Just because it’s a new year doesn’t mean your 2008 Benelli M4 or 1975 Remington 870 won’t work as well as it has forever for defending your home. But, if you happen to be in the market for a new tactical shotgun, here are some new models for consideration, each with updated features.
Benelli Nova 3 Tactical
Benelli’s Nova pump has been overhauled again with its third series, the Nova 3, but this time the firm has added a tactical model. Though Benelli’s marketers hype such features as its “M4 technology,” “Poly-Mod construction” and “diamond grip surfaces,” I believe the Nova 3 Tactical’s best attributes are that it has a shorter pump stroke than the original for faster follow-up shots, and its upgraded trigger. I also like the nifty magazine-stop button located on the underside of the fore-end that can be pushed to prevent a shell from loading from the mag tube if you wish to unload the chamber without unloading the gun. Overall, it’s extremely lightweight at 5.9 pounds with its 18.5-inch barrel. It comes with M-Lok slots for a flashlight, QD-sling-attachment points and ghost-ring sights. It’s available with a Multicam finish, although the black version is $150 cheaper. Either way, it’s still not beautiful, but who cares as long as it works, which it does quite well. Prices range from $529 to $749.
Stoeger M3000 Tactical
Often referred to as the “poor-man’s Benelli,” Stoeger’s M3000 has gained a reputation for reliable affordability in duck-hunting circles, where shotguns are known to wilt under action-seizing conditions of ice, dirt and constant punishment. The new Tactical version, however, is made for defending the home with its 18.5-inch barrel, polymer buttstock and fore-end that features plenty of M-Lok slots, ghost-ring sights, Picatinny rail, oversize controls and a breacher-style choke tube with teeth that would make an average shark embarrassed to smile. As a downside, because of Byzantine importation laws, it only holds four shells in the magazine, although aftermarket extended tubes are available. Overall, though, this semi-automatic shotgun is tough to beat for the money. MSRP on the M3000 Tactical is $649.
Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical SPX
I’m a big fan of Mossberg’s 940 Pro series semi-autos that are a vast improvement compared with the 930 series in terms of reliability, and I’ve written about them extensively. Not long ago, America’s oldest continually operated, privately owned gun company released a tactical version of the 940 Pro, and for 2025 it introduced the SPX version, meaning its receiver is cut out for the RMSc footprint, as well as a rear ghost-ring-sight insert if you do not want an optic. It also has a Vang Comp six-round shell-carrier card that sticks to the left side of the receiver. Other than that, it has all the features of the Tactical version, including an 18.5-inch barrel, oversize controls, an adjustable stock and M-Lok slots and sling-attachment points. This high-tech semi-auto will run with the best of ’em. MSRP is $1,246.
Mossberg 590RM
For the AR folks who want an easy-to-master shotgun, Mossberg introduced the 590R (with rotary safety) and 590RM (rotary safety and box-magazine fed). At its heart is Mossberg’s legendary 590 pump action, but that’s about where the similarities end. From there, the company removed the 590’s traditional furniture and replaced it with that of an AR-15, including a collapsible buttstock, pistol grip, detachable-box mag (on the RM model) and flip-up sights attached to a Picatinny rail. The shotgun’s rotary safety-selector switch is exactly like that of an AR-15 rather than Mossberg’s traditional tang design. Magazines are available in five-, 10-, 15- and 20-round versions, although the 10-round mag comes standard. MSRP on this new version is $1,190.
Winchester SX4 Extreme Defender Woodland FDE
I’m a huge fan of Winchester’s SX4 gas action, mostly due to its inherent recoil mitigation. And now Winchester offers it in a tactical version featuring an 18.5-inch barrel, ghost-ring sights, oversize controls, Picatinny rail, reversible safety, drop-out trigger group and a cool woodland camo finish. I like this gun’s no nonsense, full-size buttstock and grippy stock finish that—to me at least—enhances control and mitigates recoil. I do not love that it only holds five shells total, but aftermarket accessories can be purchased. Overall, however, this is one of the fastest-shooting, lightest-recoiling guns of the group. MSRP on this new Winchester is $1,299.
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