Shotgun Showcase 2026

Benelli's Ethos line already has a solid reputation as an upland, inertia semiautomatic with low profile, slim forearm and easy-to-carry weight. But the brand has doubled down to not only give us a specific upland variant, but also upgraded the line to feature its Advanced Impact (AI) barrels and Benelli Surface Treatment corrosion resistance.

The AI barrels feature a proprietary over-bored forcing cone and extended choke system that coordinate together to reduce friction, minimize pellet deformation and tighten your shot string; the combination increases impact velocity and penetration. When tested, the action was butter-smooth. The shotgun is slim and shoulders quickly. The even balance bolsters an easier swing for such a light gun. The firearm is under 6 pounds, but the progressive comfort stock and ported barrels help keep the recoil from getting too punchy.

I was surprised to see the rib has a recessed, grooved path running down the middle, called a sight channel, that helps naturally guide your eye right towards the beads. I was a fan; the sight channel helped me find the target quickly without overly drawing my focus towards the gun.

The anodized gray receiver is an attractive darker gun metal that nicely compliments the deeper satin walnut. The oversized controls are tastefully done; they are manageable in the field with large gloves, but still unassuming enough for sporting in the warmer months.

If you are looking for a classic upland shotgun, but lean towards a semiautomatic rather than a break action, this very attractive shotgun, with good handling and well-thought-out features, makes an excellent option.

Includes 5 A.I. Crio® extended choke tubes; available in 28-, 20- and 12-gauge with 28" barrels in AA-grade satin walnut wood.

Designed to be practical and dependable, the GForce Refuge is a gas-operated semiautomatic in the entry-level price range. It is a blend of vintage aesthetics and modern engineering, built with durability in mind, sporting a matching bronze Cerakote finish on both the receiver and barrel to complement the retro camo.

I have seen this camo on a handful of firearms in the last couple years, and I am a sucker for it every time. The vintage aesthetic is reminiscent of the grainy film from falls when hunters were rocking their '80's mustache.

Marketed as a versatile firearm to smoothly transition from pheasant drive, corn field or wetlands to wide-open prairies, this gun would perform well in all those settings.

With the synthetic furniture, Cerakote-finished metals, extended shole tubes and ready sling mounts, I am confident this gun will weather tough conditions well in the field.

When shooting, the weight for the Refuge falls toward the back of the gun. Recoil is manageable, but the firearm does feel quite stiff, especially when loading shells into the magazine tube. The trigger pull is heavy and has an almost tactical feel to it.

The fit and overall function performed well for the price point. The GForce Refuge is a solid option for those looking for a semiautomatic under $500 that can hold its own in the field.

Includes 3 Benelli Mobil extended choke tubes; available in 12- and 20-gauge with 28" barrels in walnut (bronze, gray receivers) and camo (Retro).

Love it or hate it, the gas-operated Beretta AX800 Suprema has a distinct, tactical appearance. The controls are dramatically oversized. The entire firearm is a texturized, matte black. And, well, you can see through the stock.

Aside from its tactical appearance, there are several features that make this shotgun unique.

The receiver is made of polymer. This helps reduce friction and makes it completely rust-proof.

The shotgun is easy to load, because the undercarriage remains raised when the bolt is closed, allowing easy access to the magazine tube and eliminating pinched thumbs.

This gun is also quite easy to customize right out of the box. The rib and receiver are optic-ready, and you can easily swap out the pistol grip, length of pull and comb height. And the Suprema includes Beretta's premium Steelium Pro barrel, which utilizes an exaggerated forcing cone for improved shot patterns and maximum knock-down power.

While shooting, the action ran smoothly and recoil was perceptibly light. The trigger update is also quite noticeable: The trigger is flat and has texturized serrations for better finger contact, and the trigger pull is very light … a feature I appreciate when shooting clays, but perhaps lighter than I would prefer on a gun in the field.

Though there is no difference in weight than its predecessor, the AX800 Suprema felt lighter, and the difference in balance made for exceptional handling and stability.

If you have some "duck morning and pheasant afternoon" days coming up and you're looking for a semiautomatic that will hunt hard for you, the Beretta AX800 Suprema, with its intentional features and updated technology for the field, makes a fine choice.

Includes 5 Optimachoke HP extended choke tubes; available in 12-gauge with 26", 28" or 30" barrels. In synthetic black or Realtree Max-7 camo.

The newest iteration of the classic Silver Pigeon line, the Beretta 687 Silver Pigeon III is an attractive over-under. Built on the well-known 680-series receiver platform, the 687 Silver Pigeon III has a sleek and low profile, and is built on a true sub-gauge frame.

Weighing more than 6 pounds, it is heavier than expected for a .410 double barrel. But the weight allows the shotgun to swing easily, provides excellent pointability without compromising the fast handling that the .410 is known for, and also results in essentially no felt recoil.

Combined with the nicely crisp trigger, this Silver Pigeon III was a joy to shoot.

The field-ready rounded forearm and pistol-grip stock are beautiful class 2.5 walnut wood with a gloss finish, complemented by a tasteful floral and upland scene engraved on the receiver. Decorated with intentional cohesiveness, this engraving also continues onto the forearm lever, trigger guard and top lever.

Unlike the larger gauges in this line that utilize Optima-Choke HP choke tubes, the .410 version uses standard 50mm Mobil Chokes, which may limit your choke options.

The Silver Pigeon III is a soft-shooting shotgun that will be comfortable for extended carry in the field … and also just plain fun for clay targets. It would be an excellent choice for those looking to venture into the world of .410s.

Includes 3 Beretta Mobil flush choke tubes; available in 12-, 20-, 28-gauge and .410 with 26", 28" and 30" barrels.

The AKKAR High Noon Elite is a modern update to the classic side-by-side shotgun. Forgoing a swamp rib, the High Noon Elite instead features a raised, single vent rib positioned between the two barrels. The rib adds weight to the barrel and creates more forward balance, and is a clever solution to mitigate the wider sight plane of the two barrels that many shooters struggle with on side-by-sides, myself included. The sight plane makes it easy to look down the barrels and pick up your target quickly.

The Elite features elevated ornamentation from the base model. The glossy walnut on the stock and beavertail forearm is particularly beautiful, and I love a tasteful, understated embellishment on the receiver. That receiver remains field-ready though, with a sleek, corrosion-resistant OxyCap finish.

The High Noon Elite shouldered quickly. The frame is scaled down for the gauge, allowing for a slim firearm that handles delightfully well. The excellent handling and balance of this firearm easily made up for any inconvenience made by the heavier trigger pull.

The AKKAR High Noon Elite would make an excellent choice for those interested in a modern side-by-side shotgun for the uplands that would also translate well for clay targets.

Includes 5 flush choke tubes; available in 12-, 20-, 28-gauge and .410 with 28" barrels. Walnut wood, with smooth or engraved receivers.

The RETAY brand was conceptualized to refine and perfect the design of inertia-operated shotguns, incorporating a flagship bolt system which keeps the bolt head from jarring out of the battery, eliminating a common type of misfire.

ACE is Retay's premier line of semiautomatics, and new for 2026 is this upland-specific variant.

The entire receiver, trigger and trigger guard system is 100% aluminum and entirely plastic-free. The firearm is light weight, particularly for a firearm with walnut rather than synthetic.

An especially slick feature of the Upland Ultra-Light is the Easy Out magazine unloading, where you can unload your shells without cycling the bolt. This is a huge convenience when you may be loading/unloading often to change fields, or water your dog on a long day of hunting.

Additionally, a simple button push removes the trigger group: This is a gun you can truly break down in the field. The intention in the design should be applauded; each piece of this firearm performs a function and was placed with purpose.

The firearm is very slim, and the high receiver made for a wide sight plane. Very noticeable is the bubble-shaped recoil pad, featuring an internal air pocket mechanism which I personally found to be reminiscent of the old school Nike Air Max. While a bit odd in appearance, it did accomplish its job, and helped to tame the expected punchy recoil of such a light gun.

If you like a classic upland look and want intentional field technology, the Ace-R Upland Ultra-Light offers an excellent option as an easy carry in the field, with top-tier technology for its price range.

Includes 5 Crio Plus flush choke tubes; available in 12-, 20- and 28-gauge with 24" or 26" barrels and walnut stock. The ACE model has the standard profile receiver, while the ACE-R model features the raised "humpback" profile receiver.

The 1012 line was CZ's first inertia-operated semiautomatic, and CZ has improved upon the platform with the release of the 1012 G2. This updated generation of a well-proven line now has a reversible cross-bolt safety, improved inertia system tuned to handle a wider variety of shells, and allows for magazine tube extension.

The 1012 G2 includes a flat, vented field rib; dark walnut stock; and forearm with matte black receiver and barrel. Overall, it has a very attractive and unassuming appearance.

The shotgun is drilled and tapped, ready to mount optics or rails. The design has tastefully returned to flush choke tubes and done away with the mid-bead. The 1012 G2 smartly sticks with a 3" chamber, which will more reliability cycle a wide variety of shotgun shells. The gun easily handled light target loads while testing.

When tested, the 1012 G2 mounted and swung easily, with a balance that pleasantly outperformed my expectations.

Those looking for an affordable yet dependable workhorse semiautomatic, with both function and a classic upland appearance, will find that the CZ All Terrain 1012 G2 offers a solid option priced well under $1,000.

Includes 5 flush choke tubes; available in 12-gauge with 28" barrels in walnut with black, grey or bronze receivers and black, camo or all-terrain synthetic.

Legacy's Pointer line has gained a reputation as some of the most affordable over-under shotguns on the market. The ST912 provides elevated sporting features, and packages them at an affordable price.

The wood furniture features a unique and noticeable laminate gray — I was approached multiple times with inquiries and compliments on the appearance while out testing this shotgun. The simple black receiver and barrel nicely complement the gray wood grain, making for a pleasant, cohesive appearance.

Additionally, the ejectors, barrel selector and mechanical trigger (even though it was a bit heavier than expected) are appreciated features.

The firearm had an especially wide, generous palm swell in the stock, and the weight is forward balanced. This translated nicely while shooting: The ST912 felt solid and had excellent swing, though recoil was more substantial than anticipated.

The shotgun's comb is adjustable, a very handy feature to get the gun fit to you. The barrel is 30", and both chrome-lined barrels are vented with a fiber-optic front sight. The indenting on the upper forearm was very comfortable to hold.

With its weight and long barrel, the ST912 may be more fitted for the trap range rather than a long day in the field, but the fit and overall function performed well for the price point. The ST912 is a solid option for those looking for an entry-level priced over-under but wanting elevated sporting features.

Includes 5 Benelli Mobil extended choke tubes; available in 12-gauge with 30" barrels. In walnut and laminate gray.