Best Combat And Tactical Shotguns

When it comes to the best combat and tactical shotguns, it seems like there’s just an infinite number of choices out there. But do you really know which ones are the best for your needs?

At Gun University, we understand that the differences and similarities can sometimes get confusing. That’s why we’ve put to the test a number of different shotguns and have determined our favorites.

Best Combat and Tactical Shotguns from Best to Worst

Below is our pick of the best shotguns for tactical civilian use:

Best Combat and Tactical Shotguns

#1 Remington 870 Magpul		Magpul Stock Rugged And Reliable Receiver 18.5″ Tactical Barrel Magpul Fore End	Check Price
#2 Mossberg 500		Interchangeable Buttstock Optional Pistol Grip Changeable Barrels	Check Price
#3 Remington Versamax		Receiver mounted Picatinny Rail Enlarged Trigger Guard Opening Nickel Teflon Plated Internal Components Probore Choke System	Check Price
#4 Beretta 1301 Comp		Rugged Checkered Grip Fast Blink Action Oversized Bolt Handle And Release Interchangeable Choke System	Check Price
#5 Remington V3 TAC-13		Bird’s Head Grip Veraport Gas Operated System 5 Round Capacity Hand Strap	Check Price
#6 Mossberg Shockwave		6 Round Capacity Birds-Head Grip Mini-Shell Compatible	Check Price
#7 Benelli M4		Pistol Grip Option Ghost Ring Sights Mounted Picatinny Rail Extended Magazine Tube	Check Price
#8 Remington TAC-14		Raptor Bird’s Head Grip All Steel Receiver 14″ Short Barrel Magpul M-Lok Forend	Check Price

List of the Best Combat and Tactical Shotguns

The below is the list of the best tactical and combat shotguns on the market:

1. Remington 870 Magpul
2. Mossberg 500
3. Remington VersaMax
4. Beretta 1301 Comp
5. Remington V3 Tac-13
6. Mossberg Shockwave
7. Benelli M4
8. Remington Tac-14

Reviews of the Best Combat and Tactical Shotguns

Combat and Tactical shotguns are a popular weapon for many shooters. Below we review our list and give you the pros and cons on each shotgun. What are your thoughts? Let us know your grade on each shotgun down below.

REMINGTON MAGPUL 870 REVIEW

Unless you’re a Remington 870 decked out in upgraded Magpul furniture.

Honestly, when it comes to shotguns of any variety, it’s damn near impossible to beat a good ole Remington 870.

If you love the Remington 870 and modern features, this is absolutely the firearm for you. Mossberg 500 and wooden furniture fans need not apply.

The 870 Magpul brings everything you’ve grown to love about the original model to the next level.

It’s really hard to find anything negative to say about this except that the forend does tend to get a bit slick through sweaty firing. Check Out Full Review

Remington 870 Magpul Pros and Cons

Mossberg 500 Review

If you’re a Mossberg fan, you can go ahead and forgo our top pick. Because this would be the best bet for you.

This is by and far one of the best pump-action shotguns available on the market today.

It’s super beefy, super reliable, and super affordable. And… it can shoot mini-shells!

If you’re unaware, mini-shells are smaller shells that are great for vermin or even blowing through a box out at the range.

Also, you don’t have the ability to increase your magazine capacity. But other than that…great gun. Check Full Review Here

Mossberg 500 Pros and Cons

Remington VersaMax Review

Remington hit another home run with its VersaMax platform. The VersaMax utilizes Remington’s patented Versaport gas operating system. It allows you to fire shells or slugs of any size through a series of gas vent manipulations.

This makes it a great choice for those who like to send a variety of shells down their barrels.

Not only does the VersaMax give you optimum flexibility, it gives you a lower recoil while doing so. They advertise that it only kicks like a 20 gauge. While I think that may be a bit overboard, the effects are actually noticeable.

So, if you’re looking for a reliable and soft-shooting semi-auto, the VersaMax would be an amazing choice for you. Check Full Review Here

Remington VersaMax Pros and Cons

Beretta 1301 Comp Review

Let me start by saying that there was a huge toss-up between the Beretta 1301 Comp and the Remington VersaMax for title of best semi-auto shotgun. And looking back at the decision, I’m still not sure it was the right one. Because this thing rocks.

I like to compare the VersaMax to an old dependable work truck, while the 1301 is like the Ferrari of shotguns. The Remington is strong and reliable, but the Beretta makes everything smoother and sexier.

The new Blink-action on 1301 Comp is stupid fast for optimal trigger cycling and allows for use of different shell types just like the VersaMax. Check Full Review Here

Honestly, my major gripe about this shotgun has nothing to do with the operation and handling. It’s that the Beretta has to follow 922r Compliance. If you’re not entirely sure what that means, check out our article on 922r Compliance.

Beretta 1301 Comp Pros and Cons

Remington V3 TAC-13 Review

The Remington V3 TAC-13 is our first “shorty” on this list, and the only semi-auto one at that.

These particular firearms are not technically allows to be called shotguns. They fall into a group known as “Non-NFA” firearms. To keep it short and sweet, they just aren’t long enough to be considered a shotgun.

But they sure are fun to shoot. And the Bird’s Head grip and short barrel do provide for some heavy recoil. You definitely know when this one’s firing. This particular model utilizes the Versaport system same as the Remington Versamax above, and this does help a bit with the recoil.

These can also make for great truck guns. So, if you’re looking for a semi-auto version, this is the gun for you. Check Full Review Here

If you’d rather go with a pump action of this style, check out the next selection on our list.

Remington V3 TAC-13 Pros and Cons

Mossberg Shockwave Review

When it comes to these “shorty shotties”, there’s only two ways to go in my eyes. It’s either semi-auto with V3 TAC-13 or pump-action with the Mossberg Shockwave.

And while the semi-auto might make a better truck gun, I prefer the feel of the pump-action. Especially that of the Mossberg Shockwave.

But it’s not just the feel of the gun I really like. The Shockwave bird’s head grip does something more for the gun than just making it more fun to shoot. It provides a more fluid and natural command of the gun’s controls.

Let’s say you wanted to fire a Mossberg 500 with a pistol grip. You’ll immediately notice just how awkward the safety is going to get. But with the Shockwave… It just feels right. Not only that, it also shoots mini-shells!

So, if you looking for a new pump action shortie for your collection, this is definitely the way to go. Check Full Review Here

Mossberg Shockwave Pros and Cons

Benelli M4 Review

The Benelli M4 makes our list as our favorite “Designer” shotgun. Now, there’s going to be some of you out there who disagree with my “Designer” statement. And that’s just fine. But I believe when you buy Benelli, you’re really just paying extra for the name.

Not that doing so is a bad thing. It’s your money. Spend it as you like.

And you could do much worse than the Benelli M4. It’s not a terrible shotgun. There’s a reason why law enforcement and militaries around the world use it. They’re fun and fast to shoot with little-to-no reliability issues.

It does have some great features and if you’re a Benelli fan, this won’t disappoint. Check Full Review Here

Benelli M4 Pros and Cons

Remington TAC-14 Review

As an honorable mention, I wanted to throw in another one of these trendy new “shortie shotties”, the Remington TAC-14.

It’s Remington’s version of the pump-action shortie. And while, I really believe that Mossberg does it better with its Shockwave, this gun is still fun as hell to shoot. And I’m always a fan of Magpul furniture.

I just wish it had the ability to shoot minishells. And while Remington’s operation controls are very intuitive on a full-size shotgun, they tend to fall a little short here. Check Full Review Here

Remington TAC-14 Pros and Cons

BEST COMBAT AND TACTICAL SHOTGUNS BUYER’S GUIDE

When you’re in the market for buying a combat or tactical shotgun, here’s what we recommend you consider.

First of all, what is considered a shotgun? If the thing shoots shells, it’s a shotgun. Right?

And while that mostly holds true, the US Government doesn’t necessarily think so. The law breaks firearms up into two main categories.

Hand guns and Long guns.

And yep, you guessed it shotguns typically fall under the long gun category–meaning they are intended to be fired from your shoulder and are at least 26″ in length. And long guns can be further broken down into two other subcategories.

Rifles and Shotguns. Shotguns of course having smooth barrels, and rifles having rifled barrels–ergo the name. But what happens when a shotgun doesn’t mean the criteria to be well… a shotgun?

This applies to a few on our list such as the Remington V3 TAC-13 and the Mossberg Shockwave. And while we believe they have the heart of a shotgun, they can’t be officially labeled as one.

These particular types of firearms fall under a specific category known as AOWs or “Any Other Weapon”–how original, I know. This is a catch-all category of the NFA that covers all sorts of neat guns alienated from the standard classifications of the NFA.

Here’s the thing though. AOWs are typically “easily concealable”. With the Remington TAC-14 having an overall length of 40″ and no buttstock, it seems that these shortie shotties aren’t AOWs either.

So what the heck are they?

Thankfully, the ATF has created a unique placement for firearms such as these. Pistol-Grip Firearms.

This covers guns that are not fired from the shoulder, are not easily concealable, and are longer than 26″. They’re not shotguns or AOWs. But a breed all of their own.

For more info, check out this article Ryan wrote for Mossberg.

ADVANTAGES AND BENEFITS OF THE NON-NFA SHOTGUNS

If you’re on the fence about owning one of these PGFs, here’s a few reasons you may want to look into one.

• They make excellent truck guns.
  Their short stature make these among the best truck guns. With the stopping power of a full sized scattergun and tactical portability, you can’t get much better than this. And if you opt for a semi-auto option — such as the Remington V3 TAC-13– you don’t even have to fuss with a pump action.
• They’re great in tactical situations.
  If you ever find yourself needing an easily carried breaching weapon or something with a little more punch, these guns can definitely provide the support you need. Coupled with an appropriate scabbard, you’re always ready for whatever arises.
• They’re super fun to shoot.
  While I wouldn’t give them the time of day for competition shooting, these are just so much fun to go and sling metal downrange.

WHAT DO OTHERS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT CHOOSING THE BEST COMBAT AND TACTICAL SHOTGUNS?

Our opinion isn’t the only one that matters–although it does mean a lot to us anyway. Let’s check out some of the choices made by YouTuber Iraqveteran8888.