It’s hard to match the power of a defensive shotgun when it comes to most armed encounters, which is why it’s still a favorite for protecting what’s near and dear to you. Here’s what’s new in scatterguns for 2025.
SHOTGUNS
Benelli | Nova 3 922r Tactical
Bringing renowned Benelli reliability to an affordable home-defense pump shotgun, the new Nova 3 Tactical offers everything you need for a rock-solid option with which to defend home and hearth.
▶Black and Multicam black finish available
▶Ghost-ring rear sight
▶M-Lok attachment points on handguard
▶Ergo-Evolved Diamond grip texturing
Specifications
Gauge: 12; 3-inch chamber
Magazine Capacity: 7 rounds
Barrel Length: 18.5 inches
Overall Length: 40.25 inches
Weight: 6 pounds, 2 ounces
MSRP: $749
(800) 264-4962 benelliusa.com
Century Arms | Centurion A4
With a hybrid gas- and inertia-operated semi-automatic action, the Centurion A4 promises to be extra-reliable. Designed for defensive use, it sports many useful features for a home-defense semi-auto scattergun, and is available with an olive drab-finished barreled action.
▶Ghost-ring sights
▶Optics rail
▶Synthetic stock with cushioned buttpad
▶Cerakote finish
Specifications
Gauge: 12; 3-inch chamber
Magazine Capacity: 5 rounds
Barrel Length: 20 inches
Overall Length: 41.7 inches
Weight: 7 pounds, 11 ounces
MSRP: $359.99
(561) 908-7993 centuryarms.com
GForce Arms | 12Hammer
Styled to match your favorite large-frame AR rifle, the 12 Hammer brings that same modularity to an affordable, removable-box-magazine-fed 12-gauge shotgun that comes with five choke tubes.
▶Flip-up sights
▶Monobloc synthetic stock
▶Benelli-Mobil choke compatible
▶M-Lok slots on fore-end
Specifications
Gauge: 12; 3-inch chamber
Magazine Capacity: 5 rounds
Barrel Length: 18.5 inches
Overall Length: 48.2 inches
Weight: 8 pounds, 6 ounces
MSRP: $329
(833) 343-6723 gforcearms.com
Hatsan | Escort BullTac Shotgun
This bullpup pump-action shotgun makes a compact arm for close quarters. The BullTac can also be had with a 20-inch barrel and in 20 gauge or .410 bore.
▶Picatinny rail integrated into carry handle
▶Carry-handle-integrated sights
▶Manual trigger safety
▶Detachable-box magazine
Specifications
Gauge: 12; 3-inch chamber
Magazine Capacity: 5 rounds
Barrel Length: 18 inches
Overall Length: 26.5 inches
Weight: 6 pounds, 10 ounces
MSRP: $399.99
(877) 278-4448 hatsanusa.com
Heritage | Coachwhip
Harken back to the age of highwaymen with this purpose-built coach gun. The break-action side-by-side sports a gorgeous wood stock, case-hardened frame, dual exposed hammers and double triggers, making it appropriate for both cosplaying as a cowboy and defending your home.
▶Turkish walnut stock
▶Color-case-hardened frame
▶Tang-mounted safety
▶Dual triggers
Specifications
Gauge: 12; 3-inch chambers
Capacity: 2 rounds
Barrel Length: 18.5 inches
Overall Length: 35.43 inches
Weight: 6 pounds, 12 ounces
MSRP: $984.99
(229) 210-2666 heritagemfg.com
Mossberg | 590M Standoff
Fed from a 10-round, double-stack magazine, the compact 590M Standoff features a heavy-walled standoff barrel that enables the gun to be fired while in contact with the target, especially useful in defeating door locks and hinges or in close quarters. Moreover, 5-, 15- and 20-round magazines are available as accessories.
▶Standoff barrel
▶Birdshead grip
▶Tang-mounted safety
▶Forward hand stop
Specifications
Gauge: 12; 2¾-inch chamber
Magazine Capacity: 10 rounds
Barrel Length: 14.375 inches
Overall Length: 27 inches
Weight: 6 pounds, 5 ounces
MSRP: $1,050
(800) 363-3555 mossberg.com
Mossberg | 590R
One of the company’s newest shotguns, the tubular-magazine-fed 590R incorporates a rotary safety selector, and the ergonomics of the pistol grip platform have been improved. Versions are offered with either an AccuChoke barrel or a cylinder-bore standoff barrel.
▶Cushioned buttstock
▶Magpul MOE pistol grip
▶Flat-face trigger
▶Magpul MBUS 3 flip-up sights
Specifications
Gauge: 12; 3-inch chamber
Magazine Capacity: 6 rounds
Barrel Length: 18.5 inches
Overall Length: 36.25 inches
Weight: 7 pounds, 2 ounces
MSRP: $1,085
(800) 363-3555 mossberg.com
Mossberg | 590RM
Similar to the 590R, the 590RM includes an ambidextrous rotary safety, but this scattergun is fed from a 10-round detachable-box magazine (other sizes available as accessories). Like the 590R, the 590RM can be had with a standoff barrel or an AccuChoke one.
▶Standoff barrel
▶Integral heat shield
▶Rotary safety
▶Top rail for iron sights or optics
Specifications
Gauge: 12; 2 3/4-inch chamber
Magazine Capacity: 10 rounds
Barrel Length: 18.5 inches
Overall Length: 36.9 inches
Weight: 8 pounds
MSRP: $1,190
(800) 363-3555 mossberg.com
Mossberg | 940 Pro Tactical SPX
Utilizing Mossberg’s cleaner-running, redesigned gas-operating system, the optic-ready 940 Pro Tactical SPX offers a slew of options. It can be had with either a five-round or eight-round tubular magazine, a choice of Cerakote finishes and is available as part of a Holosun MRDS combo that includes an optic.
▶AccuChoke-compatible barrel
▶LOP-adjustable stock
▶Multiple M-Lok slots
▶Integral heat shield
Specifications
Gauge: 12; 3-inch chamber
Magazine Capacity: 7 rounds
Barrel Length: 18 .5 inches
Overall Length: 37 inches
Weight: 7 pounds, 4 ounces
MSRP: $1,190
(800) 363-3555 mossberg.com
Retay Arms | 724 Patrol
Using Retay’s Inertia-Plus System, the 724 Patrol boasts practical features that make it an ideal candidate for home defense, and with an MRSP of less than $850, it won’t put a hurting on your wallet, either.
▶Accessory-capable fore-end
▶Enlarged loading port
▶Enlarged crossbolt safety
▶Ghost-ring sights
Specifications
Gauge: 12; 3-inch chamber
Magazine Capacity: 5 rounds
Barrel Length: 18.5 inches
Overall Length: 41.5 inches
Weight: 7 pounds
MSRP: $849
(800) 977-5749 retayusa.com
Stoeger | M3000 Tactical
With oversize controls, a variety of sight options and ergonomic furniture, Stoeger brings the features of its competition-based M3000 semi-automatic shotgun to the home-defense realm.
▶Ghost-ring sights
▶Oversize controls
▶M-Lok slots and QD mounts
▶Tungsten Cerakote receiver
Specifications
Gauge: 12; 3-inch chamber
Magazine Capacity: 4 rounds
Barrel Length: 18.5 inches
Overall Length: 40 inches
Weight: 6 pounds, 13 ounces
MSRP: $649
(800) 264-4962 stoegerindustries.com
Winchester | SX4 Extreme Defender Woodland FDE
The proven Active Valve Gas System found on all SX4 shotguns offers superior reliability with a wide range of loads, along with impressive cycling speed. Add defensive-minded features like ghost-ring sights, a raised comb for better alignment and a pistol-grip stock, and you’ve got a great choice to protect your home.
▶Chrome-plated chamber and bore with FDE Cerakote finish
▶Optics rail
▶LPA front and ghost-ring rear sight
▶Oversize bolt-release button
Specifications
Gauge: 12; 3-inch chamber
Magazine Capacity: 4 rounds
Barrel Length: 18.5 inches
Overall Length: 39.5 inches
Weight: 6 pounds, 14 ounces
MSRP: $1,299.99
(800) 333-3288 winchesterguns.com
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