American Tactical Omni Hybrid: One of the more unusual new models is the Omni Hybrid .410-caliber shotgun. This shotgun was displayed in prototype form a few years ago, but it’s being shipped now. The Omni Hybrid .410 takes 2½-inch shells and operates like a standard AR-15, but it has a blowback operating system rather than being direct impingement. It has a free-floating, 18.5-inch, smoothbore barrel with a flash suppressor, a collapsible stock and a KeyMod handguard. The gun uses a lower receiver made of polymer molded over a zinc-aluminum shell. A five-round mag is included, while 20-round versions available.
Benelli Super Black Eagle 3: Benelli’s new Super Black Eagle (SBE) 3 offers significant enhancements over previous SBE models designed for waterfowl hunters. Built for 3½-inch, 12-gauge shells, the SBE 3’s new features include a breech-closing system that reduces the chance of operator-induced stoppages. Also, the safety, bolt catch, bolt handle, magazine cap and loading port have been enlarged or redesigned for easier operation while wearing gloves. The SBE 3 also has a third-generation ComforTech stock and Combtech cheek pad that absorb recoil without adding weight and a shim fitting system that allows for eight cast and drop configurations. It also has a crio-treated barrel and chokes for consistent patterns.
Benelli Performance Shop Ultra Light Upland: For upland bird hunters who appreciate a light shotgun, the Benelli Performance Shop now offers the Ultra Light Upland in 12 and 20 gauges. Weighing 6.1 and 5.2 pounds, respectively, these are based on the Benelli M2 and are the lightest semi-auto shotguns in their gauges, according to the company. The Ultra Light has a satin walnut stock, a lengthened forcing cone, extended choke tubes for better patterning, an enlarged bolt handle and bolt release, and EDM barrel porting for reducing muzzle rise. The barrel and chokes are crio-treated. Finally, the shotgun has a burnt bronze Cerakote finish.
EAA’s 3-Gun competition shotguns include the MK1919 Match (pictured) and MK1919 Match Pro (next photo). Both semi-autos are significantly improved versions of an older shotgun imported by another company that suffered major reliability problems. EAA took over importation after helping redesign the MK1919, including changes to the magazine, safety, bolt, bolt carrier, locking block, mag release, bolt release, feed ramp, action bar and gas system. The guns are also easier to take down. The MK1919 accepts 2¾- and 3-inch shells and feeds from a detachable magazine. The action loacks open after the last round is fired. Two gas rings are included for shooting light and heavy loads, as well as three chokes and two 5-round mag. The MK1919 Match Pro version has an aluminum forearm with rails and a flattop receiver.
EAAMK1919 Match Pro
Fostech Origin 12: The semi-auto Fostech Origin 12 introduced a few years ago is now being offered as a short-barreled NFA shotgun and as a non-NFA version. Both have 10.67-inch barrels and are 26 inches long, but the NFA version has a side-folding stock, and the non-NFA has an arm brace. Fostech shotguns are among the most unusual tactical shotguns and use an adjustable long-stroke gas piston operating system based on the AK-47. The gas adjustments are easily made by turning a knob on the gas block, providing reliable cycling with various loads, from target rounds to magnums. These shotguns use detachable box mags (a five-round mag is included, with eight- and 10-round versions available) or 20- and 30-round drums. The base model Origin 12 has a quick-change 18-inch barrel and a left-side folding stock that reduces the gun to a compact 28 inches. The safety, bolt catch and magazine release are all ambidextrous. The shotgun is made with a steel receiver and a plastic top cover.
FN P-12: FN’s newest pump-action tactical shotgun is based on the proven Winchester three-lug rotating bolt design. The FN P-12 has a 3-inch chamber, a 5+1 capacity with 2¾-inch shells and accepts standard Invector chokes. It has a flip-up rear sight and a fiber-optic front sight. For mounting a scope, the 18-inch, chrome-lined barrel is equipped with a Weaver-style cantilever rail. Keeping the sight on the barrel ensures no re-zeroing is required.
FN SLP: For those who want a semi-auto, FN offers three SLPs, all of which have the self-adjusting Active Valve Gas System for reliable cycling with light to heavy loads. The SLP Tactical has a receiver- mounted Picatinny rail for optics and comes with a protected front sight post and a fully adjustable aperture rear sight. It holds 6+1 shells and has a stock with several adjustments to fit shooters of various statures or those wearing body armor, including combs and recoil pads of different lengths. Invector chokes are included. The SLP Competition has a blue receiver and mag tube
Kel-Tec KSG 25: Kel-Tec has won the capacity war by super-charging its KSG bullpup from holding 13 2.75-inch shells to 25. When using Aguila Minishells, the capacity increases to an impressive 41 rounds, with 20 in each tube. The KSG 25 has a 30-inch barrel yet an overall length of only 38 inches because of its bullpup design. It comes with choke tube adapters and a heat shield above the barrel. The KSG 25 uses the same controls as the base model. A selector lever lets you choose which tube to feed the chamber from, allowing quick changeovers between buckshot and slugs and a neutral position for clearing the chamber without reloading. This shotgun is also ideal for left-handed shooters because of its ambidextrous controls and downward ejection.
Mossberg 590 Shockwave: Mossberg has introduced three ultra-compact shotguns that, despite having barrels shorter than 18 inches, are not otherwise configured to be classified as short-barreled shotguns requiring a $200 transfer tax. The guns are 12-gauge pump actions with tube magazines, 3-inch chambers and tang-mounted safeties for easy ambidextrous access. The 590 Shockwave has a 14-inch barrel and an overall length of 26.4 inches. It does not fall under the NFA or have special requirements for purchase, other than the buyer being 21. It holds 5+1 2¾-inch shells or 8+1 using 1¾-inch Aguila minishells and a shell adapter from sportaddefense.com or an Op-Sol mini clip, which attaches without gunsmithing to the receiver to enable proper cycling. The Shockwave has a bird’s-head-style pistol grip angled to help direct recoil away from the wrist and a forend strap to help with positive weapon retention, reliable action cycling and to prevent your hand from slipping forward, in front of the muzzle.
Mossberg 590A1: For folks who want something more compact, there are the 590A1 (pictured) and 500 Compact Cruiser (next photo) AOWs. AOW means “Any Other Weapon,” and though these guns have NFA restrictions, they carry a $5 tax rather than the $200 fee if they had shoulder stocks. Each has a folding forward grip, an ATI pistol grip with a recoil-absorbing rubber backstrap and a heavy-walled barrel. The 590A1 is 19 inches long, weighs 5.3 pounds and holds 3+1 shells. The Compact cruiser is 17 inches long, weighs 4.9 pounds and holds 2+1 shells.
Mossberg 500 Compact Cruiser
Nighthawk Overseer Model 1: Nighthawk Custom of Berryville, Arkansas, is well known in the gun world for building some of the finest custom 1911-style pistols on the market today. Nighthawk does not limit its expertise to just 1911s, however, and more recently has begun offering shotguns. These have been improved over the years, and the present Overseer series includes six models that share many features, but each is distinctive in its own way. All six shotguns are built on Remington Model 870 actions. Each shotgun is fitted with an 18-inch, cylinder-bore barrel and a red fiber-optic front sight that is protected by a rugged set of “ears.” Underneath the barrel you will find an extended magazine tube that increases the total capacity to 6+1 rounds of 12-gauge ammunition. The Model 1 features a Hogue overmolded stock and forearm and a black Cerakote finish. The Model 2 is similar except it has a Magpul SGA stock with five adaptor plates and a matching forearm. The Model 3 is identical to the Model 2, but its Magpul furniture sports a Shadow Tan Camo finish.
Nighthawk Overseer Model 2
Nighthawk Overseer Model 3
Nighthawk Overseer Model 4: The Model 4 comes standard with a 320-lumen SureFire Z2X LED flashlight, a barrel clamp with a sling swivel and a Picatinny rail, and a custom Shadow Urban Camo finish on the Magpul SGA stock and forend. The Model 5 is similar to the Model 2 except for its Battle Worn Silver Patriot finish. Finally, the Model 6 features a collapsible, M4-style stock, a Hogue pistol grip and a SureFire DSF-870 light.
Nighthawk Overseer Model 5
Nighthawk Overseer Model 6
Remington V3 Field Sport: Remington is now offering four V3 Field Sport variants in its lineup. While the Versa Max is Remington’s most advanced autoloading shotgun, mainly because of its self-regulating gas operating system, which requires no adjustment yet handles shell sizes and loads from 2¾ to 3½ inches, the V3 Field Sports have 3-inch chambers. The V3’s Versaport system has multiple gas ports in the chamber area that allow more or less gas into the system depending on the length of the shell. The V3 autoloaders are also light because the receivers are high-strength aluminum, not steel. Lockup is between the barrel and the rotating bolt, not the receiver. The V3 Field Sport comes with walnut furniture, black synthetic furniture or synthetic furniture with either Mossy Oak Break Up Country or Blades camo patterns.
Remington Model 870 Tac-14: Boasting a Shockwave Raptor pistol grip, a Magpul MLOK fore-end and a 14-inch cylinder bore barrel with a bead sight, the Remington Model 870 Tac-14 also features a receiver milled from solid steel, a black oxide finish and an overall length of 26.2 inches. Here’s the kicker: The 870 Tac-14 was built by Remington as a “firearm,” not a SBS or AOW. Therefore, it’s not governed by the National Firearms Act (NFA), meaning — you guessed it — no ATF NFA registration or tax stamp is required. However, state and local laws may apply here. Remington’s new Model 870 Tac-14 will be available at a suggested retail price of $443.05 and also comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
SRM Arms Model 1216: SRM Arms has one of the more unusual designs in a high-capacity semi-auto shotgun. The Model 1216 has been made for about four years and uses a delayed roller-locking mechanism to reduce perceived recoil. Design improvements have been made from the original, and it might be possible to upgrade older guns or swap for a new model. The Model 1216 is a 12-gauge and takes 2¾- or 3-inch loads and feeds from a 16-shot (12 shots for 3-inch shells) detachable rotary magazine mounted under the barrel. Each magazine has four tubes that each hold four 2¾-inch shells. That lets you have a high-capacity load without clumsy drums or magazines that extend too far below the action and interfere with some firing positions. You can manually change the position of the tubes with your support hand by unlocking a latch and rotating the magazine. This lets you quickly change between slugs, birdshot or buckshot to meet various tactical situations. SRM Arms also equips the barrel with a cylinder-bore barrel for shooting buckshot and slugs. Various colors and barrel options are available.
Standard Manufacturing will soon be shipping two semi-auto shotguns introduced this past year. The SKO (pictured) and SKO-BULL (the bullpup variant, next photo) have 18.5-inch barrels. They’re gas-operated semi-autos that feed from detachable box magazines that come in five-, nine- and 15-round versions. The SKO has an ambidextrous safety and a reversible charging handle with a grip and controls that strongly resemble those of an AR-15. Both have flip-up aperture sights.
Standard Manufacturing SKO-BULL
Standard Manufacturing DP-12: Standard’s DP-12, which debuted in early 2015, is now available in black, FDE or OD green. This twin-barrel, pump-action bullpup is unique in that it loads both barrels with one pump and fires two successive shots (one from each barrel) with two successive trigger pulls before you need to pump again.
UTAS XTR-12: UTAS is now shipping the XTR-12 semi-automatic 12 gauge that was announced at the 2016 SHOT Show. The XTR-12 is closely patterned after an AR, and UTSAS might offer a 7.62mm upper receiver in the future. This semi-auto is gas-piston operated and has controls like an AR, including an ambidextrous safety, charging handle, mag release and bolt catch. The action stays open after the last round is fired, and the upper and lower receivers are held together with a two-pin system. The 20-inch barrel is threaded for muzzle devices. Two 5-round magazines are included, and 10-round versions are available. The XTR-12 can handle 2¾- or 3-inch shells. The receivers are made from aluminum that has been hardcoat anodized black or Cerakoted.
UTAS UTS-15: For those who favor a pump-action bullpup, there’s the UTS-15. Made with a polymer receiver and stock, this shotgun has a capacity of 7+7+1 and feeds from two magazine tubes mounted above the barrel. This design aligns the 19.5-inch barrel more closely to the center line of the stock for less muzzle flip. Feeding can be set to alternate between tubes or set for one mag at a time for folks who want slugs in one tube and buckshot in the other. One of the best features, however, is how easy it is to access the chamber to clear a jam or inspect it. You can simply open the rear cover rather than remove the stock, as with a competitive design. The bullpup design of the UTS-15 makes the overall length only 28.3 inches for easy transport and stowage. It weighs 7.7 pounds.
Vantage Arms Six12: Three years ago, Crye Precision from Brooklyn, New York, introduced a concept 12-gauge bullpup shotgun that showed a lot of promise. However, the gun didn’t made back it to the SHOT Show until 2017, when it was displayed under a newly formed sister company of Crye: Vantage Arms. Now, according to Vantage, the Six12 is expected to become a reality, with orders being taken in Winter 2017 for delivery in Spring 2018. The Six 12 works like a double-action revolver holding six shells, but it also has a gas seal between the cylinder and the barrel. The cylinder can also be removed quickly for reloading, and several loaded cylinders can be carried in a belt holster. The Six12 is modular and can be configured as an under-barrel weapon for the M16, shoulder-fired, or used on its own as a short-barreled shotgun.
Winchester SXP Shadow Marine Defender: The SXP accepts 12- or 20-gauge shells up to 3 inches long and uses a strong three-lug rotating bolt system. The action bars, magazine tube and barrel are hard-chrome plated inside and out for corrosion resistance. The SXP has an easy-to-see, removable, green fiber-optic front sight, and the receiver is drilled and tapped for mounting red-dot optics. The stock also accommodates sights of various heights by using two different combs. Two spacers are also included so users can adjust the shotgun’s length of pull.
Winchester SX4: The SX4 is the fourth model improvement from the original design, with the goal of making a lighter, better-handling and more ergonomic shotgun. Improvements include a larger bolt handle, a bolt release button, an improved recoil pad and a slimmer pistol grip that fits left- and right-handed shooters better. Like its predecessor, the SX4 uses Invector Plus chokes and comes with a chrome-plated bore and chamber, a back-bored barrel for better patterning and an Active Valve self-regulating gas system that reliably cycles a wide range of light and heavy loads from 2¾-inch target to 3.5-inch hunting loads. Four models with 3- or 3.5-inch chambers are currently available.
Inland M37: For those who want a close-to-the-original reproduction of a classic U.S. martial arm, Inland Manufacturing is distributing a reproduction of the Ithaca M37 trench gun, which served in WWII through Vietnam. The M37 is made by the Ithaca Gun Company of Upper Sandusky, Ohio, which resurrected some of the original designs from the defunct Ithaca corporation in New York. Chambered for 12-gauge shells, the M37 follows the design of the original in most respects, including a receiver made from a solid steel billet with military markings. It has a heat shield, a bayonet mount, Parkerized metal and a walnut stock, and it feeds and ejects from the bottom.
There’s no shortage of new shotguns available in the marketplace.
On the hunting side, new designs emphasize lighter offerings and oversized controls for cold-weather operation while wearing gloves. On the home defense/tactical side, the focus continues to be on detachable-magazine shotguns that resemble AR-platform rifles cosmetically and functionally.
Some manufacturers are also releasing short-barreled NFA shotguns as a catalog item rather than a special order, as well as shotguns with barrels shorter than 18 inches that aren’t NFA firearms because they lack stocks and have overall lengths of 26 inches.
Here’s a look at 30 new shotguns that have captured our attention recently.
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For more information about the new shotguns featured in the gallery above, check out the following sites.
