Bullpup shotguns are impressive shotguns that provide high-performance in a compact package.
A standard weapon has its action in front of the trigger, and a bullpup has all the hardware and action behind the trigger.
Below are the 10 Best Bullpup Shotguns For 2023.
Table of Contents
#1. Panzer Arms BP12 Gen2 Semi-Auto GA Bullpup Shotgun
- Caliber: 12 Gauge
- Action: Semi-Automatic
- Capacity: 5+1
- Barrel Length: 20”
- Overall Length: 30.7”
- Weight: 10 lbs
The Panzer Arms BP12 Gen2 is an AR-style semi-automatic bullpup shotgun that has impressive features at an excellent value.
AR-style controls and hardware make it an intuitive shotgun for those familiar with the platform.
The BP12 Gen2 is perfect for left and right-handed shooters with ambidextrous controls.
It features an oversized AR-style charging handle and an AK-style charging handle on the side.
The loadout options are endless, with a full-sized Picatinny rail up top and front-end rails.
You will have enhanced accuracy with the twenty-inch barrel with a compact 30.7” overall length.
It also comes with polymer flip-up sights, a barrel shroud, QD sling rails, an ergonomic pistol grip, a synthetic stock, and an angled foregrip.
The angled foregrip provides additional control, recoil mitigation, and enhanced target acquisition.
The ergonomic synthetic stock has an adjustable cheek riser and a thick butt pad for enhanced comfort and recoil control.
If you are looking for a close-quarters combat or home defense bullpup shotgun, the Panzer Arms BP12 Gen2 is a perfect choice.
It is available from Palmetto State Armory. Here’s where to buy it: www.PalmettoStateArmory.com
#2. Rock Island Armory VRBP-100 12 Gauge Semi-Auto Bullpup Shotgun
- Caliber: 12 Gauge
- Action: Semi-Automatic
- Capacity: 5+1
- Barrel Length: 20”
- Overall Length: 32”
- Weight: 7.94 lbs
The Rock Island Armory VRBP-100 12 GA Semi-Automatic Bullpup Shotgun is an excellent bullpup that provides serious firepower on a compact platform.
It is a magazine-fed bullpup with a 5+1 capacity, but it is compatible with Armscor VR Series Magazines for enhanced capacity.
It is chambered for 2.75” and 3” shells, and it includes a durable, adjustable polymer stock.
They crafted the upper receiver with heavy-duty 7075-T6 aluminum, and it includes a hard-anodized finish.
It also includes removable side rails, which allow you to customize your accessories.
With a full-length 20” barrel and an overall length of 32,” you are getting an excellent assault rifle-style shotgun.
Rock Island offers superior products at an excellent value.
Purchase the Rock Island Armory VRBP-100 12 GA Semi-Automatic Bullpup Shotgun if you want a powerful compact shotgun perfect for home defense or hunting.
It is available from Palmetto State Armory. Here’s where to buy it: www.PalmettoStateArmory.com
#3. Black Aces Tactical Bullpup 12 Gauge
- Caliber: 12 Gauge
- Action: Semi-Automatic
- Capacity: 5+1
- Barrel Length: 18.5”
- Overall Length: 28”
- Weight: 10 lbs
The Black Aces Tactical Bullpup 12GA is an affordable semi-automatic bullpup with a compact 28” overall length.
It includes quad Picatinny rails offering plenty of customization options, including lasers, lights, and optics.
A remarkable feature is that it comes with a black synthetic foregrip for enhanced control and accuracy.
For the proper spread for any situation, it includes a cylinder, an improved cylinder, and a modified choke.
It contains two five-round magazines and can be upgraded with 1919 magazines and drums for a massive capacity increase.
With an ambidextrous charging handle, safety, and magazine releases, it is perfect for left and right-handed shooters.
The Black Aces Tactical Bullpup 12GA is a solid semi-automatic bullpup at an affordable price.
It is available from Palmetto State Armory. Here’s where to buy it: www.PalmettoStateArmory.com
#4. Escort BTS12 Bullpup 18″ Semi-Auto 12 Gauge Shotgun
- Caliber: 12 Gauge
- Action: Semi-Automatic
- Capacity: 5+1
- Barrel Length: 18”
- Overall Length: 28.8”
- Weight: 11.9 lbs
The Escort BTS12 Bullpup 18” Semi-Auto 12 Gauge Shotgun 3” has a modern sporting rifle style with high-end features at an affordable price.
Escort made it to last with an aircraft alloy upper receiver, an 18” chrome plated 4137 steel, and a bullpup pistol grip polymer stock with an adjustable comb.
It includes a soft rubber butt pad for improved recoil mitigation and comfort.
The shotgun comes with two five-round magazines, an adjustable flip-up sights, and a carrying handle.
It is perfect for left and right-handed shooters with ambidextrous controls, a reversible cocking handle, and an ambidextrous magazine release.
If you are looking for an affordable semi-automatic bullpup with three chokes and an 18” barrel, the Escort BTS12 Bullpup 18” Semi-Auto 12 Gauge Shotgun 3” is an excellent choice.
It is available from Palmetto State Armory. Here’s where to buy it: www.PalmettoStateArmory.com
#5. S&W M&P12 Pump Action Bullpup 12 Gauge Shotgun
- Caliber: 12 Gauge
- Action: Pump
- Capacity: 6
- Barrel Length: 19”
- Overall Length: 27.8”
- Weight: 8.3 lbs
The S&W M&P12 Pump Action Bullpup 12 Gauge Shotgun has two independent magazine tubes for improved capacity and includes a tactile load indicator.
With a wide variety of round selections and is chambered for 2.75”, 3” magnum, and mini-shell loads.
It features an ergonomic M&P grip for improved comfort and control and four interchangeable palmswell grip inserts.
It features a Picatinny rail up top to attach your favorite close-quarters optic, and it comes with M-Lok slots on the barrel shroud for a custom loadout.
With just a 27.8” overall length, it has a 19” barrel, and it has maximum maneuverability, making it perfect for tight spaces.
If you want the reliability of a pump-action shotgun with the compact platform of a bullpup, the S&W M&P12 Pump Action Bullpup 12 Gauge Shotgun is perfect for you.
It is available from Palmetto State Armory. Here’s where to buy it: www.PalmettoStateArmory.com
#6. Eternal Arms Eternal BP-12 12 Gauge
- Caliber: 12 Gauge
- Action: Semi-Automatic
- Capacity: 5+1, 10+1
- Barrel Length: 18”
- Overall Length: 29.75”
- Weight: 8 lbs
The Eternal BP-12 12 Gauge by Eternal Arms is a customizable bullpup style semi-automatic shotgun chambered for 2.75” and 3” shells.
It has four integrated Picatinny rails with many locations for QD attachments.
The weapon also comes with a detachable carrying handle with sights.
It is compact and powerful with an 18” externally threaded barrel and an overall length of 29.75”.
The package comes with one five-round and ten-round metal magazine for enhanced capacity.
It has a polymer stock with a rubber recoil pad for enhanced recoil mitigation and a pistol grip for improved control.
The polymer design allows the shotgun to be lightweight while feeling natural and solid.
If you are looking for a high-performance bullpup shotgun, the Eternal BP-12 12 Gauge by Eternal Arms is an excellent choice.
It is available from Brownells. Here’s where to buy it: www.Brownells.com
#7. Black Aces Tactical Pro Series Bullpup 12 Gauge Shotgun
- Caliber: 12 Gauge
- Action: Semi-Automatic
- Capacity: 5+1
- Barrel Length: 18.5”
- Overall Length: 28”
- Weight: Not Specified
The Black Aces Tactical Pro Series Bullpup 12 Gauge Shotgun is a high-performance bullpup with a slick tiger stripe finish.
They designed it to be super compact and compact to allow you to maneuver around tight spaces easily.
It features a compact 18.5” barrel and a 28” overall length for serious power in a compact frame.
The shotgun includes three different chokes for a custom spread and two five-round magazines.
This model is compatible with 1919 magazines for enhanced capacity.
It features a quad-Picatinny rail system in the front and a full-length Picatinny up top for optics.
The shotgun also includes ambidextrous controls and a synthetic foregrip for control.
If you are looking for a semi-automatic bullpup perfect for home defense, the Black Aces Tactical Pro Series Bullpup 12 Gauge Shotgun is an excellent choice.
It is available from Palmetto State Armory. Here’s where to buy it: www.PalmettoStateArmory.com
#8. Radikal Arms NK-1 Bullpup 24″ 12 Gauge Shotgun 5RD
- Caliber: 12 Gauge
- Action: Semi-Automatic
- Capacity: 5+1
- Barrel Length: 24”
- Overall Length: 38”
- Weight: 7.3 lbs
The Radikal Arms NK-1 Bullpup 24” 12 Gauge Shotgun 5RD is an excellent beginner semi-automatic shotgun.
It has a synthetic stock and forend with an angled foregrip for improved control and accuracy.
The front end also includes Picatinny rails for adding your favorite attachments.
It has a full Picatinny rail up top with flip-up sights and a rubber butt pad for enhanced recoil mitigation and control.
The stock also includes an adjustable cheek pad for enhanced comfort.
This model includes a 24” barrel for improved accuracy and an overall length of 38” for a balance of size and utility.
It includes one five-round magazine and is compatible with most AR-12 pattern magazines.
The NK-1 also includes three chokes for a custom spread.
If you are looking for an excellent beginner semi-automatic shotgun with fantastic features on a budget, the Radikal Arms NK-1 Bullpup 24” 12 Gauge Shotgun 5RD is your best bet.
It is available from Palmetto State Armory. Here’s where to buy it: www.PalmettoStateArmory.com
#9. Black Aces Tactical Bullpup 12 Gauge Pump Action Shotgun
- Caliber: 12 Gauge
- Action: Pump
- Capacity: 5+1
- Barrel Length: 18.5”
- Overall Length: 28”
- Weight: 10 lbs
The Black Aces Tactical Bullpup 12 Gauge Pump Action Shotgun is a tactical-style pump action on a compact platform at a bargain price.
It is a part of the pro series line and is compatible with standard 1919 magazines and drums from enhanced capacity and includes two five-round magazines.
It provides enhanced maneuverability with its compact 28” overall length, and improved control with its synthetic foregrip and butt pad.
With a full-length Picatinny rail up top, you can easily add your favorite optic or sight.
This specific model has a slick Flat Earth finish.
The Tactical Pro can cycle both lethal and non-lethal ammunition.
If you are looking for the reliability of a pump-action with the maneuverability of a bullpup, the Black Aces Tactical Bullpup 12 Gauge Pump Action Shotgun is perfect for you.
It is available from Palmetto State Armory. Here’s where to buy it: www.PalmettoStateArmory.com
#10. Kel-Tec KSG 12 Gauge Shotgun
- Caliber: 12 Gauge
- Action: Pump
- Capacity: 7+7 (2.75” Rounds)
- Barrel Length: 18.5”
- Overall Length: 26.1”
- Weight: 6.9 lbs
The KEL-TEC KSG 12GA Shotgun is a unique pump action tactical shotgun that has a dual tube system where you can load up to 14 rounds internally.
With a pump action design it has the reliability only found in a pump while giving you an impressive capacity.
The shotgun has a super compact 26.1” overall length with a standard 18.5” barrel that only weighs 6.9 lbs.
They equipped it with Picatinny rails at the front end for your choice of optic and foregrips.
This weapon is built to last with a hardened steel KSG receiver, and they crafted the lower receiver with glass-reinforced nylon.
They equip the lower receiver with a soft rubber butt pad to mitigate recoil and improve control.
The shotgun includes forward and rear sling loops, and it comes with a basic sling.
If you are looking for a tactical shotgun that is compact, powerful, and reliable, the KEL-TEC KSG 12GA Shotgun is the perfect shotgun for you.
It is available from Palmetto State Armory. Here’s where to buy it: www.PalmettoStateArmory.com
The Benefits of a Bullpup Shotgun
A few benefits to owning a bullpup shotgun include reduced size, less recoil, and improved mobility.
Bullpups allows for a compact design with full-sized barrels.
The stock doubles as a housing for the hardware to reduce the overall size, which improves mobility and maneuverability.
Bullpups excel in close-quarters combat because the decreased size allows you to operate in small spaces efficiently.
The below video is a great reference as to the benefits (and disadvantages) of Bullpup shotguns vs. traditional shotguns:
The Disadvantage of Bullpup Shotguns
However, a disadvantage is a rougher trigger pull than standard shotguns because of a more extended linkage system.
Having the magazine behind your trigger may be difficult to get used to, but that goes away with some training.
References
See Also
He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 2004 and has served over 18 years as a communications maintenance technician with three deployments to the Middle East.
He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English and Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University and a bachelor’s degree in Information System Security with a concentration in Digital Forensics from American Military University.
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