Best Shotgun to Buy at Every Budget (2026 Guide)
Shotguns are the most versatile firearms you can own — home defense, hunting, clays, and competition all with one gun. Here are the best picks at every budget with real prices from r/gundeals.
Quick Answer by Budget
| Budget | Pick | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Under $250 | Maverick 88 | Budget home defense, first shotgun |
| $270–$500 | Remington 870 Police Trade-In | Best value used pump |
| $300–$500 | Mossberg 500 / 590 | All-around pump, HD + hunting |
| $400–$600 | Benelli Nova / SuperNova | Best pump action made, period |
| $600–$900 | Beretta A300 Ultima | Best value semi-auto, clays + hunting |
| $1,200–$1,400 | Beretta 1301 Comp | Fast semi-auto, competition + HD |
| $1,600–$2,000 | Benelli M4 | The gold standard, military proven |
Best Budget Shotgun: Maverick 88 ($180–$230)
The Maverick 88 is made by Mossberg (same factory, same barrel, same action) with a few cost-saving changes: cross-bolt safety instead of tang safety, and a pinned forend. That's it. It goes bang every time and costs less than a nice dinner for two. With an average of 150 upvotes per deal on r/gundeals, it's one of the most popular shotgun deals posted — people get genuinely excited when these drop under $200.
The Maverick 88 is also a top pick for home defense on a budget. Load it with buckshot and you have a reliable HD setup for under $250 total.
Best All-Around Pump: Mossberg 500 / 590 ($350–$550)
The Mossberg 500 has been the American pump shotgun for decades. Tang safety (ambidextrous), dual action bars, and compatibility with a massive aftermarket. The 590 is the tactical version with a heavier barrel, bayonet lug, and metal trigger guard/safety.
590 vs 590A1: The 590A1 has a heavier barrel, metal trigger guard, and metal safety button. It's the military spec version (MIL-SPEC 3443) — the same shotgun issued to U.S. armed forces. Worth the extra $50-100 if you plan to run it hard. With 17 deals averaging 85 upvotes on r/gundeals, the 590/590A1 is consistently one of the most posted tactical shotguns.
The 590A1 is a top choice for home defense — pair it with a weapon light and you're set. Track prices: Mossberg 500
Best Pump Made: Benelli Nova / SuperNova ($400–$600)
The Benelli Nova is the smoothest-cycling pump action on the market. One-piece receiver/stock design makes it incredibly strong and ergonomic. The SuperNova adds a removable stock and ghost ring sights option.
What to Pay for a Benelli Nova
- Great deal: Under $380
- Good deal: $380–$450
- Average: $450–$530
Track it: Benelli Nova price history
Best Value Semi-Auto: Beretta A300 Ultima ($600–$800)
The Beretta A300 Ultima is THE most posted shotgun on r/gundeals — 46 deals averaging 121 upvotes. That's not an accident. Gas-operated, soft-shooting, and reliable with everything from light target loads to heavy buckshot. It's the gateway to semi-auto shotguns and dominates sporting clays courses. If you're looking for a do-everything semi-auto, this is it.
The A300 is an excellent choice for hunting — it cycles everything from light dove loads to 3" magnums. Also check out the home defense guide if you want to run it for HD.
Best Tactical Semi-Auto: Beretta 1301 Comp ($1,100–$1,400)
The Beretta 1301 is the fastest cycling semi-auto shotgun in production — 36% faster than the competition according to Beretta. With 23 deals averaging 99 upvotes on r/gundeals, it's the go-to premium semi-auto for both competition and home defense. Dominant in 3-gun, and increasingly the recommended HD shotgun for people who want semi-auto reliability without Benelli M4 money.
The 1301 Tactical is a top-tier home defense semi-auto. If you're into competition shooting, it also pairs well with a pistol caliber carbine for multi-gun matches.
The Gold Standard: Benelli M4 ($1,600–$1,900)
The Benelli M4 is the shotgun the U.S. Marines chose (designated M1014, winning the Joint Service Combat Shotgun program). Its dual gas/inertia ARGO system is one of the most reliable semi-auto actions ever designed — it runs everything from light birdshot to full-power slugs without adjustment. Only 5 deals posted on r/gundeals but averaging a massive 183 upvotes each — when an M4 deal drops, the community goes wild.
The M4 is the ultimate home defense shotgun if budget isn't a constraint. It's overkill for hunting — this is a fighting shotgun, period.
Honorable Mention: Remington 870 Police Trade-Ins ($270–$650)
The Remington 870 Police trade-ins are some of the best value pump shotguns you'll find. These are duty guns that departments are replacing — they've been maintained, they work, and they cost a fraction of new price. With 11 deals averaging 85 upvotes on r/gundeals, the community consistently recommends these when they pop up.
Buyer's tip: Look for ones with ghost ring sights and extended magazine tubes — those are the real Police models, not Express guns. Cosmetic wear is fine; these are built to last decades.
Pump vs Semi-Auto: Which Should You Buy?
- Pump — Simpler, cheaper, runs any ammo. Best for: budget home defense, hunting, beginners.
- Semi-Auto — Faster follow-up shots, less felt recoil. Best for: clays, competition, home defense if budget allows.
For a deeper breakdown on setting up a shotgun for home defense, check our Best Home Defense Setup guide. Heading into the field? See our Best Hunting Setup guide.
Track Shotgun Prices
Related Guides
- Best Home Defense Setup — shotgun HD configurations, ammo, and accessories
- Best Hunting Setup — field shotguns, optics, and load recommendations
- Best Pistol Caliber Carbine — another great HD and competition option
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