January 24, 2024
By Jace Bauserman
From fast-cycling semi-autos to over/unders to stylish side-by-sides and new clay dusters, 2024's shotgun offerings will create a buzz. Give this a read and find a new in-the-field companion to meet your shotgunning needs.
Browning A5 Hunter 20 Gauge A tried-and-true waterfowl and upland wrecker, Browning offers its ultra-popular A5 in a 20-gauge model for 2024. Whether you're chasing fast-flushing quail, teal on open water, or wanting to puff some clays, this gloss Turkish walnut stock with a vertical grip shooter will meet your needs. Shim adjustment for length of pull, cast, and drop allows for customization, and the Humpback receiver is gloss black and anodized for rust prevention. The Inflex II Recoil Pad soaks up what little recoil this ribbed-barrel shooter produces. The A5 Hunter 20 Gauge has three (F, M, IC) choke tubes, which provide excellent patterns and put more pellets on target, a fiber-optic front sight, and an ivory mid-bead.
Benelli 828U Steel Field Benelli's 828U series is well-established in shotgun lore. For 2024, Benelli further sweetens the 828U pot by adding the 828U Steel Field. The stylish steel receiver treated with a sweet-looking brushed gray finish is plush, and Benelli notes the shotgun's balance and general feel allow for a smoother swing on fast-moving clays and upland birds. Benelli's patented steel locking system reduces wear and tear on the receiver and hinge, and a barrel-contained ejector system and top lever trigger rest mean top-end reliability and flawless performance. Perfect Fit Technology provides up to 40 points of drop and cast adjustability for an optimal fit, and the AA-grade walnut makes this shotgun an instant classic. The 828U Steel Field is offered in 12- and 20-gauge with 2 ¾- and 3-inch chambers. Available barrel lengths for 12-gauge models are 26, 28, and 30 inches, while the 20-gauge comes with 26- or 28-inch barrels. Each model includes extended chrome Crio® choke tubes in C, IC, M, IM, and F; a fiber-optic front sight with a red insert; a stepped-rib barrel and a custom-fitted hard case.
Franchi Affinity 3 Sport-Trap Franchi's shiny new penny is the Affinity 3 Sport-Trap, a solid choice for any person looking to get into shooting sports. Chambered in 3-inch 12-gauge, the semi-auto has a long 30-inch barrel with a stepped vent rib and a single bead. The black polymer Evolved Ergonom-X stock system is bulletproof, and the length of pull, drop, and cast are all adjustable. The shotgun's configuration should help new and novice clay busters achieve rapid alignment and excellent head positioning. Barrel porting reduces muzzle flip to ensure quick and accurate follow-up shots, and Franchi's TSA recoil pad will soak up recoil like a sponge.
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Stoeger M3500 Predator/Turkey For 2024, Stoeger lovers get the hard-hitting, no-fail performance of Stoeger's M3500 semi-auto series in an all-new M3500 Predator/Turkey. Dawning a vented rib 24-inch barrel with a high-visibility red-bar front sight, this 3-1/2-inch chambered 12-gauge killer will surely be a nightmare for toms and song dogs. The receiver is drilled and tapped for optic mounting, and Stoeger's SteadyGrip stock system with a vertical pistol grip ensures optimal hand placement and comfort. The thick recoil pad blends with the ported barrel to mitigate felt recoil when shooting the heavy magnum loads required for turkey and toothy predators. Cloaked in Mossy Oak Overwatch camo, the shotgun comes with integrated sling swivel studs and a robust and silent paracord sling.
A shotgun with a classic look is tough to beat, and Weatherby's Orion SxS is as classic as they come. A true side-by-side, the SxS features a straight English stock, splinter forend, and an oversized trigger housing with a duo of triggers inside — one for each barrel. The SxS is available in 12- and 20-gauge and a .410 bore and is ready to smash fast-flushing upland birds and clays. A swamp rib and brass bead ensure a clear, clean-sight picture, and five extended choke tubes give the shooter plenty of options. Another winning feature of the shotgun is the extractors that ensure spent hulls end up in your shell bag, not on the ground. All Orion SxS models measure 46 inches long, have barrel lengths of 28 inches, and are chambered for shotshells up to 3 inches in length.
Mossberg 940 Pro Waterfowl & 940 Pro Snow Goose Optic Ready Trusted names in the world of waterfowl, Mossberg's 940 Pro Snow Goose and 940 Pro Waterfowl have earned a durable, no-fail reputation that hunters across the globe trust. For 2024, these high-performance 12-gauge shotguns are available with an optic-ready receiver engineered to accept the direct mounting of micro-dot (RMSc-pattern) optics. The 940 Pro Waterfowl also received a stock and forend facelift and is available in Mossy Oak's Shadow Grass pattern. The 940 Snow Goose Optic Ready is available in models that hold five and 13 rounds. Both shotguns have 3-inch chambers and 28-inch barrels, and the vent-rib barrel is topped with a HIVIZ CompSight front fiber optic. The 940 Pro Waterfowl Optic Ready features texturing on the forend and stock, sling swivel studs, an optic-cut receiver, a drilled and tapped receiver, and extended X-Factor chokes in Modified, Full, and Improved Cylinder.
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$1246: Pro Waterfowl Optic Ready; $1,323: 940 Snow Goose Optic Ready | mossberg.com Mossberg Silver Reserve Waterfowl O/U Balanced and beautiful, O/U shotguns make excellent waterfowl rigs, and Mossberg's Silver Reserve Waterfowl O/U takes performance to new levels with its 3.5-inch chambers, shell extractors, chrome-lined barrels, and bores. The synthetic stock and forend will withstand Mother Nature's worst moods. The weather-resistant Cerakote finished receiver, and barrels in Patriot Brown give the shotgun a stunning look while providing maximum protection. The stock features a 14-inch length of pull, and the 28-inch ribbed barrel and choke choices of Cylinder, Improved Cylinder, Modified, Improved Modified, and Full mean this 7.25-pound shotgun is ready for any waterfowling adventure.
Retay Gordion Compact 20 Gauge Engineered to fit smaller framed shooters, Retay's Gordion Compact 20 Guage is ready for the field. A semi-auto shotgun that promises reliability, a shorter length of pull, and a smooth, fast action, this 20 gauge is challenging to ignore. Built on a full-sized 20-gauge frame, the synthetic stock measures 12.5 inches and barrel offerings are 24 and 26 inches. The InertiaPlus system features a deep-bore drilled barrel with a factory-lengthened forcing cone and interchangeable chokes to provide undeniable reliability. Retay's Gordion Compact 20 Gauge is available in Black, Realtree,and Mossy Oak camo patterns.
