The semi-automatic shotgun is the workhorse of American bird hunting and a favorite for home defense. 2026 brought a strong group of new models across every price point. Prices and specs below come from American Rifleman and American Hunter.
For the duck blind
Beretta AX800 Suprema ($2,499). A 12-gauge, 3.5-inch gas gun built on Beretta’s B-LINK Pro gas system with Steelium Pro barrels and a Kick-Off Pro recoil-reducing stock. It is offered in camo finishes and multiple barrel lengths, and American Hunter notes an integrated optic mount.
Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 A.I. 20 gauge ($2,849). A 3.5-inch magnum 20 gauge. That chambering, paired with modern dense shot, makes a 20 gauge far more capable on ducks than it used to be.
Browning A5 20 Gauge Camo ($2,279). A lightweight, slim 20-gauge version of the recoil-operated A5, with a back-bored barrel and Invector-DS chokes.
For upland and the field
Benelli Montefeltro Silver Featherweight ($2,299). A trim inertia-driven 12 gauge with a 28-inch barrel and AA-grade walnut, built to carry all day behind a dog.
For home defense
Benelli M4 EXT ($2,599). The famous M4 tactical shotgun with an extended magazine for seven rounds, a five-position adjustable stock, enlarged bolt release, Picatinny rail and QD sling mount.
Mossberg 990 SPX Magpul ($1,309). A defensive 990 with a Magpul SGA stock, ghost-ring and fiber-optic sights and an optic-ready receiver. Mossberg also offers a version with a 14.75-inch barrel, which is an NFA short-barreled shotgun under federal law. Check your state law before you consider one.
For the budget-minded
Mossberg Maverick SA ($693). A gas-operated, five-round 12 gauge with walnut or synthetic stocks and adjustable length of pull. A reliable semi-auto under $700 is great news for new hunters.
Gas or inertia?
- Gas-operated shotguns, like the Beretta AX800 and Mossberg 990, use propellant gas to cycle. They usually feel softer to shoot but need more regular cleaning.
- Inertia-driven shotguns, like Benelli’s line, use recoil energy and stay cleaner, but they can feel sharper to shoot and may need heavier loads to cycle reliably.
How to choose
Pick the gun for its main job. A waterfowler needs 3- or 3.5-inch capability, corrosion resistance and camo. An upland hunter needs light weight and good balance. A home-defense gun needs a light, good sights and dead-simple controls. Shoulder several before you buy; fit matters more with a shotgun than almost any other firearm.
