If you want to upgrade your tactical firearm, you need to check out S&J Hardware.
The fighting shotgun is a distinctly American invention. When smokeless powder came to rifles, they became the choice for militaries. As a result, shotguns became hunting tools. Except here in the United States. And as they were designed as hunting tools, they have some shortcomings as defensive tools. Like the controls.
To that end, S&J Hardware has a line of upgrades to help you better manage your scattergun. They offer magazine tube extensions—but, then again, a lot of people do that as well. What caught my eye were the options for charging handle swaps and bolt-release buttons. Working the bolt back and getting the bolt to go forward are not entirely easy tasks under the pressure of time or tactics.
Swapping out the sometimes-smallish bolt charging handle for a bigger one is a time-honored step. Back when the Remington 1100 ruled the roost, we all had large loop-shaped charging handles, replacing the tiny little tab Big Green saw fit to use.
Now that the Benellis (and Benelli-clone shotguns) and the Beretta 1301 and A300 rule the roost, we sometimes need upgrades for them.
And S&J Hardware makes them.
They offer adapter plates to swap the factory stock out for a Magpul stock, and they offer them for more than just the usual suspects. And, if you just must have the complete ensemble, you can get a bayonet adapter kit for Mossberg, Benelli, Stoeger and Remington.
The modern shotgun now comes equipped with a red-dot optic—or at least we want them to—and here S&J also delivers. Are mounting plates for Beretta, Benelli, Remington and Mossberg enough for you?
I was happily scrolling through the webpage for some time before I came across the extra bonus items: jumbo safeties. While they only offer them for the Benelli M4, M1/M2/SBE and for the 870, that’s more than you’ll find elsewhere.
The combat charging handle and oversized bolt release button for the Beretta 1301. As soon as I can clear off the workbench, these are going onto my 1301.
And finally, springs and followers. The shotgun mag tube is perhaps the least-efficient method of feeding ammo into a firearm. The spring can only be so strong before it becomes too difficult to load and risks deforming the shells. And the follower, sliding down a tube, offers the maximum friction any system could have. So, fresh springs and a no-jam follower are a must on any shotgun meant for defensive purposes. Of course, S&J has them.
Plus, S&J Hardware also doesn’t leave you hanging as far as getting your new extras added on. For instance, the bolt release 4.0 for the Beretta 1301 and A300 that arrived came with instructions and a packet of thread-locker, so it will stay once applied.
Cruising over the S&J Hardware website, I could see someone doing serious injury to their credit card, loading up on essential upgrades. Your scattergun will be better equipped for the effort, and your range practice will benefit as well.
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the October 2026 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
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