Shotguns Listings

12 gauge is the most popular shotgun gauge in the world — it offers the widest selection of ammunition, the most choke options, and the highest versatility across hunting and defensive applications. 20 gauge is lighter, produces less recoil, and is excellent for youth shooters, upland bird hunters, and those who find 12 gauge recoil uncomfortable — modern 20 gauge loads are highly effective for most hunting applications. .410 bore is the smallest common gauge and is best suited for experienced clay target shooters or small game hunting; it is not recommended as a first shotgun due to its small shot payload and demanding pattern at range.

Pump-action shotguns (Mossberg 500, Remington 870) are mechanically simple, highly reliable, and affordable — they are the most recommended platform for home defense and hunting on a budget. Semi-automatic shotguns cycle with gas or recoil operation, reducing felt recoil and allowing faster follow-up shots — popular for waterfowl, turkey, and sporting clays. Break-action shotguns (single-shot or side-by-side / over-under) are the simplest of all and dominate the clay target sports (trap, skeet, sporting clays) where two shots are the maximum anyway. Over-under shotguns are the choice of competitive clay shooters.

For home defense, an 18–20" barrel pump-action in 12 gauge loaded with #00 buckshot is one of the most effective defensive platforms available. For deer hunting in Pennsylvania (where slugs are required in many counties), a rifled barrel or rifled choke tube is recommended for sabot slugs to maximize accuracy. Waterfowl hunters need non-toxic shot (steel, bismuth, tungsten) due to federal regulations. Upland bird hunters typically choose improved cylinder or modified choke with #5–#7½ lead shot. Clay target shooters use modified, improved modified, or full choke depending on the discipline and distance.

A choke tube restricts the muzzle end of the barrel to control how the shot pattern spreads at distance. Cylinder (no restriction) gives the widest pattern for close shots. Improved Cylinder is popular for upland birds and home defense. Modified is the all-around choice for medium ranges. Improved Modified and Full choke are used for longer range hunting (turkey, waterfowl) and trap shooting. Most modern shotguns use interchangeable screw-in choke tubes so you can switch between patterns. Never shoot steel shot through a Full choke — always use a choke rated for steel or non-toxic shot.

Consider what you will use the shotgun for most — if it's multipurpose, a pump-action with a selection of choke tubes covers the most ground. Fit matters significantly in shotguns: length of pull, drop at comb, and cast affect how naturally the gun mounts to your face and how accurately you shoot. Youth and women's models with shorter stocks are worth considering for smaller-framed shooters. Barrel length is primarily a handling preference — shorter barrels (18–22") are more maneuverable, longer barrels (26–30") provide a longer sighting plane preferred by clay target shooters.