American Tactical
I can’t say, in this day and age, that a coach gun is the most practical gun — unless you are riding ‘shotgun’ on a stagecoach. However, it’s hard to find a more iconic gun that will put a smile on your face every time you take it out of the safe or let some buckshot fly at the range. American Tactical’s Road Agent is chambered in 12 or 20 gauge with carbon-steel barrels. The new Road Agent shotguns have decocking hammers, double triggers, and 3-inch chambers. Both additions to the line feature aluminum receivers with ornate engraving.
The 18.5-inch model is decked with a black finish and walnut furniture. The Prime features a 26-inch carbon-steel barrel with a nickel-tone aluminum finish and premium walnut furniture for a few dollars more.
Benelli
If you are a sporting shotgunner, the fact that Benelli is a technology innovator is not lost on you. However, Benelli shotguns go way beyond giving wildfowl nightmares. The Benelli M4 Tactical has served well in recent foreign wars.
For 2024 Benelli is bringing out it Advanced Impact barrel system that is available in the Benelli Performance Shop Ethos line of semi-auto shotguns. The Advanced Impact technology is based on the new ballistic contours within the barrel bore that are complimented by Benelli’s new Advanced Impact CRIO choke tubes. Together, the system boosts downrange shot-column energy and velocity, yielding up to 50 percent deeper penetration (compared to existing barrel technology).
Browning
When I think of shotguns, there is a special place in my heart for walnut and blued steel. For 2024, Browning is delivering A5 chambered in 20 gauge. Notable features include a gloss-finish Turkish walnut stock that is shim-adjustable for length of pull, cast, and drop for the fit and feel that makes shotgunning fun.
The gloss black, anodized receiver finish, three Invector-DS choke tubes, Inflex II recoil pad, and a fiber-optic front sight round out to highlights of the new A5. Not enough? How about Browning’s Speed Load Plus, a feed system that lands the magazine’s first shell directly into the chamber, as well as the A5’s famous Kinetic Drive system that results in consistent, reliable function with most any load or weather condition.
Franchi
If busting clay birds and wing shooting is a game you’re looking to play, Franchi’s Affinity 3 Sport-Trap model is for you. Developed as an entry-level shotgun for competitive sport and trap shooting, the Affinity 3 Sport-Trap hosts Franchi’s Evolved Ergonom-X stock system.
The right fit is the difference in success or failure for any shotgun shooter, which is accentuated for ensuring success in a new shooter. That’s why Franchi’s Evolved Ergonom-X stock system includes adjustable drop, cast, and length of pull along with a 30-inch, 12-gauge barrel that’s ready to accept 3-inch shells. Other notable features include barrel porting for reduced muzzle flip, and oversized bolt controls with a beveled loading port for easy operation when the pressure is on!
Charles Daly
The Charles Daly CD Defense Hydra 902 Bullpup/AR combo shotgun has tactical shotgunners on the edge of their seats with anticipation. The CD Defense Hydra 902 features a shotgun upper chambered for 3-inch 12-gauge shells and attaches to interchangeable lowers, which is the best part. You can run the upper as an AR shotgun or in a shorter, more maneuverable bullpup configuration!
The barrel tapes out at 18.7 inches with an aluminum barrel shroud sporting a top and bottom Picatinny rail. This makes adding your favorite, optics, lights, lasers, or any other gear quick and easy — the angled foregrip comes standard.
The Hydra 902 features Beretta/Benelli Mobil choke threads and includes three choke tubes (IC, M, F). Both lowers are equipped with an adjustable comb and a generous rubber recoil pad. The Hydra also comes standard with adjustable, flip-up sights, and two 5-round magazines.
Mossberg
Ben Franklin wanted the wild turkey to be the national bird. Its head is red, white, and blue, the birds are tough, and anyone who has tried to outsmart one in the field will tell you that they are no dummy! So, when you do get a shot, you must make it count.
Mossberg shotguns certainly account for as many, if not more great shots, than any other shotgun this world has ever seen. For 2024, Mossberg has introduced four new shotgun combinations for just about any kind of hunting tactical work you can think up.
The new turkey/optic-ready combos are offered in your choice of 12, 20, or .410, with an optics-ready design. The new turkey guns are not just ‘optics ready.’ They were engineered with receiver cuts that use a low-profile mounting of Shield RMSc-pattern sights. This makes for a better cheek weld and easier aim. Out of the box, your shotgun will be outfitted with a Holosun HS407K micro dot sight.
Model 500 versions are offered in .410 bore and 20 gauge. The stock on the Super Bantam uses one-inch spacers to extend length of pull from 12 to 13 inches.
The 835 Ulti-Mag is available in 12 gauge. The 835 Ulti-Mag also features an ‘overbored’ barrel designed to reduce pellet deformation and help create uniform, dense patterns.
The 940 Pro Waterfowl Optic Ready model features a 12-gauge chamber that accepts 3-inch shells. The autoloader features a 28-inch AccuChoke-compatible vent-rib barrel topped with a HiViz CompSight front fiber-optic. An extended X-Factor Modified choke tube and flush — Full and Improved Cylinder — chokes come standard.
You won’t have to worry about inclement weather in the field, your metal surfaces are decked with a weather-resistant Cerakote finish sporting Patriot Brown. The remaining furniture blends well thanks to Mossy Oak’s Vintage Shadowgrass.
As if that was not enough, the 940 Pro Waterfowl wears Mossberg’s grippy textures on the forend and stock. Other notable features include sling swivel studs, a 5-round capacity, optic-cut receiver that is also drilled and tapped, and an ambidextrous safety to satisfy the south paw shooters.
Mossberg’s 940 Snow Goose Optic Ready is available in two versions. The first one offers a 13-shot capacity (Anyone else thinking late season snow geese?). The second model has a standard 5-shot capacity. Both models have 28-inch barrels and accept 3-inch shells. The vent-rib barrel acts like a runway for your eye and extends to the HiViz CompSight front fiber-optic sight.
Mossberg’s 940 Snow Goose comes equipped with an extended X-Factor Modified and flush-fit Full and Improved Cylinder choke tubes. The receiver and barrel wear a Battleship Gray Cerakote finish, while the furniture sports TrueTimber Viper Snow camouflage. The 940 Snow Goose has a top-mounted safety for left- or right-handed shooters.
Retay Arms
Retay Arms is not exactly a household name in the U.S., but it’s gaining followers. Manufactured in Turkey, Retay’s new Gordion Compact is a sweet little 20-gauge semi-auto ‘modular’ shotgun.
The Gordion Compact is available with a 24- or 26-inch barrel. The frame is full size. However, it is shipped with a shortened stock that includes an adjustable length of pull. Adjustments are simple and require little more than a screwdriver to adjust the shims. Length of pull ranges from 12.5 to 13.5 inches.
Turkish shotguns are chock full of quality components. You won’t find any plastic components in the Gordion Compact’s receiver, trigger, or trigger guard. The shotgun is outfitted with Retay Arms’ Inertia Plus bolt system that prevents out-of-battery malfunctions. The Gordion is offered in seven finishes — including camo patterns.
Savage Arms — Stevens
Hunters can rejoice, because the Stevens 560 line features semi-auto scatterguns built by and built for hunters. The line includes full- and compact models — all chambered in 12 gauge. Barrel lengths are 26 or 28 inches. Three chokes are included.
The barrel is hard chrome-lined. Other notable features include a lightweight aluminum-alloy receiver, oversized controls, and a raised ventilated rib with mid-bead rear and fiber-optic front sight.
Stevens 555
Hey! We all have a favorite, and the 555 certainly ran among the top bird busters at the range. The Stevens 555 is light and handled fast, thanks to a lightweight aluminum receiver. It is also loaded with features, including a stylish Turkish walnut stock and chrome-lined, 28-inch carbon steel barrels. Other notable features include a tang-mounted safety, single selective mechanical trigger, and manual extractors. The 555 come with Full, Improved Modified, Modified, Improved Cylinder, and Cylinder choke tubes.
What has been your favorite shotgun at SHOT Show? Share your thoughts in the Comment section.
