7 Best Pump Action Shotguns
Without a doubt, the most popular type of shotgun on the market is the pump action. Pump action shotguns dominate the American shotgun market and come in a number of calibers and configurations. There are plenty of options out there for everybody, but also plenty of crappy options. Today, we are swinging in to show you the best pump action shotguns on the market.
What’s A Pump-Action Shotgun?
A pump-action shotgun is a manually activated weapon. It gains the name from its reciprocating forend, which moves rearward to eject a spent cartridge and then forward to load the next cartridge and cock the hammer. These designs have been around since the Spencer pump shotgun in 1882. The Winchester 1893 and later the 1897 popularized them. From there, the concept exploded, and pump-action shotguns became the standard.
Advantages of the Pump Action Shotgun
Pump action shotguns offer a repeating platform with a manual design that operates quickly and efficiently. Most modern weapons are not manually activated, but the pump action sticks around due to its efficiency and numerous advantages. The first advantage is reliability. A manually operated firearm doesn’t depend on a gas-operated or inertia action. It’s simpler and more reliable in the long term.
The nature of pump action shotguns means they don’t require a specific load power to function. A semi-auto shotgun often requires a certain velocity and power level to cycle reliably. A pump action can shoot the lightest loaded shells reliably. With some guns, this even includes mini shells. Light loads and reduced recoil options certainly won’t have an issue with a pump-action shotgun.
These guns also tend to be highly affordable. The simple design and the age of the design make them easy to manufacture. This keeps the price low. A good semi-auto shotgun might cost close to a grand, but a reliable pump action can be had for 200 dollars. There is also the added benefit of pump-action shotguns avoiding most gun control efforts, making them a great option in states with restrictive gun laws.
Gun University’s Best Pump Action Shotguns
Best Pump Action Shotguns
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Spec Comparison of the Best Pump Action Shotguns
Below is a table of the specifications for the best pump action shotguns:
| Shotgun | Gauge | Barrel Length (in) | Weight (lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12, 20, and .410 | 18.5-28 | 5.6-8 | |
| 12, 20, and .410 | 18.5-30 | 7-8 | |
| 12 and 20 | 18-28 | 7.2-8 | |
| 12, 16, and 20 | 18.5-20 | 6.7-7 | |
| 12 | 19 | 8.3 | |
| 12 and 20 | 18.5-28 | 6-7.5 | |
| 12 | 18.5 | 6.5 |
Best Pump Action Shotguns
Here is our list for the best pump action shotguns:
- Mossberg 500/590
- Remington 870
- Benelli SuperNova
- Winchester 1200/1300
- S&W M&P 12
- Mossberg Maverick 88
- Iron Horse Sentry 12
Best Pump Action Shotguns – Reviews
1 Mossberg 500
Mossberg 500
Available in several calibers, Mossberg 500 models range from tactical to muzzle-loading.
- Shootability A-
- Reliability A+
- Ergonomics A-
- Accuracy A
- Value A+
Our Grade
A
Reader’s Grade
A
Based on 32 Reviews
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1 Mossberg 590
Mossberg 590
This pump-action powerhouse was created through hot demand by the US military.
- Reliability A+
- Accuracy A
- Customization B
- Ergonnomics B
- Value C
Our Grade
B+
Reader’s Grade
A+
Based on 5 Reviews
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Mossberg 500/590 Specs
- Gauge 12, 20 and .410
- Barrel Length 18.5-28 in
- Weight 5.6-8 lbs
Mossberg 500/590 Review
The Mossberg 500 series of pump action shotguns have been floating around since the early 1960s. This classic American pump-action shotgun comes in all major calibers, giving us .410, 20 gauge, and 12 gauge, and in the past, they’ve produced calibers like the 16 gauge. The 500 series has been produced as both tactical and sporting guns, and the 590 is a member of the 500 series family designed for the United States military solely as a tactical shotgun.
The Mossberg series can be had for any purpose out there. This includes hunting deer and hogs as well as birds and small game. There are plenty of dedicated defensive shotguns with shorter barrels and higher capacities.
At their core, the guns use the same operating system with a number of external changes for the United States military. The Mossberg 590 is also available to anyone who wants one. The 500 series famously uses dual extractors for increased reliability non-binding dual action arms, and are even optics-ready with drilled and tapped receivers. Mossberg’s shotguns are highly functional and incredibly reliable.
Due to their massive popularity, the Mossberg 500 series has tons of aftermarket support. They also feature a design that is very user-friendly for repairs and upgrades. It’s easy to swap the furniture and barrels, but it’s also easy to fix broken parts like ejectors, extractors, and more. Not that the Mossberg breaks often, but if it does, it’s not tough to fix.
The Mossberg 500 falls into the same realm of customization as the AR-15 and Glock. You can swap nearly everything, add in lights and optics, as well as high-end furniture. The Mossberg 500 and 590 series allow you to build the gun you want for whatever purpose you want. It’s a legendary shotgun and continues to be produced in a number of different variants.
In this article we dive deeper into the difference of the Mossberg 500 vs 590. We also have complete reviews dedicated to the Mossberg 500 and the Mossberg 590.
Mossberg 500/590 Pros and Cons
- Super reliable
- Easy to customize
- Comes in tons of calibers and configurations
- Stock configurations are long
Mossberg 500/590 Deals
Mossberg 500 Gun Deals
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$368.84
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$399.47
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$429.99
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$401.99
Mossberg 590 Gun Deals
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$397.00
-
$437.75
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$460.31
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$449.99
2 Remington 870
Remington 870
A classic pump action shotgun that has been used my thousands of hunters and sport shooters since its introduction.
- Shootability B
- Reliability A+
- Ergonomics A
- Accuracy A
- Value B
Our Grade
A-
Reader’s Grade
A+
Based on 4 Reviews
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Remington 870 Specs
- Gauge 12, 20 and .410
- Barrel Length 18.5-30 in
- Weight 7-8 lbs
Remington 870 Review
The Remington 870 is the other American legend of pump action shotguns. When Remington designed the 870 in 1950, they essentially laid the groundwork for every pump action shotgun to follow afterward. This resulted in one of the most popular shotguns for sportsmen, police officers, military users, and home defenders. The 870 was the first pump action shotgun to use dual action bars with a non-binding design. This increased the reliability of the pump action shotgun and its durability.
Remington has had its troubles, and with those troubles came a lack of quality control on some Remington 870s. However, over 11 million Remington 870s have been produced, and most of them are great guns. The current production of Remington 870s has also been received extremely well. I feel comfortable tossing them on the list. A Remington 870 in .410 was my very first shotgun, and it’s still one of my favorites.
Remingtons have come in tons of calibers and configurations. They have three quality tiers. The king is the Wingmaster with its rich blued finish, and the use of beautiful wood furniture. Next, we have the Field Master, which mixes an affordable finish with great wood furniture and a purpose-built, slicked-up action. Finally, the Express model is the cheapest, with a simple finish and polymer furniture that’s built for functions rather than looks.
Remington 870 shotguns are tanks. They can take decades and decades of abuse. I have a military surplus model from 1971 that still functions perfectly fine. The use of heavy steel receivers and steel construction makes sure they can be used in patrol cars, deer blinds, and beyond for the life of their user. The addictingly smooth action puts the 870 a step above most other pump-action shotguns.
Jump over to our review on the Remington 870 Express tactical variant.
Remington 870 Pros and Cons
- Slick action
- Tons of options
- Easy to customize
- Not optics ready
Remington 870 Deals
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$422.21
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$469.99
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$500.23
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$439.99
3 Benelli Supernova
Benelli Supernova
The SuperNova Pump Shotgun is a strong, lightweight 12-gauge, chambered for 3-1/2-inch magnum—impervious to all weather conditions.
- Shootability A
- Reliability A+
- Ergonomics B
- Accuracy A
- Value B
Our Grade
A-
Reader’s Grade
A-
Based on 15 Reviews
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Benelli Supernova Specs
- Gauge 12 and 20
- Barrel Length 18-28 in
- Weight 7.2-8 lbs
Benelli Supernova Review
Benelli made their name with high-end semi-automatic shotguns. In fact, Benelli helped make semi-autos a reliable tactical option. When they finally produced a pump action shotgun, people took notice. The Nova was the original, and it was great, but the follow-up Supernova was a real success. It remains a bit underrated to this day, but it’s truly a fantastic shotgun with some super modern features.
The Supernova utilizes a rotating bolt for improved extraction, which is an odd but not entirely novel feature. It ups the reliability and makes sure shells are extracted with ease. The Supernova also uses an interesting pump action design. At the bottom of the pump forend is a magazine cutoff. Press it, and you can clear the action without a round leaving the magazine. This makes unloading the chamber easy and makes slug-select drills a breeze.
At the rear of the weapon, we have a stock with a bunch of odd chevrons. This is the ComforTech stock. It’s designed to have some give, which helps absorb and reduce recoil. It works surprisingly well and makes shooting those heavy recoiling rounds a fair bit easier. The Supernova is capable of chambering rounds up to 3.5 inches, so a little recoil reduction can really help.
The Supernova comes with either ghost ring sights or a high-visibility bead sight configuration. Its optics ready and uses the same mounting configuration as the Benelli M4. The Supernova also uses a ton of polymer in its construction to reduce weight and keep the price low.
The Supernova comes in a variety of configurations. This includes long-barreled models for hunting, as well as tactical variants. It’s an excellent option for hunting deer and birds and to protect the home. While it doesn’t have a massive aftermarket, there is enough to get you going and give the gun a bit of an edge for your purpose. Read our full review on the Benelli SuperNova.
Benelli Supernova Pros and Cons
- Reliable action
- Super modern design
- Affordable
- Stock has a long length of pull
Benelli Supernova Deals
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$499.99
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$549.00
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$489.99
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$549.99
4 Winchester Model 1200
Winchester Model 1200
A classic pump action shotgun that is no longer in production
- Shootability A+
- Reliability A+
- Ergonomics A+
- Accuracy A
- Value B
Our Grade
A
Reader’s Grade
A+
Based on 1 Reviews
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Winchester Model 1200/1300 Specs
- Gauge 12, 16 and 20
- Barrel Length 18.5-20 in
- Weight 6.7-7 lbs
Winchester Model 1200/1300 Review
The Winchester Model 1200 and 1300 series are out of production. However, they are super common and easy to find on the used market. These guns are fairly affordable and are descended from the Model 12, which was known as the perfect repeater. The 1200 and 1300 are essentially the same gun. The 1300 has a few distinct features and improvements that were made to the 1200, such as a 3-inch chamber instead of a 2.75-inch chamber.
These pump-action shotguns are the first I know of to use a rotating bolt. The rotation force of the bolt helps ensure consistent and purposeful ejection. Shells won’t get stuck in the 1200 and 1300 series of shotguns. Winchester produced these guns in numerous configurations. This includes long barreled bird guns, short-barreled slug guns, and defense models literally called the Defender.
The Winchester Model 1200/1300 series features one of the smoothest, most satisfying actions I’ve ever experienced. It’s really a great design that’s smooth and productive. The Model 1200/1300 guns are often proclaimed to be the fastest pump action designs. When the gun is fired, the bolt and pump are encouraged to unlock and travel rearward. You get a slight push that instantly reminds you to work the action. This makes cycling the weapon super easy and very quick.
The Winchester Model 1200/1300 series came in numerous calibers, but admittedly, the 12 gauge option is the most common and easiest to find. The 20 gauge and 16 gauge variants tend to be tougher to find and do fetch a higher price point. If you don’t mind 12 gauge chamberings, you can score one of these guns for less than 350 dollars and have a very robust and reliable shotgun option for hunting, home defense, and more.
Winchester Model 1200/1300 Pros and Cons
- Slick action
- Rotating bolt
- Fast cycling design
- Out of production
Winchester Model 1200/1300 Deals
5 S&W M&P 12
S&W M&P 12
The M&P 12 is a pump-action, bullpup, twin tube-fed, 12 gauge shotgun capable of holding up to 14 rounds of 2.75-inch shotgun shells. It’s a behemoth in some ways but quite compact in others.
- Shootability B
- Reliability A+
- Ergonmics C
- Accuracy A
- Value C
Our Grade
B
Reader’s Grade
C
Based on 9 Reviews
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S&W M&P 12 Specs
- Gauge 12
- Barrel Length 19 in
- Weight 8.3 lbs
S&W M&P 12 Review
Let’s get a bit weird with it. Let’s dive into the world of bullpup, dual tube, pump action shotguns. The S&W M&P 12 was quite a surprise from a company that hadn’t produced shotguns in decades. Zipping straight to the future with this M&P 12 may have surprised us all, but it was a welcome one. Who says the standard shouldn’t be challenged? The S&W M&P 12 isn’t the most novel design; dual tube, bullpup shotguns have existed before, but the M&P 12 series increased the quality and useability of the idea.
The M&P 12 can hold 14 rounds of 2.75-inch 12 gauge shells. That’s double what most guns hold. The bullpup design cuts the length to a very manageable 27.8 inches long. In the world of shotguns, smaller ones are usually better for defensive purposes. Shotguns are close-range weapons, and smaller guns work better in CQB environments. Switching tubes is super easy, and all you have to do is hit a button on the pump.
The pump comes with a massive M&P textured foregrip. It’s super nice and ensures your hand doesn’t drift in front of the action. That’s a rear with competing shotgun designs. Across the top is a large optics rail, and on the sides, it looks like a heat shield, but those are actually M-LOK rails. The controls are ambidextrous and take good cues from the AR-15 in the safety department.
The action is a bit rickety but reliable. The gun loads and ejects from the bottom, making it ambidextrous. This is a must-have to accommodate lefties since shells ejecting to the face isn’t exactly desirable. The main problem with this is having to reload the gun, which is slower than most other shotguns. However, with 14 rounds of ammo in the gun, who needs to reload? S&W even foresaw problems with fixing malfunctions, and to fix this, they allow you to open up the ejection port for a stuck round to easily drop free.
S&W M&P 12 Pros and Cons
- 14 round capacity
- Super short design
- Modular for accessories
- Ambidextrous
- Slow to reload
S&W M&P 12 Deals
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$964.15
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$1,117.57
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$1,086.99
-
$1,099.99
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$1,199.99
6 Mossberg Maverick 88
Mossberg Maverick 88
A budget shotgun – reliable but no frills.
- Shootability B
- Reliability A
- Ergonomics B
- Accuracy A
- Value A+
Our Grade
A-
Reader’s Grade
TBD
Based on 0 Reviews
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Mossberg Maverick 88 Specs
- Gauge 12 and 20
- Barrel Length 18.5-28 in
- Weight 6-7.5 lbs
Mossberg Maverick 88 Review
Another Mossberg, and arguably, it can be considered a member of the Mossberg 500 series. It’s not directly tied to the lineage of the 500 but shares a similar design overall. It’s Mossberg’s very affordable alternative to the Mossberg 500, which is an already affordable shotgun. The Mossberg Maverick 88 utilizes the same proven 500 series action. Changes include a standard cross bolt safety instead of a tang safety, a one-piece forend, and super simple stock.
Unlike the 500, these guns are not optics-ready. They come in a few configurations, including a field model with a long barrel. We have a security model with a seven-round tube and another with a five-round tube. Not to mention the combination field and security model that comes with a short and long barrel. At around 200 dollars, this is the most effective and affordable pump action option.
It runs absolute circles around the cheap Turkish imports that are flooding the market for roughly the same price point. The Maverick 88 series are brutes who can take some serious abuse. It will stand up to whatever you put through it and do so over and over again. The Maverick 88 was my go-to defensive shotgun when I was a poor E3 in the Marine Corps, and it never let me down.
It’s a competent gun with competent controls. Nothing will blow you away, but it all clicks and pops with ease. The action can feel a little sloppy but will never fail or prevent you from easily operating the weapon. If you just need a bare-bones shotgun that’s reliable, then you can’t beat the Maverick 88.
Mossberg Maverick 88 Pros and Cons
- Affordable
- Easy to use
- Reliable
- Sloppy action
Mossberg Maverick 88 Deals
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$201.25
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$222.96
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$233.38
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$246.99
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$237.99
7 Iron Horse Sentry 12
Iron Horse Sentry 12
This unique pump action shotgun is designed from the ground up to be magazine fed and features AR style controls, a monolithic aluminum upper, polymer lower, and toolless takedown.
- Shootability B
- Reliability A+
- Ergonomics A
- Accuracy A+
- Value C+
Our Grade
A-
Reader’s Grade
TBD
Based on 0 Reviews
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Iron Horse Firearms Sentry 12 Specs
- Gauge 12
- Barrel Length 18.5 in
- Weight 6.5 lbs
Iron Horse Firearms Sentry 12 Review
Magazine-fed shotguns are really tricky. Most aren’t great, and others are standard shotguns that work okay, but the Senty 12 is the only pump-action, magazine-fed shotgun that feels like it was built from the ground up to be a purpose-built pump-action shotgun. The magazines and gun design are very clever and well-made. The Sentry 12 is one of the few magazine-fed guns I’d ever trust for home defense.
The Iron Horse Sentry 12 comes with five-round magazines, but eight-round magazines are also commonly available. These are single-stack magazines made mostly from polymer but also feature a good bit of metal to reinforce the feed lips. Those feed lips not only ensure they are very well made and durable but also help keep the action smooth by avoiding metal-on-plastic contact. The magazines are easily removed and locked in place securely.
When we moved to the controls, the folks at Iron Horse were clever and utilized a lot of AR-15 inspiration. The ‘lower’ receiver mimics the AR well but adapts it for a shotgun. Controls are also ambidextrous and very easy to reach. The smoothness of the action was a huge surprise. It’s uber smooth. The pump design is a bit small and doesn’t offer a great grip texture, but it’s quite functional.
The Iron Horse Sentry 12 offers a giant monolith rail that allows you to mount optics and accessories dang near everywhere. I love the short 12.5-inch length of pull on the stock, which makes it super easy for shooters to get behind and control. I often call the Sentry 12 the shotgun for people who hate shotguns. It handles a bit like a rifle but offers the power of a shotgun. We have a complete review of the Iron Horse Sentry 12.
Iron Horse Firearms Sentry 12 Pros and Cons
- Great ergonomics
- Smooth action
- Modern design
- Expensive
Iron Horse Firearms Sentry 12 Deals
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$849.99
-
$899.99
Pump It Up
The pump action shotgun has been kicking around since the late 1800s and doesn’t seem to be going anywhere, anytime soon. The versatility, affordability, and usefulness of the design ensures they maintain their dominance over the market. Unfortunately, within this market, there are a lot of crap-tier guns, a lot of poor imports, and a lot of just bad guns. Luckily, there are plenty of great options, and if you go with any of the above guns, you’ll be ready to rock and roll.
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About Travis Pike
Travis is a former United States Marine Corps Infantryman and currently a firearms writer, instructor, and works in Emergency Management.
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