The power and efficacy of the defensive or tactical shotgun mean that it is still a popular choice for home defense and personal protection. With new innovations like the growing acceptance of red dot sights and speedy reloads of a scattergun with a box-fed magazine mean that it will continue to be a useful tool for self-defense for years, if not decades or centuries, into the future. Here's some of the latest choices for tactical shotguns for 2022.
Beretta | 1301 Tactical Enhanced
Increased capacity and a dedicated pistol grip are the two most immediate upgrades to the newest 1301 from Beretta. With three more rounds in the tubular magazine, the 1301 is an even more formidable home-defense tool.
▶ Ghost-ring sights
▶ Pistol grip
▶ BLINK gas-operating system
▶ Adjustable length-of-pull
Specifications
Gauge: 12, 3-inch chamber
Magazine Capacity: 7 rounds
Barrel Length: 18.5 inches
Overall Length: 37.8 inches
Weight: 6 pounds, 11 ounces
MSRP: $1,499
(301) 283-2191 beretta.com
Citadel | Boss 25
Combining the ever-popular design of “America’s Rifle” with the versatility of a scattergun, the Citadel Boss 25 is a versatile shotgun ideally suited for home defense, 3-gun competition or endless hours of fun on the firing line. Additional 10-rounds magazines are available.
▶ Chrome-lined barrel
▶ Muzzle brake
▶ Textured grip fore-end
▶ Fully adjustable folding sights
Specifications
Gauge: 12; 3-inch chamber
Magazine Capacity: 5 rounds
Barrel Length: 18.75 inches
Overall Length: 37.75 inches
Weight: 8 pounds
MSRP: $599
(775) 828-0555 legacysports.com
Henry Repeating Arms | Brass Axe
Measuring slightly more than 25 inches long and chambered in .410 bore, Henry’s Brass Axe is classified as a “firearm” rather than a shotgun, and may be an ideal home defender for those who are sensitive to recoil.
▶ Transfer-bar safety
▶ Polished brass receiver
▶ Swivel studs
▶ Internally threaded for Invertor-style chokes
Specifications
Gauge: .410 bore
Magazine Capacity: 5 rounds
Barrel Length: 15.14 inches
Overall Length: 26.4 inches
Weight: 5.8 pounds
MSRP: $1,132
(866) 200-2354 henryusa.com
Mossberg | 590S
With Federal Premium offering 1.75-inch shotshells, Mossberg has redesigned its famous 590 series to run these smaller shells without the need for an adapter. This model can run 1.75-, 2.75- and 3-inch shells with equal aplomb.
▶ Capable of accepting 1.75-inch shells
▶ M-Lok compatible fore-end
▶ AccuChoke system
▶ Ghost ring sights
Specifications
Gauge: 12, 3-inch chamber
Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
Barrel Length: 20 inches
Overall Length: 41 inches
Weight: 7 pounds, 4 ounces
MSRP: $731
(203) 230-5300 mossberg.com
Standard Mfg. | SP12
Designed as a truly ambidextrous shotgun, the SP12 has matching safety selectors on either side of the receiver and a wraparound slide release forward of the trigger guard to make this shotgun easy for righties and lefties.
▶ Full-length Picatinny rail
▶ Bottom ejection
▶ AR-style stock
▶ M-Lok compatible
Specifications
Gauge: 12, 3-inch chamber
Magazine Capacity: 7 rounds
Barrel Length: 18.5 inches
Overall Length: 36.5 to 39.5 inches
Weight: 7 pounds, 4 ounces
MSRP: $799
(860) 225-3401 stdgun.com
Winchester | SXP OD Green Defender
The trusty SXP has a rugged new finish thanks to Perma-Cote OD Green on its barrel and receiver. Dual action bars and a strong rotary bolt enhance this pump-action’s reliability. It is also available in 20 gauge.
▶ TruGlo fiber-optic front sight
▶ Inflex Technology recoil pad
▶ Chrome-plated chamber and bore
▶ Accepts Invector-Plus chokes
Specifications
Gauge: 12; 3-inch chamber
Magazine Capacity: 5 rounds
Barrel Length: 18 inches
Overall Length: 38.5 inches
Weight: 6 pounds, 4 ounces
MSRP: $389.99
(800) 333-3288 winchesterguns.com
