Best Semi-Automatic Shotgun in 2023 – Top Reviews and Buying Guide!

In today’s technological world, everything is changing at a fast pace and is being modernized to the extent that it makes our life hassle-free, and smoother than our forefathers used to enjoy. A simple example of this modernization can be seen in a shotgun that has changed a lot over the last few decades is quite fascinating. The guns that our grandfather and great-grandfather used to take for hunting is quite different from what we see and make use of now.

In those days, shotguns used to have limited options and upgrades that were available in the market. But now the options and features that we can add to the shotgun, and that have led to the invention of semi-automatic shotguns. It is a massive hit in the market of guns and ammunition since launch and is continuing well in the market.

With all of the added options out there for you to choose from and a lot of features available in the market, the selection process can be confusing, especially when you are a newbie in this field of guns and ammunition. Now, if you are reading this article, one thing that is for sure is that you have decided to buy a semi-automatic shotgun instead of the pump action. It is due to the high demand that the number of semi-auto shotguns offered by manufacturers as increased. It has two benefits: the first one is that you can get a lot of options to choose from and will thus help you to get the perfect one which suits you the most. The second advantage is that you will also get some relaxation with the cost because a lot of companies competing in the same sector would automatically decrease the price and hence save a few bucks in your pocket.

Assuming that you are a newbie in this field and have little or no knowledge about semi-automatic shotguns, you need to research a lot to find the right one which suits you the best. You need to consider a lot of things before buying the semi-automatic shotgun from the market like when and where you want to use the semi-automatic shotgun, the power you want or need it to have, and how much you’re wanting to spend, in simple words, the price tag with which it comes.

In the beginning, buying a simple semi-automatic shotgun will likely be the best. But keep in mind that the simpler semi-automatic gun you go with, the more likely it is that you will want to add accessories and add-ons to it later on, as you work on your skills to improve your accuracy. Now let’s look at a few buying guidelines which you should follow while buying a semi-automatic shotgun for your personal use.

Why choose a semi-automatic shotgun over a pump-action shotgun?

This has been a topic of debate for over years, if not decades. Which is the best semi-automatic shotgun or a pump-action shotgun? There is no clear answer as the utility depends on the owner itself and not the gun. the situation you are stuck in determine which shotgun you should choose and which one you should dispose of. All you need to do is analyze why do you need a gun?

Also, consider important factors such as the size of the shotgun, or is recoil a massive factor for you, do you need your bullets to emerge from the barrel faster as compared to others, and many more. If you don’t have a clear answer in your mind, then you should think twice if you need a shotgun or not. Both days have their advantages and disadvantages. While pump-action guns generally fire bullets with more power, the semi-automatic shotguns will make it faster. So if you are buying a gun for hunting purposes, then you should consider purchasing a pump-action firearm. Whereas, if you intend to protect yourself and your home from foreign intruders you should go for semi-automatic shotguns that will save your precious seconds in an unprecedented situation.

With enough being said, let us now jump into the list of the best semi-automatic shotguns available in the market that you can buy and see what is in store for us. We have tried to include products of the widest variety as possible so that every reader going through this article might get benefit from it.

Best Semi-Automatic Shotgun 2023 – Detailed Review!

#1 – Benelli M2

The Benelli M2 is the first semi-automatic gun in our list of the best semi-automatic firearms available in the market that you can buy. It is smooth, light, and rugged and is equipped with an innovative Comfortis system that enables the shotgun to have a 48% reduction rate in recoil.

The Benelli M2 comes in 12- or 20-gauge options, which allows you to choose which one you prefer. Overall, it is a lightweight, easy to use, and highly reliable semi-auto shotgun, which makes it ideal for someone interested in a long gun. It is available in both left and right-handed versions so that the company can bring both the left and right and right-handed students in the list of prospective customers.

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#2 – Remington Versa Max

The Remington Versa Max is the second shotgun in our list of the best semi-automatic shotguns available in the market that you can buy. Some of the features added to the Remington Versa Max are self-cleaning, gas-operated system, reduced recoil, and sleek design. It is indeed one of the best semi-auto shotguns, but the reason behind its immense popularity is its simple system that enables all the users from the newbies to the experienced ones to try their hands on the semi-automatic shotgun.

The Remington Versa Max weighs approximately seven pounds and has a full length of 5 inches. Overall, it is an efficient weapon to be used as a versatile one, from personal safety to hunting. Also carrying the gun is not a big issue as it is comparatively less and takes light and heavy loads. Apart from the features mentioned above, quick ejects and smooth transitions are two other things that have also contributed immensely to making it a super successful semi-automatic shotgun.

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#3 – Mossberg 930 SPX

The Mossberg 930 SPX is the third shotgun in a list of the best guns available in the market that you can buy. This and rolls out from the house of Mossberg. A company that has been known for nearly a century because of its top-quality construction and durability that its product is equipped with. Mossberg has been delivering gun owners throughout the world some of the best shotguns to use.

And this is the reason why they can be trusted because of the consistency they have been performing with and has features that aren’t found in other semi-automatic shotguns, this might be the gun for you. Some of the features available in the shotgun are reduced recoil due to a dual gas-vent system, fiber optic sight for low-light conditions, option to mount a scope if required, rubber required pad for enhanced grip. They also have a cable lock for added safety. Overall, the Mossberg 930 SPX Is best suited for versatile and can be used anywhere irrespective of day or night.

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#4 – Weatherby SA-08 Deluxe

Here comes the fourth shotgun in our list of the best shotguns available in the market that you can buy. In short, the Weatherby SA-08 Deluxe is an ideal semi-automatic shotgun that gives you power, reliability, and accuracy. You can also choose from either a 12-gauge or 20-gauge depending on your needs and desires. The overall length of the shotgun Is around 48 inches and weighs approximately seven pounds.

Some of the key features of the Weatherby SA-08 Deluxe are the aluminum receiver, chrome and brass additions, push-button safety, easy cleaning with a drop-out trigger system, and a dual gas system to reduce recoil to name a few.

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#5 – Browning A5

Here comes the first and the last semi-automatic shotgun in a list of the best semi-automatic shotgun that you can buy in the market, named as the Browning A5. Some of the important features added to the semi-automatic shotgun are a 16-gauge firearm that takes on all loads with modifications, is equipped with aluminum construction, has a humpback receiver, Inflex II recoil pads reduce kickback and adjustable parts for a customizable fit.

The Browning A5 has a beautiful walnut finish, and has an overall length of 25 inches and weighs only 5.8 pounds. This shotgun is a very good choice if you need a hunting semi-automatic shotgun, and you are not quite a fan of the heavy guns available in the market. It can be your perfect partner for all kinds of activities, such as going on an all-day hunt or using it for self-defense.

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A few buying guidelines for Best Semi-Automatic Shotgun

In need of a semi-automatic shotgun? Why don’t you go to the store and buy the one who looks the best? But as you know, this should never be the case. You are purchasing a gun, not a toy that you will decide on the spot which one to buy. We have made a list of a few points to keep in mind whenever you are planning to buy a new semi-automatic shotgun.

What add-ons should you use

To be frank, if you are in the initial stages of using a shotgun, either be it just like the general ones or semi-automatic, then do not consider anything buying as an add-on for additional use. Although there are thousands of extra features available in the market that you can add to your shotgun, it is not at all worth now. Also, there is no semi-auto shotgun out there in the market that meets every single need you could want, like going for shooting today and using it for self-defense the next day and so on. Nothing is perfect, and it applies for semi-automatic shotguns too. So, how do you make the shotgun you buy the best one for you? Add on accessories to customize it only to the extent where it is absolutely essential.

In case you are buying a semi-automatic shotgun for home defense, there is nothing much to add on. A simple score people won’t be a great idea and an extended magazine accompanying it would be great but, that should be enough. If you are getting too many add-ons you are increasing the weight of the gun, and that might decrease the mobility while holding it.

And of course, you don’t want to carry a heavy item in your hand the only thing you have in your mind is to run faster or to a safer place as quick as possible when you are opposed by a hostile enemy. But for other hunting scenarios such as duck hunting or deer hunting, scopes, flashlights, or added round magazines might be useful. Thus, it is clear that more number of advances doesn’t guarantee you the best experience. But, finding the right accessories attach to the shotgun could give you a more enjoyable experience out in the field.

Reduce the recoil of your gun

A massive problem that arises when shooting a shotgun is the recoil that the shooter experiences. The recoil of a shotgun is quite powerful, and that kickback, if not handled with proper care, can injure shoulders, cause sore muscles, or just be outright obnoxious. A lot of people don’t purchase shotguns for the recoil factor. Without knowing the different options available, people discard shotguns as options for their shooting needs. The recoil factor is one of the most important reasons that a lot of people don’t buy shotguns. The main reason behind it is the ignorance of the fact that there are many shotgun models available in the market, which produce much less recoil than the conventional ones.

Semi-automatic shotguns produce much less required then the conventional shotguns used in the earlier days. It is mainly due to the gas or recoil operating system in semi-automatic shotguns. The conventional pump-action guns have a lot of power and can shoot much larger loads, and this creates the recoil many people hate about shotguns. But semi-automatic firearms shoot much faster, with less shooter movement required and less recoil in return.

Ease of use

In the earlier days, people used to think that shotguns are only designed for those who have a strong body. But it is never always correct, in the case of a semi-automatic shotgun. Some of the semi-automatic shotguns can also be used by the people who have less upper body strength to control the liquid of the conventional guns used by our forefathers. When you are in charge of a gun, or simple words, shooting a weapon, you should have proper control over it so that you can move with it seamlessly, especially when you are stuck in a hostile situation? Semi-auto shotguns allow for that type of shooting to take place. People who are new in this field of guns and ammunition also like semi-automatic shotguns.

Because they don’t require reloading, manual labor with the pump-action, and can be shot with one hand if you have a strong upper body and muscular strength as compared to others. When you are buying a shotgun, always keep in mind that you have to get familiar with it for accurate shooting and it is always advisable to buy a semi-automatic shotgun which is quite easy to use and doesn’t involve too many complications while operating. First of all, you should have a clear idea of why you need a semi-automatic shotgun.

Knowing that need and understanding the requirements from your gun will help you figure out the best option available to you according to what you decide. It is a general fact that no one wants to buy a shotgun that is hard to use. But purchasing a semi-automatic shotgun that doesn’t require a lot of work to shoot could be more useful in specific situations.

Money doesn’t guarantee quality.

One thing you should be clear in your mind is that money is never a guarantee for a good and genuine product. If a manufacturer produces the worst quality product and launches it with a high price tag, it never means that the product is worth purchasing. The equation is quite simply something that costs more money doesn’t imply that it is actually of the best quality and will last long. Some fraudulent manufacturers might resort to the trick mentioned above and would like you to think that’s the case because that’s what is going to bring money in their bank account.

Long story short, do proper research before buying an expensive item, and gain some knowledge about the manufacturer so that you can have a rough idea about the quality of the product that you will be purchasing based on its history. However, the best quality product does always comes with a high price tag, but the reverse is not absolutely true.

But be assured, there are some great options on the market today that are not that expensive and are not going to land heavily on your wallet. Luckily, for all of us, some of the best semi-auto shotguns are reasonably priced, and can also be bought by people who have a tight budget. However, everything depends on the budget you are valid for purchasing a shotgun.

The manufacturers have witnessed the use growth in demand of semi-automatic guns throughout the globe and have been producing a variety of semi-automatic shotguns in a wide price range so that everyone can get the benefit of buying a semi-automatic shotgun. If you’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it a million times—just because something costs more money doesn’t mean it is the best quality. Manufacturers would like you to think that’s the case because it’s more money in their pockets. But, let’s get real. Spending more money doesn’t guarantee you’ll get the perfect specimen you were hoping for.

Conclusion

With all the above options available to you can choose the best semi-automatic shotgun available in the market which suits your condition the best. Remember to choose wisely and buy only the one which you think would do the job for you and meet your requirements. Get your hands on a shotgun and get to feel what real power looks like. We would like to suggest you keep the accessories minimum and simple, for reducing the overall cost and making the whole setup lighter that will eventually help you move around faster.