The 1301 Tactical is Beretta’s newest gas-piston-operated, semi-automatic, 12-gauge shotgun designed for law enforcement and home defense. It features an 18.5-inch barrel, an oversized charging handle, a large textured bolt release and an oversized reversible safety. The 1301 Tactical features a protected ghost-ring sight system with an interchangeable front sight as well as a Picatinny rail on top of the receiver. With provided spacers, the stock is adjustable for length of pull, drop and cast. For more information, visit beretta.com.
The legendary Kalashnikov-pattern shotgun favored by many sport shooters and even hunters is well represented by the Century Arms Catamount Fury II, new this year with an open Dragunov-style stock. The robust 8.7-pound, semi-auto, 12-gauge shotgun has a 20-inch barrel, a 10-round magazine and a 3-inch chamber. For more information, visit centuryarms.com or call 800-527-1252.
Crye Precision, known for its camo patterns and tactical kits, has entered the firearms market with the Six12 bullpup shotgun. This double-action, striker-fired shotgun holds six 12-gauge rounds in a removable, rotating cartridge. The Six12 will also be available as an add-on option for an AR-style rifle and can be used as a breaching option with either a 12.5-inch shotgun barrel or a 10.5-inch rifle barrel for clearance. For more information visit, cryeprecision.com or call 718-246-3838.
The MKA 1919 Match from EAA Corp. is a semi-automatic, five-round-magazine-fed, AR-style shotgun that functions with 2¾- and 3-inch 12-gauge shells. The Match now offers improvements that include an ambidextrous safety, an extended bolt release, an extended magazine release and a redesigned action (bolt, locking block and action bar). The MKA 1919 Match also has a metal floating feed ramp, two gas rings for either heavy or light loads and an easy takedown system. The MKA 1919 Match is made for 3-Gun competitions without breaking your bank. For more information, visit eaacorp.com or call 321-639-4842.
While not necessarily new, the KSG from Kel-Tec is still a revolutionary design. The size, shape and design is similar to the currently available Kel-Tec RFB rifle, but the KSG ejects downward, instead of forward. The KSG weighs 6.9 pounds and is as compact as legally possible with a 26.1-inch overall length and an 18.5-inch, cylinder-bore barrel. Even with this compact size, the internal dual tube magazines hold an impressive 12 rounds of 12-gauge, 3-inch rounds in total (six per tube). Law enforcement entities can also order KSGs with shorter barrels. For more information, visit keltecweapons.com or call 321-631-0068.
The Mohawk modular forend is a configurable system capable of meeting multiple tactical requirements for the excellent Remington Versa Max shotgun series. Integral accessory pockets on the right and left side accept inserts that include one polymer Picatinny rail section, one flat pad for mounting other Picatinny rail sections or direct-mount accessories, two pocket covers with an integral wire opening and contoured pocket covers. It has an ergonomic shape and finger grooves, maximizing weapon handling and control, as well as a bottom Picatinny mount at the front of the forend. A sling swivel stud is included. For more information, visit mesatactical.com or call 714-545-3332.
Nighthawk starts with a Remington 870 and, working with the shooter, adds sights, shell carriers, stocks, action work, coatings and barrel modifications as requested. Each one is a treasure that can save a life. For more information, visit nighthawkcustom.com or call 877-268-4867.
SRM Arms has developed a line of semi-automatic shotguns (the models 1216, 1212 and 1208, with the last two digits referring to the capacity) for both civilian and LE use. The company has also created full-auto versions capable of up to four-round bursts before twisting the quad magazine to introduce another full tube of ammo. The controls of the SRM shotguns can be placed on the right or left of sides the receiver, and each has a roller-delayed action to provide fast cycling and reduced felt recoil. SRM shotguns also have Picatinny rails at 3, 9 and 12 o’clock to allow multiple options for lights and sights. For more information, visit srmarms.com or call 888-269-1885.
Based on Eugene Stoner’s AR pattern is the new XTR 12 semi-automatic shotgun that can digest 2¾- and 3-inch shells from two-, five-, seven- and 10-round box magazines. The XTR 12 has all the familiar AR controls and is gas operated with a rotating bolt. It also features a barrel threaded to accept different chokes. The XTR 12 comes in black, OD green and desert tan and has a full-length 12 o’clock Picatinny rail to accept any sort of iron, reflex or optical sighting system. For more information, visit utas-usa.com or call 847-768-1011.
Shotguns are extremely versatile tactical firearms due to their ability to fire several types of loads, from buckshot to birdshot, beanbags, slugs and more. Shotguns also come in various styles, from pump actions to semi-autos.
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One tactical shotgun can serve well in a variety of roles, and manufacturers today are making some of the best scatterguns available. Here are some of the best new tactical-style shotguns hitting the market today!
Beretta 1301 Tactical
The 1301 Tactical is Beretta’s newest gas-piston-operated, semi-automatic, 12-gauge shotgun designed for law enforcement and home defense. It features an 18.5-inch barrel, an oversized charging handle, a large textured bolt release and an oversized reversible safety. The 1301 Tactical features a protected ghost-ring sight system with an interchangeable front sight as well as a Picatinny rail on top of the receiver. With provided spacers, the stock is adjustable for length of pull, drop and cast. For more information, visit beretta.com.
Century Arms Catamount Fury II
The legendary Kalashnikov-pattern shotgun favored by many sport shooters and even hunters is well represented by the Century Arms Catamount Fury II, new this year with an open Dragunov-style stock. The robust 8.7-pound, semi-auto, 12-gauge shotgun has a 20-inch barrel, a 10-round magazine and a 3-inch chamber. For more information, visit centuryarms.com or call 800-527-1252.
Crye Precision Six12
Crye Precision, known for its camo patterns and tactical kits, has entered the firearms market with the Six12 bullpup shotgun. This double-action, striker-fired shotgun holds six 12-gauge rounds in a removable, rotating cartridge. The Six12 will also be available as an add-on option for an AR-style rifle and can be used as a breaching option with either a 12.5-inch shotgun barrel or a 10.5-inch rifle barrel for clearance. For more information visit, cryeprecision.com or call 718-246-3838.
EAA MKA 1919 Match
The MKA 1919 Match from EAA Corp. is a semi-automatic, five-round-magazine-fed, AR-style shotgun that functions with 2¾- and 3-inch 12-gauge shells. The Match now offers improvements that include an ambidextrous safety, an extended bolt release, an extended magazine release and a redesigned action (bolt, locking block and action bar). The MKA 1919 Match also has a metal floating feed ramp, two gas rings for either heavy or light loads and an easy takedown system. The MKA 1919 Match is made for 3-Gun competitions without breaking your bank. For more information, visit eaacorp.com or call 321-639-4842.
Kel-Tec KSG
While not necessarily new, the KSG from Kel-Tec is still a revolutionary design. The size, shape and design is similar to the currently available Kel-Tec RFB rifle, but the KSG ejects downward, instead of forward. The KSG weighs 6.9 pounds and is as compact as legally possible with a 26.1-inch overall length and an 18.5-inch, cylinder-bore barrel. Even with this compact size, the internal dual tube magazines hold an impressive 12 rounds of 12-gauge, 3-inch rounds in total (six per tube). Law enforcement entities can also order KSGs with shorter barrels. For more information, visit keltecweapons.com or call 321-631-0068.
Mesa Tactical Mohawk Modular Forend
The Mohawk modular forend is a configurable system capable of meeting multiple tactical requirements for the excellent Remington Versa Max shotgun series. Integral accessory pockets on the right and left side accept inserts that include one polymer Picatinny rail section, one flat pad for mounting other Picatinny rail sections or direct-mount accessories, two pocket covers with an integral wire opening and contoured pocket covers. It has an ergonomic shape and finger grooves, maximizing weapon handling and control, as well as a bottom Picatinny mount at the front of the forend. A sling swivel stud is included. For more information, visit mesatactical.com or call 714-545-3332.
Nighthawk Custom Shotguns
Nighthawk starts with a Remington 870 and, working with the shooter, adds sights, shell carriers, stocks, action work, coatings and barrel modifications as requested. Each one is a treasure that can save a life. For more information, visit nighthawkcustom.com or call 877-268-4867.
SRM Shotguns
SRM Arms has developed a line of semi-automatic shotguns (the models 1216, 1212 and 1208, with the last two digits referring to the capacity) for both civilian and LE use. The company has also created full-auto versions capable of up to four-round bursts before twisting the quad magazine to introduce another full tube of ammo. The controls of the SRM shotguns can be placed on the right or left of sides the receiver, and each has a roller-delayed action to provide fast cycling and reduced felt recoil. SRM shotguns also have Picatinny rails at 3, 9 and 12 o’clock to allow multiple options for lights and sights. For more information, visit srmarms.com or call 888-269-1885.
UTAS XTR 12
Based on Eugene Stoner’s AR pattern is the new XTR 12 semi-automatic shotgun that can digest 2¾- and 3-inch shells from two-, five-, seven- and 10-round box magazines. The XTR 12 has all the familiar AR controls and is gas operated with a rotating bolt. It also features a barrel threaded to accept different chokes. The XTR 12 comes in black, OD green and desert tan and has a full-length 12 o’clock Picatinny rail to accept any sort of iron, reflex or optical sighting system. For more information, visit utas-usa.com or call 847-768-1011.
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