Shotgun. The word conjures up images of raw power, the American stagecoach, and the movie hero conquering evil. Adaptable and efficient in hunting, fighting, sporting, and protection, there are not many tasks a good scattergun cannot handle. The shotgun’s versatility—whether for sending buckshot or lead slugs to destroy targets, putting food on the table, or enjoying a day of blasting clay pigeons—continues to secure its place in the ever-evolving world of firearms. Enter Ballistic’s Best Shotguns 2024!
My good friend Robert Jordan, who has been at the forefront of shotgun testing and evaluation, has now passed the torch to me for this article. To fulfill that responsibility, I have assembled a small group of shooters from various skill levels and backgrounds and brought them together. We gathered just west of Phoenix, Arizona at the new Range 21:31 to challenge this year’s best shotguns.
Ballistic’s Best Shotguns 2024
But first, allow me to introduce the evaluation team. Our group consisted of military, law enforcement, firearms trainers, and regular, everyday Americans. Robert Jordan joins our group bringing nearly thirty years of federal law enforcement experience as well a lifetime of testing, evaluating, and providing quality information to the end-user. Justin served 6 years in the 2nd Ranger battalion with a specialization in shotgun breaching; he is also a staff member at Range 21:31.
Adam is a young, novice American citizen interested in improving firearms knowledge and comes from growing up in a Second Amendment household. Halter is an 18-year law enforcement officer from a large city with street experience from patrol operations and less-lethal shotgun. Lastly, me, the humble author, with 19 years of law enforcement experience from patrol operations, undercover narcotics, street crimes, apprehensions, firearms instruction, and the owner of STSGROUPAZ, which focuses on training responsibly armed Americans develop and improve their personal defense skills.
I would like to thank Federal Ammunition for providing the fuel for the shotguns. Our evaluation team was able to shoot cases of defensive buckshot, slugs and birdshot. As expected, the ammo performed flawlessly. This is no surprise coming from an ammunition company that has spent over a 100 years in their craft. In my law enforcement career, and in my personal guns, I have trusted Federal ammunition. “No one would fear the gun if not for the bullet.”
The Evaluation Process
A gun that is not able to perform to the user’s demands when needed is not worth any more than an expensive paperweight. Choosing a gun to put into use for home defense, personal protection, law-enforcement operations, hunting or sporting events is an important decision. We look at several factors when making an evaluation:
Looks: Is it cool? This factor weighs lightly on the scale, but if putting in the work, looking good while handling business brings its own merits.
Ergonomics: Does the gun feel natural in the hand, and is it easy to shoulder? Everyone’s body is built differently, so there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Being able to get behind the sights quickly and naturally allows the shooter to perform to their skill level without struggling just to hold the gun.
Ease of Controls: This is an important factor in the evaluation process. Is the gun easy to load and make ready? Can you clear malfunctions relatively easily? Is the design centered around the shooter? A shotgun that requires significant effort to load, make ready, or recover from a malfunction is not one we would choose to rely on.
Trigger: Can the gun “sing”? Is the trigger smooth, crisp, and fast?
Shootability
Shootability: Is the gun enjoyable to shoot? Can you put in the time to improve your skill without becoming fatigued from handling the gun? Can you move the gun quickly and efficiently between targets?
One of our signature tests during our evaluations is the mag dump. It takes a fast trigger finger to outrun the cycle rate of a semi-auto shotgun. Why do we do this test? Is it a realistic expectation to have to dump eight shotgun rounds in less than a second? No, but testing is to find out where limits lie and to support operational expectations. It is important to trust your equipment, especially when they are used to protect life. Not being able to outrun a trigger is just an indication that the operating system can run as fast and reliably as you could need it to.
The shotguns were put to the test at Range 21:31 where steel targets were set up for the evaluators to shoot out to 50 yards. The range had a covered preparation area with tables, which made setting-up, group discussions, and take down easy.
The Shotguns
Beretta 1301 Tactical Mod 2 Chisel Stock: This year features some very well-thought out features that enhance the performance of the shotgun at an MSRP of $2,279. The Beretta 1301 Tactical Mod 2 Chisel Stock features a 7+1 capacity and can eat anything you feed it with the blazing fast and reliable B-Link gas operating system. Beretta updated the forend with aggressive texturing and M-Lok slots at the 3, 6, 9 o’clock positions at the end. These slots complement the M-Lok and sling mounts located on the barrel clamp. A feature that everyone agreed was a huge benefit for the shooter is the updated lifter which Beretta is calling the Pro-Lifter. The lifter is out of the way when the bolt is forward to allow unhindered access to load the magazine tube. No chance of pinched thumbs.
Beretta 1301 Tactical Mod 2 Chisel Stock Features
Beretta also updated to a semi-flat trigger with a shorter, crisp reset that is blindingly fast. We were able to get .12-sec splits shooting 00 buckshot! Indeed, the trigger with the B-Link is why the Beretta 1301 continues to be a reliably fast shooting shotgun. Our Beretta model came from the factory with a Chisel fixed stock. This stock is made by Chisel for the Beretta shotgun platform. It features a billet-aluminum construction with adjustments for length of pull, cheek weld, and recoil pad height. The stock features six potential QD sling attachment points that utilize a GroveTec QD cup as well as an AR-style compatible pistol grip. The pistol grip included a rubber texture that was comfortable.
It is 2024 and the ability to mount reliable optics on weapon systems is becoming standard. The Chisel stock includes an RMR-pattern optic mount, which sits behind the stock ghost ring sights. While the stock might not be everyone’s choice and some shooters don’t like a pistol grip, the Beretta 1301 Tactical Mod 2 Chisel Stock performed very well. As one evaluator commented, the 1301 is a “Cadillac.”
Benelli ETHOS A.I. Cordoba
This shotgun was well liked by all the evaluators and comes with some high-end performance upgrades at an MSRP of $2,549. The Benelli ETHOS A.I. Cordoba features Benelli’s world renowned performance and quality along with some great upgrades, enhanced ergonomics, and attractive contours. The barrel features an external choke system that makes swapping easy and tool-less. The shotgun features the BE.S.T. finish. The Benelli Surface Treatment is a proprietary finish that uses hybrid PVD and PECVD technologies to provide superior abrasion and corrosion resistance. It should be noted that not just the barrel receives the BE.S.T. treatment, but also the trigger, bolt, choke, safety, and trigger pin all get the BE.S.T. Not only is this new coating technology useful, it also looks very nice.
The Benelli features a 4+1 capacity and functions reliably and smoothly. Helping to tame the recoil and mitigate muzzle movement, the barrel is ported and includes Benelli’s A.I. technology: Advanced Impact, which is Benelli’s patented barrel and choke system to increase the effectiveness of the round. In order to take full advantage of muzzle flip mitigation of the A.I. barrel technology, the Benelli ETHOS Cordoba features a slick two-pin carbon-fiber rib with a fiber-optic front and mid-point pin for confirming the sights are right on target.
Benelli ETHOS Features
Our test model also included some very nice Briley upgrades to maximize the performance features of the Benelli: a weighted magazine cap, extended charging handle, and bolt release.
The Benelli ETHOS Cordoba also has a unique feature on the handguard. Benelli calls it Shell View: ports cut in the bottom of the handguard with a window to see remaining shells in the magazine tube. This may be a feature sporting shooters find useful, the consensus among tactical shooters was that none of them used it. However, every shooter appreciated the beveled loading port.
Comfortable and easy to mount to the shoulder, the Benelli is natural in the hands and points like it is guided by artificial intelligence. As a nice bonus feature the ETHOS Cordoba comes disassembled in a nice hard case that is neatly organized. The Benelli and Beretta top out the price range of the firearms we tested.
Weatherby SORIX Storm
Weatherby has joined the chat. The new SORIX semi-auto line packs a lot of value in a $1,499 MSRP. Our test model came in the STORM camo pattern, which is a sleek-looking gray brushed theme. The Weatherby SORIX uses Weatherby’s proven inertia reloading system for rugged reliability. The rotating bolt helps with reliability and the entire system was comfortable to shoot with zero reliability issues. The SORIX features a fiber-optic front sight sitting on a nice barrel rib, an oversized bolt release, and a sleek design for the lifter. The shell lifter has an angle at the front edge to prevent thumb bite during loading to the 4+1 capacity.
The SORIX also features the SHIFT system, allowing the oversized charging handle and safety to swap for left-handed shooters. The Weatherby SORIX includes a receiver drilled and tapped for optics. The SORIX utilizes CRIO chokes so the shooter can tune his shot pattern to meet his needs. When it comes to keeping the shotgun running, the trigger and inertia system cycled reliably and quickly. The oversized loading port, enlarged trigger guard, and modified lifter make loading and keeping the shotgun running no problem, even when gloved up. The comfortable stock enables length of pull adjustment with included shims. Our evaluators preferred this shotgun for the features included at the price point. Fun fact: SORIX shotgun production takes place in Italy; but Weatherby hand paints them in Wyoming.
Tristar Matrix
Tristar Matrix: Unfortunately, I cannot tell you what the Matrix is; it is something you have to see. At a $499 MSRP, it is visible within most budgets. The Tristar Matrix is a semi-auto shotgun with a 4+1 capacity that offers exactly what you need at an entry level price point. The fiber-optic front sight is bright and crisp, helping you stay on target while running the inertia driven system. An oversized charging handle and an enlarged circular bolt release make charging the shotgun for action effortless. Perfect for hunting and sport shooting, the Matrix includes three Beretta Mobil chokes.
The Matrix scored consistently in the middle of the board with our evaluators. The Matrix ate what we fed it without issues. It shoulders nicely and points well. The stock and forend are synthetic material and offer the type of comfort you would expect for the money. Our testing did not include longevity, but like any machine regular preventative maintenance will probably ensure the shotgun lasts for many seasons of use. If fancy looks and tons of aftermarket upgrades are not on your list of necessities for a semi-auto then the Matrix is ready to respond to your call at about ¼ the price or less of the other semi-autos evaluated.
Stevens 320 Security Pistol Grip
The Stevens 320 Security Pistol Grip features 18.5 inches of smooth reliability in this FDE dressed pump-action shotgun. At an MSRP of $249, you will have plenty of budget leftover for ammo and training. Every single evaluator found the Stevens 320 Security an incredible value for the price. The 320 Security has a five-round magazine tube, dual action bars, a rotary bolt design, heatshield, and a comfortable pistol grip. The action proved smooth, encountering no malfunctions.
The 320 recoils the way you’d expect from a pump, but it was manageable and the ghost ring sights with green fiber-optic front helped with driving the shotgun from target to target. The 320 Security offers a barrel heat shield and a barrel clamp Picatinny rail. There is an optics rail on top of the receiver. The 320 Security was favored by one of our evaluators who described it as: “Feels great, loads smooth, definitely fun.” The Stevens 320 Security is as much at home defending your loved ones as it would be in the field.
Conclusion & Results
The Arizona morning weather was uncharacteristically cool the morning of our testing (the prior week was triple digits of ‘dry heat’). The ground was littered with spent shotgun shells, shoulders will be sore, and good memories made. We cleaned up like every responsible shooter should do, made sure evaluations were completed, gathered around the shotguns and shared our thoughts and impressions for the great selection of guns we tested. The discussions were lengthy and meaningful. Opinions were backed by experiences and preferences. While a clear winner was evident, there was a lot of discussion around justifying higher end performance machines versus an everyday commuter.
All of our evaluators saw the need for certain upgrades: accessory rail options, optics compatibility, aggressive ergonomics, and intuitiveness of controls. Yet, every evaluator agreed that not every shooter needs certain upgrades. The consensus was it depends on the shooter’s skill level and task requirements. Not every shooter can squeeze .12-second splits out of a semi-auto shotgun, but are .12-second splits really that important? That, my fellow shooters, depends on what you plan on doing with the shotgun. For this humble author, I take comfort in knowing that the shotgun can keep up with anything I am capable of asking of it. Confidence is an important component of shooting well. Both confidence in your skill sets and confidence in the performance capability of your weapon system.
Winner: Beretta 1301 Tactical Mod 2 Chisel Stock
Our winner this year was the Beretta 1301 Tactical Mod 2 Chisel Stock. A shotgun capable of reliably cycling defensive rounds at around .12-second splits is a testament to the fortitude of the design. The feature enhancements really bring the Beretta to the top of the tactical shotgun world. Easy to load, easy to get into action, easy to keep in action. Not to mention fast and accurate. Just add an optic, light, sling and there is no task the Beretta cannot step up to confidently. Each iteration of the 1301 I have had the privilege to shoot has really impressed me, and this year’s package did not disappoint. If you need the best, I recommend the Beretta 1301 Tactical Mod 2.
This year’s runner up was fiercely contested among our group between the Benelli ETHOS A.I. Cordoba and the Weatherby SORIX Storm. Both performed solidly and both are very similar. The Benelli has more feature rich upgrades included for the shooter, which is reflected in the price. The Weatherby SORIX comes in at about a grand less. For a shooter who wants a higher end quality semi-auto, but may not need the advanced customization options of the Benelli, this gun fits the bill.
More Top Performers
A shooter who has the experience to know exactly the level of performance they need might be better served going for the Benelli. The Weatherby SORIX, as it comes from the factory, fits the requirements of the majority of hunters and sport shooters at a price point that not only reflects the capability, but the quality. In the end, the Weatherby SORIX was chosen by our evaluators as the runner up because it was significantly less expensive than the Benelli.
As we do every year, besides our top two contenders we choose a Best Bang for the Buck, and this year it was the pump-action participant: the Stevens 320 Security Pistol Grip with ghost ring sights. For the low MSRP and the smooth performance, it was hard not to appreciate how many new shooters can get into shotgunning basics and still have money for ammo and training. My group this year was full of shooters with years of tactical experience and the perspective of a novice. We all agree that training is important. As Jeff Cooper stated, “…owning a gun does not make you a gunfighter any more than owning a guitar makes you a musician.” Get training, buy a quality gun that fits your needs and enjoy the American heritage of the Second Amendment.
It was an honor and a ton of fun bringing this team together and evaluating the shotguns for you. Do good. Train often. Be humble. Can’t wait for next year!
READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS
For our 2024 Ballistic’s Best, our experts evaluated over 90 firearms, firing literally thousands of rounds downrange. They used our scoring system, drilling down on features such as accuracy, reliability, and more. Then the experts picked the very best performer from each and every group.
Our readers, that’s you, get to vote on the very same groups our pros tested out on the range.
Check out our poll and CLICK HERE to cast your vote.
Ballistic’s Best Shotguns Test Scoring
Shotgun Specs
