From military operations to home defense, nothing stands the test of time quite like a shotgun.
They are versatile weapons that help put food on the table, breach obstacles, and protect your loved ones.
Law enforcement and military organizations have used their versatility to protect their citizens and win wars.
With a blend of fierce firepower, undeniable versatility, and unmatched reliability, military shotguns redefine the market by setting high standards.
We will delve deep into what sets military shotguns apart with their unique features that set them apart from the standard shotgun.
With extensive research, I have developed the 6 Best Military Shotguns for 2023 based on precision, durability, reliability, and value to give you a deeper understanding of what truly makes these military shotguns exceptional.
Below are the 6 Best Military Shotguns For 2023.
Table of Contents
#1. Remington 870 Express Tactical 12 Ga Pump Shotgun with 6-Position Stock
- Gauge: 12 Gauge
- Capacity: 6 Shells
- Barrel Length: 18.5”
- Overall Length: 38.5”
- Weight: 7.5 lbs.
The Remington 870 Express Tactical 12 Ga Pump Shotgun with 6-Position Stock is an excellent military shotgun with enough power to accomplish any mission.
Dominating in both design and performance, they engineered this masterpiece for maximum resilience and reliability.
It has the power of a 12 gauge with the reliability of a pump action to give you power on demand with consistent performance.
The Remington 870 Express boasts a 3” chamber with a capacity of 6 shells, giving you the advantage of sustained combat or hunting.
It has simplistic single-bead sights for consistent precision, and this model features a 6-position adjustable stock to provide optimal comfort and control.
Its manageable 7.5 lb. weight and 38.5” overall length with an 18.5” barrel give you an excellent balance between maneuverability and performance.
If you are looking for a shotgun built to take the rigors of military operations, home defense, and hunting, you will love the Remington 870 Express’s power and precision.
It is available from Palmetto State Armory. Here’s where to buy it: www.PalmettoStateArmory.com
#2. Benelli M4 Tactical 18.5” 12 Gauge Shotgun
- Gauge: 12 Gauge
- Capacity: 5 Shells
- Barrel Length: 18.5”
- Overall Length: 40”
- Weight: 7.8 lbs.
The Benelli M4 Tactical 18.5” 12 Gauge Shotgun is a reliable, high-performing firearm that can handle anything you throw at it.
It is chambered in 12 gauge and is capable of loading 2.75” and 3” shells, enabling you to load almost any ammunition on the market.
Its semi-automatic action ensures rapid and consistent firing, while the 18.5” barrel provides impressive precision and accuracy.
To give you faster target acquisition, it has a ghost ring sight, or you can upgrade to an optic with the included Picatinny rail up top.
I also like the standard stock configuration that provides a pistol grip for optimal control and stability.
What truly sets the Benelli M4 apart is its USMC-approved piston-driven Auto-Regulating Gas-Operated (A.R.G.O.) system, offering enhanced reliability and durability under the harshest conditions.
The A.R.G.O. system has a dual piston design that offers more consistent cycling, faster operation, and minimal vibration.
The Benelli M4 Tactical 18.5” 12 Gauge Shotgun is a must-have for any collection, whether for professional military use or personal defense.
It is available from Palmetto State Armory. Here’s where to buy it: www.PalmettoStateArmory.com
#3. Mossberg 590 SPX 18.5” 12 Gauge Shotgun
- Gauge: 12 Gauge
- Capacity: 6 Shells
- Barrel Length: 18.5”
- Overall Length: 36.37”
- Weight: 7 lbs.
The Mossberg 590 can handle any mission the military throws at it, from breaching doors to providing security.
With the S.P.X. model, you get military fighting power with a few upgrades for enhanced comfort and performance.
With fiber optic front and rear ghost ring sights, you can quickly acquire your target and engage them with precision in low-light environments.
If you want to upgrade your sights, it is simple with the tactical rail up top.
The Mossberg 590 has a FLEX 6-position adjustable stock with a FLEX pistol grip for enhanced control and comfort.
Another thing I like about the stock is that it includes a shell holder that allows you to add more shells quickly when running low.
Mossberg went all out when they constructed the 590 SPX for reliability with its dual extractors, twin action bars, steel-to-steel lockup, and anti-jam elevator.
They ensure that it will fire when you need the 590 SPX the most.
If you are looking for a military shotgun for operational use or home defense, the Mossberg 590 SPX 18.5” 12 Gauge Shotgun is a simple choice.
It is available from Palmetto State Armory. Here’s where to buy it: www.PalmettoStateArmory.com
#4. Remington Model 870 Express Synthetic Tactical 12Ga Pump Shotgun
- Gauge: 12 Gauge
- Capacity: 4 Shells
- Barrel Length: 18.5”
- Overall Length: 38.5”
- Weight: 7.5 lbs.
If you want a military classic with modern features and reliability, the Remington Model 870 Express Synthetic Tactical 12Ga Pump Shotgun is a perfect choice.
With durability in mind, Remington constructed the 870 Express Synthetic shotgun to last.
The receiver is billeted from a solid billet of steel and equipped with a synthetic stock that can withstand the harshest environments.
It has a classic bead sight and an 18.5” barrel for a simple point-and-shoot firearm.
It is also chambered in 12 gauge for serious firepower and is compatible with 2.75” and 3” shells to give you more options.
Remington constructed this shotgun with twin action bars to ensure smooth and reliable action.
A downside to this model is that compared to the other shotguns on the list, it has a four-shell capacity.
If it’s home defense, hunting, or field use, the Remington Model 870 Express Synthetic Tactical 12Ga Pump Shotgun is a reliable shotgun at an excellent price.
It is available from Palmetto State Armory. Here’s where to buy it: www.PalmettoStateArmory.com
#5. Rock Island VR80 Tactical 12 Gauge Shotgun
- Gauge: 12 Gauge
- Capacity: 5 Shells
- Barrel Length: 20”
- Overall Length: 40”
- Weight: 8.27 lbs.
The Rock Island VR80 Tactical 12 Gauge Shotgun is an excellent option for military operations and home defense.
The military does not use it, but I would trust my life in its reliability and performance.
What I like most about this shotgun is your ability to customize it.
It has fully ambidextrous controls, making it perfect for left or right-handed shooters.
Another excellent feature is its 20” barrel with a barrel shroud that protects you from burning yourself on the barrel, and it helps dissipate heat.
You can customize your load out with its M-Lok anchoring points on the forend and the Picatinny rails on top and front.
The BufferTHS buttstock is also compatible with most aftermarket stocks, grips, and buffer tubes.
I really like that the VR80 uses magazines instead of a tube that allows you to reload quickly, and it comes with two five-shell magazines, but it is compatible with high-capacity magazines to give you more shells on hand.
It is also semi-automatic, which allows you to fire consistent follow-on shots down range.
If you are looking for a powerful semi-automatic shotgun that is fully customizable, the Rock Island VR80 Tactical 12 Gauge Shotgun is an excellent choice.
It is available from Palmetto State Armory. Here’s where to buy it: www.PalmettoStateArmory.com
#6. Beretta 1301 Competition Synthetic 12 Gauge Semi Auto Shotgun
- Gauge: 12 Gauge
- Capacity: 5 Shells
- Barrel Length: 24”
- Overall Length: 43.5”
- Weight: 7.1 lbs.
If you want a premium competitor to the M4, the Beretta 1301 Competition Synthetic 12 Gauge Semi Auto Shotgun is the perfect option.
Beretta designed the 1301 shotgun to outperform other models and brands in tactical competitions with faster cycling, oversized controls, and the receiver is tapped for rail mounts to upgrade your sights to an optic.
The oversized controls and ports allow you to handle the 1301 easily, and its semi-automatic action will enable you to fire four rounds in less than one second.
The gas-operated system is designed with self-cleaning pistons for smooth shooting and easy maintenance.
My favorite feature is the 24” Steelium barrel, designed to give you enhanced durability and longevity, allowing you to fire tens of thousands of shells.
It also features a front fiber optic sight and a mid-bead sight for consistent precision in any lighting condition.
It also features a short stock with an aggressive checkered grip, giving you positive control for better precision.
If you are looking for a high-performance military shotgun that can handle anything from self-defense to competitions, the Beretta 1301 Competition Synthetic 12 Gauge Semi Auto Shotgun is your best option.
It is available from Palmetto State Armory. Here’s where to buy it: www.PalmettoStateArmory.com
What Features To Look For In A Military Shotgun
When selecting a military shotgun, there are a few key aspects to consider to narrow down which one is right for you.
The essential attributes to picking the perfect military shotgun are capacity, action, and features.
Capacity
One of the most important aspects to consider is the shotgun’s capacity.
A shotgun’s capacity is the number of shells that can be loaded simultaneously.
More shells allow you to engage your target longer and reduce the number of times you need to reload.
Based on the model you select, you can have either a tube-loaded shotgun or a magazine-fed shotgun, which both have advantages and disadvantages.
Magazine-fed shotguns let you quickly reload your weapon and give you more rounds with high-capacity magazines.
While the standard tube shotgun has a lower capacity, they make up for it in their reliable cycling of rounds.
With magazines it introduces more parts, giving it a higher chance of a misfeed or jam.
Action
Semi-automatic shotguns allow you to fire follow-on shots rapidly and are simple to use.
After firing a pump-action shotgun, you need to cycle another round into the chamber, giving you a slower rate of fire.
Semi-automatic shotguns sound like the clear winner, right? Not Exactly.
They have more moving parts that can cause issues with the weapon, such as jams.
Pump actions are considered more reliable, and you can always rely on them to work when you need them the most.
However, it is much less likely to happen with a high-quality semi-automatic.
Features
Finally, you need to consider what features are important to you.
Military shotguns must be tough enough to withstand harsh environments and rough handling.
This requires a sturdy construction, often with reinforced barrels and stocks.
Versatility is also crucial because military shotguns must be adaptable for different combat scenarios.
The ability to mount accessories such as sights, lights, or grips can significantly enhance the weapon’s functionality.
Final Verdict
Shotguns have long held a significant role in military operations because of their versatility and effectiveness in close-quarter and combat situations.
Their power, reliability, and versatility make them perfect for almost any scenario.
If you are looking for a weapon to take to the field or defend your family, a military shotgun is perfect.
People who want a weapon that will always fire should buy a pump-action military shotgun.
Those who want the best capacity and fire rate should go with a semi-automatic.
See Also
10 Best Semi Auto Tactical Shotguns
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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