Shotguns have been getting a lot of love recently. That’s because they are excellent for home defense, and we’re spending a lot of time at home these days.
Whether you decide to buy new or used, shotguns made by reputable manufacturers are reliable and accurate. As long as they’re not abused, cleaned and stored properly, they last a long time. If you do decide to buy used, you can save a lot of money. Guns.com Certified Used Guns are thoroughly inspected and have a money back guarantee.
Here is our list, from least expensive all the way up to the top.
STEVENS 320 SERIES
Stevens 320 Security 12-gauge shotgun.
The Stevens 320 line of pump-action 12-gauge shotguns have many of the features of more expensive guns but at a much more affordable price. 320s get good reviews. They are made by well known Westfield, Massachusetts based firearms manufacturer Savage Arms, but unlike Savage firearms, the Stevens shotguns are made in China. They’re simple, economical and functional. The 320 features a pistol grip, proven rotary bolt design and dual slide bars for reliable operation. The receiver is a bottom load and right eject. It has a 3-inch chamber and a fixed cylinder choke. The barrel is 18.5 inches long and adorned with easy to acquire ghost ring sights. The gun weighs just under seven pounds.
- Action: Pump
- Gauge: 12
- Magazine capacity: Up to 5 rounds
- MSRP: Starting at $259 new
WINCHESTER SXP DEFENDER
Winchester SXP Defender 12-gauge shotgun.
The Winchester 1897, otherwise known as the trench gun, is one of the most iconic pump-action shotguns around. It became infamous among enemy combatants during the first World War. It allowed U.S. servicemen to quickly unload five shots by simply holding the trigger and pumping. Over the years, the design has evolved. While an original Winchester 1897, or M97, can only be purchased used, the modern variant is the SXP. It comes in a number of variations, but the Defender model has all of the essentials for home defense.
- Action: Pump
- Gauge: 12
- Magazine capacity: Up to 5 rounds
- MSRP: Starting at $299 new
STOEGER P3000 DEFENSE PUMP
Stoeger P3000 Defense Pump 12-gauge shotgun.
The Stoeger P3000 Defense Pump shotgun keeps it simple. It comes in only one configuration: a black synthetic pump-action 12-gauge that can fire up to 3” shells. It has a red fiber-optic front sight, weighs 6.9 pounds empty and has capacity of 4+1 rounds. It’s reliable and best of all, affordable. Stoeger is known for manufacturing good quality guns for everyday folks who don’t want to break the bank. Best of all, the P3000 comes with a 5-year warranty.
Check out our review of a similar Stoeger a few years ago here.
- Action: Pump
- Gauge: 12
- Magazine capacity: Up to 4 rounds
- MSRP: Starting at $299 new
MOSSBERG 500 SERIES
Mossberg 500 Tactical Shotgun.
Mossberg has been making guns since 1919, and is still a family owned American business. First launched in 1960, the 500 series of pump-action shotguns are some of the most popular home defense shotguns on the market. They are used by both civilians and militaries around the world. There are tons of upgrades, after-market parts and accessories. The more recent 590A1 model is the only shotgun to pass the U.S. Army’s Mil-Spec 3443E test which requires it to fire 3,000 rounds of full power 12-gauge buckshot rounds without jamming.
Check out our Mossberg 500 SPX Tactical shotgun review here.
- Action: Pump
- Gauge: 12 and 20
- Magazine capacity: Up to 8 rounds
- MSRP: Starting at $399 new
REMINGTON 870
Remington 870 Express Tactical 12-gauge shotgun.
The Remington 870 is the most popular pump-action shotgun on the planet. It was released in 1950 and quickly took the world by storm. The ‘870’ sells in a variety of configurations and barrel lengths ranging from 11 to 30-inches. Magazine capacities range from four to 10 shells with both tube and more recently a magazine fed design. The shotgun has been used for years by both police and prison guards and limited service in foreign military forces. Highly modifiable, a stock 870 can be modified by the user into an excellent home defense weapon.
- Action: Pump
- Gauge: 12 and 20
- Magazine capacity: Up to 8 rounds
- MSRP: Starting at $420 new
KEL-TEC KS7
Kel-Tec KS7 12-gauge shotgun.
Florida based Kel-Tec is known for doing things a little bit differently. Their KS7 pump-action 12-gauge shotgun is built around a bullpup design. This means the action is located behind the trigger. This allows for a much more compact and lightweight gun while maintaining an 18.1 inch barrel. The overall length of the gun is 26.1 inches and it weighs just under six pounds. A unique carrying handle doubles as a sighting system. The front sight is fiber optic and empty shells are ejected downwards. The KS7 has great reviews. If you’re looking for a very compact, lightweight home defense shotgun, you should check it out.
- Action: Pump
- Gauge: 12
- Magazine capacity: Up to 6 rounds
- MSRP: Starting at $495 new
FN P-12
FN P-12 12-gauge shotgun.
FN is known for making high quality guns, including many for our military. The P-12 is their most affordable pump-action shotgun. Assembled at FNs Viana plant in Portugal, this compact 12-gauge shotgun perfect for home defense. It has an overall length of 39 inches and a weight of 7.5 pounds. It features a chrome-lined cantilever 18-inch barrel with factory installed stainless steel choke tubes. It has an aircraft-grade aluminum matte black finish receiver with a rotating bolt. It can fire 2 and 3-inch shells. An optic can be mounted on the Weaver rail or you can use the flip-up rear and fiber optic front sights.
- Action: Pump
- Gauge: 12
- Magazine capacity: Up to 5 rounds
- MSRP: Starting at $669 new
BENELLI M4
Benelli-M4 12-gauge shotgun.
For grins and giggles, we’re including what is likely the cream of the crop of tactical shotguns. The Benelli M4 is a semi-automatic 12-gauge shotgun used by police and military around the world. The M4 is battle-proven and is able to reliably fire at least 25,000 rounds without replacement of any major parts. Many steel components give this gun some heft of 8.42 pounds. A Picatinny rail allows for mounting of scopes, sights, and optics. If price isn’t an issue, this is the ultimate home defense shotgun. Other top contenders are the Benelli M2, FN-SLP, Beretta 1301, Mossberg 930 and Kel-Tec KSG.
- Action: Semi-automatic
- Gauge: 12
- Magazine capacity: Up to 5 rounds
- MSRP: Starting at $1,999 new
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