul 30,July 30, 2023 413 Comments

Quickly learn what makes a tactical shotgun, why it's so effective, ammo selection, pros/cons, and our best home defense shotgun picks.

Best 3-Gun Shotguns: Smoke the Competition

BY Brandon Harville, Updated Feb 21,February 21, 2020 13 Comments

If you're looking to get into competitive shooting, you'll need a good 3-gun shotgun. We've rounded up some of the very best available to help you get started.

Best Bullpup Rifles & Shotguns of 2023

BY Travis Pike, Updated Jun 11,June 11, 2023 66 Comments

Bullpups are so different. We'll cover the best bullpup rifles and shotguns, their pros/cons, and the best models out there right now.

Best Beginner Shotguns for Bird Hunting

BY Brandon Harville, Published May 14,May 14, 2017 6 Comments

If you want to get into bird hunting, you'll need a good shotgun. We've rounded up some of the best of the best to get you started off on the right foot.

Best Shotguns for Skeet, Trap, & Clay Shooting of 2023

BY Alice Jones Webb, Updated Apr 30,April 30, 2023 18 Comments

Getting into the world of skeet, trap, or sporting clays? We'll go over the differences, what makes a great purpose-built shotgun, and our favorite models.

Best Benelli Semi-Auto Shotgun: M2 vs M3 vs M4

BY Travis Pike, Updated Jan 30,January 30, 2022 21 Comments

Looking for a Benelli semi-auto shotgun? We go over the differences between the M2, M3, and M4 variants. By the end, you'll know which one is best for you.

Best Home Defense Gun of 2023 [Shotgun vs Pistol vs Rifle]

BY Eric Hung, Updated May 14,May 14, 2023 103 Comments

Shotguns, pistols, and rifles. What's the best home defense gun for you? We go over the pros and cons of each complete with favorite models and ammo picks.

8 Best Budget Guns for New Shooters [Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun]

BY Travis Pike, Updated Sep 11,September 11, 2022 47 Comments

Picking your first gun can be a hassle. So, we're taking the guesswork out and providing you with some great guns for new shooters...that are affordable!

Best Remington 870 Models & Upgrades: 5 Builds

BY Travis Pike, Published Apr 2,April 2, 2019 17 Comments

The Remington 870 is one of the best shotguns ever produced. But there's so many models and even more upgrades. We walk through our 5 fullly upgraded builds.

Best Rifles & Shotguns for Women of 2023 (From a Woman)

BY Megan Kriss, Updated Jul 29,July 29, 2023 13 Comments

Looking for the best long guns for ladies? We cover our favorite rifles and shotguns that are lighter, have a shorter length of pull, and reduced recoil.

8 Best Survival Rifles of 2023

BY Travis Pike, Updated Jul 30,July 30, 2023 54 Comments

Need to survive the wilderness and get back to civilization in one piece? We cover our definition of a survival rifle and our 5 best picks.

7 Best Folding Truck Guns of 2023

BY Travis Pike, Updated Apr 30,April 30, 2023 61 Comments

Looking for a little extra firepower in your vehicle if a situation needs it? We cover several of the best trunk guns out there across calibers and budgets.

Individual Shotgun Reviews

Mossberg Shockwave Review: How Is It Legal?

BY Travis Pike, Published Jun 12,June 12, 2017 17 Comments

The Mossberg 590 Shockwave is not legally a shotgun, but it is still an awesome defensive and fun range gun.Read our review to see if it's right for you.

[Review] Citadel RS S1 Tactical: AK-Style Shotgun

BY Travis Pike, Published Nov 6,November 6, 2018 7 Comments

The Citadel RS S1 tactical shotgun...is it just another semi-auto AK shotgun or does it dethrone Saiga? Find out with our hands-on review!

Henry Lever Action .410 Shotgun [Review]

BY Eric Hung, Updated Mar 19,March 19, 2019 9 Comments

Lever action shotgun? Sign me up! Find out if the Henry Lever Action .410 Shotgun is for you with our review that covers fit/feel, accuracy, shootability, and more.

Maverick 88 Defense Shotgun [Review]

BY Gun Noob, Updated May 10,May 10, 2022 33 Comments

The Maverick 88 is affordable but does it stack up to be an effective self-defense shotgun? Check out our full hands-on review.

Remington Tac-14 "Not a Shotgun" [Review]

BY Travis Pike, Updated Jun 19,June 19, 2019 12 Comments

Remington Tac-14...range toy or workhorse? Oddity or innovation? We've got the answers to these questions and more in our full review.

[Review] Stoeger Condor Over/Under: Best Under $500?

BY Gun Noob, Updated Jul 25,July 25, 2019 41 Comments

The Stoeger Condor is the best over-under shotgun for under $500. See why as we cover reliability, breakdown, cost, upgrades and more.

[Review] Mossberg 590M Shockwave: Magazine-Fed Freedom

BY Travis Pike, Published Oct 11,October 11, 2018 5 Comments

Is it useful? The Mossberg 590M is the mag-fed version of the classic 590 shotgun with a Shockwave grip. We review its reliability, accuracy, & more.

IWI TS12 Review: Space Shotgun with Some Flaws [Field Tested]

BY Travis Pike, Published Jan 19,January 19, 2020 38 Comments

Looking at the ultra-futuristic IWI TS12 semi-auto shotgun? We hands-on test it and although it's massively fun, there's still some flaws you need to know.

KelTec KS7 Bullpup Shotgun Review [TESTED]

BY Travis Pike, Updated Mar 2,March 2, 2023 13 Comments

Looking for a futuristic bullpup shotgun? We hands-on review KelTec's KS7 for reliability, accuracy, ergonomics, fun, worth-it-ness, and more.

[Review] Rock Island VRBP-100, VR60, & VR80 Shotguns

BY Travis Pike, Updated Mar 3,March 3, 2022 21 Comments

Affordable magazine-fed semi-auto shotguns that can hold up to 19 rounds? We hands-on review Rock Island Armory's VR60, VR80, and VRBP-100 shotties.

Benelli M4 Review: Best Combat Shotgun? [Video+Tested]

BY Johnny B, Updated Jul 29,July 29, 2021 24 Comments

Benelli's M4 is a pricey shotgun (MSRP $2,000) but its reliability earns it high praise. Want to learn more about the M4? Come see what we like (and don't).

[Review] Mossberg 500 & 590 Retrograde: What's Old Is New

BY Travis Pike, Published Jun 18,June 18, 2020 6 Comments

Ready to go retro? We hands-on review the Mossberg 500 and 590 Retrograde versions to see if they are as good as the current generation. Spoiler: yes!

[Review] Mossberg 930 SPX Tactical: Super Reliable

BY Sean Curtis, Published Jun 21,June 21, 2020 24 Comments

Are semi-auto shotguns inherently less reliable? We hands-on review the Mossberg 930 SPX Tactical with plenty of pictures and videos of it in action.

[Review] Stoeger Condor Over/Under: Best Under $500?

BY Gun Noob, Updated Jul 25,July 25, 2019 41 Comments

The Stoeger Condor is the best over-under shotgun for under $500. See why as we cover reliability, breakdown, cost, upgrades and more.

Remington 870 Vs. Mossberg 500: [Battle of the Pumps]

BY Travis Pike, Published Dec 22,December 22, 2019 39 Comments

Not sure which pump shotgun to get? We cover the Remington 870 vs Mossberg 500 in terms of controls, action, materials, ergonomics, shell lifters, and more.

Shotgun Upgrades & Gear Reviews

The Best Mossberg 500 and 590 Upgrades

BY Travis Pike, Updated Dec 15,December 15, 2022 56 Comments

The Mossberg 500 and 590 are two of the most venerable, and combat proven weapons on the planet. Here are some of the best mods and accessories for these awesome guns.

Best Shotgun Ammo Carriers: Side Saddle, Pouches, & Bandoliers

BY Travis Pike, Published Feb 20,February 20, 2020 18 Comments

Need to carry more ammo for your shotgun? We hands-on cover the most popular methods from plate carriers to side saddles, bandoliers, pouches, and more.

Best Mossberg 500 Stocks [Hands-On Tested]

BY Travis Pike, Updated Apr 6,April 6, 2020 17 Comments

Shotguns are some of the most classic firearms any of us own, but maybe yours needs an upgrade or maybe you just want to tinker with something. We took a look at some of the best stocks for one of the best shotguns - the Mossberg 500 family.

[Build] Ultimate Mossberg Shockwave: All The Upgrades

BY Travis Pike, Published Jul 14,July 14, 2020 41 Comments

Mossberg 590 Shockwave collecting dust? Learn how to upgrade it into a fun, effective, and lightweight range gun with our Ultimate Shockwave build guide.

12 Best Shotgun Sights for 2023: Red Dots & Irons

BY Travis Pike, Updated Apr 10,April 10, 2023 8 Comments

You still need to aim with a shotgun. Here are our favorite upgraded shotgun sights from ghost rings to red dots and even some rifle slug scopes.

Best Shotgun Choke Tubes [Hands-On]

BY Alice Jones Webb, Published May 9,May 9, 2020 11 Comments

Find out what shotgun choke tubes do and the best ones for various hunting, clays, or trap shooting. Plus key maintenance and how to pattern your shot.

Best Shotgun Red Dots: Never Use Bead Sights Again

BY Brandon Harville, Published Jul 30,July 30, 2017 11 Comments

Slapping a red dot on your shotgun can give you a number of advantages in the field, range, and competition. Find out our best picks across all budgets!

Sig Romeo 5 Review: 4 Years Tested

BY Eric Hung AND Ken Whitmore, Updated May 1,May 1, 2023 25 Comments

Looking for the best budget red dot? We've been testing Sig's Romeo5 for years and will cover its specs, features, and view-through.

[Hands-on Review] Bushnell TRS-26: Improved & Reliable

BY David Lane, Published Jul 22,July 22, 2020 2 Comments

Is the Bushnell TRS-26 a worthy upgrade from the TRS-25? We hands-on review it for build, clarity, robustness, affordability, ergonomics, and more.

5 Best Gun Trigger Locks 2023: Pistols & Rifles

BY Megan Kriss AND Eric Hung, Updated Aug 21,August 21, 2023 5 Comments

Want to add some additional safety to your firearm? We'll go over the pros, cons, and best models of gun trigger locks. Plus video of our Editor's Pick.

10 Great Gun Safes for At-Home and On the Go

BY Brian Belko, Updated Apr 30,April 30, 2020 15 Comments

Every gun owner is responsible for the secure storage of their firearms. Here are some great gun safes that will keep you, your family, and your guns safe.