Since first arriving on the scene back in 1979, SHOT Show remains a hotbed of firearm innovation, including for shotguns. So which scatterguns making their debut this year actually lived up to the hype? The Shooting Sports USA team met with several companies to bring you our top shotguns of SHOT Show 2024 list.
Here are six of the best shotguns from SHOT Show 2024.
Benelli Ethos Super Sport Performance Shop. The Ethos SuperSport Performance Shop is a semi-automatic shotgun chambered for 12-gauge shotshells and outfitted with the Comfort Tech 3 recoil-reduction system, carbon-fiber-finished furniture and inertia-driven action. There’s also the Advanced Impact Barrel (AIB) system—an overbore design with specialized internal contours to increase performance, ported and threaded barrels for AIB extended chokes and the Ethos carbon-fiber ventilated sighting rib. MSRP: $3,399, benelliusa.com.
Beretta 1301 Tactical Mod.2. The popular 1301 Tactical shotgun is upgraded with ergonomic changes, improved accessory attachment points, a new trigger and some internal modifications. On the outside, Beretta redesigned the pistol grip on the 1301, bringing a more comfortable, ergonomic design to the Mod.2. In addition, the fore-end has been overhauled with aggressive texturing for an improved support-hand hold. M-Lok compatibility has also been enhanced with accessory attachment points on either side of the fore-end. MSRP: $1,799, beretta.com.
TriStar Arms Cypher SP 12-Gauge. TriStar’s new Cypher SP sporting over/under shotgun includes three-inch chambers and steel mono-block barrel construction. An adjustable comb, 30-inch ported barrels with target rib, fiber-optic front sight and auto ejectors round out this feature-rich 12-gauge scattergun, along with the barrel selector and safety that are located on the top tang. The handsome Turkish Walnut stock and fore-arm are oil-finished. Length-of-pull is 14¼ inches and weight is 7.2 pounds. MSRP: $1,025, tristararms.com.
Beretta 687 Silver Pigeon V. The new Beretta 687 Silver Pigeon V over/under shotgun is updated with features that sporting clays shooters want and need. Incorporating Beretta’s Steelium tri-alloy steel cold hammer-forged barrels (28- and 30-inch long barrels are available), the new 687 Silver Pigeon V 12-gauge also has a six-by-six top rib and the 680 platform’s ejection system. The bore is chrome-lined and has double forcing cones (80 mm) to produce a solid pattern, no matter what the distance is. The slim receiver is derived from Beretta’s 680 series, which the company said is “characterized by the tried-and-tested locking system with iconic trapezoid shoulders and dual conical locking lugs.” As for the wood, it is Class 3 grade, and this Silver Pigeon is available with adjustable comb and spacers for length-of-pull. Regarding aesthetics, new deep scroll engraving will certainly turn heads at your next sporting clays competition. MSRP: $4,499-$4,899, depending on model, beretta.com.
Franchi Affinity 3 Sport Trap. Priced less than a grand, Franchi’s new Affinity 3 Sport Trap semi-automatic shotgun is designed for entry-level sporting clays and trap shooters. This 12-guage with three-inch chambers sports a 30-inch ported barrel with stepped vent rib and single bead. It also features oversized controls, including an enlarged bolt handle and bolt release. Plus, the Affinity 3 Sport Trap’s black polymer Evolved Ergonom-X stock system is adjustable for drop, cast and length-of-pull. A beveled loading port will aid shooters in fast reloading, and the Sport Trap’s Inertia Driven system “delivers unfailing cycling performance with every trigger pull.” MSRP: $999, franchiusa.com.
Browning A5 20-Gauge. This new slim and lightweight 20-gauge hunting shotgun from Browning is also ideal for sporting clays. Built on a smaller-sized frame than 12-gauge models, this semi-automatic scatter gun weighs less than six pounds and has a deep black receiver and blued barrel, plus a fiber-optic front sight and ivory mid-bead. Browning’s A5 20-gauge shotgun uses the company’s short recoil-operated Kinematic Drive System, which harnesses recoil energy, converting it into mechanical motion to operate the action. The Turkish walnut stock sports a vertical grip and shim adjustment for cast, drop and length-of-pull. Available models include 26- and 28-inch barrels. In addition, three Invector-DS choke tubes are included. MSRP: $1,979.99, browning.com.
