When manufacturers up their game, everyone benefits.
By Eve Flanigan
Firearm consumers are an increasingly educated lot, with many shooters opting for specific guns, chamberings, and features for narrowly defined pursuits and styles rather than one do-it-all rifle, handgun, or shotgun. Today’s manufacturers have met that sophisticated audience by upping their game, offering a broader range of features on familiar but often sleeker platforms than ever before. In the past year-plus, we’ve come to expect to see optics-ready slides on handguns for nearly every budget, and it’s now normal to see a mix of tactical, technical, and traditional features on the same firearm so that every gun owner can have what’s perfectly suited to them. Here is a look at some of the many new shotgun models that consumers will want to see in your store in 2024.
American Tactical
American Tactical has doubled down on revamping their Road Agent side-by-sides. Consumers wanted double-trigger coach guns, and ATI delivered. The Road Agent line is produced in Turkey with in-person oversight from an ATI engineer. Chambered in 12 or 20 gauge with carbon-steel barrels, the new Road Agents have decocking hammers, a feature for which ATI holds the patent. The two new guns have aluminum receivers with ornate scrolling on the outside and three-inch chambers.
There are two length/finish choices. The 18.5-inch model has black finish and standard walnut furniture. The Prime has a 26-inch carbon-steel barrel with a shiny, nickel-tone aluminum finish and premium walnut furniture. SRP: $599.95.
During the 2024 SHOT Show, find them in Booth #72405
Check these out on: americantactical.us
Benelli
Known as the leader in advanced shotgun technology, Benelli continues to push the maximum performance boundaries with the all-new Advanced Impact barrel system available in the Benelli Performance Shop Ethos line of semi-auto shotguns for 2024. The Advanced Impact technology centers on revolutionary new ballistic contours within the barrel bore that combine with the equally new Advanced Impact CRIO choke tubes to boost downrange shot column energy and velocity for up to 50-percent deeper penetration compared to existing barrel technology.
During the 2024 SHOT Show, find them in Booth #13238
Check these out on: benelliusa.com
Browning
A 20-gauge A5 joins the line this year. Features include a gloss-finish Turkish walnut stock that is shim-adjustable for length of pull, cast, and drop; gloss black anodized receiver finishing; three Invector-DS choke tubes; the Inflex II recoil pad; and a fiber-optic front sight. In addition, this new 20 gauge also boasts Browning’s Speed Load Plus, a feeding system that sends the first shell loaded into the magazine directly into the chamber, as well as the A5’s famous Kinetic Drive system that results in consistent, reliable function with a wide variety of loads and under the full extremes of weather, temperature, moisture, and grime.
During the 2024 SHOT Show, find them in Booth #10938
Check these out on: browning.com
Franchi
Franchi ramps up its popular Affinity 3 series semi-auto shotgun line for 2024 with the addition of the Affinity 3 Sport-Trap model. Developed as an entry-level shotgun for competitive sport and trap shooting, the Affinity 3 Sport-Trap hosts Franchi’s Evolved Ergonom-X stock system (which includes adjustable drop, cast, and LOP) along with a 30-inch barrel chambered in 3-inch 12-guage, barrel porting for reduced muzzle flip, and oversized bolt controls with a beveled loading port for smooth and efficient operation on the line.
During the 2024 SHOT Show, find them in Booth #13238
Check these out on: franchiusa.com
Charles Daly
The CD Defense Hydra 902 Bullpup/AR combo shotgun features an upper chambered for 3-inch 12-gauge shotgun ammo and attaches to interchangeable lowers—one in a bullpup platform, the other in an AR platform. This uniquely designed combo gives shooters the ability to convert between these two very popular platforms.
The barrel length is 18.7 inches and is covered by an aluminum barrel shroud with a top and bottom Picatinny rail perfect for mounting optics and accessories in addition to the already attached angled fore grip. The Hydra 902 features Beretta/Benelli Mobil choke threads and includes three choke tubes (IC, M, F). Both lowers are equipped with an adjustable comb and a generous rubber recoil pad. The Hydra also includes adjustable flip-up sights along with two five-round magazines.
During the 2024 SHOT Show, find them in Booth #12853
Check these out on: charlesdaly.com
Mossberg
Turkey hunters will see four shotgun combinations specifically designed for them this year. These new turkey/optic-ready combos in three gauges offer hunters improved eye alignment and faster target acquisition. Designed with receiver cuts that accept low-profile direct mounting of Shield RMSc-pattern sights, each shotgun also comes outfitted with a Holosun HS407K micro dot sight for straight-out-of-the-box hunting convenience. Model 500 versions will be offered in .410 bore and 20 gauge. In addition, the stock on the Super Bantam uses one-inch spacers to extend length of pull from 12 inches to 13 inches. The 835 Ulti-Mag is available in 12 gauge. It also features an overbored barrel designed to reduce pellet deformation and help create uniform, dense patterns.
The new 940 Pro Waterfowl Optic Ready model is a 12-gauge 3-inch autoloader that features a 28-inch AccuChoke-compatible vent-rib barrel equipped with a HiViz CompSight front fiber-optic sight. An extended X-Factor Modified choke tube and flush Full and Improved Cylinder chokes are included. Metal surfaces (receiver and barrel) wear a weather-resistant Cerakote finish in Patriot Brown, which naturally blends with the Mossy Oak Vintage Shadowgrass camouflaged stock and forend. Rounding out this package is aggressive Mossberg signature texturing on the forend and stock; sling swivel studs; 5-round capacity; optic-cut receiver; drilled and tapped receiver; and ambidextrous safety. SRP: $1,210.
The new 940 Snow Goose Optic Ready is available in two versions—one with a 13-shot capacity (for areas where capacity is not restricted), the other with a five-shot capacity. Both are 12-gauge 3-inch fowling shotguns with 28-inch barrels. The vent-rib barrel is topped with a HiViz CompSight front fiber-optic sight and comes equipped with an extended X-Factor Modified and flush Full and Improved Cylinder choke tubes. Battleship Gray Cerakote finish is featured on the receiver and barrel with complementing TrueTimber Viper Snow camouflage covering the stock and forend. Other features include aggressive Mossberg signature texturing on the stock and forend; sling swivel studs; optic-cut receiver; drilled and tapped receiver; and top-mounted safety for ease of use by right- or left-handed shooters. SRP: $1,285.
During the 2024 SHOT Show, find them in Booth #12832
Check these out on: mossberg.com
Retay Arms
Turkish manufacturer Retay Arms released a new semi-auto 20 gauge that brings modularity normally associated with rifles to the shotgun category. It’s called the Gordion Compact.
The Gordion Compact has a choice of 24- or 26-inch barrels. While the frame is full size, it’s shipped with a shortened stock that includes an adjustable length of pull. Adjustments can be made with a screwdriver, adding or subtracting .25-inch shims from the buttstock. Length of pull ranges from 12.5 to 13.5 inches. The stock, purchased separately, can also be changed out for a full-size. There are no plastic components in the Gordion Compact’s receiver, trigger, or trigger guard, and the shotgun is outfitted with Retay Arms’ Inertia Plus bolt system that prevents out-of-battery malfunctions and is quieter than most. Seven finishes, including several camo patterns, are offered. SRP: $899-999.
During the 2024 SHOT Show, find them in Booth #70743
Check these out on: retayusa.com
Savage Arms
The Stevens 560 line consists of semi-auto scatterguns made with hunting in mind. The new line includes full-size and compact models, all in 12 gauge. Barrel lengths are 26 or 28 inches. Three chokes are included. The barrel is hard chrome-lined. Other features include a lightweight aluminum-alloy receiver, manual safety in the trigger guard, oversized controls, and a raised ventilated rib with mid-bead rear sight and fiber-optic front sight. The stock is Turkish walnut. SRP: $499.
During the 2024 SHOT Show, find them in Booth #12821
Check these out on: savagearms.com
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