SHOT Present 2026 didn’t really feel like a searching present. Tactical and home-defense shotguns dominated the ground, with rails, optics, and black polymer in all places you turned. The shift was apparent and intentional. Even hitting the vary felt international. There was nearly nobody there, and never a single shotgun to be discovered.
The firearms trade is responding to a tense political second, and product growth displays that actuality. Defensive platforms are promoting, and producers are chasing demand. That absolutely is smart from a enterprise perspective, but it surely isn’t why we attend SHOT Present.
We’re hunters, first. We spend our seasons in blinds, marshes, and upland cowl, not clearing rooms. Due to that, we put blinders on to many of the tactical noise and centered on the searching shotguns that also matter within the area. With the pickings being slim, a number of the inclusions on this listing aren’t even new.
To be truthful, we actually checked out a number of wild house protection weapons, however they’ll make our private lists, not the listing right here. So ultimately, listed below are the searching shotguns we received giddy about at SHOT Present 2026.
Mossberg Silver Reserve 16 Gauge
A gal simply loves to like a 16. The Mossberg Silver Reserve in 16 gauge stood out as a result of it didn’t attempt to reinvent something. It’s a conventional over-under constructed for wingshooting, with 28-inch barrels and a easy two-shot capability that retains the concentrate on clear capturing and good choices. In a sea of tactical extra, that restraint mattered.
Mossberg builds the Silver Reserve with chrome-lined barrels and chambers, twin locking lugs, and a tang-mounted security that additionally features because the barrel selector. It ships with a full set of interchangeable chokes, which makes it versatile throughout upland species and seasons. Inventory choices embody walnut for hunters who recognize custom and artificial for individuals who hunt whatever the climate.
The 16 gauge continues to occupy a sensible center floor between the 12 and the 20, which I love.
Mossberg 940 Professional Waterfowl Realtree Legacy
The Mossberg 940 Professional Waterfowl stays one of the vital sensible waterfowl shotguns available on the market, and the Realtree Legacy model retains issues grounded by wanting like a real “common Joe” shotgun. This can be a 12-gauge, gas-operated semi-auto with a 28-inch barrel and a four-plus-one capability that’s clearly designed for lengthy days in moist blinds.
The receiver comes optic-ready from the manufacturing facility, with mounting cuts and plates that assist most typical micro-dot footprints. Outsized controls and a generously sized loading port make dealing with simpler when gloves are obligatory. The adjustable inventory permits modifications to size of pull and drop with out guesswork or further components.
This shotgun wasn’t attempting to impress anybody on the present flooring. It’s constructed to maintain operating when climate, mud, and chilly would quite shut issues down.
Franchi Affinity 3 Lineup
The Franchi Affinity 3 lineup didn’t generate a lot noise at SHOT Present, which was a part of its enchantment. These inertia-driven semi-autos can be found in each 12 and 20 gauge, with configurations starting from traditional walnut-stocked area weapons to camo waterfowl choices.
Barrel lengths fluctuate by mannequin, operating from the mid-20s as much as 30 inches. The compact measurement caught my eye and may find yourself being one I add to my assortment (little gal issues).
The inertia system retains these shotguns lighter and cleaner than many gas-operated opponents. The stability feels particularly good in upland settings the place quick mounting issues. They deal with trendy searching hundreds with out grievance and don’t demand fixed cleansing to remain dependable.
For hunters who need a easy semi-auto that does its job with out drama or extra upkeep, the Affinity 3 lineup continues to make a compelling case.
Beretta AX800 Suprema
The Beretta AX800 Suprema drew critical consideration at SHOT Present 2026 for good cause. I needed to wait in considerably of a line to even get my palms on one. This 12-gauge semi-auto is constructed round Beretta’s B-LINK Professional gasoline system, which is designed to cycle shortly whereas staying cleaner over high-volume capturing days.
Steelium Professional barrels contribute to constant patterns and velocity, whereas the Kick-Off Professional inventory system ought to noticeably scale back felt recoil with heavier hundreds. The polymer receiver retains the burden affordable and may maintain as much as harsh climate with out concern. An built-in optic mounting system permits red-dot use with out awkward aftermarket options.
All the pieces about this shotgun suggests it was designed by individuals who hunt waterfowl in actual circumstances. It feels trendy with out feeling compelled, which I believe is more durable to drag off than most producers notice.
Benelli Tremendous Black Eagle 3 AI
Not that AI. This one truly belongs within the blind.
The Benelli Tremendous Black Eagle 3 A.I. just isn’t synthetic intelligence. The A.I. right here stands for Superior Affect, which is about tighter patterns and higher downrange efficiency, not considering for itself.
Constructed on Benelli’s confirmed inertia-driven system, this 12-gauge is chambered for 3½-inch shells and designed to run clear in dangerous circumstances. The Superior Affect barrel and choke system focuses on sample density and power retention, particularly with trendy metal hundreds. The Consolation Tech and Combtech inventory options assist handle recoil, and outsized controls make cold-weather dealing with simpler.
It’s a well-known platform with a significant improve. Benelli didn’t reinvent the Tremendous Black Eagle. They simply made it hit more durable the place it issues.
Within the Finish …
SHOT Present 2026 made it clear that a lot of the shotgun market is chasing defensive tendencies. That actuality isn’t prone to change quickly. Nonetheless, for hunters keen to look previous the ocean of black plastic, there have been legit area weapons value taking note of.
… And if you happen to’re out there for a house protection gun, discover me at my native watering gap. I’ve ideas.
