Retaining with the development of looking making an enormous resurgence on the 2024 SHOT Present, the shotgun lineup for the 12 months was spectacular. From enjoyable little 20 gauges to heavy 12s with critical influence, there was slightly little bit of one thing for everybody in Las Vegas this 12 months.
Very similar to our protection of the rifles of SHOT Present this 12 months, we discovered much more looking choices than we now have up to now few years, which was refreshing. If there’s an space of the capturing world that tends to lend itself to the tactical/private protection area, it’s definitely shotguns.
This isn’t to say there weren’t a heap of these. There have been. There have been a great deal of them. Nonetheless, our little area of interest of walnut and camo appeared to have expanded, and for that, the elation was excessive. If there’s one factor the GearJunkie crew actually appears to be like ahead to, it’s capturing another person’s shells at vary day.
Shotguns of SHOT Present 2024
Browning A5 20 gauge
I really like 20 gauge, and Browning did the little gun proper by providing the A5 in a 20. This was by far essentially the most enjoyable gun to shoot on the shotgun vary, and that’s not simply because it suits my body. All of us took turns taking intention at vibrant orange clays, and I can say with relative confidence that between two comparatively burly fellows and me, all of us giggled an irrational quantity. It’s only a enjoyable little gun to shoot.
For being walnut, the A5 20 gauge is extremely light-weight, coming in below 6 kilos. It’s simple to shoulder and has essentially the most minimal pop to it. You may shoot all day, as long as your shells final. That autoload function actually appears that can assist you burn by means of them shortly, in comparison with my previous pump motion.
This might be an ideal first gun for youths taking to the hen fields or only a nice little gun for anybody wanting a enjoyable day with no sore shoulder. And it’s so gentle it could carry like a dream.
It might be my favourite shotgun of SHOT Present this 12 months.
Mossberg 940 Professional Turkey 12 Gauge
The turkey weapons have been all the trend at this 12 months’s present. Mossberg had a lineup of hen weapons that provided nearly each possibility and area of interest {that a} feather-chasing hunter may need. The 940 Professional Turkey – Holosun Microdot Combo appears to nail it for the Tom chasers who like optics.
The semi-auto motion is clean and environment friendly. An adjustable LOP means the gun could be arrange for shorter-stature hunters and develop if wanted.
Should you’re contemplating making the transfer towards a shotgun with optics, this combo is a turnkey setup that may get you within the discipline with out an excessive amount of thought.
Franchi Affinity 3 Sport Lure 12 Gauge
We are able to’t omit the leisure shooters. The 3 Sport Lure targets new sport shooters (pun clearly meant). That being mentioned, it’s a wonderful alternative for any leisure shooter who doesn’t wish to utterly break the financial institution. This mannequin sports activities Franchi’s Omni Inventory Adjustable match, permitting for personalisation of inventory place for comfy and safe shouldering.
Apart from sport capturing, it’s greater than succesful within the discipline as properly. I really feel like producers typically attempt to match a product into a decent area of interest, however Franchi acknowledges that this 12 gauge is simply at residence following feathers.
Benelli Tremendous Black Eagle 3 12 Gauge
I’ll be trustworthy: this shotgun is accessible in a great deal of choices and finishes, and the artificial camo shares definitely have a cool look to them. Nonetheless, name me old school, but when I’m dropping over $2K on a shotgun, it higher be fabricated from a lifeless tree.
The Benelli Tremendous Black Eagle 3 in walnut is fairly, however now that I’ve acquired my biases and preferences out of the best way, let’s take a look at the up to date variations that I feel I’m enthusiastic about.
See? They do look cool and trendy.
Apart from appearances, these bang-sticks additionally supply some improved ergonomics after a few years of trials. On high of all of it, Benelli additionally presents it for lefties.
Savage Arms Stevens 560 12 Gauge
Few corporations do budget-friendly shotguns fairly like Savage Arms. The Stevens 560 is definitely no exception. This semi-automatic shotgun, with a walnut inventory and fore-end, weighs in at simply over 6.5 kilos, chambers as much as 3-inch shells, and prices slightly below $500. That’s not one thing you discover each day with the fashionable shotguns presently hitting cabinets.
Certain, you’ll find different price range weapons, however with that low worth comes a price range really feel. Savage weapons have the standard really feel of a a lot high-priced shotgun and all of the reliability, too.
With each full-size and compact fashions out there, it is a stellar possibility for an grownup hunter or a youth hunter.
Test Worth at Sportsman Warehouse
The GearJunkie Group Testing Shotguns at Vary Day, SHOT Present 2024
Certain, there’s nearly each kind of gun on the vary and so they all have their attracts. Nonetheless, every year, I feel we spend an increasing number of time capturing shotguns. There’s one thing informal and enjoyable about emptying a field of shells into the air that supersedes ringing gongs at lengthy vary.
The rain confirmed up simply as we completed up the shotgun part of Business Day, and I’m definitely grateful it was our first cease for the day. The uncovered capturing situation is enjoyable, regardless, however I’m positive the digicam man (Matt) appreciated the quilt of the rifle ranges when the clouds totally let unfastened.
I’d say all of us have a blast capturing the little A5 as in comparison with the opposite shotguns on the vary. It didn’t chunk like a 12 gauge, and I genuinely felt like I may have shot the factor all day. It might must make its manner into my slowly rising collections. I imply, it’s primarily a present for my hen canine, proper?
From traditional walnut break-actions to trendy semi-auto synthetics, we performed within the sprinkling like youngsters in a dang sweet retailer. That is typically the one time a 12 months we get the possibility to place a pile of latest weapons to our shoulders and have a real-time side-by-side comparability, and we definitely took benefit this 12 months.
If shell costs improve within the coming months, we totally settle for our half within the provide chain drain.
