Smith & Wesson announced the latest addition to the M&P family: a new, bullpup-style pump-action shotgun, the M&P12. Bringing 12-gauge power to the M&P line, the M&P12 is gear toward home protection, and is packed with features in a compact, maneuverable package. While the M&P12 is chambered for 3-inch, 12 gauge shells, clever engineering allows it to also function with a variety of standard 2¾-inch, 3-inch magnum and popular mini-shell loads. Twin magazine tubes offering 7-round capacity offer the home defender a variety of options to best suit their needs. Keeping with this ergonomic, adaptable theme, the M&P12 also features complete ambidextrous controls, an M&P grip, picatinny-style rail and more.
Kyle Tengwall, Vice President of Marketing, said, “Smith & Wesson has a long, storied history of making handguns for self-defense, yet no conversation around personal protection can be complete without mentioning the 12 gauge shotgun. With the introduction of the new M&P12, Smith & Wesson is able to offer our consumers a personal protection product in a variety of categories: pistol, revolver, rifle, and shotgun. Today, we’re excited to unveil the M&P12 – a new category introduction for Smith & Wesson, and a firearm that’s purpose-built for protection and a blast to shoot at the range.”
Smith & Wesson's innovative M&P12 shotgun is built on a reliable, pump-action platform that utilizes two independent magazine tubes. Load-assist buttons help simplify loading and unloading processes, and each tube can hold up to 7 rounds of 2¾-inch rounds or up to 6 rounds of 3-inch magnum shells. Mini-shells, such as those from Aguila or Federal's new Shorty Shotshells, allow for greater magazine capacity along with reduced recoil, and Smith & Wesson has designed the M&P12 to work with these loads.
In operation, the user can select which magazine tube will feed the M&P12 by way of a simple, push-button selector. This allows, among other options, the ability to switch between slugs and buckshot at the push of a button, further increasing the versatility of the 12-gauge shotgun.
The M&P12 features fully ambidextrous controls, using an oversize action release mechanism that can be engaged from either side of the firearm. Rather than a push-button or tang safety, an AR-style, ambidextrous safety selector is employed to foster rapid familiarity with the M&P12's controls. Other familiar M&P features can be found throughout the shotgun, including the newly designed M&P grip with four interchangeable grip inserts to customize fit for the user.
The M&P12’s bullpup design delivers maximum maneuverability with an overall length of 27.8 inches and a weight of 8.3 pounds. M-Lok attachment slots along the barrel shroud allow easy addition of lights, lasers and other accessories, while a length of Picatinny rail on top allows iron sights, red-dot sights or magnified optics if desired.
Smith & Wesson ships the M&P12 shotgun with both modified and cylinder choke tubes, four palmswell grip inserts, cable lock, choke tube wrench and a hard plastic, foam-lined case.
The MSRP on the new M&P12 shotgun is $1,165. To learn more, visit Smith & Wesson.
